The Target Read Online Free PDF

“Secret group therapy,” she said with a grin.
    “Okay. I understand.”
    They climbed on, still several feet below the ridge that the others had already disappeared below. Jaime grabbed Sandra’s hand and pulled her up, resting at the top for a moment.
    “Look.”
    Sandra lifted her head, her eyes opening wide.
    “Good heavens.”
    “Yes. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
    Beyond the ridge rose the Collegiate Peaks mountain range, stretching for miles and miles in every direction.
    “We’re going up there?”
    “Yep. Well, not to the top, no. The trail travels along the sides of the mountains and if I remember, to the backside of Mount Princeton.”
    “Wow. It’s … breathtaking.”
    “That it is. Makes you feel good to be alive, doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah. Yeah, it does. No wonder she wanted us to come out here.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “A lot of us weren’t really living, you know.”
    Jaime frowned. “I don’t understand.”
    “We’ve all got our own issues to overcome. Like I said, I’m not supposed to talk about it. Especially with an outsider.” She paused.
    “But me, I lived my whole life with parents who abused me.” She shrugged. “I didn’t know any better. So when I got married and my husband turned out to be an asshole, I thought it was just more of the same.”
    Jaime nodded. “I’m sorry.”
    “Oh, I got away from him. Divorce is a lovely word,” Sandra said with a laugh. “But I was down in the dumps. I was on my third different antidepressant drug when I saw Sara Michaels on Oprah one day. She was just so positive and full of energy. I learned a lot from her book but I wanted to experience the real thing, you know. I was on a waiting list for over a year.”
    “Wow.”
    “Yeah. And it cost a tiny fortune but I feel better about myself now than I have in my whole life. She’s so wonderful.”
    Jaime nudged Sandra as Sara Michaels was making her way toward them. “Better look alive. Sarge is coming.”
    Sandra laughed.
    “You two okay?”
    “Great, Ms. Michaels. Isn’t this view something?” Sandra asked.
    “Yes, it is. Do you need to rest for a bit, Sandra?”
    “No, no. I’m okay. Jaime, with her hurt ankle and all, is kinda slowing the pace.”
    Sara met the amused eyes of the stranger and let a small smile touch her face.
    “I see. Well, we’ve got another couple of hours to go. Do you think Jaime can make it?”
    “I’m sure she can manage,” Sandra said. “Can’t you?”
    “I’ll try my best.”

CHAPTER NINE
    Jaime shed her pack along with the others, leaning it against a tree as she rubbed her shoulders. She was winded after the climb, no doubt they all were. Sandra had said very little in the last hour, but she was a trouper and had only requested to rest a few times.
    Jaime had stayed with her. For some reason, she liked the woman.
    Perhaps it was because of the courage she saw Sandra muster up each time they crested a ridge only to have another in front of them.
    “Okay, ladies. Let’s call it a day, shall we?”
    “Shall we?” Abby mimicked. “Gee, let’s hike for another couple of hours, Sarge.”
    “You’re all doing great. Getting into the mountains is the hardest part. Now that we’re here, the trail will be more level,” she promised.
    “You said that two hours ago.”
    “Can we have a campfire?” Lou Ann asked.
    “Sure can. The fire ban has been lifted up here.” Sara unhooked her tent from her pack and found a level spot a few yards away from the group. “I’d suggest setting up your tents first. Once we eat, most of you will want to crawl into bed and sleep.”
    “Why bother with eating,” Abby murmured. “I could fall into bed right now.”
    Jaime surveyed the area, wondering how they were going to fit eleven, no twelve tents there under the trees. She nudged Sandra.
    “Where’s your tent?”
    “Oh, I’m sharing with Celia. Two to a tent.”
    Jaime nodded. Made sense. Less weight, too. Soon, six tents—
    blues, greens