out a breath. "Wow. I didn't know I was that obvious."
So I'm right? I'm not glad to be.
"Summerset is your home and this is your life," I tell him. "You should enjoy them and make the most of them both for your own sake."
"Says the woman who's trying to throw away both."
I frown. Touche.
"Sorry," he apologizes quickly. "I said I wouldn't bring it up anymore."
"It's fine. What you said is true anyway."
For a moment, Antonio falls silent. Then he speaks. "Speaking of Summerset, you haven't been able to see much of the town, have you?"
"Just the chapel and the barn and the houses along the road," I answer.
"Not the best parts. How about I take you to my favorite spot? Who knows? You might fall in love with Summerset."
"Oh, this is another ploy to make me stay, is it?"
He doesn't answer.
I know it is. Still, I can't help but be curious about his favorite spot. I want to know everything about him.
"Fine," I say. "Hit me with your best spot."
Chapter Ten
Antonio
"Here we are."
I put my backpack and the picnic basket down beside the boulder I carved my name into years ago. Then I look around.
The spring makes a gurgling sound as it empties into a pond which in turn empties into the river. Beside it, sunlight filters through the trees to sprinkle a small patch of wildflowers, as colorful as the butterflies they host.
It's a simple sight, nothing spectacular, but there is something I've always found beautiful and serene about it. Enchanting even. I'm hoping Triss will feel the same.
"Well?" I ask her. "What do you think?"
"I think it's worth the hike," Triss replies.
I scratch the back of my head. "Didn't I carry you most of the way?"
"It's lovely. And peaceful." She looks at me. "And I'm glad you found it."
"Same here."
When I first started living in Summerset, I didn't feel like I belonged, mainly because I didn't. But here, in this place, it seems that only I exist. Nothing else matters.
"Do you come here often?" Triss asks me as she sits on a rock.
"Whenever I can," I say. "And whenever I need to. How about you? Do you have a favorite spot?"
She touches her chin as she pauses to think. "I used to love the swing we had in our backyard. But not anymore."
I don't ask why because I have a feeling I won't like the reason. And here I thought I was finally going to hear something nice from Triss, a memory that brings a smile to her face as she recounts it. Maybe some other time.
"I bet Lara is going to love it here," Triss changes the topic. "I can almost see her splashing in the pond or chasing butterflies."
I can, too. I can even imagine her rolling around in the pile of leaves that builds up every autumn.
"You can see her, you know," I tell Triss. "If you stay."
I know I promised not to bring that up, but I just had to. Like she said, this whole excursion is an attempt for me to hopefully get her to stay. Maybe a final attempt, because her foot is almost fully healed. In fact, she probably won't need crutches by tomorrow.
I can't prevent James Molder from finding her, and I may not be able to protect her when he does. That's a risk that Triss will have to take. But I can convince her it's worth taking that risk, that she can have a chance of happiness with her daughter if she decides to stay.
Triss slides off the rock she's sitting on and sits on the grass. Then she lies down and looks up at the sky.
"I've been thinking about everything you said," she says. "And everything that's happened in my life."
I look at her expectantly as I hold my breath. And?
Triss draws hers. "I think I shouldn't throw away the good times because I'm afraid of the bad. I think I shouldn't run away unless I have to."
She turns her head to look at me.
"Is that okay?"
Okay? It's what I've been wanting to hear.
"Of course," I tell her. "I've already told you that you can stay as long as you like."
Triss's lips curve into a smile that lights up her face. It makes my own chest swell with relief. No, not just relief. Joy.
I'm glad she's decided to stay here in Summerset. With me. I guess I've been lonely.
"But you have to promise me one thing." Triss sits up and holds up a finger.
"What is it?"
"If things