Wind Dancer by Chris Platt

Author:Chris Platt [Platt, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781480434530
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: 2014-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Ten

The screen door banged shut and Ali watched from the truck’s passenger seat as Danny cautiously made his way down the steps, wearing his new prosthetic and using a cane to help him balance. His gait was awkward and unsure. Ali wanted to get out of the truck and help him, but she knew he wouldn’t want her to.

He folded his long body behind the steering wheel and sat there for several moments. He turned on the radio and fussed with it for a bit, then adjusted all the mirrors and his seat.

Danny tapped his fingers and whistled along with the tune on the radio. She hadn’t heard her brother whistle in many years. Was he stalling, hoping their father would volunteer to drive them?

Ali picked at her nails while she waited, feeling awkward. Finally Danny handed her a list and some cash.

“Mom says this is what the vet suggested you get at the feed store.” He fidgeted with the rearview mirror again. “She said you’d know what to pick out for brushes and such.” He cracked his knuckles and put the truck in drive, slowly pulling to the end of the driveway. “Make sure your seat belt is on,” he ordered, then softened his voice. “You can never be too careful.”

“Especially when we’re in our own driveway.” There was a long unsettling pause and she began to regret her attempt at humor, then Danny burst out laughing. It was the first real laugh she’d heard from him since he’d come home.

“Are you going to be okay driving with your new leg?” she asked. “Are you worried?”

“Nah, I’ve driven a couple times since I’ve been home. This truck’s an automatic. I can use my good right leg for the gas and brake.” He reached over and tugged on a lock of her hair, like he used to do when they were kids, then pulled out onto the road.

Ali was relieved she didn’t have to worry about coming up with stuff to talk about; he had the radio up too loud for them to hear each other.

They came to the small stretch of freeway on the way to the feed store. As they merged into traffic, Danny’s demeanor changed. He sat up straighter and his eyes darted all around. He watched his mirrors constantly and seemed overly anxious when cars pulled alongside them or passed.

She didn’t remember him ever being this cautious when he was younger. He’d been a little bit of a daredevil before he’d left for the war. Maybe the Army had taught him a different driving technique?

And then it dawned on her. Danny had had to be vigilant all the time when he was in Afghanistan—if he wanted to stay alive.

She swallowed hard, knowing she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to live in a war zone every day. She found it difficult to be around horses after what she’d gone through with Max, but that was nothing compared to what Danny had experienced.

She had healed; her arm was back to normal.

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