Chapter 2

two

D avid had spent every moment of the three-day weekend outlining a foolproof argument, but ten minutes into this Tuesday morning conversation with Lance and Marco, already he'd been met with his fifth no . Too bad David couldn't erase that word from their vocabulary.

There had to be a way to express his concerns that would make his field administrator, Lance Everett, understand the importance of returning to Costa Rica. The collar of his button-down shirt chafed as David was met with another no. Why had he picked a dress shirt for this video call?

He picked up his coffee cup on the corner of his grandfather's antique desk in the study David had painted a few weeks ago as Lance once again refused David's request. Too bad the coffee didn't help the discouragement go down. Or bury the distracting thoughts of Sadie. Thankfully, he wouldn't have to see her again. He'd make sure of it.

"I understand what you're saying, Lance. You want to see me actively involved in the community. But you've also told me to take time to rest and recoup, which is what I've done."

Lance's face on the computer screen could rival a tired parent who'd been saying the same thing on repeat. "David, you went through a traumatic experience, and the mission board, me included, are concerned for you. We want to see you healed on four levels—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."

"I understand. I am in the best physical shape of my life. My medical exam showed that." Thanks in no small part to the new gym that opened up in town.

Lance leaned forward. "Agreed. But emotionally, are you ready? Your hands are still shaking."

David closed his eyes briefly and made sure his hands were off camera. Yes, they were shaking. "There's no medical reason for that, though. The doctor doesn't know why I'm shaking."

Marco Perez, Executive Director, chimed in. "Which has us concerned, David. What is the something else that's causing it?"

Who knew? He'd have to face it at some point. But David was learning how to handle it. It wasn't like his shaking prevented him from doing anything. He might have to slow down and concentrate more, but it didn't stop him.

"I've not spent this much time studying the Bible since college." Not that it had made a difference. All that time reading the Bible, and still no direction. Not one word from God. All his prayers seemed to just bounce off the ceiling. "Emotionally, I'm fine."

"Fine?" Lance looked down at the papers in front of him and back up. "Nate says you have barely interacted in any way with the people around you. That doesn't say emotionally fine."

That traitor. Nate was supposed to be on his side. David's gaze flicked to Marco's face, but he seemed to have his mind made up too. David ran a rough hand through his hair and sank back into the desk chair. "Okay. But Chris is pulling double, juggling his job and mine. Tell me what I need to do in order to go back."

Marco nodded but his stern expression didn't change. "Don't worry about Chris. We've brought in a temporary guy to fill your position."

They'd replaced him? His stomach churned, and he flexed his hand. "Is it someone I know?"

"It's a young guy. Fresh out of college. He was looking for a short-term opportunity, so it was a perfect fit. You've left the program in incredible order, and he had no problem stepping in. Don't let this discourage you, we want you back, but we want you healthy." Marco leaned forward with an encouraging lift of his eyebrows.

"What would that look like?" David worked hard to not let his resignation slip into his voice. What choice did he have in the matter? These guys were the key to getting back to Costa Rica.

"We'd like to see you connecting with people around you." Lance took a sip from his familiar Detroit Red Wings mug.

"I am connecting." Okay, so David wasn't doing a great job hiding his attitude. Instead, he sounded like a petulant child. He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.

"You are hiding, and if you're hiding there, what makes you think you won't hide in Costa Rica?"

Properly chastised, David rubbed at his shirt collar. They had a point, and he needed to accept their stipulations and work to meet them.

If they were in person, David knew Lance would slap a hand on his shoulder and squeeze it. "We have an outline in place to help you get back. If that's really what you want to do, we'd like to help you achieve that goal. But we want the best version of you to move forward. If you decide you'd rather stay stateside, there are other options within the board that?—"

"I want to go back." David needed to go back. Needed to hear God speak to him again. For God to use him again.

Lance exhaled. He looked down and back up. "Okay then. We want to see you out in the community. Nate will be there to work with you in person, but I'll be making a trip to Michigan soon, and we can meet up. I'd like to see you helping others, maybe find a temporary job. Whatever you feel you need to do to build relationships with the people around you. Why don't you work on this for the next several weeks, and the three of us can meet again mid-October to reevaluate."

David nodded. A to-do list. That was manageable. And no one would mark all the boxes and get back to Escuela Biblica de San Jose faster.

Already ideas were spinning through his head. He'd call the schools and see if he could tutor in the afternoon or volunteer at the nursing home where his uncle had lived before passing away. Maybe he could get a Sunday afternoon program up and running. If the mission board wanted to see him involved in the community, he would be the busiest person in Heritage. Maybe he could help with the planning for that fall fair…festival…town anniversary—whatever that sign had said.

