She approached me and shook my shoulder. Long braids swung back and forth like the pendulum of a grandfather clock keeping time, and as she leaned over me, I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly at the irony.
Kadam approached and the girl backed away. He assured her that I was all right but that I was likely a bit disoriented from a bad fall. As she took her seat, watching me worriedly, he sat beside her and introduced himself. She spoke much more easily with him, and after reassuring herself that I was recovered, she downed the rest of her cocoa and began telling him about her ski vacation with her parents.
Kelsey.
The girl I loved had been sitting next to me the whole time. Her unforgettable scent had been all around me. This was my Kelsey. I guessed she was all of thirteen. Her cheeks were pink from the warmth of the fire, and pink appeared to be her favorite color if her backpack and hat were any indication. How could I not have recognized her? It was obvious to me now. I should have known her from her eyes. Her voice.
After a moment her parents returned, and as Kelsey introduced Kadam, I took a long look at the two people who had influenced her so much. Her mother was plump and beautiful like her daughter, and as she listened to Kadam share his manufactured tale of the slopes, I saw the strength behind the sympathy that I so often saw in Kelsey’s eyes. She got her determination and openhearted kindness from her mother.
As Kelsey’s father sat down next to her and put his hand on his wife’s shoulder, Kelsey nestled between them and leaned her head back against him. A tender memory of her doing the same thing with me came to mind. As he spoke with Kadam, I recognized the sharp mind behind the gentle man. He cleaned his glasses as he considered Kadam’s story.
The young version of Kelsey fascinated me. She still moved her hands when she talked. Her brown hair was longer than I was used to seeing, and her braids were missing the customary ribbons. She had the same open laugh that reached her eyes. My heart wrenched at seeing her as she’d been, and at that moment, I fell for her even more than I had before. I loved her no matter what age she was, and if she needed saving, then I would throw myself down the mountainside to protect her. It was time to become an active participant in the conversation.
“It’s all right, Dad,” I said to Kadam. “I’m sure I can wait until morning.”
“Nonsense,” Kelsey’s mother replied. “There’s plenty of room to take you.”
“Well, Maddie, we do have a lot of luggage,” Joshua Hayes countered.
“I really don’t want to be a burden,” I said. “I’ll just stay overnight and go on the morning shuttle.”
“Now, son,” Kadam fussed, “It might be broken. I don’t want to wait that long to get your ankle checked out. If you could walk around on it, then it would be a different story.”
Taking his cue, I said, “Look, it’s fine. I can walk on it. See?” I stood, putting all my weight on my right leg, and then took a few awkward steps and grabbed a nearby wooden post, hobbling as if I were in terrible pain. Kelsey cried out and ran to my side. She put her arm around my waist, and her mother came to my other side and fussed over me as I sat down again.
“I simply won’t hear any more of this nonsense,” she said. “Joshua, we are taking this young man to the hospital and seeing him settled and that’s that.”
“Yes, dear.” Her husband smiled and began gathering the luggage. “I’ll bring the car around and stow our gear first.”
Maddie patted my arm and said, “I was a nurse until I had Kelsey, and I know that a broken ankle is no laughing matter. You just sit right here and let us help you. I insist.”
She had Kelsey’s determined won’t-take-no-for-an-answer expression, and though I knew that Kadam had orchestrated the whole thing, I couldn’t help but enjoy the situation. I smiled warmly at the two Hayes women and said, “Having two such lovely young ladies taking care of me has already healed all hurts but one.”
“What still hurts you, Mr. Kishan?” the young Kelsey asked.
Leaning my head toward hers as if telling her a secret, I said aloud, “The fact that I can have neither one of you for myself is what ails me the most.”
Kelsey’s mouth dropped open, and her mother charmed me with a blush that warmed her cheeks. “Now, now,” she said. “I’m much too old for you and Kelsey is too young. Besides, if my husband hears you flirting with us, he might change his mind about taking you to the hospital.”
“If the two of you belonged to me, I fear I would guard you just as jealously,” I conceded. “It’ll be our secret then,” I said with a grin.
After Kadam paid the waitress for our hot chocolates, Maddie Hayes stood as Kadam exclaimed with all sincerity, “My dear woman, you have shown me the greatest of kindnesses. There are not many who would deign to help another as you have. I entrust my son wholly to your care and know that you will treat him as your own.” He paused only briefly and then continued soberly as he cupped her hand in his, “I hope you know that I would do the same for your daughter should ever the need arise.”
“I only wish there was room in the car for you too,” she replied kindly.
“Alas, fate has deemed I should be left behind. But all is not lost. You are a remarkable soul, Mrs. Hayes. I am honored to have made your acquaintance.”
“As am I,” she said.
“What about your girlfriend?” Kelsey asked. “Shouldn’t we wait for her to come back?”
Lowering my gaze, I said softly, “If she wanted to return to me, she would.”
While retrieving her backpack, I heard Kelsey mumble, “Girl must be crazy to leave a guy who looks like that.” She didn’t know that with my tiger hearing, her words were clearly audible. When she returned, I grinned at her. She blushed and looked away.
Joshua Hayes soon came to fetch us and he and Kadam helped me hobble to the vehicle. Kelsey and her mother stood in the hotel entrance while the men helped me get settled. I overheard Kelsey ask her mother, “Why are we taking a stranger to the hospital? I thought we needed to be careful around strangers.”
Her mother, thinking I wouldn’t hear, replied, “My heart tells me they mean us no harm, and I believe that sometimes it’s better to listen to your heart than to your head. Never let fear stop you from helping others, Kells. You’re right that you should always be careful, but sometimes, if you don’t take a leap of faith, then you may lose out on an incredible adventure. I want you to experience all that life has to offer, and that means taking a risk every once in a while. Get it?”
“Got it,” Kelsey answered.
“Good. Now let’s go make sure our guest is comfortable, shall we?”
Kelsey soon joined me in the backseat, and as her parents buckled in, I realized what a miracle it was to see that glimpse of Kelsey’s past. Her mother was an amazing woman and one I would have liked to have known. She reminded me of my own mother, and I was sad knowing that Kelsey no longer had her parents to turn to. Their deaths must have devastated her.
The night was cold and crisp, and though it had snowed in the afternoon, the stars were clearly visible and the moon lit our path. Kelsey buckled her seat belt and put her book into her backpack. Before she zipped it closed, I saw the flash of a very familiar object.
“Is that a quilt?” I asked.
She nodded and, embarrassed, stammered. “I know I’m too old to have one, but my grandmother made it for me and she died a couple months ago, so I like to keep it close.”
Ducking my head toward her, I said, “There’s no need to feel self-conscious. My girlfriend has a favorite quilt too.”
Maddie gave me a grateful look and waved at Kadam, who nodded silently to me as Kelsey’s father started the car. I clutched the Damon Amulet hidden under my shirt, wondering how I might have to use it.