As she put her car into Park and removed the key from the ignition, Drew came out of the barn. Her heart quickened exactly how it did when they were younger. He’d always been handsome. Janie recalled how every girl in school wanted to be his girlfriend, but he never really dated. Now, as a grown man, he was just plain gorgeous. Tall and lean with a perfect build, he didn’t seem to realize how many heads he turned everywhere he went. That made him even more attractive.
“Well, hello there.” Drew sauntered toward the car and removed his sunglasses. His eyes twinkled, causing her insides to tingle.
Janie stepped out of the vehicle. It’s not a date. It’s not a date. She needed to keep reminding herself of this.
“I have a surprise for you.” He reached for her hand and guided her toward the barn.
“You know I’ve never been one for surprises.”
Drew laughed. “I remember, but trust me. You’re going to love this one.”
Janie’s eyes popped when she stepped inside the barn. Tears clung to her eyelashes. “Oh, Drew, it looks wonderful.” Without thinking, she threw her arms around him giving a giant hug. “I can’t believe you guys did all of this work so fast.” The smell of fresh cedar filled the space. “You replaced all of that rotten wood.” She glanced up. “And the roof! This is incredible.” Janie was overcome by the generosity of everyone who helped with the restoration. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay all of you.” She wiped her eyes.
“Come over this way,” Drew motioned.
All of the stalls looked brand-new. “Was all of the wood replaced?” Janie ran her hand along the door.
“It sure was.” Drew knocked on the side. “It’s Tigerwood. Basically it’s kick-proof lumber and low-maintenance. So, if you decide to get horses down the road, you’re all set.”
Overwhelmed, Janie took in her surroundings. “I planned on talking to you about horses—this is amazing!”
“Riley will love that. I do think having animals will be a big draw for the camp.”
Janie agreed. Initially she only thought about the extra work, but the children could help with feeding the animals and cleaning the stalls. They’d have fun while developing a good work ethic. “I think so, too. Thank you for suggesting it.”
“Did you notice that?” Drew pointed toward the loft.
“Oh my!” Janie ran to the brand-new cedar ladder and turned. “The kids will love this!” She quickly climbed to the top. “Look, there’s even fresh hay. It smells so good.” Janie peered down at Drew, smiling. A year ago, she’d been trapped in a horrible marriage, a relationship she never thought she’d escape. But she had. Now her life was so different. She was doing something that could have an impact on the lives of the children who visited the camp. Had God brought her home for this purpose? Or could He have even bigger plans for her? For the first time in a long time, Janie felt excited when she thought about the future.
Chapter Ten
Drew couldn’t recall the last time he’d been this happy. Seeing Janie’s reaction to the remodeled barn was something he’d never forget. Behind the wheel of his truck, he swallowed hard, sneaking glances her way while the two headed toward one of his favorite trails.
“It seems like a lifetime since I’ve hiked Rocky Gap,” Janie said gazing out the window as the vehicle climbed the steep grade.
“Remember when we were teenagers and you begged me and Nick to take you along on your first hike?”
Janie laughed. “Don’t even go there.”
“What? You were the one who wore flip-flops. Nick and I tried to tell you that you needed to wear hiking boots, or at least tennis shoes.” Drew remembered exactly what she’d worn that day and also how beautiful she had looked. In fact, he’d stumbled on a few roots because he had a hard time keeping his eyes off her.
“But the flip-flops went with my outfit.” She nudged his arm. “I know. It was silly.”
“You were so color-coordinated. Pink shorts, a pink-and-white-striped T-shirt, a pink baseball hat and of course, those pink shoes.”
“What can I say...I love the color.” She paused and turned to him. “I can’t believe you remember.”
Drew eased the truck into a parking spot located near the base of the trail and looked at Janie. “I remember everything about that afternoon. It was the day I realized I kind of had a crush on you.” His words surprised him. Had he really just confessed this secret he’d kept for years? Her cheeks blossomed in shades of red. “I’m sorry, Janie. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
She unbuckled her seat belt and opened the car door before glancing over her shoulder at him. “You don’t need to apologize. It’s kind of funny actually because I had a major crush on you back then. Why do you think I wanted the perfect outfit?”
Janie jumped from the truck and closed the door, leaving him to digest that news.
A crush? He’d had no idea. Drew sat alone for a second and considered Janie’s response. Lord, have You orchestrated this reunion? Shaking his head, he followed her out of the truck and onto the trail.
Forty-five minutes into the hike a sense of calmness had taken hold. This was why Drew hiked. Following the accident, these trails had become an escape from the guilt tethered around his brain. Hiking was his refuge. He slowed and turned to Janie. “Are you ready for a break or do you want to keep going?”
“Oh no, I feel great. Let’s keep going.”
Drew smiled. “The hiking boots make all the difference in the world, don’t they?”
“Definitely.” She laughed. “I can see why you love it so much out here. I think it’s great you can call this gorgeous sanctuary your office.” Janie tripped on a root that crisscrossed the path.