"And, David." Something in Lance's voice pulled David's attention back to his field administrator and longtime friend. "As you readjust your focus, pray about your future. It's okay if God changes your plans. Often He works in ways we cannot explain, and it's only when we follow His plan that we find peace."

Good advice. Too bad all David heard was crickets. Ending the call, David closed his computer screen and reclined back in his office chair, steepling his fingers in front of his face.

Movement caught his eye, and he turned his head to see the cat someone had dumped on his property. He'd taken her in and named her Mamá Gata after he found her with five kittens under his porch steps before a storm blew through. She turned a circle and plopped down again, allowing her kittens close to nurse. The kittens were almost old enough to wean, and he'd need to find them homes before he returned to Costa Rica. Because he would go back. He'd do whatever it took.

David pulled open the top desk drawer and removed a pad of paper to make a list. If Lance wanted him to be involved in the community, then he'd get involved.

At the top of the list David wrote:

Volunteer

Then he wrote down locations he could contact.

Better to solve the problem than to dwell on the reality that Nate didn't approve his return.

A car door closed outside the office window. David pushed back from the desk, but one of the kittens pawed at his feet. He bent down to pick up the black kitten and cuddle it close. The soft body snuggled into his chest, purring.

"Hello?" Nate called out as he entered the house.

"In here."

Nate's face appeared in the doorway. "How did the meeting go?"

"You mean the one where they told me you didn't think I'm ready to return to Costa Rica?" David cringed. So much for not sounding bitter. He set the kitten down next to its mama and stood from the chair. "You seemed to have left that part out of our conversation on Friday."

Nate leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms against his chest. "I didn't say you weren't ready. I just expressed my concern with how you've locked yourself away. I only ever see you here and at the gym."

"I've been to family dinners."

"The few your sisters have insisted you attend."

Nate didn't understand. It was hard to reconnect with them because he was leaving again. If he got too close, he'd miss them all the more when he left. Being alone in Costa Rica without family—it was hard. He missed seeing his nieces grow, missed his sisters, missed all the big life moments. If he started partaking in all the family fun, it would just make it harder later.

David grabbed his notepad and a pencil and nodded toward the hall. Nate stepped backward. David left the office and walked down the hall to the main living area and plopped down on the couch. "So, I need to show you and the mission board I'm active and involved in the community. What time is Bible study tonight?"

"Seven."

"I'll add that to my list. Also, I need to find a job or a consistent place to volunteer."

Nate carried a bottle of water from the kitchen before he settled on the couch across from David. "With all the high school kids looking for volunteer hours, the area is pretty saturated, but you know, I think I heard that Hoover's wanted to hire someone. You've worked there before. That would be a good place to start."

"Nope. Not Hoover's." Not after he'd seen Sadie. Gary said his daughter popped in and out. He must have meant Sadie, but David wouldn't chance it. One meeting in ten years was one too many. He'd even dreamed of time gone by last night, of happy moments and scorching kisses. He'd gone years without dreaming of Sadie; he didn't want to start again. Especially since she'd married—even if she didn't have a ring on. "Definitely not Hoover's."

"I haven't heard if anyone else is hiring. You could see if Thomas needs help at the diner. They're always busy, but they also have several employees." Another of the kittens appeared, this one orange with black-and-white patches on her feet and face. It ambled into the room and headed straight for Nate's leg. He picked it up and the little fur ball snuggled into his arms.

"Practice before you take one home?" David added rehome kittens to his list.

Nate huffed while he scratched the kitten on the head. "I mean, it's a losing battle. Olivia wants one, so it looks like you win, man. One less kitten when they're ready for a home."

Good. Now he only had to find homes for four kittens and mama cat. Because he was leaving for Costa Rica as soon as he checked off this to-do list. All while staying far away from Sadie Hoover and her all-too-familiar smile.

The kitten squirmed and Nate set it back down. "I'll ask around and see if I can find any odd jobs for you."

David nodded. After all, letting Nate dictate some of his work might get his approval sooner rather than later. "Okay. Let's do it."

Finally, David had direction. A list and a plan. He'd prove he was ready to return to Costa Rica, and he'd make certain he didn't bump into Sadie again for at least another ten years.

The bell jingled as the door to the hardware store opened and a customer walked out. It had been five days since David had walked into the store, but even so, every time the welcome bell jingled—even when Sadie knew it was someone leaving—her heart rate picked up and sweat dotted above her upper lip.

It wouldn't be David. Because there's no way he'd come back into this store on purpose. He'd been a champion at avoiding her after he sprang the news of Costa Rica on her, so he wouldn't willingly waltz back into her life now.

The bell jingled again, and like Pavlov's dog, her heart picked speed, and she started sweating.

"Good morning," Sadie called out as she stood up and squeezed past the open box in the center of the aisle to greet whoever walked in.

