The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad Page B

He spotted him near the top, lying on his stomach, clutching a thin tree branch. In a branch only yards away was the wedged kite. Impressive. He’d almost reached it.
    “Levi, come on down. We’ll get the kite later,” Nick called. If the boy had gotten up there, he could certainly get down.
    He didn’t move.
    “Sweetheart, we need you to come on down.” Lilly’s voice belied her concern.
    “I can’t, Mama. I’m stuck.”
    Nick’s chest tightened at the sob in the boy’s voice. “He’s too scared to move.”
    “Hang on, sweetheart. I’ll be right up.” Lilly removed her spring cape and handed it to Marguerite.
    Nick clasped her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
    “To get my son.”
    “You stay here. I’ll get him.”
    “Those tree branches couldn’t possibly bear your weight. Look at the one Levi’s on now. See, it’s bowing like a rainbow.”
    He glanced upward. “But what do you know about climbing a tree?”
    “A whole lot more than you obviously think I do.”
    She shoved past him, and Nick stared wide-eyed after her. What did Lilly think she was doing? Ladies didn’t climb trees—even to get their precocious six-year-olds down from them. Then again, Lilly Hart wasn’t like any lady he’d ever met.
    “She can do it.” Marguerite pressed a hand to his arm.
    “She’s always been athletic,” Mark added. “She could outswim Marguerite any day. Besides, she’s right. Those branches wouldn’t hold you or me.”
    As if she’d been climbing trees all her life, Lilly swung onto the first branch. When she pushed off the lower one with her right foot, it cracked. Her foot slipped.
    Nick lunged toward the tree.

    Lilly caught the second branch and pulled herself up with great effort. She risked a glance below to see the lower branch now dangling against the trunk. She released the breath she’d been holding. Another way down would be in order upon her return, but she’d address that concern when the time came. Right now she needed to get to her son.
    “Sweetheart, are you doing okay?”
    “Mama?” He turned his head to see her, and his hold slipped. He clutched the branch again. “Hurry. I’m scared.”
    “I know, sweetheart.” Lilly moved faster from one branch to another. “Just hold on. I’m coming.” She reached for a thick branch, and her shoe slid on the bark. She sucked in a breath. Slow down. Falling would do Levi no good.
    “Careful, Lilly.” Nick’s words were laced with concern.
    Levi whimpered above her, and guilt pricked her heart. How had Levi climbed to the top of a tree in such a short period of time? She should have been keeping a closer eye on him instead of inspecting Nick’s Velvet Roller Coaster. No mother should become so distracted she lost sight of her child.
    “Listen to me now, Levi. I’m below you, but I can’t climb on the limb where you are. You’re gonna have to climb down from that branch.”
    “I can’t move, Mama. It’ll break. It’s creaking.” His chubby fists clinched the branch until his knuckles turned white.
    “No, it won’t break. Take it real slow.” She leaned forward as if her effort would help him move.
    “What’s going on?” Nick barked the question, and Lilly glanced below to see him pacing back and forth.
    “I think she’s gone as far as she can,” Marguerite said. “Levi needs to swing his legs down so she can get to him.”
    Lilly risked another glance downward.
    Nick cupped his hands to his mouth. “Levi, you need to do what your mama asks you to. Remember, she’s a smart lady.”
    “My tummy hurts.” Levi hiccuped.
    Despite her prodding, Levi refused to budge. Lilly let out a long sigh. What was she going to do?
    “Hey, Levi.” Nick’s voice filled with a sense of adventure. “Remember when you told me about that book that had all kinds of animals in it? Porcupines and squirrels and—”
    “Chipmunks.”
    “That’s right,” Nick said.
    Lilly moved closer and stumbled on a knot in the