Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
B elle stood at the window next to her children and watched Aaron hike over the rubble surrounding the cabin, then disappear into the forest. Her throat closed. He was risking his life for her and her children’s sake. If it hadn’t been for her, he’d be working with the crew. Maybe he wouldn’t be safer, but he’d be doing what he loved.
She hadn’t wanted him to leave—she wanted him to be safe—but the firm look in his eyes said nothing would change his mind. She couldn’t keep him from fulfilling his mission in life. His commitment to helping others opened her heart to him, though it didn’t allay her fears about the risk he took.
Lyle had wanted to go with Aaron, but accepted Belle’s reason for waiting for Aaron’s return.
“Let’s work on the jigsaw puzzle.” She led them to the table where the puzzle sat. If Aaron called or texted with news that it was safe to go outside, she’d take them on a short hike.
A couple of hours later, Belle stepped into the kitchen to make lunch. Tired and bone-weary, she placed both hands on the countertop. Her life seemed to move from one disaster to the next. She longed for the days when she felt carefree. Giving a soft exhale, she thought of the summers when she sat with her friends in the bleachers at the Sweet Mountain arena and cheered on the cute cowboys who rode the bulls and the bucking broncs. That was a lifetime ago—when she felt free. It never occurred to her how much her life would change.
God had been good to her. She’d be grateful for her blessings—not resentful for the rough times. Hadn’t the minister at her home church reminded the congregation of that last Sunday?
She sighed softly and checked her phone. When she saw Aaron’s text, her nerve endings tightened. She opened the app.
Good news. The road crew is making great progress. We may be able to leave in the next day or two. If you want to take the kids outside, it appears safe near the cabin.
Hot tears pricked her eyes. She pressed three fingers to her lips.
They hadn’t been rescued yet, but the hope filling her made her want to fall into one of the breakfast nook chairs, rest her head in her arms and weep. She wouldn’t tell her children. Forty-eight hours could feel like a lifetime.
“Mom?” Lyle’s voice filtered through the archway.
“I’ll be there right there.” She dashed away her tears.
She knew her eyes would be red. She didn’t want to alarm her children. They’d seen her cry enough these past few months.
Belle kept discussions of their father positive, but the pain in their eyes showed Chad had broken their hearts, too. Lyle remained stoic. Kelsey had crawled into Belle’s bed nearly every night.
If Chad’s mistress had been with the children on the rare occasion their father exercised his visitation rights, they hadn’t said. Would her soon-to-be ex-husband have enough dignity to shield their children from that … woman?
“What is it?” She moved into the dining room. Standing between their chairs, she didn’t look at her children but stared at the puzzle spread across the table.
They both looked up at her. Their expressions tightened with that familiar look she’d seen too many times since their father left.
“Do you want some help making lunch?” Lyle’s smile was so much like his father’s and made her heart melt.
Whatever his original question had been, it wasn’t important now.
“That would be nice,” she said softly.
In the kitchen, her children were quiet while they set the table. Belle laid bread slices across the cutting board. Should she make a sandwich for Aaron? She’d wait. He’d packed energy bars and sports drinks into his backpack. If he returned soon, she’d quickly make him a sandwich.
Her eyes blurring, her fingers working fast, she laid roast beef and cheddar cheese slices over the bread. The lettuce and tomato were still crisp, so she topped each sandwich with a lettuce leaf and a tomato slice.
“How about a ginger ale to go with your sandwich?” Belle smiled at her children. Her spirits lifted at the brightness in their eyes.
She tried to control her children’s sugar intake, but she knew when to make an exception. This was a moment for an exception. She wanted to lighten the dark mood that had settled over the cheery kitchen.
“Yeah.” Lyle stood up straight.
Kelsey nodded.
“Grab that big bottle from the refrigerator.” She placed the sandwich plates on the table, while her children filled the glasses.
“Did you hear from Aaron?” Lyle lifted his sandwich and chomped into it.
Belle stilled. What should she say? That they may be rescued soon? What if they weren’t? She didn’t want their hopes to be dashed. Her own hopes hung by a thread.
