Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,58

to me," she whispered.

They were both silent a moment as their gazes meshed, each seeming to delve into the other.

"And right now we can't get away from each other because, well, storm," he said, waving his hand toward the darkened windows. "So we'll have to figure out how we go on."

"Carefully?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

He knew it wasn't realistic or practical to expect anything else from her, but he was thankful she was still willing to move on.

"I think that's a good idea."

What shape that would take he wasn't sure, but for now, this was enough.

Chapter Twelve

Adele sat on her bed, her flashlight sitting on the table beside it, sending a cone of light into the room and out the open door. The heat of the fireplace couldn't quite keep the rooms upstairs as warm as the ones downstairs, but she was comfortable enough if she kept the door open.

It was too early to go to bed, but after she and Wyatt talked, she knew she needed to retreat, regroup, and think.

Pray?

For a moment Adele wished she had the Bible her foster parents had given her. She had left it behind in her apartment in Whitehorse. She hadn't read it for ages.

But now, she wished she had it.

Her mind ticked over the conversation she and Wyatt had. Wondered what she was allowed to think. Allowed to feel.

She knew they were attracted to each other. She also knew that, as Wyatt said, they had to be careful. But she knew that while she was with him, she felt a sense of rightness, of completeness, she had never felt before. That had to mean something, right?

But where did she go from here?

She thought of the paper still tucked in the pocket of her blue jeans.

You can't abandon your plans now. You can't abandon Leah now.

But could she walk away from Wyatt? From Dean?

It was at this moment that she missed Sally the most. Sally had been her sounding board. The person who could always look at the bigger picture. Look at things in their proper perspective. Even as she lay dying, she was giving Adele advice on how to run the bakery, how to set things up.

Encouraging her to go to church, read her Bible. Pray.

Adele pressed her hands to her eyes, wishing she could stop her roiling and confused thoughts.

She took a breath and looked heavenward, as if waiting for some sign.

I don't know what to do, Lord, she finally prayed. It was all she could manage.

And yet, as she and Wyatt laid things out just a few moments ago, she felt as if he, more than anyone, understood her fears. Acknowledged them.

Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.

The verse slipped into her mind, and despite her own confusion, it made her smile. It was a verse that Bonnie had printed out and framed and hung in Adele's bedroom. The verse had comforted her many times when she wasn't sure of where her life would go.

And now, it seemed to show her what she needed to do. Rather than try to figure everything out, to solve all the problems, she needed to trust. To release control. She felt a momentary clutch of panic. She couldn't do that. Not yet.

So she picked up her phone, glanced at the time and how much power she had. Thankfully enough.

She dialed Leah's number.

"Hey, everything okay?" Leah sounded breathless.

"Um. Yeah."

"I was just packing for my trip to Edmonton. I decided to leave tomorrow morning first thing. That gives me a chance to check things out before the auction on Saturday. I won't be as rushed."

"That should give you more than enough time, but yeah. Good idea."

Leah was quiet a moment.

"Are you okay?" Adele asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Excited. Nervous. But this will be cool. I'm still thrilled that you’re willing to take me on board. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time." She released a sigh. "Sorry. I know this happened because of Sally but still—"

"Don't worry about it," Adele assured her. "I know Sally was pleased I managed to find you."

"So, what did you want?"

"To check in. Touch base. We haven't talked for a while."

"I know. How are things going with Dean and...and his father?"

"Good. Now. I think it’ll all work out."

"And you? Are you okay with leaving him behind?"

No. I'm not okay at all. But he's not my child, and this is a