“No.” He closed the book and held it up. “Bible study.”
“Oh.” The single word reply was almost a gasp. He didn’t just tell others of his faith but lived it. She crossed to sit on the log closest to him. “Do you mind reading aloud?”
His cheeks reddened, and his brow furrowed.
“Unless you don’t want to?” she asked, no longer feeling welcome.
“Of course. Just…I started from the beginning again, and I’m at Genesis and…”
“Adam and Eve?” she asked. “It is not good for man to be alone?”
He nodded.
“Is this the moment you tell me about your wife?” She tried to make the words playful but a muscle in her jaw twitched. “It’s not my business.”
“There hasn’t been anyone,” he murmured. “No one really…completes me the way…”
Now or never. She took in a deep breath, finding her resolve. “We did?”
“I know you’re not staying. You’ll probably leave the second you can after this misguided hike in the woods.” He chuckled, but the laugh sounded forced.
“I never wanted exile. But now I…” A lump clogged her throat. “How would I come back? What would I do?”
“We need therapists here, too. Your skills make you desirable any place you want to live.”
She appreciated the encouragement. But if her sister had been murdered and the case remain unsolved, would she drive herself into a death spiral with searching for the conspiracy? She wouldn’t be any good to anyone like that.
“Just consider it,” he murmured. “I don’t suppose you thought to bring instant coffee with you?”
“In fact, I think someone did. Hold on one second.” She walked to her tent and pulled her backpack out of the tent as quietly as possible.
Back at the fire, she produced two mugs, two packets of instant coffee, and a bottle of water. They filled up the mugs with water, Emma ripped open the packages of granules and poured them in each mug, and then they held the mugs near the flames.
“I suppose the best I can do is get the water above room temperature.”
“Anything sounds like heaven right now,” he said with a sigh.
She had much to think about with what came next. But first she had to focus on the present and their current circumstances. Either they were being eliminated one by one or terrible accidents kept happening by pure coincidence. Neither was a good thought. “Did Christine leave? Did you see her go?”
He nodded.
“How was she this morning?”
“Better. A little shaken up, but I think she’ll get to the camp, maybe go to the hospital to get checked out. She and Jennifer will probably be gone when we get back.”
Emma knew that had been likely to happen, but hearing her thoughts confirmed made her heart ache. She’d wanted more time with her old friends. A proper goodbye would have been hard but worth the tears. “Can I tell you something terrible?”
“Is it that you think the allergic reaction was somehow caused on purpose?”
Now she had a turn to nod her head and keep her mouth shut.
“It’s not terrible. And I’ve had the same suspicion,” he murmured. “Problem is pinpointing who and why. I still don’t have a clear understanding of motive.”
“I don’t know what happened while I was in the refrigerator. Anyone could have planted the chocolate.”
Nylon rustling preceded the tent flap opening, and Margaux appeared much the worse for wear. She squinted in their general direction, her hair sticking up straight. Her face looked puffy like she’d been crying. Maybe feeling guilty over last night?
Emma felt bad for not hearing sobs last night. What else had she missed?
