Her Rocky Mountain Hope

by Mindy Obenhaus

  He couldn’t help laughing. “You are correct, lovely lady. But I still owe you a debt of gratitude. So, when you get back out here, I’m going to be your personal tour guide and take you anywhere you want to go.”

  “Daniel, as long as I’m with you, anyplace will be an adventure.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Are-are you sure?” Blythe stared at the sonographer, imploring her to say no.

  “Yes. You’ll need to see an oncologist for a biopsy.”

  The whole scene seemed to run on a continuous loop through Blythe’s mind, taunting her as she sat on her sister’s gray microfiber couch the following afternoon, the sun spilling through arched windows as Blythe blinked away another round of tears. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. She was in love and, for the first time in forever, actually contemplating a future. Marriage, kids, the whole shebang.

  Now that future had come to a screeching halt. The fantasy gone in a cloud of dust.

  Her mammogram this morning had revealed a suspicious growth and a subsequent ultrasound confirmed that Blythe would need to see an oncologist for a biopsy. From there, she could only imagine. A mastectomy, chemo... And just when she’d found a new outlook on life.

  She should have stayed on the safe side of the street.

  Like that would have stopped the cancer.

  Jenna dropped beside her with a fresh box of tissues, her own eyes rimmed red. Thankfully, her boys were gone, playing at their friends’ houses. “I know this is scary, Blythe, but we can’t keep dwelling on the worst-case scenario. I mean, they check you every year. This growth could turn out to be totally benign.”

  “But what if it’s not?” Blythe grabbed another tissue. “I’d rather fear the worst and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around.”

  “So, the glass is half-empty.” Her sister sent her one of those matter-of-fact looks.

  “What?”

  “You’re being a pessimist,” Jenna said emphatically.

  Blythe glared long and hard at her sister, longing to rail against her. Jenna had no clue what it was like to have cancer. To be labeled as sick or fragile or different. She didn’t know the stress and fatigue of treatments or the angst of wondering whether or not they would work.

  This time, Blythe was looking at the possibility of a mastectomy, being injected with poisons, losing her hair... None of which presented a pretty picture. So, what did Jenna expect her to do? Say c’est la vie and move on down the road?

  She turned away, unable to look at her healthy, vibrant sister. The one who had everything going for her. A loving husband, two healthy kids... “Let’s see how optimistic you are if you or one of your kids is ever diagnosed with cancer.” Her words were unfair, she knew that. But cancer wasn’t fair, either.

  “That’s just it, Blythe, you haven’t been diagnosed yet.” In true Jenna fashion, she ignored Blythe’s rebuff, grabbed her shoulders instead and forced Blythe to look at her. “I don’t want you to have cancer again. And I’m going to pray my little heart out that you won’t. Why can’t you cling to that same hope?”

  “Because I’ve seen the reality of cancer. Not just my own, but in my peers.”

  Jenna let go then, her expression going flat. “You’re talking about Miranda, aren’t you?”

  Blythe nodded, tears spilling anew as she thought about all her friend had endured those last months. Treatment, surgeries... “She was my best friend.”

  “I know, honey. But that was more than a decade ago. Scientists are discovering new treatments and cures every day.”

  She scowled at her sister. “Jenna, there is no cure for cancer.”

  “Not yet. But who’s to say there won’t be one today or tomorrow?”

  Blythe pushed to her feet. Hugging herself, she paced across the colorful area rug and onto the wooden floor to stare out the window. Children raced their bikes around the cul-de-sac, laughing; a woman jogged along the sidewalk, pushing a stroller; a neighbor mowed his lawn. Happy, uninterrupted lives.

  She took in a deep breath and turned away to see her sister still on the couch, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, knee drawn to her chest as she no doubt contemplated how to fix this.

  Blythe had come to Jenna’s because Jenna had always been there for her. She was the calm in Blythe’s storm. The voice of reason. Until today, when that storm raged with such ferocity that Blythe was willing to ignore any and all reason.

