“Hey, Erik.” Erik swung toward the sound of the handsome man with spiked hair and a physique to die for. Just like Erik’s.
He grabbed him in a bear hug. When he let Erik go, the man stepped over to Camara, put his arm around her, and kissed her smack dab on the lips, and let his mouth linger for a few moments. Then his attention threaded its way to Olivia. “You must be Olivia.”
“And you must be Chase,” she responded.
“How’d ya know?”
She smiled. “Well, if you aren’t Chase, then Camara has a lot of explaining to do.”
For a moment, Chase looked befuddled. Then he glanced at his wife’s lips. “Ah. I get it.” As if to prove he really did get it, he kissed his wife again.
A voice came over the intercom. “Drivers get ready.”
Camara scurried over to Olivia. “Listen, we have to go now. But if you aren’t doing anything after the races, would you and Erik like to go have dinner with Chase and me?”
Olivia didn’t know what to say. So she looked at Erik, waiting for his reply.
“Sounds great, sis.”
“Okay, we’ll see ya later then.” She spun, took two steps and turned back. “I’m so happy you’re here. Erik talks about you all the time.”
Olivia looked at Erik with questioning eyes.
He shrugged sheepishly. “My little sister has a big mouth. I’m sorry if she’s given you the wrong impression. You’ll have to forgive me, but I can’t stop bragging about what nice work you do. I interviewed a lot of people for your job, but none of their work came even close to the expert quality of yours. Plus, I’ve had a blast these past three weeks. When you live so far out of town, it gets pretty lonely in the evenings. And,” he smiled at her, “I’ve really enjoyed our swims. I hate swimming alone. It really is nice having a friend to do things with.” Erik wrapped his hand around hers. “C’mon, let’s grab some chairs and watch the races.”
Olivia marveled that she didn’t mind the feel of his hand over hers. Of course, knowing he thought of her as only a friend helped. Hand-in-hand, she allowed him to lead her toward his pickup where he unlocked the diamond cut toolbox and retrieved two long canvas tubes with folding chairs. The guy really did love blue.
After grabbing two Cokes from the cooler, they made their way to the orange barricade fence and set up their chairs.
“You don’t have to help with anything?” Olivia asked.
“Nope. That’s what I pay people for. I wanted to enjoy spending time with Camara and Chase.” He paused. “And you.” This time his smile touched a place deep inside her.
Not liking the sensation, Olivia focused her attention on the announcer’s voice as he said that Chase and Camara Lamar were to line up at the pits. “They have to race against each other?” she asked Erik even though she wanted to look anywhere but at him right now. That sensation hadn’t left her yet, and she didn’t like or want it hanging around. Unfortunately, she really wanted to know the answer to her question and it would be rude not to look at him.
“Yes and no. This is a timed event.”
“But don’t they,” she tilted her head and shrugged. “ya know. Like fight over who wins? I mean, how could you compete against your own spouse?” Olivia didn’t get it. That would be completely weird. “Doesn’t that make for a strained atmosphere at home?”
Erik laughed. “Well, it would have if it hadn’t been for God.”
“God?” She scrunched her nose in disgust. “What on earth does God have to do with them mud bog racing?”
He chuckled, and when he did, the edges of his eyes crinkled. “Well, it’s a long story. I’ll just give you the nutshell version. Camara and Chase were big time rivals. They both fought to prove how great they were to the other one until an accident nearly killed Camara.”
Horrified, Olivia’s hand flew to her mouth.
“The fact that she’s even alive today is a miracle. But the biggest miracle out of that whole mess was Chase’s dad accepted the Lord, and his family reunited. Plus, they learned that winning wasn’t everything. Now don’t get me wrong, they still like to win. But before her accident, I think what they enjoyed more than racing was trying to out do the other. The sad part is, their foolish pride nearly cost Camara her life. But, praise God. He didn’t let that happen. A lot of people were praying for her. And now the two of them are happy campers. They’re doing what they love, building bog trucks, and racing them. They’re just doing it together now.”
