“Well...” Andrew said. “You just believe in Him, and invite Him to come in, and then you can trust that He’s in control, no matter what.”
“I’ve never asked Jesus into my life.” Daisy chewed her lip thoughtfully.
"He's always there when you decide to ask Him.” Andrew said.
Lots of thoughts whirled in Bianca’s mind as Andrew led them in their bedtime prayers.
Although Bianca was a Christian and should be aware of God’s sovereignty, lately she’d forgotten that God was in control of lives.
She wasn’t afraid to die, but it terrified her to think about anything happening to the people she loved. Mostly to Daisy and Andrew. Her mom and friends, too.
Panic stricken at the thought, she kissed Daisy’s forehead, exchanged 'I love yous’ with her, and stepped aside to watch Andrew pull the purple blanket over Daisy. He tucked Drew the teddy bear into Daisy’s arms, then lowered his lips to her hair.
“I love you,” Daisy said.
“I love you too.”
Bianca grabbed her jacket from her slab of foam mattress and slid her arms into the sleeves as she followed Andrew outside on the porch. They sat side by side on the wooden swing.
He slid his strong arm around her waist, and she felt instantly warm. She’d missed his sure arms around her for the last week, since they’d both been busy planning for this trip.
Keeping her thoughts to herself, she rested in his embrace and laid her head on his shoulder.
His hand moved to her neck, and she breathed in his minty warm breath against her lips.
Lowering his head, he planted his warm lips on hers, and she felt like melting.
“I’ve missed doing this...” he whispered, but she had no time for talking. Her lips flew back to his and her hands lost control as she raked his hair.
Rapid breathing was the only sound that filled the air. Well, she might have made a sound or two when his hands skimmed through her hair.
When they both pulled back, she rested her head on his chest, feeling his fast pounding heart against her. The dark forest surrounding the cabin didn’t feel dark with Andrew there. Not when he slid his hand around her back. They gazed at the starry sky and listened to the chirping crickets.
She savored his raspy voice as he talked about all kinds of things. The childhood memories he had of the retreat center, before his parents bought the facility.
“We used to come whenever they hosted family retreats here each summer. After my grandma died and left her farm in Texas for us, Mom sold the property and gave money to each of us kids. She also donated twenty percent to the church missions. Whatever was left, Mom saved it for a family savings account. When the Retreat Center went up for sale, Mom applied some of that money, and then Dad’s money to buy the center.”
The Buchanans were not as wealthy as Mama thought, but they seemed to be a family that were wise with their money. His family seemed to have everything together, although they had some ups and downs just like any normal people did.
“I can tell you had such a fun childhood. I see it through your sister and your brother.” Leila had told her a lot about the Buchanans, and now that Renee was her friend, she’d learned how generous they were.
After chatting contentedly about different things, Andrew asked what John had liked to do.
“He liked to camp, way too much...I hated it at first, but after he died, I started taking Daisy camping to keep her dad’s memory alive.” She’d eventually stopped camping, and dropped the rituals along the way.
“Do you tell Daisy about her dad often?”
“Not as much as I should, unless she asks.”
He was quiet for a while as he ran his hand over her back. “You should. I think she needs to know about him, what he was like and things like that.”
Andrew was not from this world. She wished to ask what planet he was from, but that was another dream she was living these days.
The air was cooler than it had been earlier, and before long a raindrop fell, and another.
She and Andrew were keeping each other warm, at least. A gush of rain poured down, pounding on the roof above them.
“Looks like you’ll have to sleep on the couch, unless you're walking back to your cabin in the rain.”
He lifted her hand to his lips, planting a kiss. “Or I could sit here with you until the rain passes.”
She smiled, not believing that Andrew was in love with her. Everything with him felt just right, the way she’d never felt in her life. Exhaustion vanished entirely. Who needed sleep when she had the hottest guy on the planet sitting by her side?
She slid her arm around him. “I think I like Option Two much better.”
