Page 58 of My Heart To Heal

‘Okay, you two, come and eat.’ I call them to the table with a smile on my face, and they rush over, sitting next to each other and digging in.

‘What are you doing today?’ Nick asks before taking a bite of a waffle and moaning almost indecently. ‘Oh, that’s good.’

Smiling, I shake my head.

‘Watching movies and eating takeout,’ Jonah answers, and I laugh.

‘Is that so?’

‘Yep.’ He grins and takes a bite.

‘Oh, okay. I was going to ask if you felt like joining me for a hike, but never mind.’

‘A hike?’ Jonah questions with his mouth full.

‘Jonah!’ He grimaces at my tone, understanding right away and closing his mouth.

‘Yeah, I need some fresh air, so I’m heading out to the forest, maybe up to the falls.’

‘The falls?’I question.

Nick grins and nods. ‘You remember the name of this town, right?’

‘Yes, thank you very much, I do, but I didn’t know there were still actual falls.’

‘Oh yeah, it’s a beautiful spot, too, especially on a day like this.’

I glance at the window. The skies are blue, but it’s cold and crisp. I haven’t been outside yet, but I know there’s a light frost on the ground.

‘Um, what do you say, baby? You want to go see the waterfall with Nick?’ Jonah nods enthusiastically as he chews, and I shrug. ‘Okay, I guess we’re hiking then.’

Nick

We had to stopoff at Cara’s house so both Jonah and Missy could borrow hiking boots. By some miracle, Bowie and Jonah are the same size and Cara is only a size bigger than Missy so with the thick socks she put on, they'reokay, but I’m getting themtheir own boots. Before we’ve even made it out to the falls, I know I want to make this a regular thing.

Now I’m watching as Jonah leads the way along the frosty trail, and I’m loving this peaceful feeling as Missy and I walk side by side behind him.

‘I might get a dog,’ I muse, and she gasps.

‘Really? A puppy?’

‘Nah, an older rescue, I think — one that’s been overlooked. Maybe you guys could come with me so I can be sure it’s okay with Jonah before bringing one home.’

‘Really?’

I feel her attention on me and turn to smile at her before returning my gaze to Jonah.

‘Yeah, I live right next door, Miss. We’re friends, and he’s going to be in contact with it, so I need to know he’s safe with it.’

She smiles but doesn’t say anything as Jonah stills on the trail ahead of us.

‘What is it, bud?’ I ask quietly as I catch up to him to see him watching two rabbits hopping along the side of the trail.

‘They’re so cute,’ he whispers as I squat by his side and watch with him.

‘They are, huh?’ He turns to me and beams. ‘Shall we keep going, see what else we can spot?’

Nodding, he runs on, and I wait for Missy to catch me up.

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