Eliza Reeves gripped the climbing wall, her muscles straining as she reached for the next hold. Sweat trickled down her temple, but her focus never wavered. The bustling sounds of the gym faded away, replaced by the howling wind and biting cold of her imagination. In her mind’s eye, she wasn’t scaling an indoor wall in her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. She was thousands of feet up, tackling the merciless face of Annapurna I.
“You’re pushing too hard again,” a familiar voice called from below.
Eliza glanced down to see Marcus Chen, her longtime climbing partner, watching her with a mixture of admiration and concern. She ignored him, stretching to grab a tiny crimp with her fingertips.
“I’m fine,” she grunted, pulling herself up another few inches.
But as she shifted her weight, her foot slipped. For a heart-stopping moment, she dangled by her fingertips. Then muscle memory kicked in, and she regained her footing, breathing hard.
“That’s enough, Eliza,” Marcus said firmly. “Come down before you hurt yourself.”
Reluctantly, she let go and rappelled down, landing lightly beside him. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the ache in her overworked muscles made itself known. She’d been at it for hours, pushing herself to the limit and beyond.
Marcus handed her a water bottle. “You know, most people take it easy after a near-death experience. You? You train even harder.”
Eliza took a long drink, avoiding his gaze. “I have to be ready. I can’t fail again.”
The memory of her last attempt on Annapurna rose unbidden. The howling wind, the biting cold, the moment she realized they’d have to turn back or die. The crushing weight of defeat as they descended, leaving their dream of the summit behind.
Marcus’s voice softened. “Eliza, what happened wasn’t your fault. Sometimes the mountain decides-”
“The mountain doesn’t decide anything,” Eliza snapped. “We decide. We prepare. We succeed or fail based on our choices and our abilities.” She took a breath, forcing her voice to steady. “And this time, I’m going to be ready.”
Before Marcus could argue further, Eliza’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and sighed. “I’ve got to go. Kai’s soccer game.”
As she gathered her things, Marcus called after her, “Remember, we’ve got that meeting with the sponsors tomorrow. Try to get some rest, okay?”
Eliza nodded absently, already mentally reviewing her training regimen as she headed for the showers.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the soccer field as Eliza pulled into the parking lot. She was fifteen minutes late, but from the cheers erupting from the sidelines, it seemed the game was still in full swing.
She jogged to the field, scanning the blur of small bodies until she spotted a familiar mop of dark hair. Kai was in the thick of it, his face set in determination as he dribbled the ball downfield. Eliza felt a surge of pride, followed quickly by a pang of guilt. How many of his games had she missed while training?
“Glad you could make it,” a dry voice said beside her.
Eliza turned to see her ex-husband, David, watching her with a raised eyebrow. “Traffic,” she muttered, though they both knew it was a weak excuse.
“Right,” David said, turning his attention back to the game. “You know, he’s been talking about this all week. Kept saying his mom was going to see him score a goal.”
The guilt intensified. “I’m here now,” Eliza said defensively.
“Yeah, for the last ten minutes.” David sighed. “Look, Eliza, I know your training is important to you, but-”
He was cut off by a roar from the crowd. On the field, Kai had just sent the ball sailing past the goalkeeper. As his teammates swarmed him, Kai’s eyes searched the sidelines. When he spotted Eliza, his face lit up. He waved excitedly, and Eliza waved back, forcing a smile.
After the game, Kai came bounding over, still flushed with victory. “Mom! Did you see? Did you see my goal?”
“I did, buddy,” Eliza said, ruffling his hair. “That was amazing.”
Kai beamed, then his expression grew serious. “Mom, can we get ice cream to celebrate? Please?”
Eliza hesitated. She should get home, review her gear, go over the route plans one more time…
“Actually,” David interjected, “your mom and I need to talk for a minute. Why don’t you go change, and we’ll discuss ice cream after?”
Kai’s face fell slightly, but he nodded and trotted off to the locker rooms. As soon as he was out of earshot, David turned to Eliza, his expression grim.
“So, when were you planning to tell me about this expedition?”
Eliza stiffened. “How did you-”
“I ran into Marcus at the grocery store,” David said. “He mentioned you two were heading out next month. To Annapurna.”
“Yes,” Eliza said, lifting her chin. “We are.”
David ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. “Eliza, we talked about this. After last time-”
“Last time was different,” Eliza insisted. “I’m more prepared now. I’ve been training for months.”
“That’s not the point!” David’s voice rose, and he glanced around before continuing more quietly. “You have a son. A son who needs his mother.”
“I’m aware of that,” Eliza said coldly. “But I’m not going to stop living my life, pursuing my dreams, just because-”
“Because you’re a parent?” David finished. “That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do, Eliza. You make sacrifices. You put your child first.”
Eliza felt her temper rising. “So what, I’m just supposed to give up everything I’ve worked for? Abandon my career, my passion?”
“No one’s saying that,” David said. “But there’s a difference between going on a weekend climb and disappearing for months to tackle one of the deadliest mountains in the world. Do you have any idea what it did to Kai last time? How scared he was?”
Eliza opened her mouth to retort, but movement caught her eye. Kai stood a few feet away, his backpack clutched to his chest, eyes wide as he looked between his arguing parents.
“Kai,” Eliza said softly. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Are you leaving again?” Kai asked, his voice small.
Eliza knelt down to his level. “It’s just for a little while, buddy. For my job, remember? Like how Daddy sometimes has to go on business trips.”
“But Daddy’s trips aren’t dangerous,” Kai said. “And he always comes back.”
The words hit Eliza like a physical blow. She reached out to hug him, but Kai stepped back, turning to David instead. “Can we go home now, Dad? I’m tired.”
David placed a hand on Kai’s shoulder, shooting Eliza a look that was equal parts anger and pity. “Sure, kiddo. Let’s go.”
As they walked away, Eliza called out, “Kai, I’ll come by tomorrow, okay? We can talk more then.”
Kai didn’t turn around.
Eliza stood alone in the emptying parking lot, the joy of Kai’s victory evaporated. She pulled out her phone, staring at the background photo - a picture of her and Kai from his last birthday, both grinning widely. Her finger hovered over the call button for Marcus.
After a long moment, she put the phone away and headed for her car. She had training to do.
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The wind howled across the snow-covered slopes of Annapurna Base Camp, whipping at the brightly colored tents that dotted the landscape. Eliza stood at the edge of camp, her eyes fixed on the looming peak above. Even obscured by clouds, it radiated an aura of menace and challenge that made her heart race.
“Brings back memories, doesn’t it?”
Eliza turned to see Marcus approaching, his breath visible in the frigid air. She nodded, a mix of emotions churning in her gut. “Good and bad.”
Marcus came to stand beside her, following her gaze up the mountain. “You know, we don’t have to push for the summit this time. We could focus on acclimatization, maybe do some ice climbing on the lower slopes. Come back next season better prepared.”
Eliza shook her head firmly. “No. We’re ready now. I’m ready.”
Marcus studied her for a long moment. “Are you? Because I’ve got to say, Eliza, you’ve seemed… off since we left Kathmandu. Distracted.”
Eliza’s jaw tightened. She thought of Kai’s face as she’d said goodbye, the way he’d clung to her just a moment too long. The hint of fear in his eyes that he’d tried so hard to hide.
“I’m fine,” she said shortly. “Just focused on the climb.”
Marcus didn’t look convinced, but he let it drop. “Well, speaking of the climb, I’ve been looking at the weather reports. There’s a system moving in that could make things dicey if we stick to our original timeline.”
Eliza frowned. “How dicey?”
“Potential whiteout conditions, wind speeds over 60 mph at higher elevations.” Marcus pulled out a tablet, showing her the forecast models. “If we push back our summit attempt by a few days, we might be able to thread the needle between systems.”
Eliza studied the swirling patterns of color on the screen, her mind racing. A delay would mean extending their trip, burning through more of their supplies and their narrow window of opportunity. But pushing ahead into a storm…
“What about this route?” She traced a line up the mountain’s western face. “It’s more direct. We could potentially beat the worst of the weather if we move fast.”
Marcus’s eyes widened. “That route? Eliza, it’s significantly more technical. The risk of avalanche alone-”
“We can handle it,” Eliza insisted. “We’ve trained for worse.”
“Maybe on paper,” Marcus argued. “But in real-world conditions? With a storm bearing down on us? It’s too dangerous.”
