“If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me and your right hand will hold me.”
“What are you mumbling?”Jordan’s words shot past her in the brisk wind.
“Nothing,” she mumbled.Prying her hand loose from the mast, she gave him a tiny wave of reassurance, then grabbed hold again in a death grip.
Once the sails were up, the sailboat immediately keeled, and Skye fought the sensation she would fall overboard.“Dear Lord,” she prayed, “just get me out of thisalive.” Her mind whirled with the wind.All she needed to do now was tie off the sails in an eight-knot.But how does an eight-knot go?Every sailor’s daughter knows how to tie something so simple.How could she have forgotten?Everything fell into place suddenly, and Skye sighed in relief.
She crawled on all fours back to Jordan in the cockpit, her heart in her throat.
He seemed to be finding her escapades amusing, and there was no disguising the laughter in his eyes.
“We’ve got a good brisk wind,” he said as she lowered herself to safety.
“A brisk wind?”she said incredulously.“I’ve seen hurricanes of less force.”
“I thought you said you were an experienced sailor.”His eyes were beaming with a wicked, teasing light.
“It was only a slight exaggeration,” Skye said, defendingherself.“I sailed with Brad and my father several times.I may even have managed to raise the sails once or twice, but never in winds like this.”
Jordan laughed and motioned for her to join him.Skye went readily; fitting into his arms seemed to come naturally.Expertly Jordan maneuvered the helm through the open waters.
“What were you mumbling up there?You looked very intent.”
Lifting a strand of wind-driven hair from her face, she laughed.“I was talking to God, reminding Him that He said His right hand would guide me.I felt I needed it up there.”
Some of the amusement left his eyes.“Do you always talk to God?”
“Sure, that’s what’s known as prayer.”She smiled absently, enjoying the sensation of slicing through the water.It freed her spirit and lifted her soul.
“You really believe in this Jesus stuff, don’t you?”His expression was thoughtful as he met her gaze.
“With all my heart.”Her look, more than her words, stated the depth of her faith.“Is it so difficult for you to believe Jesus is God’s Son?”
Jordan was quiet, as if turning the question over in his mind.Skye could see he was uncomfortable.“From the evidence that exists, Christ lived on earth.Whether He was who He said He was is another matter.”
“Not if you examine the facts.”Skye didn’t want to be pushy.She had learned long ago that Christ was a gentleman who didn’t barge into someone’s life.He came only when invited.
“I guess what I don’t understand is that you all seem to think God is so good, but look at all the evil and bad things that happen.”
“That is difficult, isn’t it?I think one of the hardest thingsfor me to accept as a Christian has been the belief that everything that happens to me is for my good.”
Jordan gave a small unpleasant laugh.“Don’t try to tell me that injuring Billy was doing the poor kid a favor.”
“No, but you’re missing an important point.God didn’t cause Billy’s accident.He did allow it to happen, but ultimately it will be for Billy’s good.A Christian must see that in every situation.”
“Good grief,” he responded mockingly.“You really are a Pollyanna.Wasn’t that her game?The glad game?Finding something good in every situation?”
Averting her face, Skye could feel a lump forming in her throat.“I guess it does sound childish to you, Jordan, but I’ve put absolute trust in my God, and I believe that whatever happens to me or those I love is for the best.”
Jordan sighed, his look pensive.“Then I think we should agree to disagree.”
A brooding unhappiness settled over Skye.How could their relationship continue if Jordan differed so strongly with her religious views?With an upward sweep of her lashes, Skye glanced at him.His dark gray eyes were masked and troubled.Skye yearned to reach out and touch him, to answer the doubts that plagued him.The need crescendoed until she thought she would weep with the agony of it.She wanted to trust God, longed for that intense faith that would lift her above her own doubts.Instead she sat beside him weary and fearful that she hadn’t explained herself well.Unexpectedly the sun broke through the heavy clouds, offering promise.Skye’s spirits soared; she needed a promise, something to hold on to until Jordan recognized the truth.Smiling, Skye turned her face heavenward in silent communication.She was ready to trust.
“Hey, how about a sandwich?”she asked, feeling the need to lighten the mood.“I’m starved.”
Jordan’s gaze swept slowly over her face.“All right, how about a ham on rye with mustard, mayo, and pickles?”
“Yes, sir,” she responded with a twinkle in her eye.“One peanut butter and jelly coming up.”
