Page 50 of Adam's Rising

Adam took the lead from Claire and guided Buttercup out of the stall. “I’ll get you set up first. I know you’re capable and all, but isn’t that what Rusty normally does when he’s here?”

“It is. Rusty lets me come in before school —” Claire jogged up beside him. “Are you going to school here now, in Wasilla?”

Adam’s smile was soft, but it didn’t lift his face like usual. “I’m eighteen, remember?”

“Oh, right.” She checked the door. “So… you won’t… graduate?”

He sighed softly. “Would that upset you?”

She shrugged. “Just doesn’t seem fair.”

“There are worse things.”

Claire lowered her head. Adam was thinking about the unfair cards fate had dealt Thomas. While Adam might miss some rites of passage, there were definitely worse things.

“Hey…” Adam whispered. “It’s okay, Claire. We’ll talk more on the trail. I promise you… I’m gonna be just fine.”

Claire inhaled deeply, then released it, letting herself relax. “I believe you.”

Outside, Adam tied Buttercup to the hitching post and gave her a loving pat before heading back for Prince. He looked Claire over and nodded.

“What? Did I forget something?”

“I was just double-checking that you had your gun.” He paused for a second, then turned and jogged back.

Claire tugged on her bottom lip.

Adam’s pause played through her head, the way he stood there… He’d almost kissed her. It would’ve felt like the natural order of things. But then he took off. She was sure he’d wanted to kiss her, though.

Claire kept watch. She was outside a little early again. There were no predators on Clara Mae’s ranch — at least, she’d never seen one. Too much activity? Too much noise?

Adam walked through the barn doors, then vaulted onto his horse’s bare back, galloping toward her like one of those Spaghetti Westerns where the hero swoops in to scoop up the girl and ride off into the sunset.

Claire giggled. She loved those cheesy parts, especially the hero swooping in. Now she just needed that kiss.

“Whoa!” Adam cooed, and his horse stuttered to a stop. “Good boy. That’s my good boy.” He hopped down, wrapped the lead over the hitching post, and smiled. “Ready?”

“Yep, but I have a question first.” She glanced over her shoulder then stepped toward him, eyeing him from head to toe — his chosen footwear, actually.

“Um, sure? What’s up?” He swallowed hard as she closed the distance between them.

Claire nearly laughed at his sudden nervousness. She’d never seen him uneasy around anyone but her. She kind of liked that. Not that she made him uneasy, but that he cared enough about what she thought to get a little unsteady. At least he wasn’t so edgy that he couldn’t be himself — like dancing on the back of the truck.That, she wouldn’t like.

“Do I make you nervous?”

“Sometimes.” Adam checked their surroundings, then actually winked at her. “But in a good way.”

“Hmm. I kind of like that.” Claire restrained her laugh. The last thing she wanted to do was stifle his step toward feeling comfortable with her.

“I’m glad you approve. Was that your question?”

She gave a slight head shake, then looked at his tennis shoes, waiting as he followed her gaze. “Where are your boots?”

Adam’s head popped up. “Yeah, about that… Like I said, I was kind of rushed. I didn’t have time to pack.” He pointed to his clothes. “I need clothes for me and Peter, too. I’ll head to the store tonight and get some.”

Confused, she cocked her head. “Why don’t you just go back to your house and get them?”

Adam’s lip quivered. “I can’t —”

---