Bob Whittiker stood inside the store, his hands in his pockets and his posture slightly hunched. The stark wrinkles of his face were even deeper as he looked around the store.

"What can I help you find? I'm doing a bit of rearranging, but I'll have it cleaned up shortly."

Bob stopped at the top of the aisle Sadie had been working in. An opened box with smoker pellets sat next to a pushcart filled with a project Sadie had taken off the shelf. He harrumphed at the sight and pointed at the aisle like he would point at a mess a dog made in the house. "What is all that?"

"Well, typically people smoke and grill outside, so I thought it would make more sense to have the pellets next to the charcoal in the outdoor living section." Sadie brushed the dust off her jeans.

"Where are the paint brushes now?" Bob glared down the aisle.

"I moved those to the paint section. What kind would you like?"

"I'll get it myself. I don't understand why you'd try to fix what's not broke. I've found my way around this store since you were in diapers. It was fine the way it was." The man beelined to the paint section and reappeared less than a minute later with a brush in hand. He paid and grumbled about young'uns changing things.

"Have a good day, Mr. Whittiker," Sadie called out with her best cheerful voice. The door had barely closed when she let her shoulders slump.

One cranky man, but how many more regular customers would be unhappy or unable to accept the changes she wanted to make?

Might as well finish the outdoor living section before someone else came in and fussed about the mess. The bell jingled, and Sadie's dad hollered a greeting.

"Hey, Dad. Did you bring the keys for the back room?"

Her dad wrinkled his nose and grumbled something under his breath.

"No worries. I'll get it later. Let's step into the office." Sadie led the way to the back of the shop.

"I take it you opened my chocolate drawer." Her dad settled into a black plastic chair in front of his old desk.

Sadie tapped the letter she'd left on the desk yesterday with a pencil. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I had planned on straightening everything out, but when I fell…well, this transition happened sooner than I expected. I didn't want it to be your problem."

"Since I'm taking over the business, I think this falls under my problem."

Her dad leaned forward. "Your mother and I took out that loan when the roof needed replaced. I kept thinking the store would turn and we'd be able to pay it off, but with each month, we got further and further behind."

"What are we going to do?"

"I'll fix this. It doesn't really affect the store or you."

"How can you say that?" Sadie bit back angry words and took a deep breath. This didn't need to turn into a screaming match. "If the bank forecloses, they can take the store."

"I know. I know. But I'm going to do what I can to make sure that doesn't happen. The store has been in the family for four generations now." Her dad's shoulders rounded. He looked down at his hands and threaded his fingers together before he looked up, his eyes rimmed in red and glassy. "And I promise that it'll remain in the family for generations to come."

Sadie opened the envelope and stared at the number again. The amount due was more than Sadie could scrape together. "I have some money set aside, but this is far more."

"Honey, I don't think this is your battle to fight." Her dad stood. "I'll talk to Bo Mackers at the bank."

"Since I'm taking over, this is my battle." Sadie stood, too, keeping eye contact with her dad. She would not back down from this challenge. She might have jumped into this without all the details, but she couldn't trust anyone else to solve her problems. And this was definitely a big one.

Her dad adjusted the straps of the sling at the back of his neck. "If you're certain. But, kiddo, we'll do what we have to?—"

"I'll see what I can do." It might not have been her battle before, but she'd blindly jumped into this mess. She'd have to figure it out now.

Dad rubbed his hand down his face and let out a breath. "If you insist, I'll go tell your mother. She's been worried about this. She wanted me to tell you before you moved."

"And you should have. I honestly don't know if I would have made the move, but I'm here now. The fourth generation taking over. We'll get it sorted. Together."

Dad walked around the desk, hugged her, then left. Sadie called the bank, hoping to make an appointment for tomorrow, but the bank manager was out on lunch, and his assistant asked her to call back later.

The day sped by between greeting customers and trying to organize the office and her thoughts. The bell jingled again, and Sadie stood, rolling her shoulders. Lottie would be home soon. The day had passed in a blur and she'd had entirely too much time questioning everything that had led her to sit behind her dad's desk. But she needed to let that tension go. Get ready to greet whoever walked in the doors. Customers and sales were even more important now with so much on the line. Every transaction mattered.

Inside the door, two women stood. Recognition dawned, and Sadie's stomach turned over as her footsteps briefly faltered. At least it wasn't David.

It was the next best—or worst?—thing. His twin sisters.

She knew she'd have to face them sooner or later. Unfortunately, it happened to be sooner.

Leah and Caroline were still just as beautiful as she remembered, their long red hair styled completely different. Leah wore her curls wild and free, while Caroline had straightened her hair into a smooth, tailored look.

Sadie continued walking forward, working to keep her footsteps even.

She opened her mouth to say something, but what? The only thing that came to mind was So how have you been since your brother dumped me? Probably not the best opener.