  Rubbing her arms, Blythe said, “I’m scared, Jenna.” The confession unleashed even more tears as her sister hurried to her side to comfort her.

  “I know you are, sweetie.” She enfolded Blythe in her embrace. “I am, too. But we can’t let that fear rule us. Somehow, we have to find a way to release it to God and trust Him with the circumstances. No matter how horrible they might seem.”

  Blythe pulled back then. “You sound like Daniel. If he were here, he would tell me this is an opportunity to trust.” Something she’d vowed to do only days ago when her life seemed so promising. Now her faith was crumbling faster than a house of cards.

  “Speaking of Daniel, when are you going to tell him?”

  “I’m not.” She returned to the sofa. “Nor am I going to go back out there for the Fourth.”

  Her sister’s brown eyes widened. “But you’re looking forward to it.”

  “That was yesterday. This is today. I can’t go back to Ouray and pretend this—” she motioned over her torso “—doesn’t exist.”

  Moving to the edge of the couch, Jenna crossed her arms over her chest, jerking her head back. “You think cancer is going to change the way Daniel feels about you?”

  “Of course, it will.”

  “It doesn’t have to.” Her sister lowered her arms. “You’ve already discussed the will-I-or-will-I-not-be-able-to-have-kids elephant in the room.”

  “Yes, but now I’m looking at the likelihood of losing a breast. Not to mention my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.” She ticked each one off on her fingers. “Daniel and I only met a few weeks ago. Do you really think he’ll want to deal with all of that?”

  “If he loves you, yes.” Jenna’s expression never shifted, not one iota as she eased beside Blythe. “After all you told me about Daniel the other night, I find it hard to believe he’d be so shallow as to reject you because of cancer.”

  “Uh, weren’t you the one who thought he was just using me to get his camp funded?”

  “That was before I heard all about your time with him.” Jenna pulled her long dark ponytail over her shoulder and combed it with her fingers. A nervous habit Blythe readily recognized.

  And, oddly, it comforted Blythe.

  “Sweetie, this guy sounds like the kind of guy every woman dreams of finding. And given his heart for cancer patients, his history with his mother—she had breast cancer for crying out loud—I doubt your diagnosis is going to change his feelings for you.”

  “First, he watched his mother die from breast cancer. I will not put him through that again. Second, maybe I’m the one who’s changed.”

  “Reverted is more like it.” Jenna bolted to her feet. “You’ve gone back into protective mode. You’re comfortable there because you think you can keep everyone at arm’s length. And if you do that, you won’t be hurt.”

  Blythe stared blankly at her sister. “Let’s think about this, Jenna. Would you rather protect yourself or be hurt?”

  “You’re not being fair to Daniel. At least give the guy a chance. You’ve already envisioned a worst-case scenario and mentally cut him out of your life. At this point, what have you got to lose?”

  * * *

  By noon Thursday, Daniel found himself acting like a fool. Moping around, feeling all out of sorts. All because he hadn’t heard from Blythe since yesterday morning. Even his numerous texts had yet to receive a response.

  Yep, definitely foolish. The woman had work
to do. She’d been away from the Ridley Foundation for almost three weeks, after all. Given that she was taking next week off, too, she probably had a serious amount of catching up to do.

  But couldn’t she at least respond to his texts?

  Cool your jets. She’ll be back in just a couple of days.

  Yes, she would. And Daniel could hardly wait. He’d grown accustomed to seeing her smiling face every day, and he longed to make her a permanent part of his life. With her by his side, there was no telling what Camp Sneffels could become.

  He went back to studying Adventure Haven. Since learning the camp would be funded for five years, he kept coming back up here, looking at things through a different lens. Improvements, new additions. Contemplating what would be most appealing to the kids. Not to mention appropriate for all ages, which was part of the reason he couldn’t wait to talk to Blythe. He wanted to get her input.

