by Mae Nunn
Father, if a boy with Asperger’s can wrap his damaged mind around that concept, why can’t I? Please, Lord, help me push past this fear just like my sister’s done. I want to be part of a family, too.
And this time Ali hoped it would be forever.
The day of the Rescue Round Up began with a flurry of butterflies so intense Ali could hardly keep her oatmeal down. The skies above San Angelo, famous for being clear and endlessly high, were dotted with fat gray clouds floating ominously low. A blowing rain would add an unexpected dimension to the day’s competition. It might slow her down but it sure wouldn’t shut her down.
Sporting their colors, she and Simba loped across the field toward the area staged for the annual smackdown. Each year’s obstacle course was more demanding than the last, the evil architects determined their designs would get the best of the contestants.
“Holy smoke!” She came to a stop beside her teammates, equally conspicuous in bright orange. Ali joined them in surveying the temporary network of walls, trenches, tunnels, rope swings and mud pits extending across a hundred-yard stretch of county-donated space.
“Is this thing meant to challenge us or kill us?”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much how we reacted.” Harry slung an arm around her neck, gave her a quick squeeze and added a brotherly brush of knuckles to her crown intended to muss up whatever efforts she’d made toward a tight braid.
“Now I’m really glad the guys at Lackland Air Force Base invited us to come out and test their equipment last fall.”
Sid threw back his head and brayed like a nervous donkey.
“What’s up with him?” She looked to Harry for an explanation.
“Darlin’, I’m afraid the joke’s on us. That invitation to Lackland was a setup to see just how much old coots like me and Sid could take. The same guys who built that course put this one up and they can’t wait to see us crash and burn.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Ali boasted for the sake of her teammates. If she caved in to intimidation at 7:00 a.m. it wouldn’t bode well for the rest of the morning.
“Take it easy on this thing, lady. Don’t try to set any records—just get to the end. You mastering the Sears Tower over there counts for a whole lot more team points than your time on this relay.”
“Sears Tower, huh?” She craned her neck to spot it.
Sid pointed. “It’s on the far side of these pines. At least a hundred feet, straight up.”
“Cool!” Ali felt a grin of anticipation spread across her face. The climb and rappel was her forté, and the higher the better. Making her way up a sheer piece of rock and then the flutter back down to earth was second nature, but she still experienced an icy shiver of anticipation before each ascent.
“Did you hear him?” Harry asked. “A hundred feet!” He twisted his weathered face into a silly caricature of trepidation. Ali knew part of it was for real.
“Not to worry, my friend. Just make it as high as you can and leave planting the flag to me,” she reassured her partner. Height had never bothered her. Where these guys favored the inside of the chopper, she preferred to hang from the long line where the three hundred sixty-degree view was unobstructed.
“Let’s go take a look and get registered.” She glanced up at the dark clouds and then toward the empty bleachers where only a couple dozen folks sat beneath bright umbrellas or dressed in yellow rain slickers.
“From the looks of this sky I’m thinking we won’t have many witnesses if we blow it.”
“Your cheering section is already here.” Harry winked.
“Cheering section?” She played dumb but couldn’t keep her hand from pressing her stomach to quiet the somersaults it was turning.
“Come oooooooon. Did you think you were gonna get off scot-free?” Harry looked to Sid who nodded agreement. “We know Ben Lamar’s sweet on you and don’t even bother to deny it because why else would the man and his kid be out here on a day like this? It sure ain’t for a game of touch football. So mosey on over there, say ‘hello’ and ask him real nice like for an autograph for me. I’ve kicked myself a hundred times for not doing it the day we pulled his boy out of Big Bend.”
Her spirit danced a highland jig. Benjamin’s here.
They hadn’t had a reason to speak since Monday and she didn’t think there was any chance he and Ethan would show up. Why did she continually underestimate the guy?
Because if you don’t trust him completely, he can’t yank the rug out from under you.
