Page 12 of Just a Plot Twist
The family of four has caught up to us. With apologetic looks, they step out of the clearing and go single file to get around us.
“You guys good?” The father asks.
“She fell,” I say, right as she says, “We’re totally fine!”
She grasps my hands and I ease her up to a stand. As she puts weight on her foot, she winces and takes in a sharp breath.
After some hesitation, and after Claire shoos him with her hands and the fakest-of-fake bright smiles, the guy proceeds up the path with his family.
More people approach us to get through, so she hobbles over to the clearing, still clinging to my hand.
“Did you roll your ankle?” I ask, careful to keep my voice down. Her cheeks are smudged with pink.
She nods, wriggles free, and stands on one foot as she screws the lid off her water bottle. She takes a long drink and then sighs, rubbing the back of her hand across her upper lip, causing dirt to mustache across her face.
“I’m sorry that happened,” I say. I search the view as I try to formulate a plan. We’ve been hiking almost an hour. What does one do in a situation like this?
She sets her water bottle on the ground and leans against a tree. “Me, too. My first hike of the season! I’m blaming Inez for this.”
“Who’s Inez?” I curb my smile. I don’t mean to smile at her misfortune, but the dirt across her upper lip reminds me of my kids when they play outside.
“The city manager and my boss. The one who was supposed to be here.” She presses her lips tightly together. “Not to hike with me, but for the project. And I’m notactuallyblaming her. I’m just…frustrated.” She shakes her head and sighs, rubbing her temple.
Another group of people attempt to pass us. We’re just ahead of the natural clearing, so they clog the narrow trail so much that I have to tug her closer, wrapping my arm around her midback. She smells like a vanilla-scented candle.
“If I had an arm around you, could you walk back down? We can go slowly.”
“No.” Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips. “I mean, I’m okay.” She meets my gaze, her chin up. “You go on ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute.” She gestures to the trail and then leans past me, so that her shoulder drops against the skinny trunk of a pine.
“I’m not going to just leave you here.”
She hops again on one foot so she can maneuver her back against the tree. “And I’m not going to stand in your way of reaching the top. How disappointing is that to get so close but not quite there?” She frowns, her streak of a mustache turning down. “Nuh uh. I won’t be the cause of that.”
“Well, it’s disappointing foryouto not be able to get to the top, too.”
“Oh, I’m making it to the top.” Her green eyes blaze. “Do not worry about me. I need to rest another minute or two and then I’ll go up.”
“You can’t even put weight on it,” I counter.
Her gaze hardens. “Well, not quite yet. But you go on ahead.” She eases onto a fallen log and rotates her foot again, her face pale.
“I don’t think you’re okay.”
“Look, I appreciate the help and concern. But you did not come on this hike to help a stranger after a very minor stumble. So go.” She levels me with a stare. “Please.”
I hesitate, unease filtering through my chest. “I don’t want to leave you like this.”
She winces again as she points and flexes her foot.
“Since I’m an IT nerd…” I smile at this. “I don’t know much about injuries, but maybe you shouldn’t try to walk this out. You need to elevate and stabilize to keep the swelling down.”
Her lips form a thin line, and her gaze goes to the ground. “I don’t mean to be…short with you, but I want you to reach the top.”
She meets my gaze, and her bright, clear green eyes are striking against her porcelain skin and light brown hair. She has similar features to Oliver’s wife, Sophie. I can tell they’re sisters, but she’s also very much her own woman.
“This is embarrassing, okay?” she continues. “I’d appreciate you letting me have a small shred of dignity here by letting me do this on my own.”
I hold up my hands. “Suit yourself.” I try to smile, but it’s difficult. This woman’s stubbornness is…
