The Escape Collection: (The Escape Collection) (92 page)

Susanna didn't protest as Darci led her, weaving slowly through the crowd, but as they approached the table full of people, she stopped and yanked back on Darci's hand.
 

Darci turned and saw Susanna's eyes filled with unshed tears. “Susanna?”

Tears spilled down her perfectly made up face and Darci grabbed a paper napkin off a nearby table for her to blot with.
 

“I'm so sorry, Darci.” She sniffed loudly, and blew her nose. “I said terrible things, and-”

“Forget it,” Darci said. “You're here now.”
 

***

The rest of the evening went by in a blur of dancing, laugher and fun. Looking around, Darci marveled more than once at the amount of people who had come out to support Taylor. A community filled with people that she'd spent years keeping at arms length had rallied in support of her and her daughter. The thought brought her to the verge of tears more than once. But, she still reserved her tears for her nightly runs, although she cried less and less.

Cam came up beside her and touched her back. Lightly, tentatively. “It's almost time to wrap this up,” he said, his voice full of regret.
 

Darci looked around the crowd again, then back at Cam. “There's just one more thing I have to do.” With a quick smile in his direction, she went to search out Tim, who fulfilled her request and plugged a microphone into the sound system. He helped her climb up on the table, and then she was there, standing in front of a community of people most of whom were still strangers to her. One by one, heads turned in her direction and the noise settled down.
 

 
All at once, Darci was unsure of what she was about to say, about what she should say. But there was no turning back. Everyone was watching. She cleared her throat creating a terrible sound that reverberated through the speakers.
 

Darci closed her eyes for a second, took a deep breath and then said, “Hello everyone. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for coming.” Her voice cracked and wavered as she looked through the crowd. Scanning, she found Taylor's smiling face and locked onto it. She smiled at her daughter and continued, “It means so much to both Taylor and I that you all have chosen to learn about diabetes and to support us. It's all been so overwhelming.” A few of Taylor's friends broke out in spontaneous cheers of “Yay, Taylor” and “Woo hoo”. Darci smiled, swallowed hard and continued with the part of the speech that she hadn't planned until only a few moments earlier. “But it's not enough,” she bellowed into the microphone.
 

She watched Taylor's face turn down into a frown. Scattered gasps and whispers went through the crowd.
 

“There is till so much that can be done. So much that is still unknown about diabetes. Millions of people, people like Taylor, and maybe even a relative, friend or neighbor is living with diabetes, with no hope for a cure. Just a lifetime of insulin shots and managing a disease that could one day take their vision or maybe even a limb. A disease that could one day take their life.” Darci had to look away from Taylor. Her eyes searched the group; everyone was riveted on her words. She found Barb, who was smiling in support. Susanna, her eyes still red from crying, dabbed fresh tears from her eyes. Finally, Darci found Cam in the crowd. She smiled and he winked.
 

“There's more that we can do,” she said. “A friend of mine recently encouraged me to sign up for a half marathon and all of the funds raised will go to Team Diabetes, a charity that is dedicated to supporting those who live with diabetes as well as those working to find a cure. I will be running in honor of my daughter, and the cure that I hope they will one day find. I would like to invite you all to join me.” Darci raised her hand to settle any protests. “There are distances to challenge everyone. No matter what your fitness level is. It's a challenge for sure, but so is living with such a terrible disease. So please,” Darci looked over the room. “Will anyone join me?”

For a few excruciating moments, the crowd was silent except for a few murmurs. Darci turned, and looked slowly, trying not to focus on anyone in particular. After what seemed like an eternity, but must have only been a few seconds, Cam's voice rose above the crowd. “I would be proud to run with you for such a great cause.”
 

She smiled gratefully in his direction, but didn't have time to say anything because Cam had caused a chain reaction of people shouting out, “Me too” and, “I'm in” or, “Sign me up”. Darci blinked back tears, but it was one voice that permeated the cacophony of voices that reached her ears. One voice, that broke her heart and made it swell with pride all at the same time. “I want to run too, Mom.”
 

Chapter 24

In the days after the party, nearly one hundred people signed up for the run in support of Team Diabetes. A number that far exceeded anything Darci could have imagined. Cam set up his store as the race head quarters and put together training schedules for anyone who wanted them. The runners were spread out among the distances, some chose the 5 or 10km, with some of the more accomplished runners challenging themselves with the full marathon. Others decided to join Darci and Cam and run the half. There was a large group of students, including Taylor who opted to do the ten-kilometer distance and even the ladies walking club, all seniors, signed up to walk the five kilometer distance.
 

Many of those who came into Cam's store to hand in their registration shared a story about someone they knew with diabetes. Some wrote notes of support for Taylor. Some just offered a hug or a smile. Instead of hiding from the attention and support, as she would have done in the past, Darci embraced it and when Cam suggested that she organize some group training runs, she readily agreed.
 

Taylor had been adamant about participating, and since she'd inspired the whole idea, Darci couldn't see any reason why she shouldn't run too. Darci did encourage her to start with a shorter distance however, and Doctor Wilson agreed. While there was no reason that her diabetes, as long as it was properly managed, should hold her back from completing endurance events in the future, they decided together that ten kilometers was a significant enough goal for her first event. Taylor took her training very seriously, just as Darci knew she would, and with the doctor's help, along with a bit of input from Joelle, Taylor quickly learned how to adjust her insulin levels to compensate for the extra activity.
 

Even Barb decided to run with them. “I can't really sit back and let you guys have all the fun now, can I?” she said when she stopped by Darci's house to drop off her registration form. They sat together on the porch, enjoying the warm day. “But I'm not doing any of those crazy distances thank you very much. I'll stick with the five kilometer.”
 

Darci laughed because Cam had told her all about how Barb had shied away from anything remotely athletic since they'd been kids. She took the form from her friend and surprising them both, pulled Barb in for a hug.
 