Eliza felt a familiar frustration rising. “So what, we just give up? Waste all this preparation, all this time?”
“It’s not giving up to be cautious,” Marcus said. “It’s being smart. Being responsible.”
The word “responsible” hit a nerve. Eliza turned away, her hands clenching into fists. “We came here to summit. I’m not leaving without reaching the top. Not again.”
She could feel Marcus’s concerned gaze on her back. “Eliza,” he said softly, “what’s really going on? This isn’t like you. You’ve always been ambitious, but never reckless.”
For a moment, Eliza considered telling him everything. The argument with David, the look in Kai’s eyes, the gnawing fear that she was making a terrible mistake. But admitting those doubts felt like admitting defeat. And she couldn’t bear that. Not again.
“Nothing’s going on,” she said, forcing her voice to remain steady. “I’m just tired of playing it safe. We’re here to push our limits, aren’t we? To do what others say is impossible?”
Marcus was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was heavy with resignation. “Alright. We’ll try your route. But if conditions worsen, we turn back. No arguments. Deal?”
Eliza nodded, relief and anxiety warring in her chest. “Deal.”
As they headed back to their tent to review the new route, Eliza cast one last look at the mountain. It loomed above them, impassive and eternal. She thought of Kai, so far away, and whispered a silent promise.
“I’ll make you proud, buddy. I swear.”
The wind screamed around them, driving needle-sharp ice crystals into any exposed skin. Eliza’s muscles burned with exertion as she hauled herself up another few feet of near-vertical ice. Above her, Marcus’s voice barely carried over the howling gale.
“We need to turn back!” he shouted. “This storm is getting worse by the minute!”
Eliza gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain in her frozen fingers as she swung her ice axe. “We’re almost to the next camp,” she called back. “We can wait it out there.”
She heard Marcus swear, but he continued climbing. They’d been at it for hours, pushing through deteriorating conditions that had long since passed the point of safety. The rational part of Eliza’s mind knew Marcus was right - they should turn back. But every time that thought surfaced, she pushed it down ruthlessly. They were so close. She couldn’t fail again. She couldn’t.
Suddenly, a new sound cut through the wind - a low, ominous rumble. Eliza’s blood ran cold. She looked up just in time to see a wall of white racing down the slope towards them.
“Avalanche!” Marcus screamed. “Eliza, brace yourself!”
There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. Eliza hugged the ice face as tightly as she could, squeezing her eyes shut as the roar grew deafening. Then the world dissolved into chaos.
She was tumbling, spinning, choking on snow. Up and down lost all meaning as she was tossed about like a rag doll. Just when she thought her lungs would burst, everything went still.
For a terrifying moment, Eliza couldn’t move. Then survival instinct kicked in. She clawed desperately at the snow around her, not knowing which way was up. Her lungs burned, spots dancing behind her eyes. Just as panic began to set in, her hand broke through into open air.
Gasping, she pulled herself out of the snow, blinking against the swirling white. “Marcus?” she croaked. “Marcus!”
There was no answer. Heart pounding, Eliza fumbled for her avalanche beacon, praying it hadn’t been damaged in the fall. To her relief, it flickered to life, immediately picking up a signal. She stumbled through the deep snow, following the beacon’s guidance until she spotted a splash of color - Marcus’s jacket.
Eliza dug frantically, her numb fingers scrabbling at the packed snow until she uncovered Marcus’s face. His eyes were closed, a nasty gash on his forehead oozing blood.
“No, no, no,” Eliza muttered, checking for a pulse. She nearly sobbed with relief when she felt a faint but steady beat. “Come on, Marcus. Wake up. Please wake up.”
After what felt like an eternity, Marcus’s eyes fluttered open. He groaned, trying to sit up. “Eliza? What… what happened?”
“Avalanche,” Eliza said, helping him into a sitting position. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
Marcus winced as he took stock of his body. “Don’t think so. Just banged up. My head…”
“You’ve got a cut,” Eliza said. “I need to bandage it. Can you stand?”
Together, they managed to get Marcus to his feet. The wind had died down somewhat, but visibility was still poor. Eliza squinted through the swirling snow, trying to get her bearings.
“We need to find shelter,” she said. “There’s a crevasse nearby that might work.”