CHAPTER 20
Andrew tossed and turned on the flat foam mattress on the top bunk. He was staying in a two person cabin, which should make it quiet enough for him to get some much needed rest, but Rocky’s snoring wasn’t helping.
He turned to his side and peered through the window at the thick clouds covering the stars that had sparkled brightly earlier in the night.
Tonight was no different from most of his nights lately, filled with thoughts of Bianca. Maybe even more so, since she was sleeping four cabins away from him instead of the five miles that separated them back home.
Was Bianca sleeping, or awake like him, thinking of the cozy and warm kisses they’d shared tonight? He closed his eyes, remembering the gentle way she spoke, her genuine but shy smile for him. It all made him want to jump out of bed and go sneak into her cabin. Of course he wouldn’t.
He wanted to sit by her side as they listened to the rain and its patter all night, to have and to hold her in his arms for the rest of his life.
It was hard to believe that Callie hadn’t crossed his mind lately, not since Bianca had found her way into his heart.
He rolled onto his back, listening to the gentle drizzle. Was it going to rain again? He didn’t know, all he knew was that he wanted to start the next chapter of his life very soon. A family with the little girl he adored as a daughter, and her mom.
He must have dosed on and off. When he blinked his eyes again, natural light streamed through the cabin’s window.
Rocky was still snoring, sprawled on his doggie bed, when Andrew hopped out of bed to brush his teeth, throwing on a flannel shirt and a sweatshirt.
The dog opened his eyes and stood. Andrew stepped outside with him, where Rocky took care of his business in the bushes, then followed him toward the oversized metal canopy.
He breathed in the smell of fresh rain, mixed with the earthy scent of a campfire next to the canopy. A couple of teenagers around the fire pit tossed sausages toward Rocky, and the dog caught them mid-air, then left Andrew’s side to join them.
His heart skipped a beat or two at the sight of Bianca’s warm smile when she saw him. She steered him over to the table, where she had prepared a plate of breakfast burritos for him.
Their shoulders brushed, and he felt her warmth radiating through him.
“Someone slept in this morning,” Renee commented as she scooped a spoonful of fruit-covered yogurt from her bowl. “Looks like we can’t have the hike this morning, after all, with the muddy trails .”
“Lucky for me.” Bianca winked at Andrew. “I was dreading the hike.”
“Let’s call it a walk,” Andrew said, smiling. “Checked the temps this morning. Sun will be out soon.”
Andrew bowed his head and prayed silently, then took the first bite of his burrito, savoring the deliciousness.
“Did I see Levi's family take off after the campfire last night?” Jake asked, stirring a spoon in his bowl of Cheerios.
“He had to work today,” Andrew explained.
“I wish his wife and kids had stayed until tomorrow, ” Renee said.
Andrew grimaced, wishing he’d suggested that his friend's family stay. “It didn’t cross my mind.”
He adjusted his woven hat when the morning breeze stirred in the tent. The sun was peek
ing slightly through the clouds,a good sign they’d be able to keep the activities they’d planned for the day. They discussed the day’s plans as they ate.
“As long as I go into town to scout out the shops on main street,” Renee said.
Andrew pinned his sister with a look. “We’re camping for another day, at least. Can’t the shopping wait until you get back home?”
“Nope,” Renee said. “I’m already pushing it with this white water rafting thing.”
Bianca gritted her teeth. “We’re still doing that?”
She’d been nervous when they’d first talked about rafting, and still seemed to be. Andrew rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be there with you. You’ll love it.”
She glanced at him. “Only because I will be with you...that’s why I’m looking forward to it.” She looked back at Renee. “I’ll go into town with you. I need to buy some souvenirs for my mom and my brother.”
Lately, Bianca didn't refer to Mateo as ‘half brother.’
“I’m sure Leila will join us,” Renee added.
While the girls brainstormed their shopping plans for the afternoon, Andrew and Jake made plans to go rock climbing while they were gone.