“Careful now.” Drew reached to steady her then stopped to take in his surroundings. “This place got me through the darkest days in my life. There were times I didn’t think I’d survive.” He paused to inhale a deep and steady breath. “I’d come out here and push myself to go that extra mile even though some days my legs felt like sacks of wet sand. The higher I went up the trail, the closer I felt to God.”
Janie looked around. A squirrel scurried by and ran up a nearby tree trunk. “I can see why.”
The sun filtered through the foliage, casting a radiant light on Janie’s complexion. Drew felt safe with her. He always had. He could open up to her without judgment or criticism. “Sometimes I think I spend too much time out here. Too much time alone.”
“Well, it’s your job.”
Drew agreed, but he was beginning to wonder if it was time to move on. “You’re right, but even when I’m not working, I’m here. My friend Skip thinks I’m using the woods to hide from life.”
“What do you think?” Janie questioned.
“He’s probably right. At first, I needed to be here in order to work through my grief. But now, I think it’s because I’m afraid to move on and start to live again.” He’d never admitted that to anyone, and sharing it with Janie felt good. “Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about a goal I had—before the accident.”
“I’d love to hear about it,” Janie responded as their pace slowed.
Last night, when he’d been unable to sleep, Drew had pulled out the box that contained his business plan and articles about similar businesses. “My wife and I had found a piece of property just outside Grayson’s Gap. Working as a paramedic took me away from my family for long stretches, so I was looking for something that would allow me more time with them. We planned on building a home and opening a year-round outdoor adventure business with hikes, white-water rafting, horseback riding, snowboarding, cross-country skiing...you get the idea.” Drew’s adrenaline ticked up talking about it again. “We were even brainstorming names.”
“I think that’s a fantastic idea, Drew. There’s nothing like it in the area, so I’m sure it would do well.”
“That’s
what we thought, too. With all of the tourists passing through, we’d have a steady flow of patrons.”
Janie’s steps came to a halt. “Maybe it’s time to renew that plan and go for it. You could use the land you’re inheriting from Mrs. Applegate’s estate.”
It was as though she’d read his mind. “That’s what I’ve been thinking about. I’m just not sure if I can do it on my own.” He and his wife had planned to run their business as a team. She’d handle the financials since she had an accounting degree and Drew would run the business operations.
“I could help you,” Janie offered.
“That’s kind of you, but you’ve got enough on your plate right now. And honestly, I shouldn’t even be talking about this until we get the camp up and running.” Drew removed his backpack and pulled the zipper open, removing two bottles of water. “What do you say we drink these and hike up to the overlook? It’s around two miles up.”
“Sounds good.” Janie took a long pull of her drink. “Just remember, the offer still stands.”
With less than a mile to go, Drew was impressed by Janie’s endurance. Without the flip-flops, she was a great hiker. Drew slowed his pace. “This part of the trail is a little tricky to navigate. Watch your footing and try not to get too close to the—”
Janie screamed as she slid down the embankment.
Drew’s instincts took hold. He sprang into action and assessed the situation. A section of the trail narrowed. She’d stepped too close to the edge causing the ground beneath her boots to crumble. “Hang on, Janie,” he called when he spotted her clinging to a large tree root. Beads of sweat peppered his forehead. She was only about ten feet down, but how long could she hold on?
More rocks fell when he stepped closer. He had to save her. Another life couldn’t be lost on his watch. Drew flung his backpack to the ground. “Janie, just hang on. I’ll get you! Hold on.”
“I’m trying, but my arm...it hurts.”
Drew struggled with the zipper on his bag. Please Lord, let this rope be long enough to pull her back up to the trail. He snatched the line and ran to the edge. “I’m going to drop this down to you. Make sure you get a firm grip on it and then I’ll bring you up.”
“Okay,” she whimpered.
When he dropped the rope where she could reach it, a moment of relief settled in. “Okay, hold on to the tree root with one hand and grab the cord with the other. Try to favor that arm in case it’s broken.”
Drew watched Janie slowly extend her hand to the rope. “That’s it. Now grab it with the other. You’re doing great, Janie. You’ll be safe soon. Just hold on.”
With slow and steady movements, Drew pulled. Janie moaned from below. Rocks tumbled down the mountainside as her body scraped against the ground.
“I don’t think I can hold on any longer, Drew. My arm—it’s not strong enough,” she cried out.
“Yes you can, Janie! You’re doing great. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.” He couldn’t. Thoughts of his family raced through his mind. No. Not this time. With focus and intentional pulls Janie got closer. “Good job. You’re almost there.” Biting down on his lower lip, he drew his shoulders back and with one final pull, she was in his arms, lying on the ground. “You’re safe...everything is okay.”
Janie sat up and Drew followed her lead. “Thank you for saving my life, Drew. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.” She threw her arms around him and buried her face into his chest. “All I could think about was Riley. What would happen to her?”
“Shh...don’t think about that. You’re safe now.” He pulled back and gently brushed his hand across her cheek, wiping away the tears. “Do you want to go see Riley now?”
Janie nodded. “Yes...please. I need to see my daughter.”
“Do you think you’re okay to stand?” Drew watched Janie slowly get to her feet.
“I’m okay—it’s just my arm,” she said, running a hand over her left arm.