Before she could come up with something better, the sound of the bus's brakes filled the quiet air. Was it three already? The day had passed in a blur. Lottie would be barreling in the store any moment. Lottie who had hair just like David's sisters. Who had hair just like David. This could be bad.

"Hi. Welcome to Hoover's. What can I help you with today?" The twins turned in unison and studied her. Sadie glanced down at her simple black T-shirt and jeans. She'd managed to brush off all the dust, but the twins examined her like she was a ghost.

Leah with her easy-going personality made the quickest comeback. "I could ask you the same question. I didn't know you were in town. It's been what? Eight years since we've seen you?"

"Nine years." Not since the breakup. Nine years and eight months and five—no, six—days. Not that they would really know, or that she expected them to. "What brings you in today?"

Caroline exchanged a look with Leah. "I wanted to get a new drill for?—"

The front door of the store burst open, and Lottie skipped in. Throwing her backpack at Sadie's feet, Lottie launched at her. Quick reflexes were the only thing keeping Sadie standing as Lottie's full weight hit her.

"Hi, Mom! Today was awesome. You'll never guess what Lucy said on the bus!"

Sadie set Lottie down and gripped her shoulders. "Lottie, didn't we talk about running in the store? We have customers." Sadie gestured to the two women looking at them with rounded eyes.

"Oh! Look at your hair." Lottie pointed at Caroline's slick straight hair. "It's so pretty." Lottie pulled her own wild mess of curls in a low ponytail over her shoulder and ran her fingers through it. "I wonder if I could make mine look like that. Mom, will you do my hair that way tomorrow?"

Lottie turned back to Caroline. "Can I touch your hair?"

"Lottie!" Sadie stepped closer and draped her arm around the girl's shoulder. Heat climbed Sadie's neck, and her ears burned. Leave it to a nine-year-old to embarrass her in front of her ex's sisters.

Lottie shook Sadie's arms off. "Sorry." She looked anything but sorry. "Mom, can I run see Oma? She promised she'd make cookies today, and I want one before Aunt Romee eats them all." Lottie bounced on her toes.

"Go ahead. But remember when you come back to enter a little bit quieter. There may be customers." Sadie gestured toward David's sisters.

"Okay. I'll try." Lottie hugged Sadie and rushed back out the door, the bell jingling wildly. Sadie picked up the forgotten backpack and walked behind the counter to move it out of the way.

So much for being put together in front of David's family. Not that it should matter. Sadie huffed a nervous laugh. "Sorry. We're working on manners."

Another look passed between Caroline and Leah. This one she could guess. Lottie had red hair and brown eyes—just like David—and she could easily guess they were doing math in their heads. Which was stupid. She could say something to refute their troubled expressions, but she didn't owe them that. Most everyone in town knew Lottie was Bonnie and Jeremy Linden's little girl and that Sadie was adopting her. If they hadn't heard, it wasn't Sadie's fault, and she was under no obligation to clear up their assumptions. "Anyway, what brings you into Hoover's today?"

Caroline studied Sadie carefully while she spoke. "I'd like a new power drill for Grant. His is wearing out."

Sadie gestured for them to follow her and showed them all the drills she had in stock. Caroline quickly picked one up. "Oh, good. This was my top choice."

That was fast. Hopefully, they would pay and leave quickly. While Sadie rang up the drill, the sisters asked her questions, never dipping below the surface. How had she been? When did she get back in town? How long was she staying? Fine. Last week. Forever.

In a small town, it was guaranteed she'd see them. Now she had. The initial awkward conversation over, she could move past it.

Except as the bell jingled and they were leaving, Leah looked back at Sadie. "David's in town. I'll be sure to tell him we saw you."

Sadie froze. Of course she would. Because why not? Sadie's ears burned again. Go ahead. After all, she'd already seen him. It was no big deal.

Sadie couldn't think about David and his sisters. She had bigger problems. She pulled her phone out and dialed the bank's number. They answered but put her right back on hold. She leaned on the counter. Leah still stood on the front steps. Why was she still there? Sadie rose up on her toes.

Lottie was on the sidewalk chatting with Caroline outside the shop.

In her nine-year old excitement, she gestured at Caroline's hair again.

Caroline knelt down and Lottie touched her hair. Leah copied her sister's action and pretty soon the three of them were all laughing.

A pit formed in Sadie's stomach, and she rubbed at it, but it only made things worse. Okay, so maybe Sadie should have addressed the twins' assumptions, because it suddenly felt like a big deal.

A much bigger deal.

The bell jingled again, and Lottie skipped into the store, humming a happy tune with a ziplock bag filled with a few cookies. Dealing with the twins' assumptions would have to be a problem for later, because someone finally answered at the bank.