Chapter Thirty-Six

GABE HUNG UP THE PHONE and sank back into the couch cushions, at once wrung out and completely wired. When Kendall had called, he’d certainly had no idea that she was wrestling with the ideas of God and salvation. The whole time he had been talking, he’d had a running litany of prayer in the background that went something like: Please God, don’t let me lead her astray. Don’t let me screw her up. Give me the right words.

And God had answered apparently, because by the time they’d hung up, Kendall was a new person.

Fitz nudged his hand, an indication the dog didn’t appreciate that he’d stopped petting him, as he’d done for hours while talking to Kendall, an unconscious action. He chuckled and scratched the dog’s ears. “You attention fiend. Now you’re going to expect hours of doggy massage every night, aren’t you?”

The shifting of bushy eyebrows could have meant either “That’s not an option?” or confusion that he was even questioning the wisdom of the action.

After all the crying Kendall had done, she was likely sound asleep now. But Gabe had an idea that was not in the cards for him. He could think of only one thing.

The only barrier against them being together was gone.

And yet at the very thought of pursuing her romantically, he slammed into a big mental brick wall.

No.

God rarely was so clear with him, but there could be no questioning that answer.

Was that what this was all about? Was their friendship, their barely begun romance, merely a vehicle to bring Kendall to Christ? Was Gabe just a stop on whatever path God had intended for Kendall all the time? When she’d called, he’d been half-hoping she’d gotten home and realized that California wasn’t where she wanted to be, that she wanted to come back to Jasper Lake.

But now he couldn’t deny the possibility that none of it had been for his benefit, only for hers.

No, that wasn’t true. They’d needed to work together. The attorney had filed for the injunction and felt confident it would be granted on Monday or Tuesday. His dad had called to say that he’d heard from his friend at History Colorado who confirmed that the grant application had been received and would be considered, even though it was late. Turned out she was a history buff and actually had a deep appreciation of the Arts and Crafts movement in England. Another thing that couldn’t possibly be a coincidence.

Had Kendall not come, he wouldn’t be raising a motion to the city council to change the zoning on Monday. And he certainly wouldn’t be on speaking terms with his father again, something that felt a little bit like an ill-fitting suit. They’d grown out of the family friend relationship they’d had when he was a boy, and now they were going to have to figure out what a new father-son relationship looked like. If he were completely honest, it was something he’d always secretly wanted but never wanted to admit.

But now he wasn’t sure if it was enough.

Because talking to Kendall made him realize that in two short weeks, she’d become one of the most important people in his life. It seemed impossible. They’d worked together and kissed twice. But he couldn’t help but admire her bravery, particularly because she didn’t recognize it as such. In two weeks, she’d had her world turned upside down. She’d had to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her past and her family. She’d reconnected with foster parents and realized the error of her memories. And she hadn’t been afraid to abandon her long-held belief when faced with the evidence that, indeed, life was not haphazard. That she had been guided all these years by a loving and patient God.

How could he not love her? Whether or not they ever had the chance to fall in love, he wanted the best for her, even if it was at his own expense.

For that reason, he was going to heed the warning in his spirit that said to do nothing. To not let on the depth of his feelings. Because what he wanted right now seemed not to be important, not if it interfered with another new relationship she would be working on.

“You know, Fitz,” he said with a sigh. “Be glad you’re a dog. Because sometimes being a human sucks.”

Fitz just wiggled forward so he could get more of his body on the couch.

“Yeah, thanks, buddy. I’ve got you as long as I keep the kibble and the scratches coming.”

Gabe might fully believe God had a plan. He might be willing to be obedient to it.

But that didn’t mean he had to like it.

Sophie was supposed to be at her boyfriend’s house, so Kendall nearly jumped out of her skin when the front door slammed late the next morning. She leapt out of her office chair and poked her head out of the office, a hand held over her pounding heart. “Soph? Is that you?”

Sophie stopped short. “Oh, sorry, Kendall. I just came home to grab something. I didn’t expect you to be here.”

Kendall blinked at her. Breezy, confident Sophie just stood there guiltily. “I texted you that I’d be home yesterday. Didn’t you get the text?”

“Yeah, I did. I just . . .” Sophie shifted from foot to foot, looking around the room.

Kendall narrowed her eyes. “Soph, what’s going on? Level with me.”

Sophie gestured for them to take a seat in two of the chairs at the round table they used for design consultations. “I really didn’t want to do it this way.”

Kendall blinked. “Do what this way?”

Sophie grimaced. “I got a job offer.”

“What?”

“And I took it.” Sophie rushed on, “I’m so sorry, Kendall. I really value everything I’ve learned from you, and it’s been great working with you, but the past couple of weeks have proved to me that I’m capable of more than what I’m doing here. The Thomas project is going really well, and someone else wants to hire me . . . My clientele is taking off.” She reached for Kendall’s hand. “Can you ever forgive me?”

Kendall sat there, frozen in shock. And then she started to laugh.

Sophie suddenly looked terrified.

“How long have we been friends, Soph?”

