Ana of California (31 page)

Despite her desire to walk the other way, Abbie put her arm around Nadine's shoulders.

“I know,” she said. “We'll find them”

 • • • 

T
hey both stood completely still. There was a crunching of sticks before Ana felt hot breath on her hand. It crept into Ana's peripheral vision first, just a few feet to her left, before making its way over to where Cole was standing. She couldn't move. Cole gave her a look that said, “Stay calm.” The mountain lion eyed her and moaned, a long guttural moan from the back of its throat as it licked its lips and lowered its head, its whiskers sniffing in Cole's direction.

It paced behind them, growling, before coming into full view.

Something told them both not to scream or run. They kept their eyes locked on each other, as flashes of burnt yellow slunk in and out of the trees around them. Ana was angled in a way that she had a clear view of the lion as it got close enough to touch. Her legs began to tremble. She moved her foot slightly, catching the cat's attention.

“It's coming,” she mouthed to Cole as the cat moved forward and then back again. It hunkered down and growled.

Cole moved his body, positioning himself to take the full weight of the attack if the cat should pounce. “Look at me,” he mouthed to Ana.

The cat moved forward again before it stopped abruptly
just a few feet away. Ana looked back and forth from Cole to the cat as its entire body angled to jump.

There was a rustling in the trees.

The cat stepped back, then snapped its head to the right. It leaped and disappeared into the brush. Just as they were about to take a breath, a massive black bear ambled into the clearing. It stopped and seemed to make eye contact with Ana before continuing in the direction of the mountain lion.

“That's Eli,” Ana said.

“Eli?” said Cole, still afraid to move.

“Yeah. I think I know that bear.”

 • • • 

T
he sheriff and volunteer police officers headed back to Hadley, a few others joining them. Abbie approached Emmett, who was staring at a park map like it held the secrets of the universe.

“How's it going?” she asked him.

“Not well. We need to get back out there before it gets dark. I don't understand why people are leaving.”

“Because they have jobs and families to tend to. But we can appreciate their help.”

“I'm going back out there,” Emmett said.

“Maybe's she's back at the farm already . . .”

“Minerva would have called by now,” he said. “Your friend, the chef guy—”

“Will.”

“Yes, Will. He just called and said he made it back to the restaurant. He rallied everyone on Main Street, so everyone's looking down there too, apparently.”

“I'm amazed and not surprised,” Abbie said.

“He's, uh, he seems like a good guy. Looks like Dad's
nightmare, of course, just like all the rest of them. But I give you my approval.”

“Your approval? Do I still need that, big bro?”

“Always.”

“At some point, we need to think about calling Mrs. Saucedo.” Abbie sighed.

“I don't want to do that yet,” Emmett said, taking control of the situation. It had been a long time since Abbie had seen her brother focused on something other than the farm. “I've been thinking, what if they're on their way to San Fran or up north and they crashed on that kid's bike? We are responsible for her well-being, Abbs. I don't understand why she left, why she didn't think to call or tell us when she's coming back.”

“I don't think she wants to come back.”

“She does,” Manny said, approaching and tossing a couple of flares into Emmett's backpack. “I talk to her. But she worries. She puts pressure on herself. She's concerned about pleasing you both, but doesn't know how to do that and also be her own person. You have to trust that she has good instincts, especially for her age. She's very strong, not unlike two other people I know.”

Della and Rye Moon ran to Charlie Moon's car, which pulled into the small parking area, and grabbed a box of flashlights to pass out to everyone. Nora and Brady Lawson arrived straight from the school run, a trunk full of milk and cookies from their dairy to hand out to the search party. Vic and Rolo huddled around Manny's truck with Joey, the three of them discussing Ana's disappearance and if she'd ever return, Joey vowing to return with her. Nadine Brannan stayed by her car, her ear glued to a phone, continuing her one-woman assault, allowing no one to intervene.

Everyone gathered with flashlights, water bottles, whistles, and even a bullhorn, waiting for Emmett's instructions as to how to divide into groups and which directions to go. That's when they heard the shouts. Way down the road, walking out of the trees and onto the edge of the road, was Alder Kinman, followed by Ana and Cole.

Without thinking, Abbie Garber ran down the road and met them halfway. Emmett watched as she threw her arms around Ana and held her there, not letting her go. Ana wrapped her arms around Abbie, the tears coming fast and quick, a relief in the heaving. Rye ran all the way too, embracing both Ana and Abbie, shaking them, smiles erupting. Emmett watched his sister put her arm around Ana again, her mouth saying, “You're okay. You're here. You're with us.”