  The sun was high as cirrus clouds stretched across a crisp blue sky, but it wasn’t overly warm. A perfect day to be in the mountains. Lord willing, the weather would be this nice next week. He had a whole list of things he wanted to do with Blythe. Places he wanted to show her. Adventures he itched to share with her.

  Normally, white water rafting would be at the top of his list, but given their dry weather, that was unlikely this year. The Uncompahgre was too low. He’d have to talk with some of his buddies to see how the San Miguel and Gunnison rivers were running. He didn’t need uber adventure, just enough to give Blythe a taste of the experience.

  His cell phone sounded in his pocket.

  Hoping to see Blythe’s name on the screen, he yanked the device from his shorts. Hmm... He didn’t recognize the number but decided to answer it anyway.

  “Hello.”

  “Is this Daniel?”

  Curiosity had his gaze narrowing. “Yes. Can I help you?” He perused the challenge course. A new rope bridge would make a cool addition there.

  “This is John Whitaker, Chloe’s father.”

  Daniel’s gut tightened. He’d been hoping for some news on Chloe but, so far, there’d been nothing.

  “John, hey. How’s Chloe doing?”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t in touch sooner, but our lives have been kind of turned upside down since we left Camp Sneffels.”

  Daniel froze.

  “Chloe has an aggressive sarcoma.”

  Daniel’s eyes fell closed, his whole being suddenly heavy. Sarcoma. The word was scary enough alone. Throw in the word aggressive...

  Lowering himself to the ground, he shoved a hand through his hair. “I—I’m sorry to hear that, John.” This was not the outcome he’d wanted. The outcome he’d prayed for.

  “So were we. However, there is some good news.”

  “Oh?” Daniel rested his elbows atop his bent knees.

  “There’s an experimental treatment the doctors are quite hopeful about.”

  “That sounds encouraging.”

  “Very. And now that she’s stable, Chloe, Amanda and I will be heading to Aurora for her first round.”

  “Aurora? That’s not far from Denver. Perhaps Blythe could stop by and visit.”

  “Chloe would love that. She’s still talking about Blythe and Evie. Not to mention zip-lining.”

  Daniel couldn’t help thinking about Blythe. “Seems zip-lining was a high point for a lot of lives this summer.”

  “You’ve got a great camp there, Daniel. Don’t stop doing what you’re doing, because you’re making a difference in these kids’ lives.”

  “I appreciate that, John. And thank you for sharing Chloe with us. Meeting her was truly a blessing.” When their call ended, Daniel lay back on the bed of pine needles and stared into the trees.

  God, please be with Chloe. And, if it’s in Your will, I pray that she would be healed from this dreaded disease.

  He’d need to inform Blythe of the situation. No doubt, she’d want to see Chloe.

  His phone rang again.

  Sitting up, he noticed Jack Hendershot’s name on the screen.

  He drew in what he hoped was a cleansing breath before answering. “Hey, Jack, what’s up?”

  “Have you talked to Blythe lately?”

  Daniel pushed to his feet. “No, not since yesterday morning.” His heart began to thud. “Why? Is there a problem?” Something that kept her from answering his texts. Maybe she was hurt or—

  “I don’t know what to think, but something’s just not right, Daniel.”

  Fear rose inside of him. “Not right how? What happened?”

  “For two days Blythe seemed like a changed woman. Then she came in this morning, hair pulled back tight again, as though trying to show the world she was in control. But something had her rattled. She asked to take the rest of the day off. Said there was something she had to do. And this was after she took off yesterday afternoon.”

  Blythe was off, yet she hadn’t communicated with Daniel at all.

  “That’s not like her, Daniel. I know she had a doctor’s appointment yesterday morning, but she said it was just routine. Yet when she came in today, there was fear in her eyes.” Jack hesitated. “Between you and me, it looked like she’d been crying.”

