Operation Breathless by Marianne Evans Page B

gaze zeroed in on Susanna. “I’ll need a partner, though. And, remember, other adults are keeping watch over you guys, so, behave!” The warning roused a few playful groans and defensive quips. Her breath wedged deep in her chest. Belatedly she noticed the final blindfold he held. Obviously, he had already intended to participate…which most likely meant… “Susanna, my dear, would you join me, please?”
    The kids cracked up. Susanna decided to stand her ground. She cocked a hip, folded her arms across her chest and gave her antagonist a playful smirk. “Oh, no, my dear . You first.”
    “OK. After all, it’s a long hike.” Despite the conciliatory remark, Gabe made chicken noises as he approached, which judging by the laughter, the kids loved. He handed her the blindfold.
    “You could tie this on yourself you know.”
    “Maybe—but that wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”
    Susanna gave up the pretense and laughed along with everyone else who egged them on. She clucked her tongue and sighed heavily, putting on a show since the kids seemed to enjoy their banter. Gabe turned his back and bent down far enough for Susanna to position the cloth.
    Despite a gliding circuit of energy, Susanna watched after Layla and Chelsea. Separate partners led them, yet she petitioned: Come on, Lord. Please let them see who You are. Help them grasp Your power and provision. Help them recognize flash over…
    Gabe slid his fingertips down her forearm and laced his fingers through hers.
    Substance.
    Unseeing and reliant upon her care, Gabe’s gesture sent a penetrating shiver through Susanna’s body. They moved forward in tandem, but Susanna trembled, lost to everything she felt for Gabe Peretti. How had so much emotion overcome her—and so quickly?
    At the halfway point of the hike, everyone paused to change leaders. Susanna stood silent while Gabe removed his blindfold and tied it carefully into place over her eyes. She felt a brush of air against the skin near her ear then Gabe whispered. “If you do well today, your next trust test will involve heights and fire. Ready for that? By comparison, this should be a piece of cake.” His rumbling chuckle concluded that bit of teasing, and knocked Susanna further off center. Unable to connect visually with the world around her, a fine hum lit her senses. His warmth and the spice of his scent still adorned the material.
    Unexpectedly this exercise jarred her carefully-maintained composure. Sinking into a place governed by a cloak of black and an intimate one-to-one connection, Susanna found herself assailed not just by dependence, but an acute sense of longing.
    “Something held your attention before we paired up. Mind my asking what?” Gabe’s question cut into the void.
    In an odd way, the closed off world she inhabited became liberating—freeing up the guarded, more cautious part of her soul. “I was thinking about Layla and Chelsea, and friendships between all the kids.”
    “And what else?”
    “You’re not going to let me off the hook, are you?”
    His chuckle tickled the insides of her ears. “Nope.”
    Darkness gave her the courage to reveal herself—a bit. “I was thinking about you. You need to keep this up. Think about contributing to youth programs when you…you know…when you leave. And go home…” Her words drifted to an awkward stillness interrupted only by crackling leaves and branches and soft insect chatter as she stepped slowly ahead.
    “There’s a log in front of you.” His warning caused her to freeze. “Step up and over. It’s just a bit higher than your ankle.”
    His hold on her waist went snug, and he supported her arm more firmly. Gabe’s voice was steady and low—assuring. Seeking added guidance, she held on to his forearm. Suddenly shy, Susanna stiffened against his gentle movements forward and dependence on what would only be a temporary source of support. She swore she heard the soft hiss of a sigh.
    “Relax your body. Don’t fight