Free Rocky Mountain Match by Pamela Nissen Page A

onto his shop, as well as some new tools.
    Three months gave ample time to finish each piece to the standard he was known for. After all, he didn’t want to jeopardize his reputation, not to mention this job. Aaron had been at it alone now for four weeks and even though he hadn’t alluded to any problems, Joseph had a horrible feeling that they were losing precious time.
    Thinking about everything that hinged on the return of his sight, a thick knot balled his stomach.
    “It’ll be done,” he finally said. If it didn’t get completed, he wouldn’t have a livelihood left to resume.
    “Wonderful! I’ll let Daddy know.” Without another word, Julia clattered back toward the heart of town.
    When the sound of her brisk footsteps faded into the distance, he sighed and rested the pads of his fingers over his bandaged eyes. Frustration and irritation weighed heavy on him. But mostly he felt sick that Julia had been so unkind to Katie.
    “Listen, Katie, I’m sorry about that.” He shook his head, shoving his hands on his hips. “I don’t know what came over her. I mean, I haven’t ever seen this side of her and I—”
    “You don’t have to explain.” The understanding in her voice pierced his heart all the more.
    “No, she shouldn’t have—”
    “It’s fine. I don’t need an explanation.”
    He stepped toward Katie, wanting to reach out to her, to encourage her the way she’d encouraged him so many times with words or with a simple touch. For a week she’d poured herself out for him, a stranger really. Enduring, encouraging and lending faith when his was flagging.
    “I just want you to know—”
    “Please. Not another word.” He could hear the light brush of her hand against her dress. “Now, then, if you’re ready, why don’t we begin for the day?” The suggestion she made was bolstered by levity that seemed forced. And he’d spent enough time with her to hear the difference.
    “No,” he stated simply.
    “No?” Her voice was almost a whisper.
    “That’s right. No.” He offered her a sidewise grin. “I have another idea. A surprise.”
    She gave an audible sigh. “What might your surprise be?”
    “Well, it’ll still require your assistance—that is if that’s all right with you?”
    “Of course. What can I do?”
    Tucking his hands in his pockets, he felt a wave of sudden shyness. “I thought a picnic might be just the right thing today. What do you think?”
    “A picnic? That would be lovely.” The smile in her voice gave Joseph all the encouragement he needed.
    After he and Katie packed a picnic lunch of cold meat, cheese and bread, they set out with Boone at their side for a day by the stream, a place Joseph had loved for years.
    “Boone knows his way better than any hound dog, but just in case he’s having an off day, let me know when you spot a big cottonwood edging the stream.” Joseph gently grasped Katie’s arm as they walked. “If my guess is right, we should be about there.”
    “I think it’s right in front of us, about an acre ahead.”
    He caught the faint gurgling sound of the mountain stream. “Is it the biggest tree out here?”
    After a short pause, she answered, “Yes. There’s an old rope hanging from one of the branches. Is that the tree you’re looking for?”
    Childhood memories with his brothers came rushing back. They’d scale the rope, hand over fist to sit on the thick branches that spread like sturdy arms from the tree’s broad trunk. “That’s the one.” Breathing a sigh of relief, he quickened his pace. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here. I didn’t know how much I missed this place.”
    “I can see why. It’s beautiful.”
    “It is, isn’t it?” Tilting his head back, he breathed deep, invigorated by the clear mountain air. Although he wished he could see it for himself, he could conjure up a clear mental picture of the landscape. Tall pines infusing the area with rich, dark green patches of color. Slate gray rocks