Page 118 of Concrete Evidence
God, help me. I want to crumble. So many concerns, and I need You to help me stay strong.
In the kitchen, Tessa sipped on coffee. Avery had never seen one teenager inhale so much coffee. But with what Tessa placed in it, the taste must resemble a candy bar. This morning she sat at the counter staring at her phone with a tall glass mug of some sugary delight and a huge mound of whipped cream. A straw perched from the top like a flagpole on a snowy mountain peak. Avery kissed the top of the teen’s head. A pair of green eyes smiled back at her.
Donita stared out the breakfast area patio, no doubt feeling similar angst. Avery poured another cup and stood beside the woman.
“Good morning,” Avery said.
Sad eyes stared back at her. Had she been crying? “Morning.”
“Need coffee?”
“No thanks. I’ve had plenty. I saw where people living in low areas faced evacuation by boat.”
“I pray the dam holds.”
“I pray that too.”
Avery studied the identical gloom from earlier in her bedroom. “We all are filled with too many fears.”
Donita tilted her head, a lovely woman who had given Marc his gorgeous brown eyes and olive-colored skin. “I’m glad my son has a good friend like you. This is difficult for all of us—the deaths, the threats, and unpredictable weather.”
Avery gestured around her. “This house feels like a prison. I long to ride, and I thought you, Tessa, and I could have some girl-time. So far, we’re stuck inside because of the rain, wishing we were ducks.”
“Rather than sitting ducks?”
Avery moaned. “Good one.”
“Is there more between you and my son?”
Sounded like a question repeated from last night with Granddad. “We’re good friends.”
“A solid relationship begins with friendship. Is that why he kissed you?” A smile played on Donita’s lips.
“Tessa tell you?”
“Yes. We’re getting to know each other quite nicely. She’s precious.”
“Smart and very typical.” Avery swung her gaze to Tessa, oblivious to the world except on her device. “Marc’s a good big brother. He’s looking forward to building a home for Tessa and him.”
“They were to search tomorrow, but another day will do.”
“Marc and I are still friends.”
“Uh-huh. Let’s see where that goes after this nasty business is over.”
Another phrase echoing from Granddad.
“He has lots of hurt inside him for the way his father abandoned us. When Abbott found the courage to ask Marc for forgiveness, he was killed.”
“Don’t you think he’s viewing his dad through Tessa’s eyes? I mean,in a healthy way? He told me about chats with her, and those were positive. He also told me about finding evidence of his dad keeping up with his growing-up years.”
“I agree, and time with prayer is the best prescription for both of them.”
Tessa stood from the kitchen counter. “Hey, can we do something? Even if it’s with umbrellas? I’m so bored.”
Or had Tessa changed the subject because talking about Marc and their father was uncomfortable? “Sure,” Avery said. “Any suggestions?”
Mia entered the kitchen. “I heard your question. Here are two ideas for you lovely ladies. A visit to the stables and riding in the enclosed arena. The second is a cookie bake.”
