“Well,” he said as he scrolled down, “she is certified in it, so we’re good.”
“You might be good,” she said wryly. “I’m a mess.”
He pushed his phone into his pocket. “Once you have the appointment scheduled, let me know. I’ll drive you there.”
“That’s okay. I have a car. And a license, even.”
“And I have a suspicious nature. I want to be sure that you meet with her.”
“Oh.” Genevieve was accustomed to people liking her, admiring her, and believing her to be better than she was. Blunt Sam, in contrast, knew the worst thing about her. She didn’t have to pretend with him, which was both humbling and incredibly freeing. “In that case, I’ll reach out to you when I have the appointment scheduled.”
He resettled his baseball cap and tilted the back of his skull against the house.
She considered him, this man who owed hernothingand who’dbeen there for her nonetheless. She couldn’t help but like him a little. He was very easy on the eyes, for one thing. For another, it was difficult to dislike a man who baked bread this yummy.
“Are you familiar with the Bible?” she asked.
“Why’d you shift to that topic?”
“I followed my thoughts there. Are you? Familiar with it?”
“Somewhat familiar, yes.”
“You’re a Christian.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yeah.”
She could often tell a believer from a non-believer. Even when the believer was a virile, straight-talking man who didn’t seem like the type to raise his hands when worship music played.
“Do you remember when Joseph’s brothers threw him into the pit with the intent to kill him?” she asked.
“I do.” He hesitated. “Are you about to compare Joseph’s time in the pit with your time in the pit this last week?”
“Yes, lucky you.” She might not be scheduled to preach on a stage for the next few months, but that didn’t mean it was possible for her to stop preaching. “God knew how everything would play out, so His rescue plan was already underway long before Joseph was thrown in the pit. Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him, but then, lo and behold, a caravan bound for Egypt arrived on the scene. The caravan had been on its way for days. Think about that. The brothers decided to sell Joseph as a slave to the people in the caravan instead.”
Sam nodded.
“This cottage and you, Sam, were my caravan.”
Sam didn’t roll his eyes or shake his head. He simply met and held her gaze.
She’d lost hold of her connection to God, but Genevieve could recognize His hand at work.
“That’s the first time anyone’s called me a caravan,” he said, deadpan.
“You were on the way before I stopped in front of your farm the other night,” she said. “You’re the vehicle of escape He provided.” Goose bumps skittered down her arms.
“You’re giving me too much credit. I didn’t even want to let you stay here, remember?”
“Thank you for everything.”
“Wait to thank me until after you receive my bill.”
He was joking. ... She was pretty sure he was joking. “I’d love to reimburse you,” she told him sincerely, even though half the groceries he’d brought were so wildly healthy that she might not be able to lecture herself into eating them.
“I’m expensive,” he said.
“That’s fine, because I’m rich.”
