20

The next afternoon, Laureen spoke over the top of Franklin’s head as he fastened her red wool cape. “We’ll be home before suppertime, Hayley. Since pork chops are in the slow cooker, we’ll just need some baked potatoes and a salad.”

Hayley handed Laureen her black leather purse and soft, knit scarf. “No problem. Will Max be here?”

“I think so. He’s doing all the chores, but you may want to check with him about his supper plans.”

“I will.” She sighed. Too bad Trevor couldn’t join them, but he’d warned her the next week would be hectic. He’d promised to come tomorrow. Would they get a chance to walk in the fields again? Her lips tingled as she relived his kiss. Heat rushed to her face, and she ducked her head.

Franklin opened the door, his attention on his wife. “Let’s get on the road, my dear. We need to hurry to the doctor’s office so we can spend lots of quality time in his waiting room.” He winked at Hayley before offering his arm to Laureen. “Enjoy your quiet time, young lady.”

Hayley moved to the window to watch them leave. Franklin treated Laureen like a precious treasure as he fastened her seatbelt and tucked her cloak around her. Yearning threatened to swamp Hayley, and her eyes filled. That’s what I want, Lord. A forever love like theirs. The tenderness between Franklin and Laureen had forced Hayley to rethink her definition of love. The bickering and carelessness her parents displayed had sent her searching for love from anyone who offered it. And look how that turned out. She clenched her jaw. Never again.

Hayley climbed the stairs. Was she making the same mistake with Trevor? They hadn’t known each other long. And Trevor would leave for Toronto, the place of her darkest moments, in less than a week. With a sigh, she sat at her desk and opened her computer. Enough daydreams. They couldn’t support her, and she couldn’t expect to stay at the farm once Laureen healed. Time to catch up on her accounting course. And her dull, cubicled future.

A couple hours later, Hayley rolled her shoulders as she hit Send. Almost caught up. She’d grab a drink, start the potatoes baking, and then tackle another lesson before the Hieberts returned.

A door slammed, and Hayley glanced at her watch. That was fast. She hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. Hunched over the sink stood Max. Big, scary Max.

Hayley turned to leave but remembered she had to ask him about supper. She cleared her throat just as the water shut off.

Max swiveled. “Miss Hayley. Didn’t hear you when I came in.”

“I-I was upstairs. Studying.” She straightened her spine. “Will you be here for supper? There’s plenty. Laureen wants to know.”

He tilted his head. “But you don’t, right?”

Hayley wished she could disappear. “That’s not what I meant.”

Max grinned, and it lit his whole face. Crinkles framed his bright, deep-set eyes, and the tops of his ears turned pink. “I shouldn’t tease. I apologize, Miss Hayley. I appreciate your kind invitation for supper. Any time I can get a home-cooked meal, it just makes my day.”

“Guess your day’s been made, then.”

Laughter burst from the big man. “Well done! Glad to see you’ve got some backbone.” He lowered his bulk onto an oak press-backed chair that looked too delicate for his large frame. “Franklin tells me you’re studying to be an accountant.”

Hayley nodded.

“You good at it?”

“I will be.”

“Great answer. So what’s your ambition? Big city office? Small town? Maybe do books for small businesses and farmers?”

Hayley stared at him. Why hadn’t she thought of that? She’d assumed she would join her father’s firm—a thought less appealing by the day. She didn’t want to follow in his footsteps, steps leading away from his family to cater to the rich and powerful. But helping small businesses or farmers? Yes, that appealed, especially if it meant she wouldn’t have to move back to Toronto. She sank into the chair opposite Max. “Small businesses. Farmers. I…could…do that.” Her smile stretched wide. “Thank you.”

“Glad to help.” Max leaned forward, his big hands clasped. “Got a message for you. You are a special young lady, Miss Hayley, and God saved you for a purpose. Do you understand?”

“I-I…don’t know. I mean, I know Jesus died so I could be forgiven. But a purpose? For me?” She shook her head. “No, I don’t understand.”

“Got a Bible?”

Hayley nodded.

“Good. Read it. Ephesians.” Max stood and walked out.

~*~

Trevor snapped the computerized till shut and grinned as his customer headed for the door. Sold! His latest custom bike, still unfinished, had brought a higher price than anything else he’d built. Pride swelled his chest until reality hit. This would be the last T. Hiebert creation built at Easy Rider. He spun away from the counter and nearly stepped on his boss’s toes. “Carlos. Didn’t hear you come up.”

