" and I said, 'That is why you don't climb mountains, Gwen.' But now I wonder. You aren't afraid of heights." " No" , she said. " Not particularly." " Only missteps." She paused midstroke. Did he mean to imply this had been a misstep? " I was afraid," she said carefully. " For a very long time. But no longer." " So was I," he said, and lifted her chin and kissed her. "