Could Erin be right about the self-sabotage?
“So, what’s it gonna be?” Harry pushed. “I’ll trade you a flight lesson for the autograph.”
“Make it two lessons or I’ll tell the captain you’re using department equipment for personal gain.”
“Hey, that’s blackmail.”
“Yeah, I know. It seems to be working well for me lately.”
Ben spotted Ali several minutes before she headed their direction. It was all he could do not to meet her halfway and give her a kiss for good luck. In truth that would only be an excuse to feel her in his arms again.
“Here they come!” Ethan was constantly on the verge of an outburst when it came to Ali and Simba. It was so nice to see his kid excited about something besides Jurassic core samples.
Ben resisted the urge to match Ethan’s fidgety behavior, a test of strength since he was as nervous inside as a bridegroom on his wedding day. The comparison was ironic considering that the woman striding his way had all but rejected his heart, chalking his feelings up to gratitude.
In the hours since he’d seen her last, the Holy Spirit had led Ben to seek scriptures on the emotion the Bible mentioned so often. Ben was reminded that love is greater than faith, greater than hope. Love bears all things. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love endures forever.
Yes, Ben was indebted to Ali for the patience and understanding she’d shown Ethan and for the improvements he’d experienced since she’d come into their lives. And Ben was appreciative of her blunt honesty. It had helped him make more than one important decision regarding the campaign. But if all that had never happened, if there had been no progress whatsoever, Ben was certain he’d still have this undeniable, gravitational pull toward Alison Stone.
He was compelled to have her in his life. Not just as a friend and certainly not simply as a voter.
How can I make her understand this tidal wave of love, this river of tenderness that’s flowing through me? I barely comprehend it myself.
She came to a stop three rows below them at the bottom of the bleachers. Her smile was for Ethan but Ben felt it splash against him like the fat drops that had begun to fall.
“How nice of y’all to brave the elements today.” She did an exaggerated double take, then made zero effort to hide her amusement. “I dig the fashion statement. You two look like the guys on the box of frozen fish at the grocery store.”
“I told Dad that, but he wouldn’t listen.” Ethan complained for the umpteenth time since Ben had handed his son the yellow rain gear in the parking lot and insisted he step into the plastic pants and hooded jacket.
“Thanks a lot,” Ben mouthed. Ali shrugged, no sign of apology in eyes that were free of mascara.
“You look strange.” Ethan stared, trying to figure it out.
“Strange better?” Ali tossed him a high one.
“Just strange.” A swing and a miss.
Ben laughed, shook his head, glad she wasn’t easily offended. “I like it. It’s a nice look for you.” He drew an imaginary circle around his face indicating her lack of makeup.
“Cosmetics are a waste of time on a day like today. Between the rain, the sweat and the mud there’s not much point in the effort. Eyeliner will turn me into a raccoon and lipstick will end up on my teeth or my sleeve. So I opted for a natural face that only needs a garden hose to freshen up.”
“Are you really gonna do that?” Ethan pointed to the obstacle course.
“Sur
e am. I’m the second leg of the relay and I have to move as fast as I can so my team will score a good time.”
“And what about that thing?” He shielded his eyes, tipped his head back and looked toward the top of the portable rock wall.
“That thing is my specialty. That’s why I was able to get down the cliff when you were trapped in Big Bend.”
“I wasn’t trapped,” he insisted.
“Okay, when you were hiding out in the bottom of a canyon with your foot wedged in a rock.”
“That’s more like it.”
Ben was amazed at Ethan’s effort to spar verbally with Ali. His son was experiencing success, a more powerful motivator than any drug his former doctors had prescribed.
“When to do I get my turn?” Ethan hadn’t forgotten their deal.
“After the competition is over we all meet back here to help anybody who wants to try a couple of obstacles or take a shot at the climbing wall as long as the weather clears.” Ali turned her face to Ben. “Or hug a dog for five minutes.” She hadn’t forgotten either.
