Free Last Chance Hero by Cathleen Armstrong

blessings, that’s what I need to be doing.”
    She set off again with a determined gait, and Jess fell in alongside her. Truthfully, she understood Elizabeth’s exasperation perfectly. It was natural, and Jess didn’t think Elizabeth had anything to apologize for, but somehow she felt that the last thing Elizabeth wanted right now was to be set straight—again.
    They reached Elizabeth’s gate, and Jess held it open for her. If the walk to the end of the block had tired Elizabeth, her slight puffing and her rosy cheeks were the only indication. Her steps were firm and quick until she reached the ramp, and then she stopped, took a deep breath, and grasping the rail with her free hand, more or less pulled herself up the ramp to the porch. Jess followed close behind, and if Elizabeth noticed her hovering, she chose not to say anything.
    â€œCome in the kitchen and I’ll get us a cup of coffee.” Elizabeth led the way through her little house. “I don’t have any coffee cake this morning, but these cookies have oatmeal and raisins, so we’ll just call them breakfast.”
    Jess sat at the table where Elizabeth directed and watched as her hostess moved around the kitchen, filling cups and taking cookies from the jar and putting them on a plate. She still seemed a little breathless.
    â€œThere now.” Elizabeth finally sat down and smiled across the table at Jess. “This was all I wanted in the first place, just a little coffee and company. Have a cookie. My little friend Olivia and I made them yesterday, so they’re nice and fresh.”
    â€œI think I met Olivia the first night I was here.” Jess took a sip of her coffee. “Didn’t someone tell me she was part of your family somehow?”
    Elizabeth laughed. “Technically, she’s my granddaughter Sarah’s niece by marriage, but we got close long before that happened. She comes over after school every day to keep me company.”
    Elizabeth must have anticipated a lecture because she raised both eyebrows and a forefinger. “Now don’t you go telling me that having Olivia every afternoon is too much for me. I get enough of that from everyone else. Olivia is the sweetest little thing you’ll ever meet and the highlight of my day.”
    â€œI’ll bet she is.” Actually, Jess had no intention of discouraging Elizabeth from having Olivia over. She had noticed the television was still on and Elizabeth’s crocheting piled in the recliner when she came in, just as she had noticed Elizabeth’s desire to fuss over and care for anyone who entered her front door. If anyone could keep Elizabeth from sitting all day, Jess had a feeling it was Olivia.
    â€œElizabeth, I have an idea.” Jess leaned both elbows on the table. “I come by here every morning after my run. Why don’t you plan on walking with me? We’ll take it slow at first and build up your strength. When your family sees you moving around more like your old self, I’ll bet they’ll ease up a little. And frankly, I’d love the company.”
    â€œI thought you and Andy always ran together.”
    Jess wrinkled her nose. “Not anymore. Football practice started today.”
    â€œAh, well, I should have known. Once football season starts, everything else around town pretty much takes a backseat.” Elizabeth took a nibble from the cookie she had just dipped into her coffee.
    â€œSo? What do you say? Will you be my walking buddy?”
    Elizabeth sighed. “What time would you be by?”
    â€œAbout this time every morning.”
    â€œEvery morning?”
    â€œIt works best that way.”
    Elizabeth didn’t say anything. She took another sip of her coffee, gazing at Jess over the rim with a slightly furrowed brow and the bluest eyes Jess had ever seen.
    Jess picked up her own cup and waited. She was neither Elizabeth’s family nor her physician, and she