Olivia wondered if Erik would still talk about God so generously if things would have turned out differently for Camara and his prayers went unanswered like hers had. As much as she hated what was happening inside her, she was powerless to stop the bitter well of anger spewing its venomous poison through her wounded heart. For as long as Olivia drew breath, she would never understand why God took some people’s loved ones and not others.
Oh, she’d heard all the reasons why by well-meaning Christians. But none of their reasons ever made sense. As far as Olivia was concerned, prayer was like a roulette wheel. Toss your request onto the prayer wheel, and maybe, just maybe, if you’re lucky enough, that prayer might land in the answer prayer slot. Well, luck was sorely lacking in her life because everyone she loved had been ripped from her even though she’d earnestly prayed and believed God to spare them.
Like a cancer, the thought of someone else’s prayers getting answered and not hers, ate away at her soul. Why had God spared Camara and not her parents? Or her grandma? Or Hammond? While she was happy for Erik that Camara hadn’t died, she couldn’t stop the battle raging inside her why some lived and others didn’t.
And would those same people still think as highly of God as they did if He hadn’t answered their prayers? After all, it would be easy to love God when you had a loving family, a warm bed, food, enough money that you never had to worry again where your next meal was coming from. Erik had all of that. People loved him. The man had probably never seen a day’s tragedy like she had. When her parents were alive and things were going well, it had been easy for her to serve God and to love Him. But when life struck her several deadly blows—
Olivia wondered. Would Erik still serve God if something bad happened to someone he loved? Remorse the size of a Mack truck crashed into Olivia for even allowing herself to think such vile things. Sick and tired of dwelling on the negative, she forced her attention back to Erik.
“What the devil means for evil, God turns it around for good.”
What? She blinked. What was he talking about? She should have been paying attention again instead of allowing her mind to visit the indelible dark caves of the past.
Her mind scrambled to recall what Erik had said. It was something like… Oh yeah. “What the devil means for evil, God turns it around for good.” If that were true, then why hadn’t God done that in her life?
Then, like the wind riding on the breeze, the thought that God had turned what Satan meant for her evil into something good, blew across her soul. She now had a great job, a beautiful home, and as she looked at Erik, a wonderful friend. For the first time in ages, Olivia wondered if God had indeed taken what was meant for her destruction and turned it into good. But how could that be? No, somehow He was punishing her as He always did. It was just that she couldn’t quite see how this time.
Her concentration switched gears when the truck next to them revved its engine. She’d ponder on that later.
Erik leaned into Olivia and talked close to her ear. “See the Dodge truck Chase is driving?”
Olivia turned her attention toward the truck lining up at the long mud-filled pit. “Yeah.”
“Before they got married, they built that truck together. On their wedding day, they ran it through the mud pit.”
“You’re kidding?” She spun her head and nearly collided noses with Erik. Her gaze shot to his before she jerked her face back. “Sorry.”
“Hey, no problem.”
Not understanding the twinkle in his eyes, Olivia decided it wa
s best to leave it alone.
“Nope. Before all the guests left, everyone went outside. I timed them while they flew through the pit.”
“That’s too funny. Is that all they do then? Build and drive bog trucks?”
“Well, that and other things. Chase and Camara opened up their own mechanic shop. Together they build boggers, restore classic cars, and do auto repairs. They love it.”
Quick as lightning Erik pushed himself up from the chair. “Here they go.”
Olivia jumped up and stood next to him. The roar of the engines sent a tingle up and down her spine. Mud slung in the air twenty feet or more. Camara and Chase were neck-and-neck.
Never taking her eyes off of the bog vehicles, Olivia stood on her tiptoes and yelled close to Erik’s ear. “How can they see? Their windshields are covered in mud.”
Before he could answer, the trucks were at the end of the mud pit, flying up and out, and the announcer’s voice came over the intercom.
“Chase Lamar’s time is 6.7. Camara’s time is 6.5.”