Ben looked toward the canine he’d come to realize was extremely intelligent. Simba was watching him, an interesting gleam in her eyes. Could it be compassion? Nope, more likely a taunt.
“Don’t get hurt,” Ethan cautioned, another indicator he was thinking beyond himself.
“I was about to say the same thing,” Ben added, his gaze once again resting on Ali. He stood and descended the bleachers to stand toe to toe with her. Though they’d been apart she’d never left his mind. He’d been praying all week for the Lord to keep her safe. He glanced toward the field where the competitors were stretching and warming up.
“Now that I’ve seen these torture devices y’all call obstacles I have to question the good sense of anybody who volunteers to do this stuff.”
“Well, if that ain’t the pot callin’ the kettle black.” Ali rested fists on both hips, a sure sign she was about to make an important point. “I’m pretty sure you spent more than half your life being a crash test dummy on the football field. However, my opponent is the clock and not eleven guys in body armor with the number on my chest in their crosshairs.”
“Point well taken,” Ben gave into her logic.
“Yours is too. Trust me, I’m fond of my limbs, freckles and all. I’ll take care not to break any of them.”
He didn’t ask for permission because she might not give it. Instead he bent close, encircled her body with his arms and pulled her into a hug for a quick prayer.
“Please keep your child safe, Lord. You’re not the only one who loves her.”
Ali returned the pressure of his embrace, resting her head against his chest a moment longer. Then she signaled Simba who dropped into step, obedient as always.
“Wish us luck,” Ali called over her shoulder.
“Like the Rock’s gonna need it,” a female to Ben’s left complained to her friend.
He pretended not to hear the comment, dropping to adjust the lace on his sneaker in case she said more, which she did.
“Can you believe my bad fortune?” the woman whined.
“Oh, Hannah, it’s not the Olympics. Today is just supposed to be for fun.”
“I know, but I had a hard time making the El Paso team and with this being my first Round Up I was hoping to draw somebody a little closer to my ability.”
“You definitely got a tough break pulling Alison Stone for the climb. But take it one inch at a time and do your best, Hannah. If you don’t make it to the top it won’t be the end of the world.”
“No, but it might be the end of my rescue career. If a woman can’t hold her own during these games the guys sure don’t want you covering their backs in a crisis. To the Rock this may only be for braggin’ rights, but it’s a do-or-die event for me.”
The blast of a warning whistle from the direction of the field ended the conversation. The girl named Hannah took off in a run, a trim figure in royal blue heading toward the starting line of the obstacle course. Her female friend took a seat several rows above Ethan. As Ben climbed to his spot the woman gave him a long look. From the crease of suspicion between her eyes he knew the scrutiny had nothing to do with being a former Dallas Cowboy or a candidate for Congress. Her perusal had everything to do with his being a fan of the woman they revered.
Alison Stone. The Rock.
Chapter Twenty
Two hours later Ali felt like one of those mud creatures at the Renaissance Faire. Several tumbles during her leg of the relay left Ali filthy, limping and behind in the point count. She might be able to climb a smooth cliff like a tarantula but when it came to her ability to shimmy up a rope in pouring rain or duck-walk through a low tunnel flowing with two inches of water, her thunder thighs would forever be a liability.
She was reminded a dozen times during the race that her upper-body strength was not sufficient to offset the weight of the cellulite stubbornly clinging to the muscles below her waist.
The heavy rain finally passed them by and now all that remained was a steady drizzle that wasn’t enough to wash away the crud clinging to her water-resistant clothing and exposed flesh. Knowing the man she loved was watching, Ali couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious about her bedraggled appearance. She was far from vain, but come on, a lady in her late thirties still had plenty of pride.
She dutifully shook hands with her opponent, a slender young woman dressed in that incredible shade of royal blue that flatters every skin tone. The girl had either drawn a pass or her teammates had elected not to include her in the relay because she was still clean, dry and annoyingly gorgeous. By comparison Ali was a frump, so she moved away as soon as introductions were made.
