Swept Away (Wildfire Lake #3) - Skye Jordan Page 0,43

it down. I need to stay focused and positive for Piper. Karen is another matter. “The store’s just down the road, and it’s a nice night for a walk.”

Piper sighs. “If you make me walk all the way to the market and back, you’d better buy me ice cream.”

I smile, reach across the distance separating us, grab her arm, and pull her into a hug. I hold her tight, even as she pretends to choke. “I love you, kid.”

9

Chloe

In the warm, dark space, I tiptoe on bare feet between my students, where they lie in savasana after their relaxation yoga experience, one designed to stretch their muscles and bring them into a peaceful state to facilitate sleep. The night air blows gently through the open doors and windows, helping bring down the temperature on what turned out to be an unseasonably hot day.

I pause beside each person to place a drop of lavender oil on their inner wrist while offering my last thought for the night in a voice that floats softly in the full but silent room.

“I’d like you to consider that there are two distinct parts of yourselves—ego and spirit. Lately, I’ve been struggling to quiet my ego so I can better hear the spirit of my heart.”

I pause, dab two more wrists, and move on. “Wherever you crave recognition in life—as a valuable employee, for example, or a successful entrepreneur or a talented artist or a perfect mom—that is your ego talking. The ego is a powerful force that tempts you to ignore the spiritual nature of your heart. The ego wants you to do whatever it takes to bring about status or prestige. The heart wants you to be happy.”

I pause for more dabs, allowing my words to sink in and stick. There is no better way for that to happen than in silence.

“Where the ego bellows, the spirit whispers, and in those whispers, you will find the inspiration for true happiness, authentic success, and meaningful prosperity.”

I finish tapping the wrist of every student with lavender oil, return to the front of the room, and take the lotus position on my mat, letting several more silent moments pass.

“Slowly make your way into lotus,” I direct, feeling the calmest and most grounded I’ve felt in weeks.

When everyone joins me, sitting upright, legs crossed, hands at their chest in prayer, I say, “Ego drives; spirit guides. Over the next few days, notice what feelings you act on—the demands of ego or the suggestions of spirit—and try to make the inner shift necessary to choose spirit over ego. Spirit holds your heart’s deepest desires, and you have to listen intently to hear them.”

I allow an extended moment of silence, wishing I could float here for hours.

“Deep breath in,” I say, drawing air deep into my lungs, then exhale. “And release.”

I wait until everyone has exhaled and settled again. Then bend at the waist, hands in prayer at my heart. “Namaste.”

“Namaste,” the room echoes.

I wait while the women collect their mats, their shoes and bags, then I stand by the door as they exit, accepting their appreciation for the class and wishing them a beautiful night.

I don’t notice Bodhi until all the women are on their way back to the marina to grab their pleasure boats and head to their houseboats anchored in various locations on the lake. He’s wearing a dark shirt over cargo shorts, looking cool and handsome. His smile is warm and authentic, his gaze searching mine.

“Hi.” His simple greeting in that sweet tone, tumbles me backward a year and a half, to the way he’d always greet me before kissing me breathless.

“Hi.” A pang pinches my heart—for all we once were, for all we once could have been. “I’m going to lock up. Did you need something?”

“Just to talk. Go ahead.”

I move to the front of the room where I store my chimes and essential oils in a locked cabinet, then start closing the windows. Bodhi moves to the other side of the room and does the same.

If this isn’t a blatant sign from the universe, I don’t know what would be. Only minutes ago, I was suggesting that my students try to live by their heart, not their ego, and here I am facing my ego’s biggest wart. “What do you want to talk about?”

He closes the last window and turns to face me, sliding his hands into his front pockets. “A lot. Everything. But mostly, I want you to know how sorry I am