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His heart hummed with hope. “How long is a while?”
“Long enough.” Her expression melded into tease. “But you might need to promise to come visit me occasionally.”
“I can do a lot better than occasionally. Toronto isn’t too far, or you can come visit me in the city. There’s plenty to see there.”
“I bet.” She turned to face the lake glimmering under rose-colored clouds. “But I don’t know if anything can ever quite compare with Muskoka. I love it here.”
“Me too.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tugging her close.
* * *
Sarah looked downat her naked fingers. The past was done. The future swirled with possibilities. She stretched her fingers that rested loosely in Dan’s large, tanned hand, where they looked so small and white.
He picked up her hand, kissing the back of it, then held it gently, carefully, securely, like she was precious and treasured. Her heart thrilled. This tough man was tender.Wow, God, I never expected this. You’re so amazing, aren’t You?
Dan smiled that melting smile again. She twisted closer to him. Honesty demanded complete openness. “But, Dan, I need to clarify something.” She swallowed. “About how our last day ended?”
“What’s that?”
“You know kissing you was an accident, right?”
He slowly smiled. “I know it was—at first.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I’m not in the habit of throwing myself at guys, just so you know.”
“Really? I never would’ve guessed. Not from the way you’ve made it so easy for me to get to know you this summer.”
“You don’t want a girl who’s easy, do you?”
He stared, a muscle twitching in his jaw.
“I didn’t mean that! Oh my goodness!” She squeezed his hand and smiled as the last rays of gold sank into violet water.
“Sar…” She glanced up. Dan was gazing across the lake, his expression strained. “You know nobody’s perfect, right?”
Her laughter faded at his serious expression. “Of course I know that. I know I’m definitely not perfect.” Her stomach tensed. And if this relationship continued for as long as she hoped, he’d definitely learn just how far she fell short. “But I also know we’re forgiven. And that makes everything okay.”
“Good.” His shoulders dropped. “I don’t want you to be under any illusions about me, especially when the hockey season begins.”
“And what does that include? Groupies? Late night parties?”
He nodded slowly. “There’s some of that.”
Really? Oh. The breeze picked up, wisping hair across her face. He picked up a strand and smiled, tucking it behind her ear with a caress that spoke of strength and security and hope for whatever lay ahead.
“Speaking of accidents”—the brown eyes begged a question that she answered with a smile—“this won’t be one.”
And he bent his head and kissed her, a heart-singing, wondrous promise for the future.
Chapter 20
The next two months passed in a blur of wonder. Wonder that she was still here in Muskoka, wonder that Dan liked her, wonder that God might still have good plans for her life.
Her item at John and Ange’s church had resulted in Enid and Doug practically begging her to take on the music, and had led Dan to say some sweet things before he’d needed to drive to a hockey event in Peterborough, then attend a friend’s wedding in North Carolina. But it wasn’t anyone’s compliments, rather the sense of utter rightness, the knowledge that she was once more doing what she’d been put on this planet to do, that made her soul truly smile for the first time in nearly two years.
So she’d started leading music in John’s church and had been surprised and encouraged by the number of kind comments she’d received. She’d even had some of the teens in the congregation ask if they could join too, seeing the songs now had words they understood. John had given his approval, so now the music ministry duo was approaching a team more like she was used to, with the addition of a couple of guitarists as well. Who knew? The way they were going, they might even one day score a drummer!
But it showed once again that God was gracious, God was good, that He had everything under control. And yes, maybe Ange was right and Sarah didn’t need to over-think things. Maybe she could relax and just enjoy the moments gifted to her.
