Tranquility Falls by Davis Bunn

Author:Davis Bunn [Bunn, Davis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2020-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31

They danced.

Their audience shrieked and gamboled about, three young women and a golden-haired dog, all laughing as they circled the two of them. Their music was a soft breeze that rustled through the tall grass and the wildflowers. The waterfall formed a liquid chorus. Daniel’s arms were strong, his presence warm, his face showing her a gentle smile. Stella thought it was the finest melody she had ever known, one she would carry with her for years to come.

Despite how her fears grew with each step, each breath, every passing second.

Perhaps he could see the dark message in her eyes. Or maybe for him the melody ended. She was terribly sorry when he let her go. But at least she was able to breathe again.

Daniel leaned over so Amber could set a flower behind each ear. He laughed with them and said, “Who wants to get wet?”

The five of them formed a happy line. Daniel pointed Goldie to a spot by the lake’s edge and spoke sharply enough to keep her in place. Veronica followed at a distance, hastily changing lenses and shooting constantly. Amber released Daniel’s hand and pulled Stella forward, giving her mother no choice in the matter. Stella smiled as though she was pleased with the shift, which in fact she was. Daniel’s hand was as warm as his embrace.

* * *

Daniel led them around the lake’s southern rim, over to where the cliff reached out one stony arm. A tight ledge extended at waist height, scarcely as wide as his boot. He showed them where some early hikers had carved steps from the rock. “The ledge broadens close to the falls. But it also gets slippery. Everybody remember to get a firm handhold before taking the next step. If you fall, push away from the face. I have no idea how deep the lake is. You may be able to stand on the bottom.” Daniel reached out one hand. “Stella, you want to lead off?”

He helped them climb up, one by one, then followed. Midway around the lake, the path broadened to where they could walk straight ahead. Daniel loudly reminded them to keep a hold on the rock face. Up ahead, the water fell and sang. It was not much as waterfalls went, a slender veil that split and opened. Mist drifted in the hot air. Stella reached the falls and glanced back. Daniel gave her a thumbs-up. “Step through!”

She raised one hand to shield her head, took a step, and vanished.

The girls squealed and followed.

Behind the falls was a shallow indent, scarcely large enough to hold the five of them. The rock formed a baffle that made the falling water thunderous. They huddled together and shouted words no one could understand.

Chloe stepped forward, lifted her arms, and stood in the falls. The water played over her in a teasing rush, the light silver and golden and forming an aura around her. Then Amber joined the older girl, shrieking with an unbridled joy that was all her own.

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