Page 28 of Big Risks

Then I wait.

Not on her porch. That feels too presumptuous, too invasive. Instead, I sit in my truck at the end of her lane, where the gravel meets the county road. I don't know what I'm waiting for, exactly. For her to come home? For a sign that I haven't ruined everything?

Hours pass. The sun slides toward the mountains. I should pick up Olivia from Mrs. Winters, but I can't make myself leave. Not yet.

My phone rings. It's Mrs. Winters.

"Walker? Is everything alright? Olivia's still here, and I haven’t heard from you."

I check the time—5:45. "I'm so sorry. I lost track of time. I'll be right there."

"No problem. She's helping me in the garden. Take your time."

I start the truck and go to get Olivia. Every mile I put between Hailey’s place and me, I can feel physical pain. After I pick up Olivia and head home, I try to keep my mind on simple things like what I’m going to make for dinner and getting Olivia ready for bed, when a text comes in.

Hailey:I got your letter. We need to talk. I'll be at the diner at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

My heart stops, then restarts at double speed. I read the message again, trying to decipher any emotion in the words in front of me. There's nothing to go on. No clue whether she's coming to say goodbye or to give me another chance.

Me:I’ll be there.

"—and then Jackson said girls can't be astronauts, which is so stupid, and Mrs. Delaney showed us pictures of actual women astronauts, and I told him that I'm going to be the first person to walk on Mars, and—" She stops abruptly. "Dad? Are you listening?"

"Of course I am. Jackson's an idiot, and you're going to Mars." I say as I finish putting Olivia to bed.

She grins, satisfied. "Can we see if Hailey wants to go to the library carnival with me tomorrow?"

The question lands like a punch to the gut. "Hailey's not here. She had to go away for a little while."

Olivia's face falls. "Because of work?"

"Something like that."

"When is she coming back?"

I grip the steering wheel tighter. "I don't know, sweetheart."

"But she is coming back, right?" Her voice gets smaller. "She promised to teach me how to make those paper stars."

I can't lie to her. Not even to spare her feelings. "I hope so, Liv. I really hope so."

Once I finish tucking her into bed, I go to bed myself, willing the morning to come faster.

In exchange for taking Olivia early this morning, I had to give Mrs. Winters some details on everything going on with Hailey. The whole time I just keep watching the clock.

7:05. 7:13. 7:26.

I finally get out the door and into my truck, checking the time again.

7:42.

The drive to the diner takes seven minutes. I arrive at 7:49, scanning the parking lot for Hailey's car. It's not here. My stomach drops.

Inside, the evening crowd is sparse. There are a couple of truckers at the counter, the high school baseball coach and his wife in a booth, and a table of elderly men drinking coffee in the corner. No Hailey.

I take a booth by the window and order coffee I don't want. Every time the door opens, my head snaps up, hope rising and falling like a tide.

8:04. 8:12. 8:24. 8:38

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