Page 116 of Hidden Depths

“I’ll be in soon. I promise.”

“Don’t wait too long. You always stay out here till you’re chilled to the bone, and then we have to thaw you out again.”

“If I take too long, all you have to do is open the door so the smell drifts down the yard, and I’ll be in in a flash.”

He tipped his hat and trudged to the house at the top of the hill.

Sara looked back across the field at the lengthening shadows. The sun went down too early this time of year, but the new peace that had sprung up in her heart was a welcome surprise. She hadn’t known if laying her yearnings at God’s feet would work, but she had a lightness in her heart that wasn’t there before.

“I guess that means I’m ready now, God.” She smiled. It might take a few rounds to keep the yearnings from returning, just like with the fear, but it would be worth it. “And thank you. You’ve given me so much.” She’d been practicing her thanksgiving a lot lately.

As soon as she had moved out here, she had found a church and then found Evie and Kev. After hearing about her musty apartment in town, they’d invited her to stay in the room they’d built onto the side of the house that had its own potbelly stove and small kitchen. When she moved in, she knew it was home. It was the first of so many gifts God had given to her and proved that she was directly in His will.

“Hey,” she heard again from behind.

“I told you, I’m coming. Or is Evie that desperate for my approval?”

She smiled and turned. Her eyes widened. “Tom?”

He sniffed in the brisk air and looked around. “I was surprised when you picked here. I didn’t think you’d be interested in the cold.”

“I don’t love it,” she said slowly, trying to discern what his presence meant but afraid to let hope spring up. Why would he turn up when she had finally gotten over him? Was this a test? If so, it was a terrible one. All the old feelings returned in a flash. “But I do like it here.”

He nodded. “It’s a beautiful spot. You look good. Happy.”

“I am happy. You—what are you doing here? I thought you said you couldn’t come.”

“I’ve got news.”

“I thought Peter was supposed to pass on any news.”

“He would be if you were still under witness protection.”

The cold air she gulped stung her lungs, but she held it anyway, afraid to believe the words he’d spoken. He couldn’t possibly mean it. He couldn’t be standing here to tell her she was free. “I don’t understand.”

“A body turned up in the gulf. They had trouble identifying it, and because Sam Lansky’s file still read that he was deceased, things got a little confused. But we’ve identified him now. Lansky’s dead, and we’ve confirmed through various sources that his associates and everyone connected to him is either dead or joined up with someone else. You don’t need to hide anymore.”

“Uh—I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s a lot to take in.”

“What am I supposed to do? Is this it? They close my file, and I go…wherever?”

“There’s a little bit of paperwork, but yes, basically. Or, you’ve been here a while, so if you want to stay, you can. If you’ve met someone—”

“I haven’t,” she said quickly, then swallowed. “I mean. I have. I’ve met Evie and Kev and a few more. I’ve tried to be braver this time. I’ve made friends, and I’ve done some things I never have before.” She closed her mouth. Energy coursed through her, and it was pouring out her mouth without a breath. She wanted him to be impressed with her, even though she knew that was ridiculous.

“That’s really good. I prayed for you a lot. I hoped you’d be happy here. Happier than anywhere else could make you.”

His words punched a hole into her heart, and she didn’t know whether to protect it or let him in. Was it possible that the prayer she’d prayed to let him go was to get her ready to receive him again? She’d been taking a lot of risks lately, so she decided to take one more.

“It’s been good. But seeing you has made it better.”

He moved closer. “That’s nice to hear.”

She stuffed her hands in her pockets, not knowing what else to do with them. “So, what now?”

“Well.” He reached for her arm, lifting her hand from her pocket. He pulled her mitten off and ran his thumb over her cold fingers. “I didn’t know what to expect when I saw you. But I don’t want to make a mistake here.”

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