the back, they were off, bouncing and jostling, Augie fighting to keep from landing in Sofiaâs lap. He loved her giggle.
Finally they reached the Siq, where crowds had gathered, and soon the shambling carriage was the only conveyance in sight.
âOh, Augie!â Sofia said, âitâs beautiful!â
The entire length of the narrow passageway, lit by the sky during the day but pitch black at night, had been lined with candles stuck inside paper bags. The eerie pink glow reflecting off the red-rock walls guidedthem all the way to the end, where they found hundreds more of the lights scattered before the treasury building and throughout the city.
âItâs called Petra at Night,â Augie said. âAnd you can see why so many people line up to experience it.â
âI sure can, but I wouldnât want to do this on foot. Those people must think weâre royalty.â
âArenât we? I thought you were Helen of Troy. That makes me Brad Pitt. Or something.â
At the base of the high place Augie told her, âYou can go first and Iâll shine the light on the path from behind you. Itâs steep and can be treacherous, but just keep moving. When you need a break to catch your breath, let me know.â He pointed the flashlight at their destination high in the distance. âItâll take a while, but we can do it. Just stay close.â
When she started up, Augie was impressed by the muscles in her long legs. âI think Iâd rather shine the light on you,â he said.
âDr. Knox! We donât know each other that well.â
âIâll behave.â
Sofia stopped occasionally, bending at the waist and resting her palms on her bare thighs, breathing deeply.
âYou okay?â Augie said, offering her a bottle of water.
âJust need to refuel.â She drank deeply and started up again.
âHey,â Augie said, âbefore you get too far, look down.â
Sofia turned and gasped, scanning the ancient city lit by all the candles. âThat may be the most beautiful thing Iâve ever seen.â
âAnd you come from one gorgeous country. I promised you wouldnât regret this.â
âNo matter what, I wonât. Bet you wish you werenât weighed down by that sweatshirt. Iâm sweating.â
âWeâre not at the top yet, girl.â
Sofia gave him a funny look. âWell, then letâs get going, boy.â
Augie took the lead. He had always found the last part of the climb the toughest, and he was relieved to finally get to flat ground and reach back to help her up. He led her to an outcropping where she sat on a rock to catch her breath. âWhen youâre ready, Iâll show you the altars,â he said. âYouâll see where the blood of the animals drained, where they put the coals, everything.â
Sofia lowered her head and breathed deeply. Finally she stood, hands on her hips. âIâm so glad you talked me into this. You can say, âI told you so.ââ
âJust happy youâre enjoying it,â he said, shining the light in her face, making her cover her eyes. âYou have the best smile.â
âYou make me smile,â she said.
After he showed her the altars he shone the light down into the valleys.
âI could stay here all night,â she said.
âYouâd be lonely.â
âYouâd leave me here?â
âItâs been a long week,â he said. âI need my sleep.â
She laughed, then crossed her arms and rubbed her biceps. âOh, no! I didnât want you to be right.â
âAbout?â
âNow that Iâm up here, Iâm cooling off.â
Augie set the light down and pulled the sweatshirt off his waist. âNo, thatâs yours,â she said. âYou planned ahead. I didnât.â
âDonât be silly,â he said, slipping behind her and draping it around her
Maggie Brendan
Barbara O'Connor
Jan Washburn
Terri Blackstock
Norah Simone
Barry Kemp
G.P. Taylor
Alan Cumyn
Linda Barnes
Lisa Jackson