Read Online Adapt and Overcome (The Maxwell Saga) by Peter Grant - Free Book Online

reserved, but also appeared to be more relaxed, as nearly as he could judge. He reminded himself firmly, more than once, to remember what Brooks had said and not rush things.
    There was no opportunity to speak with her alone until she stretched at last. “I’d better get going. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
    “May I walk you to your car?” Steve asked, trying to sound casual.
    She looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “Thanks.”
    Brooks and Carol said their goodbyes inside, pointedly not accompanying them as Steve and Abha walked side-by-side out to the parking area. He resisted the temptation to take her hand or offer her his arm. Don’t rush it! , he mentally reminded himself once more.
    “ Er… Abha, I’ve really enjoyed this evening. May I see you again, please? I don’t have much time before I leave for Rolla a couple of weeks from now, but I hope we can fit in something before I go.”
    She stopped, looking up at him. “I’ve enjoyed tonight, too. What are you doing over the weekend?”
    “I’ll be at Orion Industries’ shuttle plant tomorrow, but I’m free on Sunday.”
    “I’ll be in Lancaster City tomorrow – a friend’s holding a bridal shower, and I promised to be there. On Sunday I’d planned to take a solo hike in the hills, with a picnic lunch. It’s lovely up there in springtime. Feel like joining me?”
    He smiled. “I’d love to. If you like, I’ll prepare the lunch. I’m not bad in the kitchen, if I do say so myself.”
    A slow smile dawned on her face. “You’ll have to live up to that boast, you know! I’m a pretty good cook.”
    “Me too. I learned in the orphanage. I do things the old-fashioned way.”
    She nodded thoughtfully. “Brooks said you were orphanage-reared, like me. That gives us something in common. Actually, it’ll save me a lot of time if you’d fix the food – I won’t have to stay up late tomorrow night to prepare it after I get back from Lancaster City. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “Not at all. Shall we meet here on Sunday morning, or somewhere else?”
    “Here will be fine. About eight?”
    “See you then.”
    ~ ~ ~
    Sunday dawned clear and bright. Brooks and Carol didn’t stir as Steve dressed in casual clothes and foot-cradling ankle boots suitable for hiking, and packed the meal he’d prepared the previous night. His eagerness betrayed him, so that he was ready long before Abha was due to arrive. He left the front door open to be able to hear her footsteps approaching as he paced impatiently back and forth.
    At last he heard her small runabout outside, and felt the same internal frisson he’d experienced on Friday. He had to restrain himself from going out to meet her. He busied himself checking the wheeled lunch cooler and his day pack as he heard her approaching.
    “Hi, Abha!” he called as she appeared in the doorway, dressed in civilian hiking boots, hard-wearing blue shorts and a light T-shirt.
    “Hi yourself. Are Brooks and Carol still asleep?” She looked around.
    “Yes.”
    She lowered her voice. “We’d better be quiet then. Ready?”
    “You bet.” He slung his backpack over his shoulder and grasped the cooler’s handle. “Where are we going?”
    She stepped back from the doorway to let him through. “I thought I’d take you to a valley in the foothills of the mountains. It’s about thirty kilometers out of town. I don’t often go there, because my little runabout can’t handle the dirt road that leads to it, but you’ve got an all-wheel-drive truck. It’s about ten clicks off the main road. We can park your truck five kilometers out, then hike the rest of the way. It’s a tough climb up a rocky slope, then easier going along a ridge and down into the valley.”
    “OK. Will we have to break trail through brush? Should I bring a machete? I know Brooks has one.”
    “There isn’t a path, and the brush will have grown thicker since I was last there several months ago, so it might come in handy. We