Erik grabbed her hand again and off he went. Olivia hurried to keep in step with him as they made their way back to where the contestants were parked. Camara and Chase drove slowly toward them and stopped. They revved their engines and shut them off. Olivia instantly missed the loud noise. There was something so masterful about it.
Both removed their harnesses and helmets, hopped out, and ran to each other. Mud covered their arms and splattered across their chins and clothing, but that didn’t seem to bother them because they threw their arms around each other and shared a muddy kiss.
Olivia quickly looked away, certain her cheeks were as red as the truck Camara drove.
“Great job, baby.” Chase praised Camara.
“You, too, sweetie.” Camara returned. They hugged and kissed again.
Olivia dropped her chin, slanted her head sideways, and looked over at Erik, wondering if he was as uncomfortable with the exchange as she was. He didn’t look at all fazed. Instead, a grin spread across his face. When Erik’s feet moved, she glanced up.
Erik swooped up his sister and swung her around. “Way to go, sis!” He set her down, then grabbed Chase and gave him a quick hug. He too, didn’t seem to mind the mud.
As they talked, loneliness and sadness vacillated across Olivia’s heart. How she missed her parents. How she longed to be part of a family like this. Erik was one lucky man.
Erik darted a glance her way, then did a double take before heading over toward her. “Sorry.”
“For what?” Olivia blinked.
“For ignoring you.”
Olivia waved her hand once. “That’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t.” He glanced back at Camara and Chase who had fallen into their post run rituals. “You look like something’s bothering you. Are you—”
Olivia jerked up her forefinger and pointed it at him. “Don’t say it. And don’t insult me by offering me a penny for my thoughts either.”
Erik’s forehead wrinkled.
“If you’re going to offer me money for my thoughts…” Olivia held her finger to her lips and acted like she was really concentrating hard. “Let see. With inflation the way it is, I think you should at least offer me six-bits.” She rubbed her chin. “Yeah,” she nodded once. “Six-bits just might do it.”
Merriment crossed through Erik’s eyes and then made its way to his mouth. He nodded and chuckled. “Well, I was going to offer you a dollar. But, hey, you said seventy-five cents. The way I figure,” he crossed his arms over his barreled chest. “I’m gettin’ off cheap. So, how ‘bout it?”
“How about what?” Olivia shrugged, feigning ignorance.
Erik dug in his front pants pocket. Change jingled as he dug around. Pulling his hand out, he flicked his way through his change and collected four quarters, two dimes, and a nickel. “Here. A dollar twenty-five should be a fair enough price for your thoughts.” He grabbed her hand and laid the change in her palm, curling her fingers over the money.
“That’s more than six-bits. But I’ll take it.” Olivia opened up her palm and pressed her finger over the quarter. “Twenty-five.” She touched the second quarter. “Fifty.” The next quarter. “Seventy-five.” Another quarter. “One dollar.” She flicked at the dimes. “One ten. One twenty.” And finally the nickel. “One twenty-five. Okay. It’s all there.” She put the money in her jeans pocket and blankly stared up at him. “Lands o’ Goshen. I forgot what I was thinking.”
“Hey. No thoughts. No money.” He held his hand out to receive the coinage back.
“I have news for you, sir.” She sent him her sweetest smile. “I never planned on telling you what I was thinking.” She whirled. “I just wanted a snow cone.” She laughed, then quickly sprinted toward the concession stand.
Chapter Ten
On the way to the restaurant, every time Erik thought about Olivia and the snow cone, his insides shook with quiet laughter. The more relaxed Olivia became, the more her fun side appeared. There were times, however, when sadness still shadowed her face. Something in her past had obviously caused her a lot of grief. In time, Erik hoped she would feel comfortable enough with him to share. After all, sharing one’s burdens helps lessen the load. Erik sensed her load was heavy.
He turned his pickup into the restaurant parking lot, pulled in next to Chase and Camara’s rig, and threw his vehicle in park.
“You’re sure lucky to have family.”
Erik barely heard her for the softness in her voice. “No, Olivia.” He shut the engine off and removed his keys.
She jerked her head so fast his direction he thought surely she’d snapped her neck.