  Interesting. She hadn’t said anything to Daniel about an appointment. Then again, if it had indeed been routine, why bother? Still, that didn’t jive with her lack of communication with Daniel and the seemingly strange behavior Jack had observed.

  “I don’t know what to say, Jack. But if I hear something, I’ll let you know. And if you don’t mind, I’d appreciate the same courtesy from you. I care deeply about Blythe.”

  “That’s part of the reason I called. Blythe came back from Ouray changed. And I believe you had a lot to do with that.”

  When the line went dead, Daniel promptly texted Blythe.

  Miss you. How’s it going?

  To his surprise, she responded only seconds later.

  Busy. Sorry, but I won’t be able to make it back for the 4th.

  Busy? With what? She wasn’t at work.

  His heart twisted. Something had changed her mind. Or maybe Jack was correct.

  Something wasn’t right. And Daniel had to do whatever he could to find out exactly what was going on.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Blythe retrieved the Camp Sneffels folder from her desk Friday morning and tucked it into the file drawer of her credenza. If only she could rid her mind of the memories that easily. Good memories. Happy ones that now served only to taunt her, reminding her of what might have been.

  She eased into her desk chair, ready to start on her next project. Perhaps that would distract her from all of the depressing thoughts floating through her head.

  Opening the file on her computer, she hated that she’d bowed out of work both Wednesday afternoon and yesterday. That was not like her at all. But she hadn’t known what else to do. She’d been a mess after her appointment and yesterday she’d been forced to find a new oncologist thanks to the retirement of her former doctor. And even though she’d finally found one who would take her insurance, they couldn’t get her in for three weeks. Three very long, excruciating weeks. Meaning she’d just have to keep herself busy so she wouldn’t have time to dwell.

  She stared at the computer screen. At least inner-city literacy programs wouldn’t be so draining.

  “Blythe?”

  Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as unwanted tears pricked the backs of her eyes. That voice did not belong here. It belonged in Ouray, at Camp Sneffels. Why would Daniel be here?

  Turning, she glimpsed the handsome adventurer standing in her doorway. Strange, for as much as she’d thought about him since returning to Denver, her mind had failed to recall just how good-looking he truly was.

  “What are you doing here?” She remained seated for fear she’d be tempted to throw herself into hi
s strong arms.

  He moved to the opposite side of her desk. “I need to talk to you. Is there someplace we can go? Outside, perhaps?”

  “I’m sorry, but I have work—”

  “Daniel?” Jack stepped into her office. “I thought that was you.” He extended a hand.

  Daniel promptly shook it. “Hey, Jack. Good to see you again.”

  “What brings you to Denver?” Jack smiled, his eyes shifting to Blythe. “Or should I say who?”

  She wanted to disappear under her desk. But given it was made of glass, that wouldn’t do her much good.

  Hands slung low on his gray-denim-clad hips, Daniel said, “I need to discuss something with Blythe.” He glanced her way before continuing. “Would you mind if we stepped out of the building for a little bit?”

  How dare he go over her head. “I just said—”

  “Of course not.” Her boss moved aside as though he’d been blocking their exit. “Take all the time you need. There’s not much going on around here today, what with the long holiday weekend coming up.”

  “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” Daniel added.

  “Not a problem.” Jack started out the door. “You kids have fun.”

  Fun? Was he joking?

  She stared at Daniel. Rarely had she seen his expression so serious. Almost pained. Was it because she’d all but cut off communication with him?

  “This really is important, Blythe,” he finally said.

  With a deep breath, she pushed her chair back and stood, grabbing her purse on the way out the door. They made their way down to the lobby and out to the little courtyard between the building and the parking garage in silence. Not even any small talk.

  She sat on one of the wooden benches. “Daniel, I’m sorry I’ve been so distant—”

  “That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.” He took a seat beside her. “Though don’t think it hasn’t been on my mind.”

  In that moment, her heart ached for him. She should have just told him they were done. But she hadn’t had the strength.