Page 54 of Solid as Steele
“He could stop it all, but then He would have to take away our free will.”
“Right now, I would give that up to have Cassie live.”
“Was Cassie a believer?”
“Yes.”
“Then she’s in a good place.” She looked at him. “I know that sounds cliché but it’s true.”
“My mom said the same thing before I left.” He looked down. “I’ll have to try to remember that and other things you’ve shared with me.”
“I don’t mean to be patronizing by saying your grief is insignificant due to Cassie going to heaven. Your grief is very real, and I am here for you to talk about it all you want or need.”
He nodded then leaned his head back on the seat.
She let him rest and would wait for him to speak again. She was honored he opened up to her at all. The guy she’d first come to know had been pretty quiet, but that Owen hadn’t known who he was. This was Owen who knew very well who he was.
The miles rolled under the tires until they were out of the metro area, the humming making her sleepy. She spotted a sign for a gas station. “Mind if we stop for coffee?”
“Not at all.”
She pulled off at the exit and into the brightly lit station. “You want a cup?”
“I had some with my parents, but I’ll be glad to stretch my legs.” He climbed out.
She left him behind, poured a cup of black coffee that looked like sludge for herself, and dug into an icy freezer for two ice cream bars. Ice cream was her go-to when she felt down. She paid and found Owen leaning against the side of Ryleigh’s car, his ankles and arms crossed. His whole body vibrated with tenseness like a taut guitar string. She was afraid he might snap.
Without a word, she handed him the ice cream. He arched a brow but took it. She set her cup on the roof of the car and leaned next to him. She opened her bar and bit into the coffee ice cream coated with chocolate, chopped almonds, and toffee pieces. He opened his too.
They stood there eating. Not speaking. But a bond was forming. One she could almost reach out and touch.
“Good,” he said when he’d finished the last bite and licked the stick. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She took the wrapper from his hand and disposed of them both in the trash.
Back at the car, she reached for her coffee, but he caught her hand and drew her into a hug and held her tightly. His desperate struggle for meaning and understanding emanated from him along with the warmth that chased away the damp evening chill.
Nothing romantic about his hold, but a desperate need to connect with another human being when a life had been lost too soon. When the world’s evil had intervened in a vibrant life. When it was the closest thing to receiving a hug from God.
“Thank you for everything,” he whispered against her hair. “You’ve made this bearable, and I thank God for putting you in my life.”
Ah, yes. Maybe this was God’s purpose in bringing them together. Nothing romantic, but Christian love.
She was glad to be God’s hands on earth. Honored even.
So why was she disappointed it might be the only reason she connected with Owen?
Owen pounded hard on the door to wake his brother-in law and each second Owen waited, his dread grew in seeing Keith. Not as much as with his parents, but the added anguish was twisting his gut all the same. Once again, Mackenzie waited in the car. Owen regretted having to ask her to stay, but Keith deserved to hear the news without a stranger facing him too.
A sleepy Keith in a T-shirt and sweatpants answered the door. “Dude, do you know what time it is?”
“I do.” Owen pushed his way past Keith and went directly to the leather couch. He didn’t let any time pass before breaking the news.
“I knew it.” Keith started pacing. “I knew she wouldn’t just up and leave me.”
Owen didn’t know what to say to that as he didn’t know the intimate details of Keith’s relationship with Cassie, so he said nothing.
Keith marched back and forth. “I need to go to John Day. Talk to the sheriff. Demand action.”
