Page 123 of Hidden Ascent

“I’ve got some stuff to sort out. Helping you was a good distraction, but I’ve got real life to face and some cleaning up to do.”

“Oh. Right. Will we see you again?” She included Peter in her comment, but she really meant only her. She’d pushed Jay away probably for the same reason she’d made excuses for God’s distance. But now that everything was over, the thought of never seeing him again was a hard consequence to face.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “But I’m glad things worked out for you. I’m glad you got your team the justice they deserved.”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks for everything, Peter. We’ll keep in touch.”

The two men hugged. Then, Jay walked past Isla. “Good to see you again, Isla.” He didn’t touch her. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”

She reached out a hand when he turned his back but dropped it to her side when she thought of Peter standing nearby.

“See ya.” She waved, but Jay didn’t turn around.

Once his car was out of sight, Peter said, “He needs some time.”

“What?”

“Give him time. I was planning to have all you guys back next month. I’d like to debrief with you all about what happened. You learn a lot when you gain some distance from an operation. I thought it would be good to regroup and see what everyone thought.”

“Everyone?”

“You and Jay, Maddy, Charlotte and Will.”

“Oh. Okay. That sounds good.”

“I’ll organize it for a month or two from now. It will be best for all of you to have space.”

“You really think that will make any difference?”

“Jemi told me about praying with you the other night. You don’t need a relationship right now. It will only confuse you. You should take time and focus on learning about who God really is in your life without the distractions of dangerous missions and…other things.”

“You’re right. You’re always right.”

Peter laughed. “Not always.”

“Often enough.”

“I’ve got dinner in the oven. You planning on staying? I know Jemi would love to spend a little time with you.”

“How’s she doing?”

“The same.”

“She said you’re taking her sickness hard.”

“Did she say that?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s right. It’s hard to see her this way. She’s always been a strong woman. Stronger than me a lot of the time. I’m so confused about what to believe.”

“A wise man once told me that confusion is not in God’s realm. If you’re confused, it’s not Him doing it.”

“A wise man, huh?”

“A guy I know named Peter Black.”

---