Sophie looked like it was a trick question. Only then did Kendall realize that what she’d seen as a friendship maybe didn’t mean the same thing to Sophie, who had a life outside of the design group. Kendall had been a mentor, a roommate, but had they ever really connected with each other on a deep personal level?

“How long have we worked together?” she rephrased. “Four years, right?”

Sophie nodded.

“In all that time, I was afraid to let go of any of this business because it was all I had. I had to make it work, because as you know, I have nothing to fall back on. But leaving and coming back to all this . . . I realize I’ve been underutilizing you. You are capable of so much more than I gave you credit for. You’re an excellent designer in your own right, and you’re also apparently a good businessperson.” She took a deep breath. “In fact, I was about to ask if you wanted to become a full partner.”

Sophie looked at her, her eyes wide. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes. Or no. It’s your choice.”

Sophie hesitated. “Here’s the thing, Kendall. I’ve watched everything you’ve had to do to get this business up and running. I see the money going out. I see how close we are to being in the red every month. And I just don’t think I have it in me to take on that kind of responsibility.”

“I understand,” Kendall said, though the hope she’d felt moments before deflated. “You’re sure you won’t stay? As a designer, of course, not as my assistant.”

She cringed a little. “Kendall, the offer is with Joseph Kramer.”

“Wow.” Kendall sat back in her seat. Joseph Kramer? “Wow.”

“I hope you don’t feel like it’s a betrayal because he gave you your shot. Because it was partly the fact I worked with you that made him want me. He had nothing but great things to say about you and your work. But we both know that I’m a different designer than you are. And . . .” Sophie shrugged. “I can make a lot more money there. I know that shouldn’t be the deciding factor, but it is. Southern California is expensive. It’s the difference between having my own place someday and continuing to live where I work. And I know you love it, but sometimes I just have to get away. That’s why I spend so much time at Sean’s place.”

Hearing it put that way, Kendall realized how backward she’d had everything. For Sophie, this was a job, not her home; she’d never been as dedicated to keeping this house as Kendall had. Now Kendall wasn’t even sure why she was so attached to it.

“I’m actually kind of glad to hear you say that,” Kendall said. “Because I’m letting this place go.”

Sophie gasped. “You’re kidding me. Is it because you couldn’t sell the properties in Colorado?”

“Partly.” She didn’t tell her that it was because she’d chosen to keep them, for reasons she was only beginning to understand. “But also because I was holding on to it for the wrong reasons. I thought it was my home, and I thought home meant everything, and now I realize there are things that are more important.”

“So . . . what are you going to do?”

“Well, we didn’t sign the lease, so I suppose I’m looking for a new place to live,” Kendall said. “I’m committed through Christmas, but I’m going back to Colorado for the holidays, so I guess we need to be out of here by then. Is that going to be a problem?”

Sophie shook her head. “I’ll just put my furniture into storage until I find an apartment. I’ll stay with Sean until then.”

“Good. I think.” Kendall sat back, her hands in her lap. What else was there to say?

“Kendall, are you okay? You seem . . . different.”

Kendall took a deep breath, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face, even if it was tinged with irony. “You have no idea.”

“The trip to Colorado was a good thing, then?”

“It was exactly what I needed,” Kendall said. “I feel like a different person.” She would wait to tell Sophie that she’d found God. . . . Right now, with all the changes Kendall had announced, Sophie might think she’d joined a cult and was pledging all her money to it or something. Besides, Kendall wasn’t sure how to put the experience into words. Didn’t know what it really meant to her yet. Other than it felt like after carrying the weight of the world for years, she’d finally shifted it to the rightful shoulders.

“I have to tell you I’m really relieved by your reaction. I thought you might feel betrayed.”

Kendall took the words in and nodded slowly. “A month ago, I would have. Because this was all I had. I was hanging all my hopes on the success of this business. But now . . .” She shook her head. “It’s important, but it’s not the only thing.”

Sophie was still staring at her like she’d grown another head. “So I guess we’ll discuss the plans for my transition on Monday?”

Kendall nodded. “You should take the new client with you. I know they called here, but they asked for you. And quite frankly, mid-century modern isn’t my thing. I think I’ll stick with the historical restorations.”

Sophie was trying not to look giddy, but she was failing. She stood and unexpectedly threw her arms around Kendall’s neck. “Thank you, Kendall. For everything.”

“You’re welcome, Sophie. You’re ready. Everyone saw it except for me, and for that I’m sorry.” Kendall disentangled her. “Now go. I know this was just a quick stop-in.”

Kendall watched her assistant—former assistant, soon to be former employee—leave the room and then sank back into her chair. She’d made the decision to give up this house on the spur of the moment, but it had been percolating in her mind ever since she’d decided to keep the property in Colorado. She had enough of a reputation to continue working out of a smaller house, without a showroom. All the furniture would shift to the warehouse she was already paying for, and she could get out from under this crushing lease.

It felt like the right move.

And then she wondered if maybe she should pray about it. It was a new idea, running her thoughts by God. She didn’t even know how He would answer. With an audible word? With a sign? With a feeling that she was doing the right thing?

Will You show me my next moves? I don’t want to make a mistake.

Maybe not eloquent as prayers went, but Gabe made it seem like it was that easy.

Now she just had to wait for an answer.