“Thank you,” Darci said. Her words were muffled in the other woman's shoulder, but she knew Barb had heard her because she squeezed tighter before pulling away.
 

“You're thanking me for running?” she said with a laugh. “Because you haven't seen me run yet. So I really wouldn't-”

“No. That's not what I meant.”

Barb looked at her with those eyes that were so much like her brother's. They sparkled with the kindness and good humor that Darci had grown to expect from both of them. “I know,” Barb said, simply. “I know exactly what you meant. But you don't need to thank me. I for one, am really glad that I finally made you sit with us at that game.”
 

Darci laughed. “I’m really glad we're friends,” she said. “It's been a long time since I had a friend.”

Barb waved her hand in front of her face. “Ah, don't get all sentimental on me. But you know what else it's been a long time since you had?”

Darci's face flushed and she looked at her feet. “I know we're friends and all-”

“Oh stop it.” Barb blushed. “I meant it'd been a long time since you had a man in your life. And I happen to know one who's available.”

Darci crossed her arms and smirked. “Oh, do you now?”

“I do. And it just so happens that he comes from a really great family.”

The two women burst into laughter together and when Darci's giggles finally subsided, her gaze landed on the flower garden she'd recently weeded. A few perennials were starting to push through the earth. Now that it was cleaned up, Darci could finally see what was growing there. The plants hadn't given up. They were starting fresh, and in a few weeks, they'd be blooming. And after too many years, Darci would actually be able to see and enjoy them because finally, she was ready.
 

***

The weeks flew by as Darci balanced work, Taylor’s games and her newly discovered role as team captain in a growing community group of runners. Together, Darci and Cam organized a few group training runs, and together they all got to know each other.
 

Darci still preferred to do most of her training at night after Taylor went to sleep, and true to his word, Cam helped her. Without having to ask, most nights he would show up on her runs and together, they would navigate the streets. Some nights they wouldn’t talk at all. Other nights, they were both so chatty, they had to remind each other to watch their pace and get their distance in
 

On the nights that Cam didn’t join her, she missed him. He was easy to talk to and made her feel at ease no matter what subject she brought up. Darci couldn’t remember being so open with any man, not since Ryan.

Two nights before the big event, Darci was running on her own. For the first few kilometers she glanced around, looking, hoping, that Cam would join her. After awhile she got lost in the rhythm of her steps and forgot that he wasn’t next to her. She took a familiar route, the one that would take her past the cemetery. The route she only took when Cam wasn’t with her. She slowed as she approached the entrance, but unlike most nights, she didn’t turn in. Instead, Darci continued along the street taking the long way around.
 

When she came around the corner, Cam stepped out of the shadows and she felt her face split into a smile at the sight of him. He’d been waiting for her. She ran towards him, slowing when she approached.
 

“Hey,” Darci said. “Shouldn’t you be running?”

“I was waiting for you.”

“Here?” She came to a stop and gestured to the second entrance to the cemetery. The one she would of come out of, had she taken her usual route.

“I thought you might have needed a little time alone tonight,” he said. “You have a big day coming up, and…”

He didn’t finish his thought, and she didn’t push it. Darci knew what he was going to say. He had thought that she’d want to be alone with Ryan. She’d never talked to Cam about it, but it didn’t surprise her that he knew where she went when she ran alone.
 

 
“I do have a big day coming up.” Darci reached out and put her hand on his arm. “But I missed you. I’m glad you’re here.”
 

He took her hand in his and squeezed. “I’m glad I’m here too.”
 

Darci’s heart fluttered at his words. She took a step, closing the gap between them and before she could over think it, she leaned forward and kissed him. HIs lips were soft, like she remembered. But this time, instead of hesitancy behind the kiss, they were both sure of each other. He pulled her closer with his other arm and held her tight while their mouths continued to explore.
 

It was Darci that finally broke away, although reluctantly. She smiled up at him and said, “Let’s run.”
 

Chapter 25

Race day dawned bright and clear. Darci and Taylor drove into the city with Tim, Barb and Abby. Cam had borrowed a passenger van and offered to drive anyone who needed a ride. Along with everyone else from Bayfield, they formed a small convoy as they made their way down the highway.
 

Once they arrived at the race start, Darci was glad she’d set a meeting spot for everyone. There were people everywhere. Cam had warned her that it was a big event and there would be lots of runners, but she wasn’t prepared for the general level of chaos surrounding her. After Tim parked the car, they started making their way through the grounds toward the tents set up at one end of a large field.
 

“Are you okay?” Barb asked her. Darci hadn’t realized she’d stopped walking and was frozen to the spot. “It’s a little overwhelming isn’t it?”

Darci nodded.
 

“Hey,” Barb said. “Look at me.” Darci did as she was told. Her friend looked beautiful. Her red hair was pulled back and her smile lit up her face. “It seems a bit crazy right now,” Barb said. “But just remember why we’re here. You’ve done something amazing getting us all to run today. You should be very proud.”
 

Darci let her words sink in. After a moment she smiled and nodded. “Is it genetic?” she asked with a laugh.

“What?”
 

“The pep talks? You and Cam both. It’s like a family specialty.”
 

“Must be.” Barb laughed and grabbed Darci’s hand. “Now come on, let’s go find the group.”

***

By the time they navigated the crowd and found the meeting spot, most of the group was already assembled. It seemed like a logical choice to meet at the Team Diabetes tent and it was great to see the entire team decked out in matching bright yellow and orange starburst t-shirts. When Felicity had heard about what was happening and what Darci was organizing, she’d insisted on sponsoring the team as well, with matching orange hats that read ‘Team Taylor’. Everyone looked like a team, and judging by the energy buzzing through the group, they felt like one too.