The higher he climbed, the worse his shaking became. If he couldn’t get these guys up this mountain, no one could.Īfter more prodding, the kid gave a low grunt and started to climb, his legs trembling something awful. Besides, Daniel was the best of the best. Normally, Daniel’s boss would’ve said no to the kid coming, being as inexperienced and out-of-shape as he was, but money talked. And as CEO of Fresh Foods Inc., he probably was. Like he was always thinking about something. “We’ve come this far.” Muscular despite his middle-age paunch, the man had thick brown hair flecked with gray and deep-set, intense eyes. “Come on, son.” TJ, the boy’s father placed a hand on Stephen’s shoulder. “Just one foothold at a time.” Daniel spoke in a soothing tone. When the kid leaned over the small ledge he was standing on and looked towards the thick cluster of pine trees below, Daniel worried he’d freeze up. This multi-day climb was definitely stretching this city boy to the max.

Stephen flicked his bleached-blond hair out of his face and stared up at Daniel with wide, fearful eyes. Safe and secure, but scared frozen none the less. Just like last time.” When the kid had slipped, bounced off the wall a few times, before dangling from his rope. With a sigh, he positioned his hands on the rope and called down to Stephen again. His promise to return home soon had felt vastly insufficient.

Even so, he couldn’t shake the image of Mariah’s red-rimmed eyes and slumped shoulders when they’d said their goodbyes. And if all went well, Daniel could earn a sizable tip.Įnough to make up for leaving Mariah home alone to mourn yet another lost child? Not that he’d had a choice, not unless he wanted to get fired, anyway. Your FREE Faith, Friends, and Chocolate e-mailing: Serial story segment, short Mother's Day memoir, recipes, and more!īy Jennifer Slattery, author of When Dawn BreaksĪnchored in to a tall, shadowed rock face, Daniel paused to glance at lush, green valley below, where his high paying clients waited.

Unconditional by Tanya Eavenson