“I think you know a lot more about life than you think, Martha. Maybe you should spend less time listening to other people and listen to yourself.”

Kathleen had said the same thing.

She put her glass down. Did she have the confidence to do that? Ignore the people around her, and follow her own instincts?

What would she do if people weren’t constantly putting her off and minimizing her ideas?

Something that involved connecting with people. But that wasn’t a passion, was it? Not like surfing or tech.

Josh seemed about to say something else when Kathleen finally joined them.

She’d timed her entrance so perfectly that Martha wondered if she’d been listening or lip reading.

“Do they have tacos?” Kathleen sat down next to Martha and pulled the guidebook out of her bag. “Planning time. Josh, I hope you’ll join us for the next phase of our trip.”

Martha held her breath and focused on her menu. She’d assumed he’d leave, but now she knew his story she badly wanted him to carry on his journey with them. She wanted to do what his brother would have done and encourage him to have fun. She sensed he needed that, and she wanted to be the person to help him do it.

Josh glanced up from the menu. “I appreciate the offer, but there are things I need to do.”

And now she knew why he was making this trip, Martha was determined that he wasn’t going to do those things alone. “Just because you hitch a ride, doesn’t mean you have to stick with us like glue. Kathleen and I will probably be out and about getting up to serious mischief anyway.”

“I don’t doubt that.” There was a smile in his eyes. “But I’ll want to stay a little longer in the Grand Canyon than you had planned.”

“We don’t have plans as such—” Kathleen waved a hand. “Take as long as you wish. Martha will amend our booking. I can’t think of a better place to linger.”

Josh hesitated. “If we do this, then I’d insist on being in charge of the accommodation.”

“We can argue that part later.”

“So that’s settled?” Martha’s mind was already working. She needed to research trips on the Colorado River. She didn’t want to leave Kathleen for long, so it would have to be a day trip. And anyway, if Josh was going to complain and moan about getting wet the whole time, a day would probably be more than enough for both of them.

Their food arrived, plates heaped high with refried beans, spicy enchiladas and tacos for Kathleen.

“I confess I like having you around for reassurance, Josh,” Kathleen said. “What if I collapse again? You proved to be most useful when it came to finding a doctor.”