Page 19 of Still Afraid
She dialed the number.
“Hey, baby girl. How are you?”
“Hi, Mom. I’m all right.”
“Are you done searching?”
“Yes. I’m on my way home now after eating at Josh’s.”
“It’s going to be weird not calling it his house, isn’t it?”
Chloe chuckled. “For sure.” The laugh faded.
“How bad was it?”
“Eight out of ten bad. Not as bad as the one in Virginia a couple months ago.” She told her mom briefly about the people they’d found and ended her recap with the story of finding the little girl in the tree. “Josh was amazing.”
“He is pretty great. I’m so grateful he’s out there with you watching over my little girl.”
“Oh, Mom. You know God’s watching over me even if Josh isn’t there.”
Her mom laughed. “It’s so good to hear your children walking with the Lord.”
Chloe’s heart panged at the thought of Aaron and how he wasn’t walking with the Lord. She wanted to tell her she’d seen him at the campground, but she equally didn’t want to say anything—especially since he’d reeked of alcohol.
“I heard from Aaron.”
“You did?” At least Chloe didn’t have to bring it up. “I told him to call you.”
“And he did. Told me he saw you and you were all safe.”
“He didn’t want you to worry after the fact, but I didn’t want you to get mad at him for not telling you.”
Sorrow laced her mom’s snicker. “I appreciate it. We had a good conversation, even if it wasn’t long … I just keep praying.”
“Same.” Chloe pulled into her driveway.
“Are you home?”
“I am. Thanks for chatting.”
“You know I’m always here for you, and above all, I’m praying for you. May the peace of Christ rule over your sleep tonight.”
Her mom knew nightmares were a risk. “Thank you.”
They exchanged “I love yous” and “goodnights” before Chloe and Poirot made it inside.
After texting Josh to let him know she was home, she got ready for bed and collapsed into the fluffy covers.
Poirot curled up next to her and nuzzled his head under her hand. She petted him and fell asleep mid-stroke.
Saturday morning, Josh knocked on the hospital room door. He didn’t make rounds too often, but he’d been called in this morning to fill in for another doctor whose family had been affected by yesterday’s tornado. The advantage of working today was that CJ Wilson had been transferred to the hospital Josh had rights at, so when he was finished seeing his patients, he went up to check on the man they’d found pinned against the tree yesterday.
He entered the room. CJ was lying in bed, alert, with his wife by his side.
“Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, it’s good to meet you. I’m Dr. Josh Schneider. I’m thrilled to see you awake and alert, Mr. Wilson.”
CJ grasped Josh’s extended hand. “It’s good to be alive. And it’s CJ.”
