Page 4 of Forsaken Trail (Runaway 4)

Most of the greenery was overgrown from the summer. During my vacation, I’d remedy that with a few hours of trimming and pruning. Clara’s only requirement for me when I’d added all of the greenery had been maintenance. She’d water but that was about it.

I put the Cadillac in park, and before I could step out, the front door to Clara’s house burst open and Gus came racing my way.

“Aunt Aria!”

His dark blond hair had grown some since our last FaceTime. His legs looked longer, his face fuller. I’d blinked, and my nephew had changed from a toddler to a boy. He had a dust streak on his cheek and grass stains on his bare knees. He grew too fast.

“Hey!” My heart leapt as I climbed out of the car. I bent, bracing for impact, and scooped him into my arms when he came crashing like a wave. “Oh, I missed you.”

“Where’s my present?” He squirmed out of my hold, taking in the car.

“August,” Clara scolded, coming out the door.

“It’s okay.” I waved it off and took in my beautiful sister. “Hi.”

“Hi.” She, like her son, came rushing into my embrace. “We went too long this time.”

“I know.” I squeezed her tighter.

Normally, we planned five to six visits in a year. Seven if I was lucky. But going four months without seeing them was too long. Work might have kept my mind and body busy, but my heart had paid the price.

A mistake I wouldn’t make again.

Clara and August were my only family. We needed each other.

Today maybe more than yesterday.

Clara’s nose was red and her cheeks splotchy. Her pretty brown eyes didn’t have their usual sparkle and her shoulders slumped low. She’d trapped her blond hair in a loose ponytail, the ends hanging limp over one shoulder.

“You don’t look good.”

“I don’t feel good.” She shrugged and ran a hand over the gleaming hood of the car. “Wow. Look at this thing.”

“A beauty, isn’t it?”

“I can’t believe it’s here. That it’s my turn.” She smiled and stroked the car again. “I love this whole handoff thing.”

Clara was a romantic. As teens, she’d buy romance novels for a dime at the thrift store and stay up late reading under the glow of a flashlight. I suspected I’d find a stack of them beside her bed, or a well-stocked Kindle, when I tucked her in for a nap this afternoon.

We’d taken care of each other for the past twenty years. Longer, really. Since our parents had died. We were thirty years old, but that wasn’t going to stop me from pampering her while I was here. She’d do the same for me.

“You can gush over the car later. First, we unload. Then, we do presents.”

“Yes.” Gus did a fist pump.

“And after that, you’re taking a long, hot bath followed by a long nap.”

Clara gave me a sad smile as exhaustion clouded her pretty face. She looked like she was about to cry.

“What? What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing. I’m just really tired.”

I pulled her into my arms again. “Then we’ll make sure you get lots of rest.”

She collapsed onto my shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too. We both need a vacation, even if yours is at home. No work. Fun only. Just the three of us.”