The Mountains Rise Read Online Free PDF Page B

Tennick sent him over to fetch some yarn , but I think he might be convinced to stay and play some music for us,” said Kate’s
     mother, giving her daughter a knowing glance.
    Kate smiled and the sun came out, bathing Daniel in a warm glow. “That sounds wonderful, Mother, ” she replied with a certain emphasis on the last word. “Perhaps I should keep Daniel
     company, while you look through what you have?”
    Brenda rose and headed back into the house, “I’ll be right back.”
    “Don’t hurry,” suggested Kate. “I know you have a lot to sort through. I’m sure
     Daniel will understand if you take a while.”
    Brenda laughed as she closed the door. Daniel heard her say something that sounded
     like ‘good luck’ after she shut it, but he wasn’t certain who the words were meant
     for.
    “How have you been?” asked Daniel after his brain reawakened.
    “I’ve been well, thank you,” she answered as she stopped in front of the bench. She
     hesitated then, unsure where to sit. He was standing now , and she wanted to be close to him, but not too close. Sitting in the middle would assure her of proximity , but might also seem too aggressive.
    Daniel misunderstood her hesitation , and on a sudden impulse pulled out his handkerchief and dusted one end of the oak
     bench for her. The wood was certainly not dusty , and Kate’s mother had been sitting there only a minute before , but he could think of nothing else to do.
    That settled the question of where to sit, though. Kate settled down on the spot
     he had needlessly cleaned , and he took a place at the opposite end. Only three feet separated them but it felt
     like an ocean. He stared at his hands for what seemed like an eternity before finally
     apologizing, “I’m sorry.”
    “Whatever for?”
    He glanced up and was nearly transfixed by those green eyes again. Looking away , he saved himself before his useless tongue seized up again. “I’m just not very good
     at conversation,” he admitted.
    Kate laughed, relaxing now as she realized he was just as nervous as she was. “We
     never had any problem talking before.”
    “Yeah,” he agreed, “but that was before the—before you—I mean…”
    “Before you asked me to the dance?” she suggested.
    “Yes,” he said with some relief.
    “It isn’t really such a big thing,” she said, hoping to reassure him. “Lots of people
     go to dances, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything .”
    That thought was something of a reprieve for him, but it also made him feel somewhat
     discont ent. “That’s true,” he admitted.
    “So what have you been doing?”
    That helped. “I saw Seth yesterday,” he told her. “Dad sent me over with the wagon.”
    “Did he mention asking me to the dance?” she asked, curiously.
    “No,” said Daniel. “I felt somewhat guilty about it, but I didn’t mention that you
     were going with me either.”
    She frowned, “Think it’ll hurt his feelings?”
    Daniel shrugged, uncertain.
    “If the reverse had been true, would it have hurt yours?” she wondered aloud.
    “It would have stung pretty bad,” he admitted.
    “I wonder why?” she mused.
    He turned a deep shade of red as he realized that he had just given his feelings away.
     “Seth said Dalton Brown saw one of the warde n s last week.” It was the only thing he could think of to cover his embarrassment.
    Kate’s face blanched. Mentioning the warde n s or the forest gods was a short hop from reminding her of her father’s disappearance.
     Daniel realized his mistake immediately.
    “Damn, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” he said in a rush.
    She shook her head, “Don’t be, it’s alright. Life goes on, and it’s been years now.”
    “Word of the sighting is probably all over town by now. I bet they’re all worrying,”
     opined Daniel.
    “Supposedly , they only take the wicked,” said Kate, “so you should be safe.”
    “I’m not so sure…”
    She grinned, “You haven’t been harboring