Page 100 of Fury

When she felt the car come to a stop, Hollyn blinked. She sat up straighter in her seat, staring at the gulf that stretched on for miles ahead.

“Would you like me to walk with you?”

Hollyn looked over at the older man.

Bongani was a blessing that maybe she hadn’t always appreciated the way she should, but she did now.

“That would be nice.” She knew he wouldn’t pressure her with conversation. In his quiet way, he’d let her set the tone. It would just be nice to have him beside her.

He grinned and came around to open her door.

As she’d predicted, Bongani was silent as they slowly trekked through the white sand for a good half mile. Wave after wave crashed on shore. Hollyn let her shoes dangle at her side, her fingers hooked through the laces.

It was unusually empty on the beach today, but she was grateful for that. Pausing, Hollyn turned and stared out at the water.

“I don’t know what to do.” The words slipped out. It felt both defeating and liberating to say that out loud.

“Don’t you?”

The question surprised her. When she looked up at Bongani, kindness shone through his dark brown eyes.

“What is Holy Spirit saying to you?” He shot her a knowing grin. “Listen.”

Hollyn chewed her bottom lip and squinted back out at the water. One name—one face—came to mind no matter how hard she tried to push it away.

Davis.

“I’m not positive he wants me.” She lifted her shoulder in a one-armed shrug.

“Did hesayhe didn’t want you?”

“Well . . . not in so many words. But if what was between us was real, why would he leave without me? Maybe all of it was just in my head. If he loved me, he would have told me. His actions could have been spurred on by the life-and-death situations we found ourselves in. Science has proven the effect that stress has on the brain. People don’t think clearly.”

A weighted sigh pulled from the tall man beside her. “You are a smart woman, Hollyn. But it is times like these that I believe leaving your head out of it would serve you better. Instead, let the Father guide you. As Jeremiah twenty-nine declares: ‘For I know the plans I have for you.’” Bongani looked down at her. “There is One who will never abandon you. One who has far greater plans than you have even for yourself. Trust that.”

Her pulse ticked up as hope flared back to life. Another set of waves crashed into the sand in front of them. The salty scent of the water tinged the air.

She tried to be still. To listen. But she couldn’t stop thinking about Davis. She was in love with him. It was that simple. If she never told him, she’d always wonder what could have been. Even the pain of hearing him say he didn’t return the sentiment would be better than the not knowing. At least she’d have closure.

Hollyn nodded more to herself than anyone. Knew what she was going to do. “How do you always know what to say?”

Bongani scoffed softly. “Just take it from an old man. When the Spirit prompts, don’t ignore it.”

She nodded before grinning. Tapped her shoulder against his arm. “You’re hardly an old man, friend.”

Bongani laughed. “From your lips to God’s ears. And may I live to see another seventy-five years.”

“If you’re seventy-five, I’ll eat my shoe,” Hollyn joked, holding up her sneaker.

He chuckled again, shaking his head. “Back to the airport, then?”

“Not yet.” Hollyn took in a steadying breath. “I have some things I’m going to wrap up here first.”

As much as she wanted to leave right this second, now that she wasn’t fighting for her life, she would make sure the businesses that Dad had spent his life building were taken care of. Appoint people for the everyday running of Reinhardt Tech and hire movers for her things. But the moment that was done, yes, the airport was exactly where she’d be headed.

Bongani turned and started back the way they’d come, but Hollyn waited for a moment, eyes on the horizon.

“I’m going to be all right,” she whispered to her parents, though she knew they couldn’t hear her. Tears pricked her eyes. “No matter what else comes, I’m not alone in this world. I love you . . . always.”

---