“Yes, I did,” she said and smiled softly at her son’s surprised and expectant look. “Everything’s going well. When he returns, he’ll tell us how everything looks.”
“Probably like a disaster movie,” Lyle said dryly.
Kelsey giggled.
“How are your sandwiches?” Belle picked up hers. She didn’t want her children to think about disasters.
“Good.” Lyle chewed and swallowed.
“I like my sandwich,” Kelsey said gently.
Belle’s mouth suddenly dry, she tried to swallow her sandwich. Waves of love for her children swept to and fro. They were trying so hard. Despite enduring hardships, they remained sweethearts.
The front door opened. Belle and her children sat up straight. She prayed Aaron was at the door. Had she forgotten to lock it? She never felt the need when she stayed at her parents’ mountain cabin.
“Hello?” Aaron’s deep voice made her relax.
“In here,” Belle called back.
Frenzied with excitement, her children jumped up from the table and dashed through the archway. Their eager voices mixed with Aaron’s heartwarming laugh.
Belle followed. Aaron would be tired. She didn’t want her children’s excitement to overwhelm him.
“They’re fine.” Amusement lit Aaron’s eyes. He pulled off his cap that sent his hair flying in soft tufts around his head, then shrugged off his jacket.
“What did you see?” Lyle asked.
“Did you see any animals?” Kelsey bounced on her toes.
“I did see some animals.” Aaron smiled gently. “I saw deer and squirrels and birds. If they feel safe enough to return to the area, then it’s safe to assume the landslides have calmed for now.” He glanced at Belle, his reassuring look easing the tension that had gripped her since the fire had destroyed her parents’ cabin.
“Can we see the animals?” Kelsey looked up at her mother. The flicker in her eyes said she was aware of the moment that had passed between Belle and Aaron.
“Let’s see how things look in the next day or two, then we’ll decide.” Forcing down the heat that threatened to flood her, she turned to the kitchen, then looked back at Aaron. “Do you want me to make you a sandwich?”
“Sounds good,” Aaron said, his features schooled.
“I hope you don’t mind, but we’re drinking your ginger ale.” She gave him a half smile.
“That’s what it’s there for. I’ll have a glass myself.” Aaron’s mouth curved. “And thanks for offering to make the sandwich. I’ll change and be right back.
Belle nodded and went to the kitchen. Her children sat at the table and munched their sandwiches while Belle whipped another one together. Her gratitude that Aaron had returned safely turned into a silent prayer of thanksgiving.
As she set the sandwich on the table, Aaron walked into the room, his hair damp, his face glowing.
Though he seemed casual and relaxed, she wondered what he hadn’t told her. Had he rescued anyone? What about damaged homes? If he had seen injured people, he wouldn’t have returned so quickly. He would stay and help them.
He sat at the table and talked casually about what he’d seen. The children asked him questions about the damage, which made Belle flinch, and about being a first responder. Belle was grateful he avoided gory details and told them exciting stories about rescuing adults, children and babies from second-story fires, mountainsides and rushing streams.
When the children leaned back in their chairs, Belle picked up their plates and told them to get ready for the hike. Aaron told them he’d help their mom in the kitchen and join them in a minute.
Belle stiffened. Was this the moment he told what he’d really seen?
She watched her children leave. Her pulse kicking up, she looked at Aaron.
“I don’t have anything bad to say.” Aaron held up his hands. He took the plates from her and placed them in the sink. “I did notice the new superhero movie is being streamed online. I wasn’t sure if you minded if they watched it when we return from the hike.”
“I don’t mind.” Turning away, she filled the sink with soapy water. “They’re bored to death, but they’re being so good. I want to help them get through this as easily as possible.”
“When we’re finished in here, I’ll connect the streaming service to the television.” His smile made her long to hug him.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
God was her strength, but He’d sent this rock named Aaron McSweeney to stand by her side.
“I’m so grateful the kids can spend some time outside.” The emotion running through her was deep and powerful and made her voice husky.
At this moment when her life crumbled, God had been faithful. Had He brought Aaron into her life for this moment? For whatever reason Aaron was there, she would be eternally grateful.