Page 69 of Where Are You Now
Ava explained.
“I definitely have a steady hand if you need help cutting, and I don’t mind helping to call sewing shops too.”
“Oh my goodness, that would be wonderful,” Martha said.
Lucas leaned forward. “You know, we could also ask Dorothy at church on Sunday. She said she did all that cross-stitch, remember?”
“Oh, yeah, I’d forgotten!” Ava said. “We’ll make a little assembly line.”
“What would we do without each other?” Martha asked.
Ava wondered the same thing.
Chapter Twenty-Two
While Martha was in the office, drawing up her plans for the large handbag order, Ava and Lucas sat at the table outside, nibbling their slices of pumpkin pie and sipping cider.
“I know I was reluctant to come here to the lake at first, but I’m glad you pressed the issue,” Lucas said, peering out at the water under the purple evening sky. “Being on the water gives me perspective.”
“How so?” Ava dragged her fork through her pie and took a bite of the sugary cinnamon-flecked dessert.
“I got so caught up in graduation requirements and then college classes. After that, it was residency and job applications. And then the day-to-day rat race in New York. For a while, I forgot that city life is a choice not everyone elects to have.” He took a sip from his mug. “After the incident on the operating table, I knew I wanted something else, but the relaxing force I sought wasn’t tangible until I walked out on this deck for the first time.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve been wrestling with what to do in my life, myself.”
Interest shone in his eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s funny that you and I both ended up in New York. And now, we’re both here, wondering what to do.”
“I’m not wondering anymore, actually. I plan to find a nice plot of land, put down roots, and, as soon as I’m financially able, quit my job and start farming. I have a childhood full of experience as a farmer. And my dad could help me with the logistics if I need it.”
“You’re going to give up everything you’ve studied for?”
“What good is it when I don’t have the passion for it?”
“You’re right.” Ava picked up her mug, letting the warm surface combat the evening chill in her fingers. “My life isn’t quite so cut and dry. I still love what I do, I think. I’m just not as interested in the day-to-day grind of it anymore.”
“So what are you going to do?” Lucas asked.
“I’m going to get better, go back to work in the city, and see how I feel and what opportunities arise.”
His nodded and his gaze dropped to his plate, thoughts evident. Was he wondering what Elise would think of his plans? Ava had grown up the way he had and still wasn’t sure if she could leave New York. Would his fiancée come around to the idea?
Something about going back to New York didn’t feel right to Ava, but she didn’t know what else to do. She’d built her entire life there. In that way, she could understand Elise’s position.
“I wish my dad were here. He always had the greatest advice,” Ava said.
“What do you think he’d tell you to do?”
“I have no idea this time. I feel like I’m flying solo.” She scooped another bite of pie, but didn’t eat it. “You know, he said once that he’d send me a big bass from heaven when he got there. I’m still waiting for it.”
Lucas grinned. “That might be difficult to do. Heaven’s a long way.”
“I went fishing last week, and I hoped to catch one. I didn’t, though. It was pretty disappointing.”
“Given how my life has unfolded so far, I don’t think we’re meant to know what goes on up there,” Lucas said. “You got a lucky glimpse is all.”
“Maybe that’s why I couldn’t see anything. Because I wasn’t supposed to know yet?”
