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The friends had met at the café early on Wednesday to load up on coffee and carbs before the moving truck containing all the Crofton kids’ belongings arrived later that morning. Once the truck was unloaded, they’d take both Bennett’s Bronco and Hunter’s truck, journey to Bozeman, stay the night in Bennett’s house there, and load his things the next morning.
It was bound to be a long, busy forty-eight hours ahead, and they would need some fortitude. Janie’s breakfast pies and cinnamon rolls seemed like the way to go.
Pushing back the chair, Hunter stood and held out his hand toward Pastor. “Yes, sir.”
Pastor Dunham’s smile was broad and genuine. “It’s good to see you again. And nice to see you in church the other day.”
Warmth infused Hunter’s cheeks, though it wasn’t from embarrassment. Rather, a solidifying sense of being seen and wanted was a gentle balm against his otherwise still-bruised heart. “It was good to be there. I’ve been thinking about the sermon, even these days later. I need to hear that my mission is to trust God and do good.”
Nodding Pastor said, “Don’t we all? I hear you are out of the navy?”
Hunter looked toward the table, then glanced up at Bennett, who gave him an encouraging tip of his head. “I am. I’m back at Elk Canyon now and hoping to carve a living out of a hunting lodge at the smaller pond. We break ground next week.”
Hunter’s mind flitted to that event and then retraced to the Monday morning past, when he’d met Janie at their agreed upon time. She’d been kind, and she’d asked for friendship from him. Frustration stirred in Hunter’s gut. Though he didn’t want the war they’d engaged in either, Hunter wasn’t sure he could do friendship with Janie, even if he’d told God that he wanted to trust no matter what.
“Seems like that would be a good fit for you.” A curious glance toward Bennett reminded Hunter that he’d not introduced his friend.
Hunter snapped out of his mental track involving Janie and God and disappointment. He gestured toward his friend. “Pastor Dunham, this is Bennett Crofton—an old college friend of mine. He’s dating Hazel and has recently moved to Luna.”
Pastor stepped back, Bennett stood, and they shook hands, exchangingnice to meet you.Then Pastor patted Hunter’s shoulder again. “I’m very glad to see you, Hunter. You’ll be back at church again, I hope?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good.” The man ended the conversation with another firm pat.
Hunter sat in the wake of Pastor’s departure, and he met Bennett’s waiting stare.
“You went to church?” Bennett asked.
“I did.”
“With Janie?”
In spite of her being there.With Grady.“No. On my own.”
Bennett grinned. “I like that. And I liked your pastor. Was it a good service?”
“It was. Gave me something to think about rather than continually brooding about Janie going out with Grady.” A hard ask, that. Hunter couldn’t seem to keep his train of thought from steering straight back to her every five seconds.
“That would definitely be an improvement then. Trust in the Lord and do good?”
“Yes. From Psalm 37.”
Bennett nodded. “You going again this Sunday?”
“Planned on it.”
“Mind some company?”
Full appreciation locked into place, along with some measure of relief. Hunter smiled. “That would be good. And since we’re talking about church and God, I’m going to be honest with you. I really need prayer. And help. Janie keeps offering friendship, and I can’t do it. There’s just too much history, and I can’t get past it.”
“Yikes.” Bennett offered a sympathetic grimace.
“Yeah. It makes me feel wretched. I’m pretty sure this isn’t how God wants me to live—who He wants me to be. But I feel like Nathan must have felt that night when he got lost. Just out there alone in the dark . . .”
Bennett sipped his grape juice and then leaned both elbows on the table. “I have a buddy up in Bozeman who is a solid Christian. Maybe he could help?”
Hunter lifted his brows. “How so?”
