One Last Promise by Tina Wainscott

Author:Tina Wainscott [Wainscott, Tina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945143816
Publisher: Written Musings

CHAPTER 21

“You didn’t sleep well last night,” Quade said from the kitchen when Clare lifted her head the next morning.

The aroma of toast and jelly brought her fully awake and to the table. “You know how it is, sleeping in a strange bed.”

“With a strange man,” he added with a smile.

“More like the strange circumstances of…well, everything.” She took a bite of the toast. “Are we shooting again this morning?”

“No. Our ammo is running low, and there’s no point making you an expert if we don’t have any bullets. We’ll focus on evasion tactics.”

She felt more determined than ever to get out of this alive. Because of her promise to Quade. She had plans to make, places to move to. He walked up behind her, standing so close she could feel the heat she knew couldn’t be coming from his body. He couldn’t make plans. Her heart tightened at the thought.

“Wha’cha thinking about?” he asked softly.

“You.”

“Me? Is it good or bad?”

“Both,” she said on a sigh, walking away from him. “Let’s get practice over with.”

They spent two hours scoping out the area. Afterward, they walked to the cliff where that vile rope hung.

“Clare, I’m going to show you how to climb down this rope.”

“You already did.”

“No, I mean I’m going to do it.”

Her heart clenched. “You don’t have to do that. I get the gist.”

“Yes, I do. You’re terrified of the prospect, so maybe if you see me do it, you’ll feel better. Besides, what could happen to me?”

Roxy piped in, Show him that you’re not terrified, girlfriend. Don’t let him talk to you that way!

Roxy, I am terrified, you ninny!

Oh, girl.

Clare shook the voices from her head. She wrapped her arms around herself and held her breath, even as she told herself that he couldn’t die. He kissed the cross on his chain and stepped onto that tiny ledge, gained his balance, then swung down beneath the ledge. For a moment, she could only see his legs as they circled the rope. Then he emerged into view, hands moving deftly down the rope. As she looked down, she caught sight of the river running swiftly far below. The rope swung a little, but he worked his way down, becoming smaller, smaller—

“See, easy.”

His voice, just behind her, jarred her. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Sorry. Feel any better about climbing down?”

“No. If I have to do it, I suppose I’ll do the best I can.”

“That’s all I’m asking for.”

Clare reached up and took the cross in her fingers. “You kissed your cross before you climbed down.”

“I did?” He shrugged when she nodded. “Habit. It’s something I do before attempting anything dangerous. I guess I’m asking God for good luck.”

“What about asking Him to let you stay?”

“I have, a thousand times. But I don’t see how I can. My body is gone. I’m dead.”

“Don’t say that.”

He moved closer. The morning breeze ruffled his hair, dropping a lock down over his forehead. His fingers ran down the length of her arms and captured her hands in his.

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