Long Trail To Love by Pamela Griffin

Author:Pamela Griffin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

Nate warmed his hands over the small fire, enjoying its warmth and examining Carly in its flickering glow. She took a seat on a log across from him, her face a study of emotions. She may make a habit of tucking herself away in a private corner in an effort to hide from the world, but at times like now, she was easy to read. She acted as if she expected the worst, and Nate found himself in no better frame of mind. He took time to sort out what he wanted to say. When he had collected his words to the best of his ability, he shifted his position. Her gaze jumped from the fire to his face.

“I’d like to resume our conversation from where we left off.”

“Yeah, I got the feeling this wasn’t going to be a powwow to discuss the absence of the great fireball in the sky and the rain we’ve been having.”

Despite the seriousness of the moment, Nate’s lips curved into a faint smile at her choice of words. “What did you mean when you said you didn’t get how we believed that God is always there to make things better?”

“You have a good memory.” She prodded the dirt with the toe of her hiking shoe, looking at it. “I meant exactly what I said.”

“Seems a little odd to have an attitude like that and be a member of Jill’s church. On my visits there, I noticed they’re a faith-believing bunch.”

“I’m not a member of her church.”

The words scraped like sharp pebbles in Nate’s head. “Then why are you with the church group?”

“Why are you?”

“I was invited—by Ted.”

“And Jill invited me.” She shrugged. “She knew I needed a break from life and offered it.”

“I see.” He shut his eyes a moment to get his bearings. “So you don’t believe in God.” He posed the words as a statement; her attitude made it more than clear.

She eyed him with caution. “If I say I don’t, you’re not going to start preaching to me, are you?”

He gave her a sad smile. “No, Carly. I’m not going to preach to you. If you want to go get some shut-eye, I won’t keep you any longer.”

Rather than say good night and retreat to her tent, Carly surprised Nate by sitting motionless, a wistful look spreading across her face as she stared into the flames.

“The truth is before this hike, I could have said those words with conviction. But I don’t feel that way anymore. I believe there is a God.” Her midnight dark eyes lifted to his. “I’m just not so sure I want anything to do with Him.”

At least she was honest and didn’t try to fake something she didn’t feel; he may not like her words, but he respected her forthright sincerity. His stepmother had woven a web of lies to trap his dad, who’d fallen for each one. Nate pressed his lips together in thought, wondering how to respond, when Carly spoke.

“I did once.”

The three words jarred Nate.

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