They stumbled through the snow, Marcus leaning heavily on Eliza. Every step was a battle against exhaustion and the treacherous terrain. Just when Eliza thought they couldn’t go any further, she spotted a dark opening in the white landscape.
The crevasse was narrow but deep, offering protection from the wind. Eliza helped Marcus inside, then quickly set up their emergency shelter. As she worked, the reality of their situation began to sink in.
They were stranded high on the mountain, in the middle of a storm, with unknown injuries and limited supplies. Their chances of survival, let alone reaching the summit, had just plummeted.
Once the shelter was secure, Eliza turned her attention to Marcus. The cut on his forehead had mostly stopped bleeding, but his pupils were uneven - a clear sign of a concussion.
“How bad is it?” Marcus asked as she cleaned the wound.
Eliza hesitated. “You’ve definitely got a concussion. We’ll need to keep an eye on it.”
Marcus nodded slowly, then winced at the movement. “The summit attempt…”
“Is over,” Eliza finished. The words tasted like ash in her mouth, but she forced herself to continue. “As soon as the storm clears, we need to get you down the mountain.”
To her surprise, Marcus chuckled weakly. “Never thought I’d hear those words from you.”
Eliza felt a stab of guilt. “Marcus, I’m so sorry. You were right. We should have turned back hours ago. I was too stubborn, too focused on the summit. I nearly got us both killed.”
Marcus reached out, squeezing her hand. “Hey, we both made the choice to keep going. But Eliza… why? This isn’t like you. You’ve always pushed hard, but never like this. What’s really going on?”
The concern in his voice broke something inside her. Before she knew it, words were spilling out - her fight with David, Kai’s fear, her own gnawing doubts and insecurities.
“I just… I needed to prove something,” she finished, her voice barely above a whisper. “To myself, to Kai, to everyone who said I was being selfish for coming back here. I thought if I could just reach the summit, it would all be worth it somehow.”
Marcus was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was gentle but firm. “Eliza, no mountain is worth your life. Or mine. Or the pain it would cause Kai to lose his mother.”
Eliza felt tears pricking at her eyes. “I know. God, I know. I just… I don’t know how to balance it all. How to be a good mother and still follow my dreams.”
“Maybe the answer isn’t choosing one or the other,” Marcus said. “Maybe it’s about finding a new dream. One that includes Kai.”
Before Eliza could respond, a crackle of static filled the shelter. Their radio, miraculously still functional, was picking up a transmission.
“…anyone… Base Camp… expedition in trouble…”
Eliza scrambled for the radio, adjusting the frequency. A broken voice came through:
“…three climbers… caught in storm… need immediate assistance…”
Eliza and Marcus exchanged a look. They were in no shape for a rescue mission. Their own situation was precarious at best. But…
“We have to help,” Eliza said, already reaching for her gear.
Marcus nodded, struggling to sit up. “I’ll slow you down. You go. I’ll stay here and try to coordinate with Base Camp.”
Eliza hesitated. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“I’ll be fine,” Marcus assured her. “Those climbers won’t be if they don’t get help soon. Go.”
With a nod, Eliza gathered her supplies and stepped out into the storm. As she began the treacherous climb towards the stranded expedition, a strange sense of calm settled over her. For the first time in months, her mind wasn’t fixated on the summit. All that mattered now was getting everyone off this mountain alive.
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The hospital corridor was eerily quiet, the hushed voices and soft beeping of machines creating a cocoon of worried anticipation. Eliza paced back and forth, her body still aching from the ordeal on Annapurna, her mind racing with fear and guilt.
She’d made it back to civilization, but at a cost. The rescue had been successful - all three members of the stranded expedition were alive, if injured. But in the process, Eliza had pushed herself to the absolute limit. By the time she’d gotten everyone to safety, including Marcus, she’d been suffering from severe hypothermia and exhaustion.
And then, as they’d waited for the helicopter to evacuate them from Base Camp, the call had come. Kai had been in an accident. A car had struck him while he was riding his bike to a friend’s house. He was alive, but unconscious. In surgery.
Now, days later, Eliza found herself in a very different kind of limbo. No howling winds or treacherous ice faces. Just the sterile quiet of a hospital, and the agonizing wait to know if her son would be okay.