“No problem. You did good, T-man. I watched you open up to that guy. Made him want it. Great sales technique. And I noticed you’ve been grinning and humming all day.” Carlos’s dark gaze speared Trevor, and his voice softened. “You that happy to leave?”

“No, man.”

Carlos stroked his goatee. “Then what? Care to share?”

Last night’s sky illuminated with glorious northern lights, Hayley’s delicate hand in his, her warm lips pressed against his mouth. “Um…No, I don’t think so.” His face burned.

Carlos stared at him for a full minute, his eyebrows forming a V.

Trevor stood tall, but had to press his lips together, or his tell-tale grin would reappear.

Several heartbeats later, Carlos chortled and slapped Trevor on the back. “You got yourself a woman! Way to go, T.” Carlos started to walk away but paused and looked back. His smile disappeared. “Not the best timing, though, eh?”

“We’re still getting to know each other, and there are issues.” Not-so-small problems like her faith and his lack of it. For some reason, that seemed more significant than the distance between Saskatoon and Toronto. Last night, he’d shivered, whether from cold or the thrill of Hayley in his arms, he didn’t know. The caress of her breath as she’d whispered, I wish you knew Jesus, and I wish you’d stay. It haunted him. She haunted him.

Carlos cleared his throat. “If you change your mind about talking, I’ll be in my office.”

“Thanks for the offer, but no.”

What good would talking do? Carlos’s stormy divorce a couple years back had affected the whole shop. But that was the old Carlos. Before he’d “met Jesus.” Both Carlos and Hayley had changed, and they’d both said Jesus made the difference. Maybe hashing things out with his boss wasn’t such a bad idea. He looked around.

Ryan was helping the only customer in the shop, so Trevor caught his attention and pointed from himself to the office. Ryan nodded and turned back to the middle-aged lady trying on helmets.

Trevor wasn’t sure what he’d say, but something pushed him toward Carlos’s office.

The office door stood open. Carlos faced the wall behind his desk, his voice low as he spoke into his phone.

Trevor hesitated, leaned against the doorway. Maybe he should come back later.

Carlos swiveled his chair and held one finger up. One minute. A moment later, Carlos ended the call. “What can I do for you, T?” He had an oddly excited look on his face.

Trevor had never seen his boss this…sparkly. “Um…I thought I’d take you up on your offer. You know, to talk.”

“Take a load off.” He indicated a chair.

May as well get comfortable. Trevor blurted the first thing that came to mind. “Her name’s Hayley, she’s incredible, and she’s like you.”

Carlos’s eyebrows shot up. “How so? She got a stylin’ beard?”

Trevor snorted. “Of course not. She’s gorgeous. Fiery hair, hypnotic green eyes, and a killer body. But I mean, she believes in Jesus and everything.”

“And she still likes you? Well, praise the Lord.” Then his smirk morphed into a grimace. “I’ll bet it’s got you tied up in knots.”

Yeah, that pretty much summed up the condition of his gut. “How can I know if it’s true?” The words burst out. “That God is good, I mean. After what I’ve seen…and done…I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

Carlos clasped his hands, tilted back, and closed his eyes.

Trevor wanted to discuss God, not get pulled into His presence. Maybe this was a mistake. But when he tried to rise, an unseen pressure pushed him back.

When Carlos reopened his eyes, his glowing face mesmerized Trevor. “Listen, T, Jesus is the key. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is Emmanuel, God with us. You gotta get to know Jesus.”

The words hit their mark—straight to Trevor’s heart. And melded with Hayley’s whisper. I wish you knew Jesus, and I wish you’d stay. But he couldn’t stay. It was settled. And Jesus? Maybe. Someday. A dark haze filled his vision, and a silent voice whirled around his head. Get out while you can. Don’t give in. God never helped you. You know that. Trevor struggled to his feet and fought the urge to drop to his knees. “I’ll think about it.” But not now. “Thanks, boss. Appreciate your opinion.”

Disappointment flitted across Carlos’s face before he nodded. “Not my opinion. It’s the truth.”

Keep going. No regrets.

Trevor stopped in the doorway. Looked back.

Carlos sat with his head bowed.