Page 26 of Hidden Ascent

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are, but I don’t want to talk about that possibility. We’re walking in faith, remember?”

“I never forget, and I fully believe that God can heal me. But if it’s my time, it’s my time.”

“No.”

“Peter.”

“No. It’s not your time. I can’t—I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He took her hand and squeezed. “Please come inside.”

“You’re afraid.”

“I try not to be. You don’t make it easy, coming out here on your own.”

“Isla helped me.”

“I know. I figured.”

“She didn’t want to. I guilted her into it. I want you to know that so you don’t give her a hard time about it.”

“She’s got enough on her plate.”

“She told me you refused to help her.”

“I need to be here with you.”

“I have friends who can stay with me if you need to go.”

“I don’t. I believe God has provided someone to help her.”

“The man I saw you arrive with?”

“Yes.”

“Who is he?”

“No idea. Only God knows.”

Jemi laughed weakly. “It doesn’t matter how long we’ve walked with Him, He continues to surprise us.”

“Yes, He does.”

“Then you better bring me inside so I can meet this new friend of ours. Was he part of special forces like you?”

“No. I’m pretty sure he’s been working on the other side of the law for a while.”

“Interesting.”

“Always.”

* * *

Isla forced the images of the friends she’d lost out of her mind as she stood watching the flames consume the wood in the fireplace. If she was going to get to the bottom of this, she’d have to remain clinical about the situation.

She’d always been good at keeping her emotions in check. Seeing the world in black and white gave her the strength to get through the hardest times. Knowing there was a right and a wrong made the world make sense. She’d become very good at coloring within the lines, but someone had scribbled all over her life, and she needed to set it right.

Her unfocused gaze lifted to the framed pictures on the mantle. They were full of people she’d never met.

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