Working by Robin Merrill

Author:Robin Merrill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian fiction, Christian series, Christian novel, Christian books for seniors, Christian series for seniors, Christian authors, Christian women's fiction
Publisher: New Creation Publishing
Published: 2021-08-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Esther

Esther put down her knitting to answer her phone, something she wouldn’t have done if it weren’t Walter on the other end of the call. Or maybe Zoe.

“Hullo?”

“Hello, beautiful.”

Esther’s heart swelled.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go ride around town looking for Derek.”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, that I know of, but I haven’t made my offer to him yet. I haven’t even seen him.”

“Wasn’t he in church yesterday?” As she said the words, she realized the answer. No, he hadn’t been. “Is he even in town?”

“No idea.”

She started to worry. Not that something was wrong, necessarily. She had complete faith that Derek could keep himself alive. She was worried he’d vanished and she wasn’t going to see him again. He freaked her out, even scared her a little, but she’d also grown quite fond of him. He was becoming like family.

“But it’s going to be cold tonight, so I thought I’d go look.”

“Sure. It’s a nice night for a drive. Come pick me up.”

He was there so quickly Esther wondered if he’d called from the lobby downstairs. She quickly checked her hair and teeth in the mirror and then silently chided herself for doing so. Don’t be silly, she thought.

He held the door open for her, and she led him to the elevator. Her neighbor Milton, who she was starting to think just rode the elevator up and down for fun, looked Walter up and down with a critical eye.

Walter ignored him.

“Have a nice evening, Milton,” Esther said as she stepped off onto the main floor.

“I think that man is sweet on you,” Walter said as they stepped outside.

Esther laughed shrilly. “Don’t be ridiculous.” The theory was just that: ridiculous. Yet Esther still loved that Walter had spoken it.

They started driving.

“Probably should have done this before dusk.”

“Maybe,” Esther said, not wanting to agree with his self-criticism, “but who knows?”

“I don’t even know where to check. The bars?”

“I don’t think he can afford to drink at a bar.”

“Good point. Then where?”

“I don’t know. Have you checked with Pastor?”

“I did. He hasn’t seen him. Neither has Roderick.”

“Shoot.” Esther racked her brain but came up empty.

They continued driving in circles, and though they weren’t accomplishing much, Esther was enjoying Walter’s company.

When they were headed north on Main Street for the third time, Walter said, “He must be indoors somewhere. So where in Carver Harbor might he be indoors?”

“If he’s in someone’s house, we’ll never find him.”

“If he’s in someone’s house, we don’t need to find him.” Walter chuckled ruefully. “Unless he’s there uninvited.”

“I don’t think he’d do that.” She didn’t know that for sure, though.

“What about a business? What business would let Derek hang out inside?”

She couldn’t think of any. “All I can think of is a church.” She hated that they wouldn’t let him hang out at New Beginnings.

“I know how you feel about that, Esther, but it’s just not possible right now. And it’s silly to heat a whole building for one man.”

Maybe. Maybe not. “Wait!” Esther cried.

Walter stepped on the brake.

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