He strode up toward the house, then turned to go around back where the chopping block was.
Gil and Miles had brought in some logs from a tree that’d come down in the last storm. Jonah snatched up the ax and attacked the first trunk with a vengeance, chips of wood flying.
The steady thwack and sting of the blade biting into the logs grounded him. He poured his frustrations into every swing, bringing home his anger as it sliced through the wood.
Footsteps scuffed behind him, and he tensed. But then he released his breath and swung again. He didn't turn, just kept at it until he’d chopped through the trunk.
As he turned the log face up to split, Eric’s voice sounded behind him.
“You all right?"
Jonah paused, the ax blade hovering over the log. He could pretend like all was well, like he didn’t care, but Eric had been a good friend these past months. And Eric knew what it was like to lose a woman he loved. Even though that woman had eventually come back to him. Chosen him.
Still…
He blew out a breath, then let his shoulders sag. "Not really."
"She’s something special, isn’t she?"
Jonah really must have worn his heart on his sleeve if the entire family knew his feelings. He turned to face Eric, and he couldn’t help the bite in his voice when he spoke. “She’s leaving. Taking Anna and going to Fort Benton. After that, who knows where. Anywhere but here.”
Eric's sharp intake of breath clamped fresh guilt over his chest. He should have broken the news more gently. Eric and Naomi had taken Anna into their home. She’d become like adaughter to them. But surely, they’d prepared themselves for this.
"I see." Eric's voice was rough with emotion. He cleared his throat. "I guess we knew it would happen. I'll...” He cleared his throat again. “I'll let Naomi know."
Jonah really was a cad.
He dropped the ax and leaned against the side of the cabin. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean...that wasn't the best way to tell you."
Eric shook his head. "It's all right. It's just...going to take some getting used to, is all. The thought of Anna not being here…" He met Jonah's gaze. "You going with them to Fort Benton?"
A new round of frustration twisted in his throat, and he lifted his gaze to the trees on the back side of the clearing. "I don't know. Jericho thinks I should. I’m not sure.” There were so many things he wasn’t sure of. Far too many to name.
Eric watched him for a long moment, long enough that his silence made Jonah want to turn and pick up the ax again. Slice through another log.
At last, Eric spoke. “Maybe if you tell her how you feel?—"
Jonah flexed his hands. Why had he dropped the ax? He needed something to squeeze if he was going to make it through this conversation. And be honest, anyway.
He didn’t meet Eric’s gaze. “Tried that. She’s leaving. What more can I do?”
"Fight for her." Eric's words came quiet but firm. "Look, I could say I’m sorry about Naomi, but I’d be lying. I’m not sorry—not even a little—because I love her. And when she left me, I didn’t just let her go. I searched for her. I hauled my sorry hide halfway across the continent to find Naomi. I hate to break this to you, friend, but Ifoughtfor Naomi. Maybe I’m a little sorry I had to take her from you, but I’m not at all sorry I got her back."
Eric folded his arms across his chest. "If you really care about Patsy, then you’ll prove it to her. Maybe thisisn’t all about you. You ever think of that? She’s obviously wounded, and scared. Maybe she needs a man who’s not afraid to prove he’s up to the challenge."
The knot in Jonah's middle twisted. Eric was right, probably far more than he realized.
Eric wasn’t finished though. “You can hang out here and feel sorry for yourself—that’s the safe choice. Or you could show her she matters to you. Show her she’s worth the extra effort on your part. A little risk.”
Jonah stared at the blurry line of the distant trees. Would it actually make a difference if he went with Patsy and tried to change her mind on the journey? She seemed pretty determined to leave. To have her own life.
If that was what would truly make her happy…
Or you could show her she matters to you. Show her she’s worth the extra effort.Did Jonah really think Patsy might be the woman God intended for him? They hadn’t even talked about God. Did she even know Him?
That should have been one of the first things he learned about her when he stopped trying to deny his attraction.Sorry, Lord.
He’d strayed farther from regular conversations with God than he’d like to admit. Ever since the mess with Naomi when Eric came, it had been easier to let his emotions run loose than to check them and seek the Lord’s guidance.