“Eliza.”
She turned to see David approaching, his face drawn with exhaustion and worry. “Any news?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not yet. The doctor said they’d update us soon.” He hesitated, then added, “How are you holding up?”
Eliza laughed hollowly. “How am I holding up? Our son is fighting for his life because I wasn’t there to protect him. How do you think I’m holding up?”
David sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Eliza, you can’t blame yourself. It was an accident. It could have happened whether you were here or not.”
“But I wasn’t here,” Eliza said, her voice cracking. “I was on the other side of the world, risking my life for… for what? A stupid mountain?”
“Hey.” David’s voice was gentle as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “You made it back. You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
Eliza wanted to believe him, but the guilt was a living thing, gnawing at her insides. She thought of all the moments she’d missed, all the times she’d put her own ambitions ahead of her son. What if she never got the chance to make it right?
A door opened, and both Eliza and David turned to see a doctor approaching. Eliza’s heart leapt into her throat.
“Mr. and Mrs. Reeves?” the doctor said. “Kai is out of surgery. He’s stable.”
Eliza sagged with relief, tears springing to her eyes. “Can we see him?”
The doctor nodded. “He’s still unconscious, but you can sit with him. Talk to him. It might help.”
As they followed the doctor to Kai’s room, Eliza’s mind raced. What would she say? How could she possibly explain or apologize for everything?
But when she saw Kai lying there, small and pale against the white hospital sheets, all her carefully prepared words flew out the window. She rushed to his bedside, taking his little hand in hers.
“Oh, Kai,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”
As she settled into the chair by his bed, still clutching his hand, Eliza made a silent vow. No more chasing summits. No more putting her ambitions ahead of her son. From now on, Kai would be her priority, her greatest adventure.
She just prayed she’d get the chance to prove it.
Eliza woke with a start, momentarily disoriented by the beeping machines and sterile smell of the hospital room. She’d dozed off in the chair by Kai’s bed, her hand still wrapped around his smaller one.
Blinking away sleep, she focused on Kai’s face - and found a pair of familiar brown eyes looking back at her.
“Kai?” she breathed, hardly daring to believe it. “Oh, thank God. How do you feel, sweetheart?”
Kai blinked slowly, his voice a raspy whisper. “Mom? You’re… you’re really here?”
The question broke Eliza’s heart. “Of course I’m here, buddy. I came as soon as I heard. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”
Kai’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But… the mountain. Did you reach the top?”
Eliza shook her head, squeezing his hand gently. “No, honey. Something much more important came up.”
Before she could explain further, the door opened and David walked in, a cup of coffee in each hand. His eyes widened when he saw Kai awake.
“Hey, champ!” he said, rushing to the bedside. “How are you feeling?”
As David fussed over Kai, Eliza stood back, watching the interaction with a mixture of love and lingering guilt. She’d missed so much. Been absent for so many little moments. All for what? A dream that now seemed hollow and selfish in comparison to the miracle of her son’s recovery.
Later, after the doctors had checked Kai over and declared him to be healing well, Eliza found herself alone with him again. David had gone to call family members with the good news, leaving mother and son in a silence heavy with unspoken words.
“Mom?” Kai’s voice was small, uncertain. “Are you… are you mad at me?”
Eliza’s head snapped up. “Mad at you? Oh, honey, no. Why would you think that?”
Kai picked at the edge of his blanket, not meeting her eyes. “Because I got hurt. Because you had to come home from your big climb.”
“Oh, Kai.” Eliza moved to sit on the edge of his bed, careful not to jostle his injuries. “Listen to me. I’m not mad at you. Not at all. If anything, I’m mad at myself.”
Now Kai did look up, his eyes wide with surprise. “Why?”
Eliza took a deep breath. This was it - the moment to start making things right. “Because I haven’t been the mother you deserve. I’ve been so focused on climbing, on reaching the top of some mountain, that I forgot what’s really important.”
She reached out, smoothing Kai’s hair back from his forehead. “You, Kai. You’re what’s important. And I’m so, so sorry it took something like this to make me see that.”
Kai was quiet for a long moment, processing her words. Then, in a small voice, he asked, “Does this mean… you’re not going to climb anymore?”
