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Aziel crouched to pick up a large, pink-flecked stone on the railroad track. A red Cardinal called down to them from its lofty perch among the trees lining the shiny metal rails.
"I can't hold anymore!" Aziel shook Arlana out of her thoughts, his pockets bulging with sharp-edged rocks.
"Okay, well, we have to head home anyway. David and Rose will be here soon," Arlana tickled the back of her son's neck with the fuzzy pussycat branch she held in her hand, grinning when he giggled.
Aziel ran the remainder of the way up the driveway, disappearing within the barn, while Arlana arranged the stems on her veranda before her guests arrived.
Gravel crunched beneath large tires as Lachlan pulled up beside her in his black SUV. She was shocked to see him. No one had heard from him or Josiah in over a week.
"Hi," she smiled at the tall Scotsman, "Is everything okay?"
She fought to keep her voice calm, but her heart was racing. Where had they disappeared? Where was Josiah? Did Rivkah know he'd returned? Questions tumbled over themselves, but Arlana kept silent, waiting for Lachlan to bring up the topic.
Arlana reached for the door handle, "Care to come in? David and Rose are coming for supper and should be here at any moment. In fact, I thought you were them. I'd love for you to join us as well."
Lachlan smiled, "Thank you."
As if on cue, Rose and her husband arrived, parking beside Lachlan's freshly washed and waxed vehicle, Rivkah in the backseat. They smiled, exchanging greetings, Rose hugging her cousin. Her fingers touched the fuzzy tips of Arlana's pussy willow arrangement, "Oh this is lovely!"
"Thank you. Aziel and I just returned from gathering them. Please, come inside."
"It's a beautiful day. I think we'll just sit out here," Lachlan answered for the group.
"I'll be back with drinks," Arlana called over her shoulder.
Re-emerging carrying a tray, she joined her guests, the ice cubes dancing merrily within the pitcher of iced tea. Aziel plopped down at her side, reaching for the plastic cup she offered him.
They made small talk, no one mentioning the night he and Josiah had disappeared, or the weeks that had passed in silence. Looks were exchanged, but nothing was said.
Lachlan was attractive to be sure, but there were no "sparks." Josiah, on the other hand... Cheeks suddenly warm, Arlana rose to refill their glasses. Her heart fluttered a moment before it came plunging down to her toes.
Arlana didn't stand a chance. Just out of a relationship, she was being unrealistic, foolish even to think Josiah might share the same sentiments for her. Aziel, as much as she loved her son, was "baggage." It took a great man to take on another man's child and truly love him. Hiding her wave of emotion, she concentrated instead on the present.
****
ARLANA WAS THE LAST to sit down once everyone was served. Lachlan said a brief blessing then reached for the dish of steaming mashed potatoes, passing it clockwise. Clearly preoccupied, he waited until everyone had been served before speaking, "Rivkah, you'll be interested to hear this. The latest news is that President Trump has destroyed the peace treaty between Israel and Palestine...."
"Peace Treaty?" Arlana's face blanched noticeably.
Lachlan nodded, "Israel was in the midst of signing a tentative peace treaty with Palestine, willing to share Jerusalem with them, however, President Trump is moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and has declared that Jerusalem belongs solely to the Jews and is their God-given right."
"This is huge!" Rose instinctively reached out and clasped Rivkah's hand.
"Yes," Lachlan continued, "Israel and her prime minister are pleased with the president's decision, but they are saying the peace treaty is now off the table."
Arlana breathed an audible sigh of relief. "That was a close one! I mean, yes, I know that prophecy must be fulfilled, yet I wonder what this delay means now. In the Scriptures, God sometimes changed His mind but I can't help but wonder if He has delayed the inevitable. Has He shown mercy and given us more time to prepare for what will come? I don't agree with my sisters that President Trump is merely a puppet. From all I've read, the opposite is true. He is single-handedly fighting the system and the powers that be. I wonder what part he plays in prophecy..."
"I've heard many prophecies that he is a modern-day King Cyrus and God raised him up," Rose murmured, deep in thought, then seemed to abruptly change the topic, "How do you like living in this old house, my dear? We'll gladly help you with anything you may need, Arlana. This is a big change of lifestyle for you," she smiled kindly, "Here, let me help you with the dishes."