“I’m blessed. Luck has nothing to do with it.” At her frown he wondered if he should say something else. But the tug in his spirit let him know to be quiet.
But there was nothing quiet about Olivia’s stomach when it rumbled.
“There’s that Roseman woman growl again.” He chuckled. “Humph. And I thought my monster truck was loud. It’s definitely no match for that stomach of yours. In fact,” he glanced in the direction of his sister and lowered his voice in a conspiratorial whisper, “I think Camara and Chase heard it too.”
Her attention flew toward them, standing at the front of his pickup closest to the passenger side. Erik laughed because they weren’t even paying any attention to them.
“That was mean.” The mock glare she gave him made him laugh harder. She opened her door and slid out before he had a chance to go around and help her. Good thing his mother wasn’t around. She’d give him a tongue lashing for sure. He got out, hit the lock button on his keys, and pocketed them. Tonight was certain to be interesting and fun.
♥♥♥♥
On the walk toward the front of the restaurant Olivia marveled at how comfortable she felt around these people. Only three weeks had passed, and yet it was as if she’d known Erik and his family forever. Even more amazing was how the weight of the past was slipping further and further away. It still hurt thinking about her parents and Hammond, but she no longer dwelled on it until the melancholy suffocated her like before. Now when she thought of things, Erik seemed to sense her sadness and did something to lift her droopy spirit.
Camara looped elbows with Olivia. The intimate gesture blessed her. Blessed? That word hadn’t entered her vocabulary for years. Erik was definitely rubbing off on her.
“I can’t wait to eat. I’m famished. How ‘bout you?” Camara asked.
At the mention of eating, Olivia’s stomach thundered.
Camara looked over at her and started laughing. “Guess that answers my question.”
“I heard that,” Erik said from behind them.
Olivia looked over her shoulder. “Your ears are playin’ tricks on ya.” Her cheeks warmed.
Erik fell in step beside Olivia. Chase followed suit with Camara, then he leaned his head forward and looked directly at Olivia. “Well then, my ears must be playin’ tricks on me too. If I didn’t know better, I’d h
ave thought someone fired up a bog truck.” He laughed good-naturedly.
While embarrassed over her Roseman stomach, Olivia loved the easy camaraderie. “What can I say? It’s a family curse.”
“Oh, but a cute one,” Erik said next to her ear.
Erik opened the restaurant door and waited while everyone preceded him inside. A male host led them to a table next to a window. Erik held Olivia’s chair out for her, waited for her to be seated, then settled into the chair beside her.
Olivia looked out the window. Moonlight cast its golden glow along with the rainbow lights rippling through the giant three-tiered water fountain. Full-embodied lions were on the bottom, and the next two layers were lion heads. Water poured from each lion’s mouth. Four lady statues holding water jugs with water streaming out them set on the brick edge of the fountain. While it was completely different from the fountain in Hammond’s back yard, it reminded Olivia how at Christmastime, Hammond would change the white lights to red and green. He loved Christmas. It was his favorite time of the year. Olivia waited for the sadness to come with the memory, but it didn’t.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it?”
She turned toward Erik, and once again their noses nearly collided. This time, however, she didn’t jerk back, but slowly moved away. “It sure is.”
A waitress with long red hair and blue eyes brought their menus. Knowing Erik’s love for blue, she wondered if he noticed her. One glance at him revealed his indifference. That surprised her because if Hammond were here now, he would be drooling all over her. The fact that Erik didn’t lifted her heart.
Olivia grabbed her menu and leaned back in her chair. While studying the prices on the menu, joy flooded the very essence of her soul. This time she didn’t have to calculate how much money she had or didn’t have. Three weeks of pay filled her checkbook quite nicely. Erik had refused to let her pay any rent or utilities in spite of all her claims that it wasn’t right. Instead, he just smiled and said they would work out the details later. And they would too. She’d see to it. Because of his generosity, a small wad of bills lined the bottom of her pocket. They felt glorious.
Coming Home: (Contemporary Christian Romance Boxed Set): Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope Page 10