“Fabulous!” Lia cried, catching Lizzie’s enthusiasm.
“The 10K race should end fairly soon,” Jillian said. “As soon as you’re ready, come on over to the finish line and we can cheer for everybody coming in.”
It only took a few more minutes for the last of the lotion and soap products to be sold and bagged. With a wide smile and thanks given out, Lizzie’s heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. In fact, maybe months. Even before Papa Beau died, she had been worried about finances. Slipping the money she had earned that day into her purse, she hung it crosswise over her body. With nothing left on the table, she decided to follow the others to the finish line. She could come back and get her empty wagons later.
Walking past the other tents, she observed beautiful jewelry displays made with sea glass, booths with paintings, bird carvings, metal art, and every type of homemade item imaginable. Passing by the Auxiliary bake sale tent, she waved toward a few of the women she now recognized. Glancing at their tables, she was pleased to see that they had almost sold out as well.
At the end of the line of tents, she spied a crowd gathering and headed toward the large sign declaring the finish of the race. Upon arriving, it appeared that most of the people who ran the 5K race had already crossed the finish line, and now the first runners for the 10K race were coming into the home stretch. She did not recognize anyone, but, getting into the spirit of the day, she clapped her encouragement as they passed by.
Knowing that Scott was running in this longer race, she continued to look down the road, wondering when she would see him.
Another group of runners had just turned off the road and passed into the fairgrounds, and she began to search their faces. The group was running in a clump but began to stretch out as they came closer to the finish line. She recognized Brogan, and Aiden, and then Scott. His arms were pumping, his broad chest breathing deeply, and she began jumping up and down screaming his name. As Aiden moved slightly out of her view, she took in all that was Scott.
Halting in mid-jump, her body jarred as she realized he was missing the lower part of his left leg and a running prosthesis was attached. Shocked, her voice halted in her throat as it slammed into her that he was the man she had seen running along her road. As though a vice was squeezing her heart painfully, she watched as he ran closer, now able to discern not only a look of determination on his face but his beautiful smile.
It was him. He was the one I saw. The one who made me realize that I have so much to be thankful for.
Her eyes began to sting, and she blinked back the tears, watching his powerful body move behind Brogan and Aiden approaching the finish line. Suddenly jolted into action, she again began screaming his name, jumping up and down.
It appeared he heard her because his head twisted, and for a few seconds their eyes locked. Continuing to scream his name, she waved her hands and watched as his smile widened, splitting his face. He crossed the finish line, and she began to push her way through the crowd, wanting to get closer. The runners were now walking through a line of poles with ribbons attached, staying in the chute as the volunteers were checking their times.
With a final push through the crowd, Lizzie managed to be at the end of the chute just as he walked through. “Scott!”
He looked over, and she saw uncertainty past through his eyes, so incongruent with the assuredness he normally exuded.
“That was amazing,” she said, beaming up at him. “I can’t imagine running that far. I’m really proud of you.” Seeing Aiden and Brogan standing nearby, their gazes pinned on her, she added, “Proud of all of you.”
Scott moved closer, lifting his hand to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ears. “Lizzie, as hard as you work every day, you should be proud of yourself.”
Her gaze dropped to his legs before she lifted her eyes back to his. “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you to run.”
“I got used to it pretty quickly.” He held her gaze, an awkward silence settling. He suddenly blurted, “How were your sales?”
Relief flooded her face. “Great! Would you believe that I sold everything I brought with me?”
They walked side-by-side away from the crowd, and he stopped. His smile beamed as he said, “That’s great, Lizzie. How did this compare to the farmers’ market?”
“Oh, my God, Scott. I sold three to four times more than I ever did at the market. It made me realize that I need to look for other avenues of selling besides just there.”
He glanced over his shoulder before turning back and saying, “Listen, I need to go over to my vehicle. Can I meet you somewhere later?”
Her brow furrowed as she asked, “Do you need to get something?”
Hesitating for a few seconds, he swiped his hand over his face before pointing downward. “Honestly? I’m going to change my prosthetic. This is great for running but not good for walking.”
“Oh.” Her gaze dropped to his blade. “Um... can I walk with you?”
His smile widened and the tension in his shoulders seemed to relax. “I’d like that.”
They walked side-by-side, and Scott was uncertain what had him more out of breath… running 10K or seeing Lizzie’s easy acceptance of his amputation.
Her head inclined toward his prosthetic, and she said, “I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but when I look at the unusual design, I can’t imagine how you run on it.”
He never minded people asking questions as long as they seemed genuinely interested and not morbidly curious. “The way it’s designed, it gives the body spring. It simulates a calf and an ankle. But, for it to work best, it needs the balance and speed of a run. That’s why it’s not very good for walking.”
They reached his SUV and he unlocked the passenger door. Glancing to the side, he said, “If you give me a moment, I’ll change prosthetics.”
She nodded and moved around to the front of the SUV, giving him privacy. He had no problem changing the prosthetic in front of the guys. And while she had not seemed as though she would be embarrassed, he hated the idea of her seeing his stump now. Quickly removing the carbon fiber blade prosthetic, he slid on the pads and socks over his stump and attached his walking prosthetic. He had considered pulling on sweatpants, but the day was warm, and he preferred staying in his shorts. Glancing up, he caught her staring at him from a distance, smiling.
Making sure his SUV was locked after he slammed the door, he walked over.
With her head tilted, she asked, “Are you okay?”
“Well, the race was long, and I’m a little out of breath. But I’m in pretty good shape, so it wasn’t too bad.”
She shook her head. “That’s not what I’m asking about, Scott. Are you okay with me seeing your prosthetic?”
Shrugging, he replied, “I know it’s not visible when I wear my work clothes and long pants. But lots of people have seen it. I tend to wear shorts when I’m coaching the kids’ ball games, so most of the people around here are used to seeing this one.”
“Papa Beau never mentioned it, not that he would need to, so I didn’t know.”
She suddenly blushed and looked down, and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel embarrassed. With his knuckle, he gently lifted her chin, holding her gaze. “I lost my leg in Afghanistan, Lizzie. But I’m lucky. I came home. I also lost some of my friends, who never had a chance.”