Page 92 of Forever After All

“I don’t blame him. You couldn’t pay me to get on a bronc or a bull,” Linc said.

Paul scoffed. “I know what you mean. Not even in my younger days.”

“I heard Bethany is coming back,” Jess added.

Bethany had worked the check-in office last year, and Linc avoided her at all costs. She talked more in a minute than Jess did in a week.

“We’re getting a new evening activities director too. Any news about that one?” Jess asked.

Paul hummed like he was thinking. “No, but I think Everly and Linda are in charge of those interviews. I heard they’re getting a few new assistants to help with the weddings too.”

Paul’s phone rang, and he answered, “Hello.”

Paul was quiet for a while before grunting something that sounded like an acknowledgment. When he hung up the call, he stayed quiet.

A quarter of a mile up the mountain, Paul finally spoke. “Ava’s having contractions.”

Jess’s low gasp behind Linc confirmed his fears.

“It’s too early,” Jess said.

“Jameson said it could be a false alarm or Braxton Hicks contractions. I don’t know what that means, but he said if it’s that, then it’s okay.”

None of it sounded okay to Linc. “Do you need to go?”

“Jameson said he’d keep me posted.”

“Glad we brought the satellite phones so we could get phone calls,” Jess said quietly.

No one spoke again until they reached the first site. Aside from basic assignments, they didn’t talk much through the rest of the day either.

The first campsite was in fairly good shape. The Red Canyon trail was a four-day ride round trip, and Blake and Ridge had cleared the trail to the first site last year. They’d passed a few obstructions on the way in, but nothing more than they could handle.

The clearing where they’d be setting up camp was another story. The forest had reclaimed the land, and a dead tree had fallen across the entrance.

Paul and Linc got to work clearing the tree first, moving sections of the trunk to the tree line. Jess picked up sticks and fallen branches after rebuilding the fire pit with the old stones.

Once the fire she built was tending itself well, she grabbed two buckets. “I’m going to get water.”

Linc watched her disappear into the trees and brush heading west. Fisting his hands at his side, he pushed against the urge to follow her.

“She’ll be fine,” Paul said. “I think we all learned a lesson after Ava fell in the creek a few years ago.”

Linc let loose the heavy breath he’d been holding. Jess was smart. She could handle herself in the woods for a few minutes.

“How’s she doing?” Linc asked as he picked up the ax.

“Jameson messaged and said things are still the same. They’re still at the doctor’s office.” Paul worked for a few more minutes before propping his ax next to a stump. “Keep her in your prayers.”

Linc nodded. “I’ll do that.” He’d already made a commitment to pray and study the Bible more. Mr. Chambers’s kick in the pants had knocked something loose in Linc’s brain.

If he wanted to understand God, he had to put in the legwork.

Jess came back and gave the horses water and tended the fire before making another trip to the creek. She had water boiling within the hour and had oatmeal ready soon after.

Linc’s stomach growled when the warm maple smell hit his nose.

Paul rested his ax over his shoulder. “I think that’s our cue to stop for dinner.”

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