“Who’s this Hannah Cerasoli kid?” Ali whispered to Harry as he attached the safety line to her climbing harness.
“She’s a newbie with the El Paso unit. Right outta college and about to get her first public whuppin’.”
Ali groaned at the news.
“What?”
“Not only a rookie, but a baby rookie at that,” she huffed. “Couldn’t they pair me with somebody who’d make this a fair fight? Now I’m gonna seem like a show-off instead of an experienced climber out to beat my own time.”
“Your reputation precedes you so enjoy the trip and don’t worry about the perception on the ground. Just focus on the summit and let me guide you.” Harry gave the harness a final check and the belay system a hard yank.
“You’re good to go and I won’t take my eyes off you. Show ’em why we call you the Rock.” He planted a peck on her cheek and moved aside. As soon as she cleared the first six feet he’d step back into place as her belayer, the person on the ground responsible for the rope feed.
Ali said a quick prayer, took some deep breaths to steady her insides, squatted a few times to loosen up tight muscles, then spotted her first handhold and prepared to begin. She glanced right to her opponent, a few seconds behind in preparation. When the girl finally took her position she nodded at Ali.
Together they signaled, “Climb ready?”
“Climb on,” came their belayers’ response and the competition began.
Ali moved upward, hand over hand as she searched for a route, her feet following by instinct. She kept her eyes fixed on the surface beneath her gloved fingers, her mind laser focused on reaching a point one hundred feet above the ground. In the periphery of her vision she knew an opponent was nearby and in the distance there was cheering. But Ali was alert only to the sight of the next grip and the sound of her belayer’s commands.
“Twenty feet, Rock,” Harry called, giving her a height bearing.
Ali apologized to God for dissing her thighs earlier. Now she was grateful for the thick muscles that propelled her higher, making the climb less stressful for her shoulders.
“Forty feet, keep moving.”
She heard a ragged intake of breath from the woman in blue, judged the sound to be at least ten feet below. Ali knew her time was excellent despite the slippery
nature of the synthetic stone tower. As she closed on the next height marker a gasp from the spectators penetrated her thoughts.
“Sixty feet, Rock. Stay focused, keep climbing.”
A cry of distress ended Ali’s concentration. She turned her head away from the wall, glanced down and to the right. Twisted in her ropes, Hannah Cerasoli was in big trouble. She couldn’t climb higher and beginning the rappel wasn’t an option. Her belayer was giving instructions Hannah couldn’t possibly follow, tangled as she was.
“Don’t stop, Ali!” Harry shouted. “Get to the top and you can check her on the way down.”
He was right to urge her onward—the girl wasn’t going anywhere. But from the frantic look on her face Ali could see Hannah was about to panic. In the couple of minutes it would take to finish the climb and get back down to the girl, she could be in a full-blown anxiety attack.
“Give me some slack,” Ali instructed. As soon as she felt Harry loosen his hold she began to traverse away from her climbing path, then down and across where Hannah was struggling to control breaths that were turning to gasps.
“Stay calm, Hannah. Use your training.”
Ali reached the girl, placed a protective arm around her heaving shoulders. She kept her voice soft, not wanting others to hear. “Don’t look up or down, just keep your eyes fixed on the tower. I know you’re afraid, but if you don’t moderate your breathing you’re gonna hyperventilate.”
“Not afraid,” Hannah wheezed. “Asthma.”
Ali narrowed her eyes, searched the color of Hannah’s face and lips for critical signs. “You have an inhaler?”
She nodded. “Left sleeve. Zipper.”
“Hold me steady, Harry,” Ali shouted. She unzipped the pocket, pulled the purple inhaler free and held it to Hannah’s mouth while she drew in the medication. Her breathing improved within seconds.
“Thank you, Father. You are a good God,” Ali gave praise. Hannah nodded agreement.