He didn't have to ask Ezra whenever rock climbing plans were made. His brother was always up for anything adventurous.
After breakfast, everybody at the camp headed off to find their favorite activities. From fishing, to hiking, or swimming, there was something for each age group to choose from.
After rafting, the girls went shopping while Andrew went rock climbing in the mountains with Jake and Ezra.
Their rock climbing adventure over, Andrew drove the two guys back and parked his truck on a hilly parking lot that sat 200 yards away from the common area. The dashboard clock showed 4:20 pm. Andrew yawned and stretched his arms, feeling the achy muscles of his shoulders.
“Are things getting serious with you and Bianca?” Jake, not normally one to pry, asked as they trekked down the gravel road that led back to the cabins.
“Why do you ask?” Andrew hoped he hadn’t been acting like a lovesick teenager around Bianca.
Ezra slapped Andrew on the back. “Hmm, let’s see... maybe because you two can’t keep your eyes off each other?”
“The late nights stargazing after everyone goes to bed?” Jake said, out of breath.
Andrew had forgotten about Jake and Renee being in the upstairs room of the cabin. At the time, his mind had been too full of Bianca to think of anything else. “Thought you guys were sleeping.”
Jake shrugged. “We were until we heard people walking back in, at almost one.”
Andrew grinned sheepishly and rubbed his hand on his forehead. He hadn't checked the time while with Bianca. He had no idea what time he’d walked back to his own cabin, for that matter.
His smile dried on his lips when Ezra spoke. “Callie?”
He wrinkled his brow, and Andrew’s eyes followed Ezra’s to the canopy, where Callie’s red hair stood out from all the heads of people on the bench with her. “Didn’t know she was coming.”
His heart froze at the sight, his feet suddenly numb. “Didn’t know, either,” he whispered.
“Great.” As if Bianca needs another reason to doubt our relationship.
“You’re coming?” Ezra steered him forward, but Andrew’s mind whirled in several directions. For an instant, he considered taking a drive so as to avoid this encounter altogether.
Except, Bianca was sitting at the same table as Callie, his mom and a few other people. He hoped that Mom had introduced Bianca to Callie as Andrew’s girlfriend.
What if she hadn’t, and Callie...? He raked his hair, having no idea what to do. For Bianca’s sake, he forced his feet forward, one in front of the other, until he made it to the canopy.
“Did you guys have fun?” Mom’s warm smile greeted Jake and Ezra.
“It was fun,” Jake responded, and Renee strode to his side, greeting him with a kiss.
“Oh, my gosh, Ez.” Callie threw her arms around Ezra, arching her penciled eyebrow as she stepped back and looked Ezra up and down. “Being a dad hasn’t tampered with your good looks.”
“Leila agrees,” Ezra responded coolly.
“I just met Adalee before Leila took her to put her down for a nap,” Callie continued asking Ezra about Adalee.
Andrew turned to meet Bianca’s questioning gaze from the end of the table where she sat unmoving. She gave him a half smile.
The right thing was for him to go around the table and greet her with a kiss, but his palms were sweating at the thought of having his ex around. The last time he’d seen Callie had been their break-up.
Everything in him screamed for him to walk away right now, but if he did, what would Bianca think?
“Come here, you!” Callie walked toward Andrew with her arms outstretched to hug him, but he lifted one hand and stepped back to give her a side hug.
It wasn’t just because Andrew didn’t want to smear his damp shirt on her flowery scented top, but it felt awkward that she was acting as if they hadn’t spent so much time apart.
She gave him a once over again. “Wow! You haven't changed a bit.”
He gripped the back of his head, sensing Bianca’s eyes on him. He looked down to her, then back to Callie. “You’ve met...uh, Bianca?”
Callie gave Bianca a sideways glance. “Yeah...I met her daughter, too, and your humongous dog...hard to believe you have a dog.” She shook her head, smiling. “You’re gonna have a seat?” She gestured to the bench and sat on the cooler which was next to his mom.
