Free Fledgling by Natasha Brown Page A

her dark hair while leaving the room, turning the lights out as she wandered downstairs.
    Chance was waiting near the front door, still wearing what he had on at school, jeans and a black t-shirt. He could wear anything, really, and he would be handsome, she thought. The black t-shirt hugged his chest, accentuating strong physique.
    Melissa and Eva sat on the couch together watching television, sharing a secretive smile.
    As she entered the room, an extra burst of oxygen filled Ana’s lungs when she breathed in Chance’s spicy scent. A lingering grin graced his lips.
    Melissa spoke up, interrupting their moment, “You two have a nice time tonight, and Chance-please thank your mother for the dinner invitation.”
    “I will. Thanks, Mel. Don’t have too much fun tonight!” He winked at Eva as he opened the door for Ana.
    Outside, the wind picked up strength, bursting through the yard, tossing Ana’s hair into a flurry around her face. Chances fingers pulled aside the stray hairs behind her ear, grinning at her surprise.
    He opened the passenger side of the truck, waiting until she was in before closing the door and darting around to the driver’s side.
    Buckling up and settling in for the drive, Chance turned to face Ana before starting the engine, regarding her lips before speaking, “You look nice in green-it brings out your eyes…not that they need any more help.”
    “Thanks,” she muttered, self-conscious. Compliments felt out of place in her world. Like sunshine warming her from the inside out, it wasn’t an entirely unpleasant feeling.
    “So, how was your first week in Clark Bend?” he asked casually, sliding his arm behind her headrest.
    “Oh, besides this obnoxious guy I have to sit next to in English and photography, it was okay,” Ana glanced slyly at Chance. “I guess as first weeks go-with all of my experience-it went pretty well. Better than expected. I think I’ve caught up with all of my classes. I also met Laura, who helped me in calculus. She seems nice.”
    “And…how about your house?”
    “Besides the fact it brings up memories of Grandma, and it smells like menthols, I love it. There are so many stars here. Colorado had too much light pollution… couldn’t see the stars as well as I do here. You don’t have any nice views from your house, do you?” Ana inquired hopefully.
    A crooked grin slid across his face, “I have something in store for you. I think you’ll be happy.”
    “Hmm, mysterious.”
    Chance arched his eyebrow and chuckled. “Heh, heh, heh.”
    She laughed with him, “You don’t scare me. Nice try.”
    He cleared his throat and asked, “You warm enough?”
    “Fine, thanks. So, tell me about your parents. What are they like?”
    “Well, my mom’s a nurse at Sandpoint Hospital and my dad’s a jeweler. He owns a shop down around Hope Marina. My grandfather lives with us now, too. After Grandmother died he was lonely. He hired someone to manage his ranch and came to live with us about two years ago.”
    “So, your grandfather lives with you? How’s that?” Ana imagined her grandma sitting on their couch chain smoking and frowned.
    “I’m pretty close with him. We go hiking a lot… when I’m not working.”
    “That’s nice-I wasn’t really close to my grandparents. Didn’t know them too well.” She gazed at the darkened shapes flitting by her window.
    After a moment of silence Ana asked, “So, your mother’s a nurse? She’s following your family’s tradition for healing?”
    Chance frowned, “Uh…how so?”
    “You said your grandfather came from a long line of Navajo Shamans, right?”
    “Riiight. I guess you could say that. She’s a very compassionate person and loves her job. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to help people.”
    “And, what about you? Do you want to heal people too?”
    An enigmatic expression crossed his face and he shrugged. “That would be cool, but I don’t know if that runs in my genes. I’m not sure…if