Page 22 of Until Landon
There is empathy on her face.
“I know about your sister and that dramatic story. July mentioned the kidnapping once. It must have been horrible for your family.”
“It was. And if it wasn’t for the help we had from our friends, like Wes and Asher and The Club, it would have been a different ending. But I couldn’t shake the cloud of it. I tried. After it was over, it stayed with me.”
“Makes sense. You can’t move past traumas quickly.”
“Eventually I had to get away from the constant reminders.”
“Life has such random twists. You never know what sort they’ll be. The last time life smacked me across the face, I was completely unprepared.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I was in a horrific car accident three years ago. Broke my femur, my nose, lost some teeth. Months of rehab. The experience of having to accept help from family and friends and being grateful they were willing. It was a life-changing event.”
“God. You’d never know.”
“That’s the power of being consistent with your physical therapy. I was a beast with myself because I didn’t want to end up with a limp or a lifetime of pain. It’s behind me now.”
“You are a very strong person, aren’t you?”
“Mostly. But I have my weaknesses too. The physical issues were not the entire story. Scars fade, but the impact on your life doesn’t. It was a shock and I feel like a little bit of my innocence about life died. I hate that it did that to me.”
I sit up a little straighter as we get deeper into who we are.
“I know how that works. I do. The best thing for me, as far as getting things off my mind, was my work. Swinging a hammer or framing a house was good therapy. I guess it still is. Although I do less of the grunt work now, it’s still a very physical business.”
“You’re a carpenter or a contractor?”
“I’m a contractor. Kind of like Jesus, but only in that regard. We picked the same profession.”
That one comment brings out something I’m loving about her. She’s playful. I see it coming when her eyes go darker.
“Well that’s enough to speak for it.” A smile appears. “I thought I noticed a holy vibe.”
“That’s me. Want to confess your sins? I can guarantee forgiveness.”
She grins. “I’d need more time than one dinner’s worth to give you the list.”
“I’ll wait,” I say.
When she doesn’t start counting down the top ten, I put my devil away.
“Wes said you are a widow. How long has it been?”
She keeps her eyes on mine, not looking away when the past relationship is mentioned.
“Ten years. Hunter was just a boy. And, to tell the truth, I think I was still a girl. You’re not really formed yet in your twenties. You know?”
“I’m barely formed at this age.” I chuckle.
“You look pretty together to me.”
Hey now.
“You too,” I answer. Then I go a step further. “I like everything I see. It is expertly assembled.”
I stop playing with the stem of the water glass and reach across the table for her hand. Our fingers braid together and she smiles. I want to do something I have never ever done. Bringing her hand to my lips, I kiss the soft skin.
