Page 49 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“Is that Max Patch?” Katie asked.

“That’s it.”

As they walked up the dirt path, Katie’s heart quickened. She could hardly believe the moment was upon her. It seemed as though she’d been waiting forever for this day.

Cooper stopped about fifty paces from the peak. “I’ll wait here. Take your time, okay? I’m in no hurry to get back.”

Her gaze sharpened on the top of the mountain, her mind on what lay before her. “All right.”

Breath hitching, she continued up the short incline. The summit was broad and flat with a 360-degree view of the surroundingmountains. She continued walking until she reached the other side of the summit. There was not a soul around, making her feel as if she were the only person on the planet.

“Are you here, Spencer?” She took in the misty blue ridges of the mountains in the distance. “It’s so beautiful. You would’ve loved this view.”

Moving on, she stopped by a rock, removed her ball cap, and shrugged her bag off her shoulder. Her hands trembled as she unzipped the bag and pulled out the vessel containing Spencer’s ashes.

When she had it in hand she sat on the rock and gazed at the majestic view. The wind tugged at her ponytail. The sun beat down, warming her skin as anxiety stole the saliva from her mouth.

“Happy birthday, Spencer.” Her voice wavered with emotion. “I wish you were here. I’d take you to Happy Burger and bake you a German chocolate cake even though coconut has a nasty aftertaste and the texture of those little shredded papers in a gift basket.”

She stared off into the distance, not really seeing. Was this really it? Would she finally be able to let him go—her baby brother?

She wasn’t ready.

Her throat tightened and her eyes stung with tears. “God, I don’t know how to let him go. Help me to trust You with him. I know he couldn’t be in better hands. I know he’s at peace now. I know he wouldn’t come back even if he could, and I wouldn’t want him to. He’s better off now.

“It’s me who needs to let go. Help me do that. Give me peace over this so I can truly move forward with my life.”

From her peripheral vision a movement caught her eye. A hummingbird. It fluttered over the field of flowers, not ten feet away, pausing at a pink bloom.

Was she seeing things? She blinked. The bird remained.

A shiver ran down Katie’s arms, gooseflesh popping everywhere. “Spencer?”

She came slowly to her feet, not wanting to frighten the bird away. Her legs quaked beneath her. The hummingbird hovered there for a long, wonderful moment, its beating wings humming quietly.

Katie’s heart thrummed in her ears. Her vision blurred as tears filled her eyes.

And then the tiny bird fluttered away. Katie watched it until she couldn’t see it anymore. The moment expired like a long-held breath. She sucked in a deep lungful of air as peace stole over her like a mist, enshrouding her.

Had that really just happened? She laughed even as a tear slipped down her face. She stared into the bright-blue expanse of sky. “Thank You.”

That was just what she’d needed. Now she was ready. She removed the top of the vessel. And in one sure, deft movement she emptied the contents into the air. The ashes floated away on a breeze, a dark cloud slowly dissipating, disappearing into the vast valley below.

Spencer wasn’t gone. He was just someplace else. But someday she’d see him again.

Her throat tightened as tears flooded her eyes again. “Thank You for Spencer. Thanks for making him my brother and giving me twenty-two years with him.” She let the emotions sweep over her. Let the tears fall. “Tell him I love him.”

***

At the sound of footsteps Cooper looked up the path. He’d been praying for Kate since she disappeared over the rise some half hour ago.

She approached. Silhouetted by the sunlight behind her, he couldn’t read her expression. But there was a lightness to her step.

He dropped the strand of grass he’d twisted until it was frayed and rose from the ground. As she grew closer he could make out her features. Her face was flushed, her eyes swollen, her lashes wet.

His chest tightened.Aw, jeez.

But just then her lashes swept up and, catching sight of him, her lips split into a broad smile.