I roll my eyes and huff out an annoyed breath before deleting and starting over.

If you’re still up for me showing you places, would Monday work? If it does, I’ll come get you around 8 am. I’m thinking Seven Falls.

“Eight? Geez. You’re an intense travel guide.” Daisy is still reading over my shoulder, but at least she doesn’t make me delete it this time. “What’s Seven Falls?”

“It’s this place in Colorado Springs, so not too far, and it has waterfalls and hiking and great views. It’s a good place to start.”

“See. I knew you already had a plan in place.” Elsie sounds smug. One quick glance in her direction shows she looks it too. “Now hurry up and hit send so we can be done with this and I can destroy this board you made. There’s a new episode of Housewives and I want to watch it without a child crying every five minutes.”

I hesitate, my finger hovering over the send button for a second, still not convinced this is a good idea.

“Oh hell. I’ll do it.” Daisy snatches the phone out my hand and hits send before I can even process what in the world just happened. “There. Sent.”

“Oh my god!” Elsie shouts even though we are all within inches of one another. “He’s already writing back!”

All thoughts of Housewives are forgotten as we stare at my phone. Nerves settle in my gut like a pile of rocks. Now that the text has been sent, I realize how much I want to do this. How much I want to play pretend with a master of it, making believe, even for a little bit, that I can have my old life back. Well, parts of it.

The longer the bubbles linger on my screen, the more I’m convinced he’s backing out of this absurd plan.

Finally the phone buzzes in Daisy’s hand. We all let out a collective screech when we read his text.

I was hoping we’d get started tomorrow, but I can wait until Monday . . . I guess. I’ll have breakfast ready for you, let me know your coffee order. I’m so excited to explore with you. Thank you for agreeing to this.

Before we can even finish reading the message, another one pops up, this time with a pin to his location.

All the nerves and anxiety I was feeling disappear in a flash. And even though I know I shouldn’t, I feel excited. The vaguely familiar feeling of anticipation starts to bloom deep inside me as I remember the thrill that comes with fresh, cool mountain air filling my lungs as I chase the perfect shot.

And doing it with Jasper Williams at my side.

Maybe my luck is finally beginning to change.

CHAPTER 10

My luck is not beginning to change.