“You gave us one hell of a scare,” he said as he approached.

“Even more than the day you saw me sitting at the airport?” Ana said.

“Much more than that.” He patted her shoulder and pulled his hand away again. She hugged him anyway.

“Where were you?” Manny asked impatiently as he approached. “We've been so worried.”

“We went for a ride and then we fell asleep. I'm . . . I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking when I left.”

“Neither was I,” Cole said, hoping if he chimed in as much as possible that maybe Ana wouldn't be sent away. He scanned the side of the road where all the cars were parked. He wasn't surprised that he didn't see his mother.

“We ran into some trouble,” Ana said.

“Trouble?” said Emmett.

“They brushed up against a mountain lion,” Alder Kinman explained, leaning against Emmett's truck with his thumbs hooked in his belt loops.

“If it wasn't for Eli,” Cole said.

“Eli?” Emmett said, turning around.

“Eli . . . the bear, saved us,” Ana said. “Scared the mountain lion away.”

Alder nodded his head. “Yep. Just like I told ya, Eli's a good man.”

The hugs continued all around. No one asked questions about what went on between Ana and Cole or why they'd run away. Nadine Brannan finally came running from her car, shouting to someone on the phone before tossing it into her handbag. She crossed the clearing, past the cars, making a beeline for her son as Cole walked up to meet her. Ana watched her run, waiting for her to embrace him, as Ana knew she would; she watched Cole waiting for the same thing. But once Nadine got there, tears running down her cheeks, she stopped and kept her distance.

“What in the hell were you doing? I've been on the phone with your father, who is outraged; your sister is a mess. And, in total, you have worried us to death with this selfishness. Was she worth it?”

“I'm fine, Mom. It's great to see you too. Thank you for the warm welcome. Glad you were able to reach Dad, wherever he is.”

“What were you thinking? Did she put you up to this?”

Cole took a breath, realizing everyone was listening even though they were pretending not to.

“Do you realize what could have happened? And after all the progress you've made? I am utterly embarrassed, your father is furious . . .”

Cole glanced over at Ana, who looked back.

“Mom,” he said, lowering his voice. “I'm sorry if I worried you.”

“I can't handle this anymore, Cole, I just can't—”

He embraced his mother without giving her a moment to step back.

She was quiet before letting go. She reached up and embraced him back. “I can't stay here,” she said. “Everything's falling apart. All of these people, this place . . . I don't know what to do anymore.”

“I know,” Cole said.

He looked over his mother's shoulder at Ana, who was looking over Abbie's shoulder. She smiled at him. It was a strange feeling, he thought, having your heart ripped in two. He knew the decision needed to be made, and he was the one who'd have to make it.

“We can leave here,” Cole said to his mother. “If that will make it better.”

 • • • 

A
na waved as the Moons drove away. She laughed as Rye thrust herself out of the back window of the car, both of them saluting each other, hands over breasts. Abbie was on the phone updating both Will and Minerva about the rescue. Emmett and Manny were talking with Joey, who said he wanted to return to Garber Farm. Ana leaned up against the back of the pickup truck. If she'd had her sketchbook, she thought, she wouldn't have wanted to capture this scene. Sometimes it was much better just to live it.

There was a flashing of headlights. Ana waited as Cole crossed the small parking area. She walked toward him and he toward her.

“You have to go?” she asked.

“We do,” he nodded. “You have to stay?”

“Indeed.”

Ana bit her bottom lip, holding it all in. She had never been pulled in two different directions before, but she knew which way she was going. She nodded her head and swallowed the tears. They held each other for a moment.

“See ya, Cortez,” he said.

“See ya, Brannan.”

She held out her hand and he took it.

“To beautiful endings.”

I
t was the same wooden chair she was used to sitting in. It belonged to her now, or so she liked to think. There were papers on the table, more so than usual. Mrs. Lupe Saucedo sat opposite and adjusted her glasses.

Ana ran her hands along her kneecaps, smoothing down her new dress, adjusting herself to the fit. She remembered the first time she tried it on for Ellery Jonas and Pearl Parnell, who suggested she pair it with the new-old boots she purchased so many months ago.

“When something old fits like it was tailor-made,” they said, “you can't let it go.”

But she did let the dress go that day, a regret she kept in the back of her memory, never suspecting the fine ladies of Ellery Pearl Salon and Vintage would take it off the rack and hold it for her until the day it was meant to be hers.

“New dress for the occasion?” Lupe asked.

“Is this the first time you've seen me in a dress?”

