Chapter 39

thirty-nine

JACOB

I slowed my truck to let a family walk across Main Street. After meeting the couple who’d be living in one of the new tiny homes, I was even more certain that this was where I needed to be. I glanced across the cab and smiled at Andrew. “We were lucky we didn’t run out of food.”

“Thank goodness the catering students at the church made more sandwiches. I don’t know how much extra money was donated, but the jars we left on the tables had to be emptied a lot of times.”

I was surprised by how generous everyone had been. “The money going into the jars was worth far more than the food or drink people consumed.”

“That’s Sunrise Bay for you,” Andrew said contentedly. “Everyone wants to help, and they’re excited about what we’re creating. I hope other communities around the country see what we’re doing and try something similar.”

“Pastor Adam might end up touring the country, telling other towns about what you’ve achieved.”

“He might, but I think that’s the last thing he’d want to do. Adam has a lot of programs he wants to start. If he was away from Sunrise Bay for too long, he’d worry that nothing was happening.”

“He’s a good man.”

Andrew nodded. “There’s someone else who deserves that title, too. Did you donate the money for Mr. Jessop’s greenhouse?”

My hand tightened on the steering wheel. “Why do you think it was me?”

“Because it’s the type of thing you’d do.”

I would have preferred not to tell anyone about my donation, but Andrew was different. He would understand why I hadn’t said anything to anyone.

“I talked to Mr. Jessop about the community garden. He gave me a copy of the quotes he received and told me about the greenhouse he liked the best. After I spoke to him, I saw Adam. Even though the church’s priority is the tiny home village, Adam could see the advantage of growing vegetables throughout the year. So, I transferred the money into the church’s trust fund, and the greenhouse was ordered. If it all goes to plan, construction should start at the beginning of next month.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I sent Andrew a rueful grin. “I didn’t want you to see me any differently because of what I’d done.”

“Where have I heard that before?”

“I guess we’re more alike than we think.” I stopped at the intersection and wondered if the red light was an omen.

Andrew frowned. “What’s bothering you?”

I should have known he’d realize something was wrong. “Do you think people can be too alike?”

He tilted his head to the side. “I’m not sure. I’ve never met someone who’s exactly the same as me. What about you?”

I thought about the people I’d spent a lot of time with over the last few years. Apart from their shared experience of working in refugee camps, they were my polar opposite. Maybe that’s why I hadn’t met anyone who mattered more than Andrew.

The light turned green, and I slowly accelerated. “I see more of myself in you than in anyone else I’ve met.”

“Being similar isn’t a bad thing. In a lot of ways, my mom and dad are like each other. They have the same values and want similar things. But in other ways they’re chalk and cheese.” Andrew looked down at his hands. “If you’re having second thoughts about dating me, it’s okay.”

I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just…” I tried to find the words to describe how I was feeling, but nothing seemed right. “In the last few weeks, my life has completely changed. I’m probably going through some kind of culture shock.”

“Or a mid-life crisis,” Andrew joked.

My lips twitched. “That, too.” I looked across at Andrew and sighed. “I want to be part of your life so much that it scares me.”

“You aren’t the only one. This is new for me, too. I never thought I’d fall in love with someone so quickly. But here we are.”

“Are you glad we found each other?”

“I’m shocked we found each other. Until Shane and Jonathon’s wedding, you were working in Afghanistan, and I was in Colorado. You can’t get more different than that.”

A weight lifted off my shoulders. “That’s true.”

“And you like pumpkin soup. I hate any kind of soup.”

“I’m feeling better already.” I grinned at the smile on Andrew’s face. “Maybe we should make a list of all the differences between us. When everything feels as though it’s going too well, we can read the list and feel normal again.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re a little weird?”

“No, but I’m glad you’re the first. That’s another thing we can add to the list.”

Andrew groaned, and I fell even more in love with him.