Chapter 7 #3
“I had very little control in my life, so I controlled what I could.” She shrugged, but in reality, admitting that made her feel vulnerable.
His hand slid over hers. She wanted to snatch hers away, but didn’t. The warmth soothed something in her soul. When his hand lifted away, she scolded herself for wanting it back.
“I talked with a couple of Jackson’s friends, kids in my class. One of them seemed to think they might be heading to someplace known as Bear Cove to camp. I’ve never heard of it, but she said it’s in the northern woods area, about fifteen miles from here.”
“I know it. It’s a popular camping area. Perfect for setting up a tent and roughing it. I’ve been in the area a time or two myself to hunt, but not recently.”
“Okay. Let’s go there and check it out.”
“Hold on.”
She braced. Here it comes. He was going to say it was no place for a woman, or that he appreciated her help but didn’t need her.
“If we’re going, we need to be prepared. First, even though it’s a popular site, there are dangers. Snakes, some bear sightings, and the occasional mountain lion, although those are rare. And you can’t forget the river. There’s a ravine near there.”
She bit back the irritation that had sprung up. He wasn’t being bossy. Just thorough.
“Ok. Well, I still intend to go with you.” She pulled up the weather app on her phone. “There’s a thunderstorm coming.”
He glanced at the clock. It was almost five thirty in the evening. She knew what he was thinking. By the time they gathered their gear and met up, it would be getting dark and stormy.
His jaw clenched, and she could almost hear his teeth grinding.
“It’s already pretty late today.” Frustration seeped into his voice.
“I know. But tomorrow promises to be sunny. We can make plans and meet up bright and early. I don’t work. Oh, wait. Are you off tomorrow?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I have the next two days off. So I’m good.”
They both made plans to meet up the next morning, and Jackson took notes on his phone.
When she finished eating her muffin, he stood and waited for her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Mia clasped her hands in front of her. It was almost like a date. But it wasn’t, and she needed to remember that. Still, her stomach fluttered when he walked close to her. She could feel the warmth of his presence.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” He opened the car door for her.
She nodded and slid down into her seat. Her hand trembled slightly when she adjusted the air conditioner.
When she arrived home, her neighbor gave her a cheery wave and started to leave. Mia felt horrible, but she asked her to watch Gus the next day too.
“Absolutely. My weekends are open.” Her face clouded over. “But I’ll tell you now, I have family coming in on Monday.”
“That’s fine. I have someone scheduled for Monday. Thanks, Kay. You’ve been a lifesaver.”
Kay left, and Mia fixed dinner for Gus. While the chicken baked in the oven, she grabbed her laptop and signed up for her classes. Her confirmation email came through just as the oven alarm beeped. Mia set her computer aside and put the food on the table. Soon, she and her aunt were eating.
“Are you okay if Kay comes over tomorrow?”
Gus cut her chicken with delicate strokes. “Are you going out with Jackson again?”
“I am. But it’s not a date. We’re looking for his brother.”
Gus gave her a suspicious look but kept eating.
After dinner, Mia cleaned the kitchen. Shannon called just as she finished putting the dishes in the dishwasher.
“Hey, girl,” Shannon said. “I haven’t heard from you in days.”
“Sorry. Life’s been weird. I’m helping Jackson with something.”
She flushed. Why had she said that?
“Oh, sounds promising. How goes it on the money front?”
Mia sighed. “The good news is that I’ve been paid. But what’s weird is there’s been zero communication. No response to my calls.”
“Really? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you got the money, but that seems sketchy to me.”
“I know. But I guess since I signed the contract and they haven’t reneged, I can’t complain.”
“You’re probably right. Mia, I know you don’t really believe in God—”
Mia interrupted her. “I do believe in God. I just have trouble believing He loves me.”
“He does. Can I pray for you?”
“Well, don’t you anyway? You always say you pray for me.”
Shannon’s laugh tinkled through the phone. “I do. But I mean pray with you. Now, while we’re on the phone.”
Mia pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a second before putting it against her ear again. “Um, I think I’d like that.”
Shannon was silent for a couple of tense seconds. “I was sure you’d say no. I’ll pray first. You can just listen. And if you feel called to add something, go ahead.”
“Well, okay. But I won’t add anything.”
“That’s fine.”
Mia felt ridiculous standing there, listening to her friend pray for her. But at the same time, a sense of hope lightly touched her heart. She didn’t say anything.
Shannon said, “Amen. Good night, Mia.”
The line went dead. Mia held her phone. She wasn’t sure how, but something had changed. She felt lighter. More at peace.