“Did I mention the goats?” she asked.
He stared at her, wanting to get lost in her hazel eyes. He had to force himself to pay attention to the conversation. “No. I would have recalled goats. Are they part of the festival?”
“They’re in the parade. My friend Heidi owns them. She’s the one you flashed. She makes cheese and soap.”
“Is that what’s in my shower?”
“It is. Goat soap. It’s very mild and useful for several skin conditions.”
“I did not know that.” Information he might be able to use when he traveled. Another way to help his patients.
“You do now.” She tugged him along. “Hurry or all the best spots will be taken.”
He allowed her to pull him behind her. Her long hair fluttered in the slight breeze. She’d traded in jeans for a summery dress that left her shoulders and legs bare. Temptation, he thought, wondering how wrong it would be for him to give in to the steady pulsing desire.
Since Sara’s death, there had been women. Casual relationships that had more to do with biology than emotion. He’d assumed that he wouldn’t find anyone to engage his heart again. Losing his family had been devastating.
But with Paige, the stirring went deeper than simple lust. While he would admit to wanting her in his bed, he had fantasies that had nothing to do with her body and everything to do with her mind…and her heart.
He liked talking to her. She was endlessly curious. She appeared to be accepting, without judgment, and she was always ready to laugh. When she’d looked at the pictures of some of his patients on his phone, she’d reminded him that he was fortunate to change lives with what he did. She’d reminded him to be grateful for his training and skill.
They came to a stop by several shops. The crowd was only a few people deep in this part of town. In the distance he heard what he would swear was a marching band.
Baskets of flowers hung from streetlights. Banners and ribbons fluttered in the breeze. The sky was blue and the temperature perfect in the seventies. But what caught his attention were the people. He saw a group of parade-watchers part to allow a family with small children room to go to the front. Once there, the stroller was positioned on the street, right by the curb. The mother sat down next to her baby, while a toddler was lifted onto his father’s shoulders.
There wasn’t any pushing or shoving, nothing but laughter and smiles. Two teenagers giggled as they texted friends. An older couple whispered to each other.
This was normal, Alistair thought. Familiar. Unlike the life he’d been living since Sara and his daughter’s deaths. He’d been on the go—constantly moving from country to country. Despite his parents’ phoning him on his-mobile and asking him to visit, he’d stayed busy and far away.
As he stood next to Paige, waiting for the small-town parade, he realized he hadn’t just been fighting the measles and exhaustion. His illness had gone much deeper—down to his heart. He’d been unable to face his own devastation. Unable to accept how much he’d been responsible. He’d been running so fast, he hadn’t had time to stop and look around. He hadn’t had time to heal.
Paige had offered him more than a bed for his body—she’d given him a refuge for his soul. Her gentle kindness had made him realize it was time to look forward. While he would never forget those he’d lost, he was finally ready to start living again.
“There they are,” Paige said pointing. “The one in front is Athena. Oh, look at the ribbons! She’s so beautiful.”
Alistair saw a perfectly ordinary goat with ribbons around her neck. Ribbons Athena was busy trying to eat. But in Paige’s mind, the goat was beautiful. Because that’s how Paige would see everything. Her worldview allowed her to see what could be rather than what was. She’d truly been given a gift in that regard.
He put his arm around her and drew her close. She leaned into him, then raised her head and smiled at him. As he stared into her hazel eyes, he knew she had given him a gift. A second chance. He owed her and he needed to make sure that, before he left, he did something for her as well.
* * *
“You don’t mind?” Paige asked.
The parade had been spectacular, as always. Animals and antique cars, although her favorite part was the kids on bikes. She loved watching them ride past—so excited to be a part of the day.
“I’m honored you’ve asked me to accompany you,” Alistair told her.
“It won’t take long.”
“I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The words, along with his yummy accent, made her insides get all twisty. “You’re too kind.”
“I’m not, but I’m glad you think I am.”