The Middle of Somewhere(59)

Liz recognized how similar she was to her mother in finding her life’s work. Claire might not have been blessed with prodigious talent, but she was committed to her art, and supported her fellow artists. While Liz could have benefitted from more attention, and a larger family life, at least her mother did nothing to discourage her from becoming who she was, which included, ironically, someone who could soothe herself in the imaginative exploration of a painting.

The morning after Gabriel had died, Liz had been awakened from her sleep in the chair by a knock at the door. She was surprised to find her mother on the doorstep.

“Look at you,” Claire said, laying a hand on her daughter’s cheek. “The things life does.”

In a single stroke, Liz’s troubled marriage, her adultery and her husband’s death had been swept into a generic box. That day, she was grateful for her mother’s nonchalance.

Claire walked past her, heading for the kitchen. “Gabriel’s mother called me, if you’re wondering.” There was no resentment in her voice for not receiving a direct call from her daughter.

Liz found her mother pulling mugs from the cabinet. “I don’t know how your coffee works. Just start and I’ll take over while you shower.” She looked at Liz, who hadn’t moved. “Come on, now. Coffee and a shower. One foot in front of the other.” She took her daughter by the shoulders. “Talking about this sort of thing is useless. You’ll be sad no matter what.” Before she let go, she squeezed. “So, one foot in front of the other.”

And that was how it would be with Dante on this hike. She had more to tell him, worse than what he’d already heard, but there was no way around it. It was a boulder in the middle of the trail. Where in the trail, she couldn’t say, but they would get there, one foot in front of the other. And, if they were able, they’d continue on to the other side.





CHAPTER TWENTY





After breakfast, Dante headed to the ranger station for a weather forecast. Liz picked her way through the trees to the stream to rinse the dishes. Squatting on a sandy patch, she swirled water into the cups and flung it into the bushes behind her. Breaking twigs drew her attention to the far bank, clogged with willow. The sounds proceeded upstream. She stood, slowly, in case it was an animal, and placed a foot on a half-submerged rock to improve her view. The willows shook like a cheerleader’s pompom. The branches parted and Payton Root appeared, fixing his eyes on her. Liz gasped. Her foot slid off the rock and hit the water with a splash. Wheeling her arms to keep her balance, she stumbled, knocking the metal dishes onto the rocks.

He was in front of her, unsmiling. “Good morning.” His beard had grown in since she’d last seen him three days before. Somehow, he appeared even larger.

She glanced toward the campsites, but they lay invisible beyond the steep bank.

He came half a step closer. “Surprised to see me?”

She stepped back. “I thought your brother was hurt.”

“Well, he was. And now he’s better. He’s small, but he’s tough.”

Rodell wasn’t small. He was as tall as Dante, but Payton dwarfed them both.

She said, “And yet a knee injury is so unlikely to heal in—what?—half a day. Must be some genetic peculiarity.”

“You got a sharp tongue, don’t you? Like a rattlesnake.” He showed his teeth in a parody of a smile. “Don’t get me wrong. I prefer feisty.”

Her stomach clenched. She wanted to leave, but picking up the dishes would make her too vulnerable. Instead, she met his eyes. “And with your charm and debonair ways, I’m sure you have your choice.”

“Hey!” Rodell appeared from the direction of her campsite. “How’re you doing?”

She used the distraction to scoop up her dishes. “Great.” Rodell blocked the path. “If you’ll excuse me . . .”

He ignored her. “I just saw Dante on his way to the ranger’s.”

“That’s great. Now, Rodell, I need to get going.”

“Aren’t you going to ask about my leg?”

“I can see it’s fine. Miraculously so.” She regretted her comment immediately.

The younger brother, usually cheerful, jerked his shoulders into place. Pointing a finger at her, he questioned his brother. “You still fancy this one?”

Payton narrowed his eyes and ran his tongue slowly across his lips. “More all the time.”