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They went back outside to let the horses into the pasture one more time for an evening snack. The male and Otis galloped back and forth seeking to establish dominance. Otis apparently won.
At last, as the sky turned violet, Grace announced she was leaving.
“I should go, too,” Fitz said.
Faith turned with a sad smile. “Thank you both so much for coming. I’ll see you out.”
She escorted them through the barn to the front yard. As Faith paused by Grace’s car to talk to her twin, Fitz busied himself with discovering why the front porch listed so badly. He removed the lattice work covering the space beneath it and shone the light on his phone into the crawl space.
The crickets in the weeds around him grew quiet, allowing him to hear the call of a hoot owl as well as the sisters’ conversation.
“I wish you would talk to me more.” Faith pitched her voice lower, but Fitz still heard the words. “I can tell things aren’t right with you.”
“Look, I’m fine, okay? Just worry about yourself. Go and put your feet up. Do you need me this weekend? Amos wants me to tutor Simon.”
“No, no. I’m in good shape here. Tutor the kid and get your housing situation squared away. You’re always welcome to stay here.”
“Thanks. Um, do you think Olivia might get along with Simon? I might bring him with me one day next week.”
“Sure. She’d love that.”
“Cool. I’ll have to ask his father first.”
“You don’t seem to detest him anymore. Any chance of a romance?”
Fitz pricked his ears to Grace’s reply, even as he spotted the reason why the porch drooped. Two of the six brick pillars supporting it had crumbled.
“With Amos? I’d have to be out of my mind.”
Faith sighed. “I wish we had more time to talk. You seem…Do you ever pray anymore?”
Grace’s car door creaked open. “God doesn’t listen to me, Faith.”
“Yes, He does. Even in the valley—especiallyin the valley—God’s there with you.”
“I’m happy for you that you feel that way, Faith. Good night.” Grace’s door thudded shut. Her engine turned over, and her window came down. “See you Monday,” she added on a softer note. “Bye, Fitz.”
He pulled his head out from under the porch and sent her a wave. As she backed up and started forward again, Fitz set the lattice back in place. He stood, brushing the dirt off his knees, very much aware that he and Faith were alone now. Grayson had yet to return from paintballing, and Olivia had disappeared inside.
He was about to articulate his farewell when the front door flew open, and Olivia came running off the porch.
“Mommy! Can I use this jar to catch fireflies?”
Fitz noted the empty jar in her hands. The little girl’s blond hair held the last luster of daylight.
“Oh, sure, honey, but hold it by the bottom so it doesn’t fall and break.”
“Watch this, Mr. Fitz. I’m going catch fireflies and make a lamp!” Flashing a grin at him, Olivia took off toward the tree line in pursuit of the bugs that were just beginning to spark here and there.
He couldn’t bring himself to disappoint her. “I guess I’d better wait a little while.”
“Come sit on the porch swing with me.”
Faith stole his breath by slipping her arm companionably through his. Conscious of the soft skin of her arm, Fitz allowed her to lead him onto the creaking porch and over to the swing.
“You sure it’ll hold the both of us?” He glanced up at the beaded woodwork and solid hooks visible for the soft light coming from the window next to them.
“I guess we’ll find out. I sit out here by myself from time to time. It seems sturdy enough.”