"Thank you," Arlana didn't argue, looking forward to time alone with her cousin.
Arlana reached for a tea towel and began to dry one of the cups which were swiftly accumulating in the dishpan.
Lachlan approached the women, standing so close to Arlana she could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck.
Arlana turned, nearly bumping into his broad chest. Flushed, she backed towards the kitchen counter, but Lachlan didn't seem to notice, or at least, didn't comment.
"I'll be coming by in the morning. Josiah asked me to keep an eye on you."
It was the first time Josiah had been mentioned all evening. A shadow passed over Lachlan's eyes but he didn't explain further.
"Thank you for your hospitality, I'll be here by dawn."
After a round of hugs, the house again was empty.
****
ARLANA GREETED LACHLAN with a cup of coffee and a warm smile as he stepped out of the SUV. He grinned, reaching for the mug, his fingers grazing her chilly fingertips. Glowing light emanated from the doorway, a toasty welcome in contrast to the nippy morning air. Lachlan didn't think twice when Arlana held out her hand ushering him into her toasty home.
"I brought some tools with me today," Lachlan swallowed the dark liquid, the heat not bothering him in the least.
"Can I help? I have my own tools and a toolbox too! I bought it with money my grandpa sent."
Lachlan raised an eyebrow, meeting Arlana's gaze. Were his eyes green? She could have sworn they were blue. What was the name for it? Iridescent?
Arlana nodded, "Of course, as long as you don't get in Lachlan's way."
"Can we start right now? What are we going to build? A house?"
"Something like that," Lachlan answered with an infectious grin as he placed his empty mug on the tray. "I'll keep a good eye on him," Lachlan called over his shoulder as he went to retrieve his toolbox from the trunk.
"I'll need my tools too" Aziel announced with a frown, "Don't worry, they aren't heavy." Aziel led the way to the back of the house where his tools were waiting, glazed in early morning dew.
It wasn't long before the steady rhythm of the hammer reached the house.
****
LACHLAN GLANCED DOWN at the top of Arlana's blonde head. The loft was looking better now, the leaks repaired. A moment later he leaped down from the ladder, reaching up to bring Aziel down from the loft. Brushing hay off his dark blue jeans, he stood before Arlana.
Why did he feel uncomfortably shy? Unused to this feeling, he began, "Arlana, I was going to ask you if you wanted to come to Ottawa with me but was waiting for a good time to bring it up. I guess there's no time like the present."
Arlana raised her eyebrow.
"When?"
"Tonight. After supper. Will you join me? I mean, you don't have to come..." Why was this so painfully awkward?
"What's going on tonight?" she prodded, hoping he would open up.
"I have a speaking engagement at a church in Ottawa. I promised Josiah I'd keep an eye out for you and thought you might like the drive," a dimple danced on his cheek, "You might even enjoy the service," Lachlan's charm didn't go unnoticed.
"I'd enjoy that. Will Rivkah be joining us?"
"No, she doesn't go to church," he glanced down at Arlana, a little surprised she didn't realize that.
"Right..." Arlana suddenly felt foolish, a tale-tale blush creeping over her features. Thankful for the dim light in the barn, she glanced away. "Will you stay for supper then?" Arlana leaned against the metal rail, tilting her head so she could look into Lachlan's eyes.
"I'd love to but I need to get home and change for the service. I'll pick you up..." His brow furrowed as he calculated how long it would take to drive and still make it in time for the service, taking into consideration the traffic. "If I swing by here at 4 pm, do you think you can be ready?"
"Of course," Arlana nodded.
Ottawa. Her sister lived not far from there, but as much as she would like to see Adelaide and her family, there just wasn't time to send a letter.
Waving goodbye, Arlana then wiped her hands on her long ruffled skirt, then headed back to the house to start preparing her and Aziel for their trip. Thankfully she had hours to spare, she faced the closet. What to wear? It had been a long time since she'd darkened the door of a church and she wanted Lachlan to be proud to be seen with them.