Page 71 of Hidden Depths

She blushed. “I was looking forward to our second date, and we never got to it. After hiding away for so long, I wanted to get to know you better and maybe even get a goodnight kiss…eventually. I hate that we missed that chance.”

“Me too.”

“Well, I guess I should get on the bus.”

“Yeah.”

She hesitated, waiting for him to say she could stay, even though she knew he wouldn’t. But when she reached for the door, he said, “Wait,” and slipped his hand behind her neck, pulling her in for a longer kiss.

They lingered on it, both knowing what would happen when they stopped.

Finally, with his hand still holding her close, he whispered, “You’re one of the most interesting and resilient woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I’m glad I had the chance to know you.”

“I hate this.”

“I know. Make sure you live a good life, Sara. Don’t let go of the freedom you’ve found. God will lead you in the way you should go.”

When he pulled his hand away, she took it with both of hers. “You too. God has a good plan for you too. Stop putting yourself in harm’s way. Listen to your boss, including the one up there.” She nodded toward the roof. “I know we’ll never see each other again, but I’d like to think of you as alive and well.”

“I’ll do my best to stay that way.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. Now you really need to go.”

She pushed the door open and carefully slung her bag over her shoulder, careful not to jar the gun from its position, then followed Tom as they approached the bus.

This was it. The end. But it was also a beginning. It was something new. Something better. It had to be better.

Please, God. Let it be better.

Chapter18

Tom and Sarahugged before Sara climbed up into the bus where she inched up the tight aisle.

It was a completely different experience from when she’d arrived. Today, after all the delays, it was packed. But back then, thankfully, it had been half full. The space had been a necessity. Her panic had been rising, and she wouldn’t have had the strength to sit next to anyone. She’d thought she’d gotten lucky at the time. Now, she knew it was God looking after her. He’d known what she needed, and He knew what she needed now. A calm settled over her when she realized that He’d use everything that was happening for good. It’s what Margaret had said to her. That, when we followed His plan as best as we could, He would bring us down the right path. She had to believe that now, that leaving Tom wasn’t a terrible thing, as bad as it made her feel. God knew what he was doing.

She focused on the checkerboard floor as she continued down the aisle, making her way toward the back where she had spotted a couple of empty seats.

At the first one, a sunburned older woman was settled in next to the window, and Sara nodded at her with a close-lipped smile before sitting and resting her bag carefully on her lap.

“You’ve got better skin for this place than I do,” the woman said.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Your skin. You have a nice tan. I burn and then peel.” She lifted her arm. “Looks like I’m in for it.”

“Yeah. Ouch.”

“My name’s Grace, by the way.”

“Hi.” Sara didn’t want to give her name, but the woman waited expectantly for it, so she finally said. “Sara.”

“How far you going, Sara?”

“I’ve got a friend meeting me in Virginia, or before that if he can. I’m waiting for his reply text.”

“I’m headed home to Georgia.”

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