While Callie dominated the conversation, at some point the woman on the other side of Mom started whispering and engaging Mom in a private chat.
Renee, Jake and Ezra had all disappeared without Andrew noticing. His busy mind had temporarily blurred his vision.
“Remember that day when we went to the lake and my shoe got stuck in the water?” Callie laughed and Andrew gritted his teeth, not interested in revisiting his past with her, not when he was building a future with someone else. “When you pulled it out, there was a frog in it...”
Bianca rose suddenly and left, her strides wider than he’d ever seen from her. She was probably fuming—he would be, if he were in her shoes.
Mom left with the woman she’d been talking to. “Sorry, I need to get Jamie some essential oils.”
Thanks to Leila, now his mom was obsessed with essential oils, and telling all her friends about them. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be leaving him here with Callie, just the two of them.
He half listened to Callie as he watched Bianca vanish through the shrubs on the thin trail that led to the lake. Near the gravel area by the playground, Andrew spotted Daisy running around in circles with Rocky.
“It didn’t take you long to replace me.” Callie’s accusing words drew him back.
“I don’t remember making any plans with you after you broke off our engagement.”
“You broke up with me.” She pursed her red lips. “You said it was better if we broke up than to date long distance.”
What are you getting at now? “You gave the ring back, if I remember right”.
His blood boiled. He was used to having arguments with his siblings, and he could take that, but something about Callie just set him off. He stood, taking a sharp intake of breath, “What do you want, Callie? You just show up after almost a year of not being in touch, you don’t announce that you’re coming, and you expect me to do...what?”
“My mom told me about your parents anniversary and I figured... I’ve known your family for so long... and this place was special to you.”
It wasn’t that she’d ever liked coming to the cabin. “Are you staying the night?”
“There’s room in my parents’ cabin. Do you have a problem with me staying?”
As long as they didn’t cross paths, he was okay with it. “No.” He gave her a quick nod. “I’ll see you around.”
She rose, bit her lower lip and gav
e him a challenging look. “I never figured you to be a dad type.”
Lots of things had suddenly changed. He'd never thought he would find someone to fill the empty recesses of his heart so soon after their break up. “Me, neither...”
He needed to find Bianca. “Hope you enjoy your stay.”
“We’re good, right?” Callie asked.
“Totally,” he said, and jogged in the direction of the trail where he’d seen Bianca go. He walked along the path by the lake, startling a critter or two. A handful of people cast their poles in the creek as Andrew plodded past them. Peering into the distance, he spotted Bianca’s red sweater. She was hauling a hand up as if tossing something in the water.
His feet picked up an extra pace as he neared. He could only hope and pray that Callie hadn’t messed up his love life for the second time.
BIANCA TOSSED A ROCK in the water and watched as it sank. In spite of the rain last night, the day had turned out sunny, thank goodness. She glanced at the sun sinking down the horizon, then rubbed her hands over her arms when cool air seeped through her sweater.
She savored the solitude at the far end of the lake, where nobody was fishing or walking.
The way Andrew had looked puzzled at the sight of his ex, made her realize he probably wasn’t over her. Why would things be over between them?
CALLIE WAS THIN, GORGEOUS, with shiny red hair, and skinny jeans she’d worn purposefully, not for camping, but to reclaim her ex. She was definitely still interested in him.
Before Andrew had returned from rock climbing, the woman kept asking Crystal what Andrew had been up to, about his career, and all things Andrew, even after Crystal introduced Bianca as Andrew’s girlfriend. All that had been enough for Bianca to know Callie’s reasons for her visit.
Hearing them reminiscing about their past put Bianca over the edge and she had to make her exit.
They were probably kissing by now. Her stomach tightened at the possibility. Why would he leave a model like Callie for someone like her?
With no food to shove into her mouth, she walked around in circles and picked up another rock, casting it further in the lake. She watched it sink down in the water. That’s what her heart felt like...sinking.
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