Page 134 of Left Behind

Wiley had just left the precinct and was walking to his car when his cell phone rang. When he saw who it was, he stopped to answer.

“Hey, Cameron.”

“Wiley, hope I’m not catching you at a bad time,” Cameron said.

“Nope. I just clocked out and am about to head home. What’s up?”

“Nothing’s wrong. But we have an issue to settle among the Popes and you’re one of them, so I need to get your feedback. Would it be okay if I came by your house to talk? And since you and Linette are getting married soon, I think her opinion should factor in.”

“Yes, sure. No problem,” Wiley said. “I’ll let her know you’re coming.”

“Thanks. I’m already in town. I’ll see you soon.”

Wiley frowned as he was getting in the car, then called Linette as he was leaving the parking lot.

She answered on the second ring. “Hi, honey. Are you on the way home?” she asked.

“Yes, but Cameron just called. He’s coming by the house in a few. Said he needed to ask us something, but I have no idea what’s on his mind. Just wanted you to know.”

She laughed. “You mean, this is a heads-up to make sure Ava hasn’t dragged all the stuffies to the sofa to watch cartoons with her again?”

He chuckled. “Something like that.”

“No problem. She’s outside in her playhouse. We should be fine. See you soon.”

Wiley pulled up in the driveway with Cameron right behind him.

“That’s timing,” Wiley said, and they walked into the house together. “Hey, Linnie! We’re here.” Then he gestured toward the living room. “Have a seat, Cameron. I’m going to lock up my weapon. Be right back.”

“Take your time,” Cameron said. “I’m fine.”

Linette walked in, smiling. “Hi, Cameron, would you like something to drink? We have Coke, sweet tea, and orange soda.”

“I’m fine, Linnie, but thanks. Where’s the punkin?”

“Outside in her playhouse. I just checked on her,” she said, and sat down. “School starts Monday. Is Mikey excited about going back?”

Cameron nodded. “Yes. He likes school. He’s going into first grade. Ava’s going to be in second grade, right?”

“Yes. She’s a little anxious because she doesn’t know anyone. However, getting to meet your boy at Shirley’s was a plus. Now she at least knows one, even if they won’t be in the same grade. And Dani has been her babysitter ever since she arrived, so having a sister on-site as one of the teachers is a big boost.”

Wiley came back into the room and sat down on the love seat beside Linette. “Okay, fire away, and know that at any moment Ava could appear.”

“Then I won’t mince words,” Cameron said, and once again explained the situation to them, just as he had to all of the others.

Wiley was stunned, but Linette’s eyes were glowing. It was all she could do to stay silent, because ultimately, it was Wiley’s family and his choice to make.

“What did my brothers say?” he asked.

“Aaron and Dani felt like their jobs worked better by not having so far to drive. Sean and Amalie are committed to staying with your mom. B.J. said he doesn’t do anything but sleep where he lives now, and a two-story house so far up the mountain, coupled with his working hours, was not feasible. I don’t want you to feel like you have to accept, but the fact that I was possibly going to have to make a choice between the four of you has been whittled down to you and Linette. B.J. told me Ava is afraid of drive-by shootings here, but I don’t know how she’d feel about being uprooted again so soon.”

“She will adapt to wherever we are,” Linette said.

Wiley looked at her then, remembering what she’d said about the mountain when she was coming home from Bowling Green.

“To inherit a piece of my family history is something I would never have imagined. But this isn’t just about me anymore. What do you think, Linnie? It would add a good twenty minutes to our drive to work every morning, and we would need to do some remodeling first.”

Her voice was trembling as she reached for his hand. “Oh, Wiley. I think this is the most wonderful wedding present we could ever receive. If you want this, then I’m with you. Wherever you go, we go,” she said. “As for Ava, as long as she has her bed and pillow, and a pink room to put her things in, she’ll be fine. But can we afford all that remodeling?”

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