Page 40 of Always Mine

“I agree. You need professional help.”

“Would you see me? I can pay.”

“I have a degree in psychiatry as well as ministry. I just opened a small practice. I’ll see you as much as you want, but no payment necessary. My sister wants me to do this and I owe her.” He took out his phone. “I’m free on Friday afternoon.”

“My calendar is open. Friday it is.”

* * *

Annie looked forward to a day outside. The school was taking a break from their classes and doing a team building exercise. Teachers and students would participate. She was glad to be in the fresh air and the activities would keep her mind off Diego. She lifted her face to the sky, let the warm sun soothe her. This was her second day without talking to him but she wasn’t feeling any distance from him. Should she call him tonight?

Adam Phillips stood in front of the group wearing jeans and the red school T-shirt, as were most of them. Annie stood with her partner, Timmy O’Malley.

“This Adventure Course is brand new. Construction just finished on it.” Jackson Kane had financed the sprawling structure as he had the entire school campus. “Each group member must navigate several activities. You’ll be in pairs. If someone has difficulty with one challenge, your partner may help you. Or even the whole group can.”

The students moaned.

“None of that. Who would like to go first?”

Annie stepped right up. “We would.”

“All right. You and Tim are first.”

Adam demonstrated: he held on to a ten-footrope that dangled from a sturdy tree limb far above their heads. “This is called the swing obstacle. Grab on to the rope like this—” he clasped his hands as high on the rope as he could reach "—take a running leap, or have your partner push you off, and swing over the grass past that marker on the ground. Your goal is to land the other side of it.” Adam followed his own directions and cleared the grass easily. The rope swung back to the start.

Grabbing the thick, corded flax, Annie stepped back several feet. “Me Tarzan!” she yelled as she took the leap and crossed the grassy area, also easily clearing it.

The kids were wide-eyed then clapped. “Way to go, Ms. Stefano…yeah, Teach…”

Tim went next and missed his first try.

“Annie, come back to the starting line and help him.”

She jogged over and got behind him. She said in his ear, “You can do it, Tim. Take a longer running leap and I’ll push you.”

This time, Timmy cleared the grass. They high-fived.

There were giggles and mumbled curses, but all six kids completed the activity. They’d just reached the Log Mount when they heard, “Hey, everybody. Mind if I join?” Jackson Kane stood behind them.

Annie had never seen the man out of a suit. But he had on black nylon shorts and the same red school shirt they all wore.

“Hey, Mr. K. You gonna play too?” Frankie asked.

“I’d like to give it a shot. But I need a partner. Frankie, do you mind if we share Ms. Shepherd?”

“Go for it,” Frankie said.

“You can go first, Mr. Kane,” Harlan told him. He wasn’t much of a volunteer and didn’t speak out a lot.

Maisy frowned as she walked over to him. Said something that made him frown. She’d told Annie she didn’t like the extra attention the rich CEO showed her. Annie suspected Jackson had feelings for her.

A log was suspended horizontally about ten feet above the ground by a chain on either end. Adam said, “Each person has to get up onto the log, sit on it, then come down on the other side.”

“It’s too high.” Quentin scowled. “I’m the shortest in the group.” And the skinniest.

“Your partner has to boost you up somehow. Or you could ask for reinforcements. It’s called cooperation.”

Jackson walked about ten feet away, took a running leap and got both hands onto the log. He easily hefted himself onto the log. And didn’t even break a sweat. He grinned like a kid. Annie took a glance at Maisy. Her mouth fell open. His success was quite impressive.

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