AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dan shoveda hand through his hair, scanning the ground for the umpteenth time, then looked up at the young teen beside him. Travis had looked so miserable, Dan hadn’t wanted to quit searching. “Trav, it’ll be okay.”
“But Georgia said it was her engagement ring, from the guy who died.”
Dan nodded, heart going out to the wide-eyed youngster who looked so guilty. “It wasn’t your fault, buddy.”
“It feels like it is.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.”
He knew he couldn’t really blame himself, but still, Sarah’s white-faced accusations earlier had haunted him all afternoon. Some camp this was turning out to be. After Boyd and the others had finally come back from canoeing, he’d shaken his head no, and Boyd’s small shrug felt like another blow. When they’d eventually had the chance to talk, Boyd’s whispered, “Why on earth did she wear it here?” had mobilized Dan’s energy for another round of searching. They’d exhausted the possibilities around the volleyball court, including Travis’s careful list of the trajectories of possible landing sites. Where could it be? Sarah was right—the bottom of the lake wasn’t worth thinking about.
“Hey, Trav, we need to pray.”
The teenager nodded.
“Lord God, you know where the ring is. We need to find it. Please help us. Amen.”
Dan closed his eyes, trying to be still as a memory floated past. He looked over at Travis, who’d echoed his amen. “Let’s go look again while there’s still some light.”
Shadows were deepening as they slowly wandered back up the beach. A strange hope thumped in his heart. Please, Lord.They rounded the gnarled old pine where Sarah and Georgia had sat talking earlier in the day.Please…
And there, right at the base of the tree, half hidden in the sand, the diamond ring winked up at them next to the abandoned bottle of sunscreen lotion.
He exhaled. “Thank you, God.”
“Dan, you found it!” Travis was so excited and Dan so relieved, they burst into laughter.
Dan picked up the ring and examined it, unable to believe this tiny gold hoop and piece of carbon had caused so much trouble. He bit back a sigh. “You want to give it to her?”
“Sure!”
Travis bounded away, yelling about their find, the ring carefully clasped in his hand. Dan slowly walked along the sand, getting back to the campsite in time to witness Sarah giving Travis a giant hug, much to the boy’s delight judging from his grin. Dan stood in the shadows as Georgia and the boys whooped and cheered and Boyd’s face tightened in consternation as Sarah did her huggy thing again, exclaiming her thanks.
“But where was it?”
“Near the fallen tree up on the beach.”
Sarah looked up from her prize to the tree. “It must’ve slipped off while I was sunscreening…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked back at Travis. “Why did you look there?”
“Well, Dan suggested it.” A corner of Dan’s mouth pinched up at Travis’s admission. “He said you were sitting there earlier today.”
“Oh.” She looked up and somehow, through the dusky gloom, her eyes caught his. “Dan?” She stepped past Georgia and the boys and stood in front of him. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” She glanced back at the curious faces. “In private?”
“Sure.”
They moved through the trees until they’d cleared sufficient space, then she turned around. He caught the faint glimmer of tears before she looked down.
“I’m really sorry.” She blinked, then took a deep breath and looked up, her eyes sparkling with sorrow. “I’m really sorry for accusing you of not caring and for getting so upset. I shouldn’t have done that.” She looked down again. “Please forgive me.”
The sight of her, penitent in the evening wash of darkness, would’ve moved anyone. How could he hold this against her when he’d been forgiven for so much more? “Already done.”
She looked up then, and the relief on her face was so akin to what he’d experienced earlier it made him smile.
“Friends?” She smiled tentatively.
“Of course.” As if there was any other option.
But as she stepped forward and gave him a hug every bit as close and strong as the one she’d given Travis, whispering a thank you close to his chest, his heart started racing and he forgot to breathe. Maybe there was another option….
