Chapter Twelve

When Lisa emerged from her room dressed in casuals, Sarah looked up and smiled. "My, that certainly becomes you. Of course, everything does. Those jeans make your legs look so long."

Yancey was lounging against the kitchen door jam, his expression uncertain. When he spoke, his voice was controlled. "Going for a drive?"

She shook her head. Going for a walk - in the woods."

His response was typically different than she would have expected. His eyes twinkled with mirth. "Are you now? Which direction?"

She shrugged. "Does it matter?"

His gaze turned cool. "It matters. You promised you wouldn't go into the woods alone."

She turned her palms up. "Then go with me."

He hesitated, his expression turning wary. "Why?"

Lisa laughed. "Because you're the one who is concerned about my safety. I'm going for a walk. You can go with me or stay here. It doesn't matter to me. I came to the mountains because this is where I grew up - hiking in the hills. I miss that and I'm not going to be held back simply because you're afraid to have me wandering around on my own."

Sarah was watching him intently. When Yancey's attention diverted to his mother, she simply shrugged. Turning abruptly, she walked into the living area. A few minutes later the television was on one of Tammy's shows.