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Dylan leaned forward and lifted the bowl he still held. “We should get in line. Eli’s going to be on his second trip through before we even get our potato salad on the table.”
“Sure.” Marie placed a hand on Grayson’s arm. “Nice to see you.”
“Thanks,” Grayson answered.
They wandered away, but Marie’s words lingered.
I can let it separate me from God, or I can let Him use it to draw me near.
Beth faced him, waiting. “Are you eating?”
“I need to get back to the barn.” His growling stomach betrayed him with a loud rumble. “It does smell good.”
“You’ll need some calories if you’re going to be able to keep up with the hefty to-do list I’ve got for you.”
“Seriously? I thought I was pointing kids down the trail. And I need to work with Tally.”
“This is the part where you help me help you help me.”
Grayson’s jaw went slack. Um— “What?”
She shook her head. “Just trust me—it isn’t that bad. It’s hay and farrier and a manure pile. Complete some tack repairs. Unless you want the hard stuff. Accounting, fundraisers—Do you know anything about grants? Because I have a big grant renewal and new grant applications to complete.”
He held up his hands. “Oh, no thanks to that.”
Eli ran up with an oversized fudge brownie on a napkin. “I brought this for you, Aunt Beth. Mom said she didn’t feel up to eating it.”
“Thanks, sweetie.” Beth took the brownie. “I guess I’m starting with dessert.”
Grayson shook his head and watched Eli’s retreat. “Fine. Bring the list by the barn.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
He followed her across the room, weaving around the tables.
Grandma waved them over to her table. “I have something for you, Grayson,” she said when they reached her. “Here’s a list of those real estate agents.” She handed him a note with three names and numbers listed. “That lot will sell fast. It’s one of the last lots in town, and it has that beautiful view of the harbor and lake.”
Oh, yeah. The lot. He’d been so busy at the camp it had dropped off his radar. “I’m not ready yet.”
Grandpa stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth. Dropped his hand. “You haven’t talked to a real estate agent?” He dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
“I’ve got to talk to Robin.”
Grandpa stood and put his hand on Grayson’s shoulder. “It’s up to you, but you don’t have to keep it.”
“You could always build on it,” Grandma offered, a smile curving her lips.
He laughed at the ridiculous idea. “Uh, yeah? I guess I could.”
Beth smiled. “You’d be right next door to our place.” She shifted. “Well, Dad’s place. I need to move to the camp tomorrow.”
Yeah, he knew that. Hadn’t actually considered it because he wasn’t going to build on that lot. Was he?
No—that was crazy. He had a life and a plan and even a church, all back in Oregon. It was his home, even if it was a little quieter than Deep Haven and even if lacking in…something he hadn’t quite figured out.
He folded the note from his grandma. “We’re going to grab some food.” He followed Beth to the food line. “Which cabin?” He spooned macaroni and cheese onto his plate.
Beth picked a bean salad. “It’s on the north side of Trinity—along the tree line. There’s a little drive on the left end of the barnyard.”
