Page 112 of Zane

In his case, it had taken a drastic, life-threatening event in order for him to take a hard look at where he’d been headed. It wouldn’t be a good thing if he wasted this opportunity. Which was why he was trying not to rush into anything.

He needed to take the time to pray about what God wanted for his career, Kelsey, and their marriage. It was his hope and prayer that Kelsey was also open to taking some time before they dove into whatever they decided for their future.

But for the time being, they were going to eat some Chinese food and watch a movie about a disaster that wasn’t their current life.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Kelsey settled back on the couch, pulling her legs up to cross them. She held a plate in her hands, and her drink sat on the end table. “This smells so good.”

“It does, and I’m starving.”

Zane limped over to sit on the couch with her. She waited for him to say grace. Once he had, Kelsey started up the movie.

When Rori had told her that the ladies were getting together while the guys went for dinner, then played some volleyball, Kelsey knew she’d wanted her to join them. The problem was, it was at Charli’s, and since it was a gathering of Zane’s family, she would have felt more comfortable attending if the invite had come from a family member.

Though she was getting more at ease with a few of the Halverson family members, it was mainly the men. Connecting with the women seemed a little more challenging. Also, she still wasn’t sure about investing her emotions into relationships that she might not be able to keep if things didn’t work out with her and Zane.

Kelsey hoped Rori would continue to be her friend, but she was prepared for that not to happen. Friends came and went. She’d learned that early on in her life.

“Why aren’t they boiling their water?” Zane asked, interrupting her thoughts. He pointed his fork at the screen. “Everyone should know that when the world has ended, and they’re having to scrounge for food, you boil any water you find if you don’t have any other way to purify it.”

Kelsey chuckled. “Yep. Always boil the water.”

“Do you do anything to prepare for disaster?” Zane asked.

Finishing the bite she had in her mouth, Kelsey shook her head. “We talked about it, of course, living in a hurricane zone, but we didn’t have the room to stock up a lot. We did have hiking backpacks with emergency supplies. A couple of changes of clothes, socks, shoes, flashlights, cash, some bottles of water, a couple of boxes of granola and protein bars, a charging block, charger cords, and our important papers in a small fireproof safe. Just some things that would give us a decent start if we needed to evacuate.”

“Sounds like a good plan, except we should have had a portable water filter.”

Kelsey chuckled. “True. Sometimes I wondered if we should do more, but I didn’t put too much thought into it. We hadn’t been through a hurricane yet, so I don’t know if it would have been enough.” She scooped up a forkful of chow mein. “How do you feel about stocking up?”

“I didn’t tell you how I felt?” Zane asked.

“Well, yes, you told me how you felt as the person you were pre-accident. But maybe four years ago, you felt differently.”

Zane nodded. “I always made sure I was prepared for winter, keeping things in my trunk that would help me if I got stranded.”

“Yeah. I had stuff like that too.”

“But these people that build bunkers underground?” Zane stared at the screen. “I’m not sure I could justify the cost.”

“Maybe you could open a bunker restaurant.”

Zane grinned as he laughed. “That would be something.”

“Just think of all the rich people who’d like to come to something so unique. It would be the hottest place in Idaho.”

“I can’t imagine the cost of building something like that underground. I’d definitely have to bring in Alexander as a partner.”

Something happened on the screen, drawing their attention. As they finished eating, they watched the rest of the movie.

When they’d gone to pick up the food, they’d stopped at the grocery store and Kelsey had run in to grab some dessert. Zane had asked for ice cream and brownies, so she’d picked that up for them.

When the first movie was over, they made themselves bowls of ice cream and brownies and started up another one.

For a moment, she was able to put aside everything that had happened over the past few weeks and pretend that they were back before the accident, spending time together. The only difference was that they usually didn’t sit on opposite ends of the couch. Cuddling up together had been part of what she’d enjoyed about their times spent watching movies.

These times were a reminder of what she’d lost, but they also gave her hope. At least, the man she loved was still with her. The accident could have had a very different result, and she’d be grieving the complete loss of her husband. Until he said differently, there was hope for them.

---