“Here, let me get your jacket off so I can take a look.” He reached for her.
“No!” Janie jumped back with a start. “I’m fine. It’s just strained.” Her face reddened. “We need to go.”
Drew didn’t push it. As they headed down the path to the parking lot, Janie remained silent. Each time he glanced in her direction, she pulled on her sleeves while keeping her focus in front of her. What was it that she desperately tried to hide underneath the fabric?
* * *
Janie strolled along the sidewalk of downtown Whispering Slopes. Her arm felt back to normal after her fall during the hike with Drew. His quick instincts had saved her from being severely injured. She only wished she hadn’t reacted so harshly when he wanted to check her arm. But what choice did she have? She couldn’t risk him finding out about her past.
She squinted in the early morning sun and smiled. Janie loved the familiar shops. Memories of Saturday shopping trips with her mother flooded her mind. Before her mother became ill, they’d often spend the day hopping from shop to shop. Janie missed her shopping buddy. Her mother would have been a wonderful grandmother to Riley, if she hadn’t gotten addicted to the pain medication.
Outside Buser’s General Store Janie pulled open the door and the bell chimed. The scent of freshly baked muffins ignited her appetite, and her stomach grumbled.
“I’ll be right with you,” Mrs. Buser’s sweet voice called out.
Janie breezed over to the baking aisle, picking up a basket along the way. The cake Drew had brought over for dinner the other evening had inspired Janie. She wanted to teach Riley how to make the homemade German chocolate cake using their family recipe passed down from generation to generation.
“Janie... How good to see you, dear.” Mrs. Buser entered from the back office, gliding across the store.
The two embraced, then Mrs. Buser stepped back. “Where is that sweet little girl of yours?” She straightened her tight, gray bun.
Riley and Mrs. Buser had really bonded. When Janie picked Riley up after the hiking fiasco, she had talked nonstop about the fun she’d had working at the store. “I dropped her off at the library. They’re having an all-day interactive computer class for children. Riley was so excited she got up at six o’clock this morning.” Her daughter’s interest in technology made her happy. Riley’s school in Maryland believed in getting children working with computers as early as possible, and Riley was like a sponge, absorbing all of the knowledge she could. She’d even helped Janie out with the computer she’d purchased for the camp. “She loves anything high tech.”
“That’s wonderful. She is such a delightful child. We had so much fun the other day.”
Janie nodded. “I know you did. Over dinner that night, she went on and on about all of the fun things she got to do here. Working the cash register was a highlight of the day.”
“She’s a quick study and a big help, too. If you ever need someone to watch her again, please send her over. I’ll put her to work.”
Janie laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, but you’ll have to let me pay you.”
“Nonsense. She’s a good helper. I should put her on my payroll.” Mrs. Buser removed the pencil nestled in her bun. “So what can I help you with today, sweetheart?”
“Well, I came in to get a few items to bake Riley’s favorite cake.”
“And what is that?” Mrs. Buser smiled.
“German chocolate.”
The elderly woman rubbed her stomach. “Yum...that’s my favorite, too.”
“You’ll have to come over for a slice. You’ll love it. It’s an old family recipe,” Janie said picking up a package of flour and placing it inside the basket.
“Oh,” Mrs. Buser licked her lips, “I’d love to. Family recipes passed down through generations are the best.”
Once again, the sweet, sugary aroma tickled Janie’s nose. “What kind of muffins are you making this mornin
g? They smell divine.”
Mrs. Buser reached for Janie’s forearm and guided her to the counter. “I’m making chocolate chip with slices of almond.”
“Yummy...I’ll bet they are delicious.” Janie’s mouth watered.
“Have a seat. They’re just about ready to come out of the oven and the coffee is brewing.”
Mrs. Buser scurried back to the kitchen. The store hadn’t changed since Janie lived here. Just like One More Scoop, it was a place to relax and hang out. With the expansive counter, you could grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee before or after you shopped. What Janie had always loved most about Buser’s General Store was how everyone knew one another. She found that comforting. Janie’s shoulders relaxed as she gazed around the quaint store. This town was where she and Riley belonged.
Moments later, Mrs. Buser returned carrying a tray with one coffee cup and a plump, oversize muffin.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” Janie asked, eyeing the treat big enough for two. “I don’t think I can eat that by myself.”
Mrs. Buser placed the tray on the counter, removing the items and setting them in front of Janie. She rubbed her hands across her waistline that was outfitted with a red apron. “Oh no, my days of enjoying goodies have passed. I can’t allow these apron strings to get any tighter. You’re young. You have plenty of time to eat whatever you’d like, so enjoy.”
Janie pinched off a nugget of the warm muffin, then popped it in her mouth. “Yum...this is pure decadence. It’s melting away on my tongue.”
The woman smiled. “These are made from my great-grandmother’s recipe. She left behind so many. I always thought I’d like to publish a cookbook that contained all of her delicious food and desserts.”
“Maybe you should. This is too wonderful to keep to yourself.” Janie licked some chocolate from her finger, savoring every morsel. “Self-publishing is always an option.”
A Home for Her Daughter Page 10