Part 25 (1/2)
”If it's already carved in stone, how is that possible?”
”It's not in stone, and I'm guessing G.o.d's book operates a little differently than ours.” Ann gathered up her hair and put a scrunchie around it. ”We chose to climb that cliff today. Our choice. No one else's. It wasn't some preordained plan that we had no part in.”
”Do you mind if we have a soundtrack for our conversation?” Cameron pulled onto the road and slid a Jack Johnson CD into his player.
”Good call, H.”
Cameron glanced at her. ”H?”
”Did you ever see that movie K2? K2? It was about these two climbing buddies. One of the guys was named Harold. So his partner called him 'H,' and was always saying, 'Good call, H!'” It was about these two climbing buddies. One of the guys was named Harold. So his partner called him 'H,' and was always saying, 'Good call, H!'”
”Good movie?”
”It was all right.”
Ann leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. It seemed so natural for her to sit next to him. Maybe G.o.d should keep writing this chapter.
”Listen,” he said, ”if we say for a moment this Book of Days is real-was that whole thing we just went through together on the cliff written down ahead of time? Before it ever happened?”
Ann didn't answer and he glanced at her again. She opened her eyes and frowned at him. ”What are you doing?”
”What do you mean?”
”You just asked me that.”
”What?”
”You just asked me virtually the same question two minutes ago.”
He bit both sides of his tongue with his back teeth. He couldn't lose it now. His mind had been doing better the past few days. ”Sorry, I'm a little stressed still. A lot stressed.”
”Is your memory loss getting worse?”
Cameron clenched the steering wheel and ignored the vise grip around his stomach. ”It's getting better.”
When they reached Three Peaks, Cameron said, ”I hope the emergency room isn't crowded.”
”What?”
”You're getting that head looked at. You were out cold.”
”I told you I'm fine. I meant it.”
Cameron shook his head.
”Really, I've been knocked out before. If I had a concussion, it would have shown up by now.”
”Even if I let you talk me out of going to the hospital, there's no way I'm letting you stay by yourself tonight.”
Ann touched the bruise on her head and sighed. ”So what do you suggest? Have me sleep next to the night manager in the lobby of my hotel?”
”You can do that?”
”Funny.”
It was a good question. Neither of them knew anyone in town well enough-Cameron grabbed his iPhone.
”h.e.l.lo?”
”Hi, it's Cameron. Would you be willing to have a mildly injured houseguest overnight tonight? She's very well mannered.”
”What happened? Is it Ann?”
”We had a bit of an adventure during our climb today, and Ann got a head injury-”
”It's a b.u.mp, not an 'injury.'” Ann whacked Cameron on the arm.
”Is she okay?”
”I think she's fine. But I don't want her by herself tonight.”
”I'd love to have her; I've wanted to meet her for a long, long time.”
”Thanks, Susan.” Cameron hung up. ”Done.”
”What'd she say?”
”She's wanted to meet you for a long time.”
Ann frowned. ”What does she mean by that? I just got here a few days ago.”
”You should ask her.”
”Will she tell me?”
”I doubt it.” Cameron smiled. ”She's good with secrets. But if she opens up, ask her about your mom's photo.”
”That would go over well.” Ann laughed. ”I'll find out what I can. And we'll meet up tomorrow?”
”I'll call you as soon as I'm done seeing Arnold.”
”Find me something good, okay?” She winked at him and Cameron winked back.
He dropped her off at Susan's, then gazed at the front door long after it shut behind Ann. Find her something good? If Cameron's suspicions were right, he would find her something very very good in Peasley's mountainous piles of newspaper. good in Peasley's mountainous piles of newspaper.
CHAPTER 27.