Home to Montana. Charlotte Carter

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      Chapter Five

      Alisa walked across the parking lot, approaching Nick quietly. She couldn’t imagine how many chin-ups he’d already done. Still he moved steadily, like a valve in a well tuned engine. With each lift, his biceps flexed. Sweat dampened the back of his shirt.

      The soft sounds he made when he pulled himself up again and again spoke of a determination to never quit.

      As she drew closer, the dog spotted her and alerted.

      Slowly, Nick turned his head toward her. Shadowed by the trees, she couldn’t read his expression as he dropped to the ground.

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your routine.” Of course, if she’d been thinking at all, she would have known he’d stop when she invaded his privacy.

      “It’s okay.” He bent at the waist to catch his breath.

      Rags trotted over to greet her. She scratched the top of his head, which got his tail wagging even faster than usual.

      “You work out so hard,” she said. “Are you planning to try out for Mr. America?”

      He coughed what was meant to be a laugh. “Hardly. I try to wear myself out at night so I can sleep better.”

      She tugged the sides of her jacket together, although she wasn’t that cold. “Does it work? There are nights when I could use a little help with that.” Particularly since Nick arrived in town.

      Her comment was greeted with such a long silence, she was about to tell him good-night and get back to where she belonged.

      “Learning to do chin-ups and push-ups isn’t so hard. You start easy. Do what you can, and each time you make yourself do a little more.” He paused for a moment. “I could help you if you want.” His voice was a mere whisper, no louder than the faint breeze in the treetops, and surprisingly intimate.