Twenty-Two

When the call came from the zoo, Gina struggled to slip into her professional demeanor. So much had happened in recent months to obliterate it.

She at least managed to relay that she was available to come to Seattle for an interview late next week. Almost numb from an onslaught of conflicting emotions, she didn’t know how she felt. After hanging up, she went out to the backyard and sat in the old Adirondack chair. The shady spot kept the hot 86 degrees from being unbearable.

First of all, she needed a job as soon as possible. But did she want to be a veterinarian in a zoo setting again? That’s what I’m trained for, what I’m experienced in, it’s my lifelong dream…but can I do it?

Despite the summer heat, a chill went through her.

She could work with other animals. Smaller, domestic types. She could go back home, scour the huge Los Angeles area for a vet office that needed an assistant, learn as she went.

She could go back to school, become a teacher of veterinary medicine. Somehow. Somewhere.

This was avoiding the subject.

What did she think about the job interview? What would they think of her? On the application she had explained the trainer’s lack of control, the accident, and subsequent dismissal. She had been honest.

Well, for the most part anyway. She hadn’t gone into detail about her complaints. Her ineptness when she returned to work. Her lawsuit.

But surely her complaints were valid. Surely she had the animals’ best interests at heart. Surely she would have regained skill and confidence given time. And the lawsuit? Simply a formality. A necessary complication. A legal way to shake up the administration and protect the animals.

Oh, she was still thinking in circles. She needed to talk out loud and get another opinion. Mother was gone, but she was too close to the situation anyway. Lauren was just too plain giddy. Friends back home had drifted away, especially those from work.

She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, telling herself to calm down. The heat enveloped her, and she thought of how different the air was here. Unpolluted, and yet so thick it seemed tangible, as if you could grab a fistful of it.

In the stillness she heard that one bird’s odd song…like a squeaky swing, back and forth, back and forth.

Brady.

She opened her eyes.

Brady?

It made perfect sense to talk to Brady.

And that was exactly why she wasn’t going to call him. It shouldn’t make perfect sense that a new acquaintance was the person closest to her heart.

She shouldn’t be noticing how good-looking he was, how soothing his voice was, how comfortable it was to bury her face in his shoulder. She shouldn’t be wanting to roam through his beautiful acreage or putter around his rustic kitchen.

Oh, for goodness sake, she shouldn’t be missing the man after three days.

Maybe it was his books. She had finished the first one and started another that he had given her. His portrayal of Jesus taught her why He was God, and it warmed her heart. There were practical lessons in seeing life from God’s point of view, but this warming trend that flowed toward Brady made no sense whatsoever. But he had been the one to help her understand what a relationship with God meant. Of course she would be grateful to him for that.

It just didn’t help that he was so…her type.

She sighed.

What would he say? He would say pray about it.

“Dear Father, please help me sort this out. About the job, I mean.” She paused in her murmured prayer. “Okay, about Brady, too. Friendship is one thing, but I suppose You know what I’m feeling.” She winced. “Attracted. And I’m sure You know perfectly well I am not interested in that sort of relationship right now, especially not in Valley Oaks! Amen.”

Aunt Lottie poked her head out the back door. “Are you all right, honey?”

Gina nodded. She loved how she called her honey. You just knew the woman would do anything for you. Like listen.

In the dining room, Gina rejoined Aunt Lottie at the round oak table where they had been crocheting when the telephone had rung. That is, Aunt Lottie had been crocheting, often stopping to guide Gina’s fingers in the intricate pattern of the piece that covered the table.

The women had spent many hours in recent days doing this. It was a pleasant diversion that made Gina feel as if a corner of the early 1900s still existed. In that corner loud music had been replaced with the rhythmic ticking of a cuckoo clock. Instead of frantically searching for a job, she was getting to know her great-aunt. Rather than mall shopping for a wedding gift, she was creating a unique one.

She flexed her fingers. Well, if not wedding gift, perhaps first anniversary. “I wish I would have known how to do this a few months ago while I was in the hospital.”

“I’m just so sorry about that, honey, and about your job.”

“I know. That phone call was for an interview. In Seattle. And I’m not sure what I think about it. Since I’ve been talking to God more—”

“And knowing He’s listening.”

“Yes. I’m wondering how I’m supposed to pray about this?”

“I don’t think there’s a right and wrong way to pray. Prayer is just talking to God. Tell Him what you need. He knows it anyway, but He wants you to ask. Otherwise, when the need is filled, you might forget He did it.”

“But how do I know whether or not this is the right job?”

“Did they offer it to you?” Her blue eyes sparkled in her round face.

“Well, no. I have to go for the interview next week in Seattle.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

“But I don’t know if I want this job.”

Aunt Lottie smiled. “Of course not. You haven’t been there yet. This reminds me of the car story. You can sit in a car and turn the steering wheel all you want, but it’s not going to go anywhere until you turn on the engine and step on the gas pedal. Life is like the car and you’re the driver, but God does the steering. And He can’t steer unless you get moving.”

“So I should just go for the interview and see what happens?”

She nodded, her fluffy white curls catching the sunlight shining through the window. “Step on that gas pedal and don’t worry about any of it. Just do whatever He puts before you. Right now you’re healing, I think.”

Tears sprang to Gina’s eyes. “Mm-hmm.”

“And all you really had to do was get ready for a wedding and spend some time with an old lady. Now you have the possibility of getting a job. So it would seem this is something good from God to investigate.”

“I guess it’s one of those windows you mentioned before?”

“See? He opened it right up. But you have to promise me something.”

“What?”

“Don’t be gone too long. I’m getting used to having you here.”

Gina hugged her great-aunt, thinking how she was getting used to being here.