The Trouble with Jenny by Kathy Geary Anderson

Author:Kathy Geary Anderson [Anderson, Kathy Geary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kathy Geary Anderson

Chapter Twenty-Three

Two days later, Ben stood on the bank of a mountain lake, watching dawn break across the ridge of peaks on the far side of the water. A wall of shadows inched its way down the face of the serrated gray rocks as the sun rose behind him.

He breathed in the crisp mountain air and slowly released it, the quiet weaving a spell of peace around him.

Their group had camped the previous night beneath the tall branches of a pine forest that reached the edge of this sparkling blue lake. Surely there was no bed in existence to rival a bed of fragrant pine needles. He'd slept better last night than he had in months.

He didn't know why, but he felt God here. It was as if, away from the bustle of the city and the hectic hum of everyday life, he could finally hear Him speak. Feel His presence. Despite the fact he'd failed miserably with his family. Despite the kiss that never should’ve happened. Despite his confusion about where he should go, what he should do. He felt at peace. No matter what the future brought, for this moment, at this time, he was meant to be here.

"Was there ever a more beautiful morning?"

Ben turned to see Jenny walking toward him, swinging an empty pail. Her golden curls shone like a halo in the bright morning sun. They'd barely spoken since the kiss. She'd arrived back at camp with Maddie and Emma shortly after he had, hair and skirt in place. Since then, they hadn't been alone. He knew he needed to apologize . . . again . . . but didn't know how to bring it up.

Taking the coward’s path, he ignored the issue. "Need more water?"

"No, I'm off to pick some berries. I saw some bushes back by the trail where we came in yesterday. I thought they'd be my contribution to breakfast."

Will and Ted had left early to fish the streams that fed into the lake, promising them mountain trout for breakfast. Drew and Sparrowhawk had followed shortly after with their rifles, in search of something more substantial to feed the group for dinner. He could already smell the bacon and potatoes Emma and Sara were frying back at camp. Maybe he should pitch in as well.

"I'll help you if you'd like. Have you developed a taste for mountain berries?”

Jenny flushed a little. "Not really, but I heard Mr. Sparrowhawk say he'd love to have some cackleberries for breakfast."

Oh. The mission to pick berries soured a little, but since he'd committed, he followed her up the path.

They reached a thicket of silver-colored bushes laden with bright red berries. "I don't know what cackleberries are," she said. "But these are the only berries I’ve seen."

"Are you sure they’re safe to eat?"

"Yes. Maddie had some like these near their camp, and she told me she made them into jam."

He pulled what looked like a ripe berry off the bush and took a small bite. "Pretty tart if you ask me.

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