Page 26 of A Tangled Web

He sat down on a stump in the shade of a juniper tree, his expression content. “The perfect spot. Every home has one if you know how to look for it. There’s clarity and peace here. If I know my granddaughter, and I do, this is where she comes to think when she has a problem to solve.”

Will reached into the pocket of his frayed jeans and pulled out a small, gleaming carving knife. “Now we can talk about what’s troubling your heart. Sit down.”

She lowered herself to the ground like an obedient child, unable to resist the kindness in his expression. “How did you know I was a nurse?”

The old man turned the root in his hand, studying it carefully. “The same way I know this is a root from a strong cottonwood, but it’s something else as well. I can see the shape it is now, as well as the one it was meant to be. Everything about it tells me, if I’m paying attention.” He pierced her with his sharp gaze. “Some things can be altered, but what it is at its core is the same. And you are as much a healer now as you were yesterday. Kaya has chosen her friends well. Your empathy shines from you. It defines all your actions. You can’t help but care for others, often more than you care about yourself.”

“I don’t think I deserve the compliment.”

He scoffed. “You’re sitting here talking with an obnoxious old man because you care about your friend and the wellbeing of a stranger, even when you believe your own world is ending. And every day, you hold back what you truly feel from others because you put their happiness above your own.”

“I don’t—”

“You do.” His tone brooked no arguments. “But a healer isn’t a seer, and that’s your problem. You think you know better than everyone else. You believe that pushing people away from you is the right thing to do, because you can’t see a path where you’re allowed to be happy for long, and you don’t want others sharing your fate. You’re not the only one around here with that problem.”

Was he right? When they’d first met, part of the reason she’d never returned Liam’s friendly flirtations wasn’t because she hadn’t seen them. It wasn’t even because she hadn’t been interested. The truth was that Liam was clearly out of her league. Handsome, funny, smart and kind. He deserved someone who was worthy of him. Something better. She accepted that as fact and decided to be his friend.

“You took the choice out of his hands.”

She looked up, startled to find Will staring at her as though he could see inside her to what she truly was. “Did Kaya get it from you? Her gift for seeing into people like that?”

“Not from me, but I think it came from the same place. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I can see, but even I missed what was closest to me. I’ve made mistakes that I’m impatient to fix, and I’ve decided to start with you.”

“Are you saying you know how to fix my problems, Will?”

“I know many things. But people rarely listen to an old man with too much time on his hands.”

“I’m listening.”

He winked at her roguishly. “And I knew you would. Why do you think I wanted to meet you first? If only you could think of some way to delay my daughter from coming to pick me up.”

He was watching her from beneath his lashes, waiting for her to catch up, she thought. “Well, as your healer, I think it might be a good idea for you to stick around for a few days. After that walk, you need time to recover.”

His smile was brilliant with approval. “If you think its best. I do like to be where I’m needed. At least until Nimon, when the katsinam return home.”

Her confused expression had him chuckling. “I think I must like you. I forgot that you wouldn’t know that story.”

He leaned back against the tree, whittling with a skill Dani could only marvel at. She had a feeling Liam would love everything about this. Knowing him, he’d probably try to charm the older man into giving him lessons.

Guilt gnawed at her. She really should call him, she thought, glancing back at Kaya’s cottage where she’d left her phone.

“He knows where you are, Dani. I’m certain my granddaughter has told him.”

Dani made a face. “You’re right. She always knows what to do.”

“You trust Kaya’s feelings. That’s good. You should trust mine as well. Now get comfortable, and I’ll tell you about the kachina and the last ceremony of the season.”

She stared at him doubtfully. “And this story will help me find my answers?”

Will looked at her as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What are stories if not teachers? Guides to show us how to live and love and be? If you’re willing to listen, with your heart as well as your ears, you’ll hear all you need to know.”

He was very convincing. “Okay, Will. Tell me a story.”

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