Eliza hesitated. The automatic “no” died on her lips as she really considered the question. “I don’t know, buddy,” she said honestly. “Climbing has been a big part of my life for a long time. But I do know that from now on, you come first. Always.”
She saw doubt flicker in Kai’s eyes and hurried on. “How about this - when you’re feeling better, why don’t we go on a little adventure together? Nothing crazy, just a hike up one of the local trails. And you can tell me if you like it. If you don’t, we’ll find something else to do together. Whatever you want.”
A spark of interest lit up Kai’s face. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Really,” Eliza promised. “In fact…” An idea struck her, and she smiled. “How about we make it a regular thing? Every month, we pick a new trail or a new outdoor activity to try together. Our own little expeditions.”
For the first time since she’d arrived at the hospital, Eliza saw a genuine smile spread across Kai’s face. “That sounds awesome, Mom.”
Eliza felt something loosen in her chest - a knot of tension she hadn’t even realized she’d been carrying. She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Kai’s forehead. “I love you so much, Kai. More than any mountain in the world.”
As Kai drifted off to sleep, his hand still clasped in hers, Eliza found herself thinking of Annapurna. The peak that had consumed her thoughts for so long now seemed distant, almost trivial. She’d thought reaching the summit would fill some void inside her, prove something to the world.
But sitting here, watching her son’s peaceful face, Eliza realized she’d already found the greatest summit of all. It wasn’t on some far-off mountain. It was right here, in the love between a mother and her child.
And this was one peak she intended to never stop climbing.
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Epilogue:
Six months later, Eliza stood at the base of a small mountain, barely more than a hill compared to the giants she’d scaled in the past. But the view from here, she decided, was infinitely more beautiful.
“Mom! Come on, you’re falling behind!”
Eliza grinned as Kai’s voice floated down from further up the trail. He’d taken to their monthly adventures with an enthusiasm that warmed her heart. Each outing was a new opportunity to bond, to learn, to grow together.
“I’m coming, buddy!” she called back, quickening her pace.
As she rounded a bend in the trail, she saw Kai waiting for her, his face flushed with exertion and excitement. He’d grown in the past months, not just physically but in confidence and spirit. The accident had left its scars, but he’d faced his recovery with a determination that made Eliza fiercely proud.
“Do you think we’ll make it to the top before lunch?” Kai asked as she drew level with him.
Eliza pretended to consider, shading her eyes as she looked up the trail. “I don’t know, it’s pretty far. Think you’re up for the challenge?”
Kai’s eyes sparkled. “Race you!”
Before Eliza could respond, he was off, bounding up the trail with the boundless energy of youth. Laughing, she took off after him, her own steps light and eager.
As they climbed, Eliza found her mind drifting to Marcus. He’d recovered from his injuries and was back to climbing, though he’d sworn off the most extreme expeditions. They still met up occasionally for local climbs, and he never failed to ask about Kai.
“You seem happier,” he’d said during their last outing. “More at peace.”
And he was right. The restless drive that had pushed her to the world’s most dangerous peaks had quieted. In its place was a different kind of excitement - the joy of watching Kai discover the world, of sharing her love of the outdoors with him in a way that brought them closer instead of driving them apart.
Near the summit, they paused to catch their breath and have a snack. As Kai munched on an apple, Eliza gazed out at the vista before them. Rolling hills gave way to distant mountains, their peaks shrouded in mist.
“Hey, Mom?” Kai said, following her gaze. “Do you ever miss it? The big mountains, I mean.”
Eliza considered the question carefully. “Sometimes,” she admitted. “It was a big part of my life for a long time. But you know what?”
“What?”
She turned to Kai, smiling. “I’ve found something even better. These adventures with you? They’re the best climbs I’ve ever done.”
Kai beamed, then jumped to his feet. “Race you to the top?”
Eliza laughed, rising to join him. “You’re on, kiddo.”
As they scrambled up the last stretch of trail, Eliza felt a profound sense of contentment wash over her. She might never stand on the summit of Annapurna or K2. Her name might never be in the record books for mountaineering feats.
But here, racing her son up a modest hill on a sunny afternoon, Eliza Reeves knew she’d found the greatest peak of all. And this was one summit she’d cherish for the rest of her life.