After they ate, Chris went for a walk in the wooded area behind his home. The pup needed exercise, and Chris needed to push away the thoughts of loneliness that had slowly been invading his mind day by day. Hopefully the mountain air would clear his mind and help him sleep peacefully tonight. And maybe the reason God had given Erykah an emergency to handle was so Chris didn’t have to be alone tonight.
Maybe...
Nine
“Auntie Erykah, look at my drawing.” Cheyenne held up a stick-figure family.
There was one with a hat. That had to be my brother-in-law, Asher. The stick figure wearing a circle had to be Ellynn. Then there came a third figure with wild hair. Definitely Cheyenne. She preferred to wear her natural hair without constraint and fought Ellynn every time my sister attempted to braid it. There was also a little circle that more than likely represented the newest addition, Ashlynn.
“What a great picture, Cheyenne. You did an amazing job.”
She beamed. “Mama said I could put it on the fridge.”
“Oh, that’s the place of honor.”
She nodded, then skipped away.
“Hurry and tell me what you need to say before she gets back,” Ellynn rushed out. “You know she’ll take over this video call if you give an inch.”
I laughed. She wasn’t wrong. “There’s not much to say.”
“Well, what about the dog? Did you keep him? Actually name him Charlie?”
“I did.” I grinned. “He’s so sweet and likes to be near me.”
“How’s the potty training going?”
“Actually not bad. My friend”—my voice cracked—“is helping with that.”
“Friend?” Ellynn’s eyebrows rose. “Female friend or...?”
My cheeks heated.
“You’re blushing!”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not so light you can tell that.” At least I didn’t think I was.
“Of course I can tell. You’re mysister.” Ellynn leaned forward, eyes glittering with excitement. “How did you meet him? When did you start hanging out with other people? Is there more than friendship there?”
Her rapid questions made me want to hide, but this was Ellynn. We didn’t hide stuff from each other. Plus, she was probably trying to get as much in as she could before Cheyenne decided to come back. “We met by accident at a restaurant, then at the governor’s dinner. Since he called me friend. And, no, I’m not girlfriend material.”
Ellynn snorted. “Whatever. Anyone can be a girlfriend. You just have to meet your person.”
“Ell, I’m not like you. I’m not friendly. People don’t strike up random conversations with me.”
“Yet you connected with a stranger enough to now call him a friend.” She stared at me pointedly through the phone lens. “Obviously someone struck up a random conversation and thought you were friendly enough to add to their collection of people.”
“I hate that you’re right.”
She laughed. “Is there chemistry between you? Do you think there’s something more to the friendly feeling?”
“On whose part?”
“I knew it!” Ellynn pumped a fist in the air. “Youlikehim.”
“What’s not to like? He looks good in a tux but is perfectly comfortable in his log cabin and working with animals all day. The guy is actually somewhat of a celebrity.”
“Who is he?” My sister’s brow furrowed.
