The First Day by Barbara McMahon

Author:Barbara McMahon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

SOON THEY WERE speeding their way west from the city toward the tree-covered Rockies. Traffic was light. Jared put in a CD that played soft jazz. Eric talked a mile a minute as he questioned Susannah about anything he could think of, asking his father for verification on facts he thought he knew about the house and the deer they sometimes saw from the deck.

“And it snows,” he finished dramatically.

“As it does in most of Colorado,” Jared said, flicking an amused glance at her.

“Do you get to use the house very much?” she asked. It was obvious both Walkers loved the place.

“Not as much as I’d like. I originally bought it with a view to commuting from there to work. It’s not that long a drive. But my hours are too erratic and long to make it easy, so I visit when I can on weekends and live out of the apartment during the week.”

“There’s a fireplace and everything,” Eric contributed.

“Sounds wonderful.” She looked out of the window, watching the passing scenery, feeling that closed-in feeling starting to take hold. Trying to be unobtrusive, she pressed her hand against the glass, as if absorbing the freedom of the outdoors. It was pathetic she couldn’t enjoy everyday things like ordinary people. But the fear began to clutch at her.

“Are you all right?” Jared asked a few moments later.

She glanced at him and nodded, swallowing hard.

“You look pale.”

“I, uh— Could we pull off somewhere for a couple of minutes?”

“There’s an exit less than a mile ahead, I’ll pull off there.”

He didn’t question her, for which she was grateful. When he pulled to a stop at the edge of the road by the off-ramp, she opened the door and bolted from the car. Taking deep breaths of crisp cold air, Susannah gradually felt herself getting back in control.

Jared joined her by the open field. “What’s wrong? Carsick?”

She shook her head. “It’s my claustrophobia. Sorry. How much farther is it? Maybe I should just wait here until you two come back tomorrow,” she said, trying to make a joke.

“It’s still another half hour. But we can take it in stages. Come on, I’ll get Eric and we’ll walk for a little while.”

“You don’t have to do that.” She felt so foolish. Yet couldn’t deny the thought of getting right back into the car was disturbing.

“This is an adventure,” Eric said when he joined her, holding tightly to his father’s hand. “We’ve never stopped before.”

“Well, I’m sorry we have to stop now,” she murmured.

“I’m not. Can I swing?”

“What?”

“He likes it when two adults hold his hands and lift him so he can swing between them. If you think you’re up to it, let’s give it a try,” Jared said.

They walked along the shoulder of the country road, swinging Eric and listening to his laughter. When the car was almost out of sight, Jared suggested they return.

“I’m sorry,” Susannah said as they reached the car. “I hope I can hold out until we get there.”

“Anytime you need to stop, just let me know,” Jared said opening the door.

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