“Yes, but it's perfect.”

Ana crossed her legs, bobbing the top one up and down as Lupe finished going through the papers. “You ready?” she asked.

“I think so.”

“I've been waiting for this day,” she said.

“Me too.”

Lupe handed the papers over along with a pen, indicating where Ana needed to sign. Ana squiggled the pen on page after page until she got to the last one, when she paused for a moment before signing her name in full.

“Welcome home,” Mrs. Lupe Saucedo said, standing up, walking around the kitchen table, and giving Ana a hug. “Let's go tell them it's official.”

Lupe and Ana walked out onto the front porch. Emmett let Dolly go, and she ran and barked her usual circles.

“There's no getting rid of me now,” Ana said, hugging Abbie and Emmett. She made her way around to everyone—Manny and the boys, the Moons, her best friend, Rye.

“Killer dress, I told you you'd like it,” Rye whispered.

“Roar.”

“Roar.”

It was a bright spring day, Hadley's ever-present clouds ducking in and out of the farm's redwood trees as the gathered group all sat around the picnic table sharing tea and cake.

“I hate to finalize an adoption and run,” Lupe said, “but I've got a plane to catch.”

Ana ran over to her and threw another hug around her neck. “Don't forget to say hi to the kiddos for me.”

“Don't forget to call or come visit,” Lupe said. “I want to
know how you're doing. Please tell Abbie thank you for the pickles and marmalade.”

“I will,” Ana said. She walked Lupe to the rental car.

Ana watched as Lupe drove out of Garber Farm, taking the file with the photograph of the girl in the pink puffy coat with her.

 • • • 

“I
s it time?” she asked.

“Let's do this,” Abbie answered.

They ran upstairs to grab their suitcases. Ana threw hers in the back of the van along with Abbie's, careful not to disturb the boxes of Garber Farm Artisanal products, which included Abbie's Brew and Moon Pharm Tea.

“Will you miss us or do you have activities to keep yourself occupied?” Abbie asked Emmett.

“Doll and I will manage just fine,” he said.

Ana hopped into the passenger seat and studied how Abbie shifted the van into gear.

“I promise to let you practice once we're out on the road,” Abbie said, “but only if you promise not to crash.”

They made their way into town and pulled up to their usual spot outside The Bracken.

“Making progress,” Abbie said, taking in the side wall of the building. “When do you expect to finish?”

“Next month, if I paint every weekend,” Ana said.

“I won't be a minute.” Abbie jumped out of the van and ran inside.

Ana stayed for a moment to take in her mural. The wild forest scene was nearly complete. She'd already finished the trees and ferns, but she still had a long way to go with the
animals. She crossed the street and peered in at the crowd inside the restaurant. She watched as Abbie slipped behind the counter to grab the to-go bag, leaning into the window to shout something to Will, who waved a gloved hand.

“Yo!” Rye said, peeking out the front door. “Are you coming in or what?”

“Aren't you working?”

“Yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't share gravy fries with you at the bar every time I walk by with a tray of something you'll probably get to watch me drop.”

“We're on when I get back. Abbie said we have to get on the road.”

“Okay . . . well, have fun and bring back something—or someone,” Rye said with a wink.

 • • • 

T
he drive to San Francisco was just under four hours, but Ana and Abbie didn't mind. In between bites of Will's sweet potato tots, they held marathon-long singing sessions with Stevie as well as Ana's addition of the Hex, who were slowly growing on Abbie. It was Abbie and Ana's first official trip together, and the first time Ana had ever done something fun for spring break.

“As you know, I'll be running from restaurant to restaurant this afternoon,” Abbie said. “I'll come back and get you in a couple of hours. Then we'll go for the best burrito of your life.”

“I'll believe it when I taste it.”

“Please be careful and wait for me where I told you. Does he live nearby?”

“I told you, they're in Marin. It's just coffee.”

“Okay. But don't go making another break for it.”

Ana stepped out of the van and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked up and down the street before taking a deep breath.

“You look incredible,” Abbie said through the window. “Don't do anything you've already probably done.”

Ana waved good-bye and made her way down Valencia Street. She passed shops and bookstores and stopped at a stenciled painting of Frida Kahlo on the sidewalk.

The coffee shop was a few doors down. Her chest leaped as she picked up the pace.

It was bustling as she walked through the door of the shop. Every table was taken with people chatting, studying, or sipping alone. She scanned the room looking for the right table. She continued along all the way to the back, and just when she thought she might be out of luck, he appeared.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi,” he
answered.