![]() The Helping Heart
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: “Time to burn some of those calories,” Helen called out. “Let’s get going.” Evie cast her a curious gaze. “Is there something we’re hurrying for? You should let us know, Helen.” She narrowed her eyes. “We need to get going. We’re like sitting ducks here.” Rett laughed. “We’re nobody’s target. We started early, we already did the tidal crossings, so we are not worried about tides right now, and we have time to take a break if somebody is vomiting. Really.” Helen shook her head and walked away toward the tree line. Where was that wolf? And why couldn’t her sisters take direction? Annoyed, she kept gazing into the woods, though she kept an ear tuned toward the conversations behind her. Soon enough, everybody got ready to go again, and Evie called to her. “We’re all set, Helen.” She huffed a little as she headed back, chin held high. Evie started off beside Dorie, the two easily chatting. Rett waited for Helen. “Tone it down a bit,” she advised. “Are you bitching about me, too?” Helen snapped. “Like that,” Rett said noncommittally. “Take it down a notch.” “You’re so helpful,” she sniped. “Like anybody even notices me.” “Everybody notices you.” Rett’s tone was correcting. “Especially when you’re being a royal pain in the neck. Tone it down. Nobody’s here to make a fool of you.” Helen, shocked, took the impact of those words on her chest. Nobody’s here to make a fool of you. She had nothing to say. Rett nudged her with an elbow. “Come on. Let’s make it a good day for a hike.” She nodded tightly and followed. Hiking made her brain run faster. Rett’s words rang in her memory. Nobody’s here to make a fool of you, Helen. I don’t need anyone to do that. I’ve done it myself, more than once. A lot more than once. Despite her tired body, her mind was super-charged as thoughts, memories and feelings flooded her. She couldn’t outrace them, and even the challenging terrain didn’t distract her, though after a series of switchbacks, landing at the brook felt like an accomplishment. Or at least a break from her thoughts. ![]()
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