Noah's Ark, page 13
Emily offered a closed-mouth smile and quickly looked down. He wished he knew what she was thinking.
Kingston stood up, turned around, sat down next to him, then leaned his body against Noah’s side. One side of the dog’s jowl flopped open as he looked up at Noah.
“Whatcha thinkin’, boy?” Noah asked as he scratched Kingston’s head.
The dog sighed, which made Emily laugh. “He’s in doggy heaven.”
“I’ve never met a dog who didn’t like having his ears or head scratched.” Noah gently nudged Kingston away so he could go back to work. “But Kingston is probably the easiest one to please.”
“He is absolutely the best dog I’ve ever been around,” Emily admitted.
“Maybe you can talk Mr. Zimmerman into handing him over for good. He could be your companion until you leave. I’m sure Mel would love to have a dog like this.” Noah looked her in the eye. “I’ve heard Mr. Zimmerman’s thinking about selling his farm and moving to Florida.”
“Why wouldn’t he take Kingston with him?”
“He’s too big to live in a condo.”
“I can’t imagine owning a farm all these years then moving to a condo,” Emily said.
“It happens.” Noah took a few more steps toward the examining area. “Maybe we’ll know something when he gets back from Europe.”
❧
After Noah left her alone in the reception area, Emily looked at Kingston, who stared at her with soulful eyes. She’d love to have Kingston for her own, but how would the dog feel about that? No doubt he was a loyal friend to Mr. Zimmerman.
Emily patted her leg. “C’mere, Kingston.”
He dutifully closed the distance between them. Emily started to pat his head then decided to give him a hug instead. She leaned forward and pulled him toward her, allowing him to rest his chin on her shoulder. She didn’t care if he slobbered down her back. All she knew was that it felt good to have the companionship she’d missed for so much of her life.
No matter how hard her dad had tried to be both a father and a mother to her, he was stretched so thin between his full-time and part-time jobs to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table that she rarely saw him. She’d spent many nights longing for her mother, knowing she’d been abandoned for a life of excitement. It still hurt and probably always would.
Emily would never forget when her dad came to her to break the news that her mother had left and wasn’t coming back. At first she blamed her dad, thinking he’d done something to make her mother leave. But over time she realized that her father had nothing to do with it. If anything, his stability and faith in God had been what kept his wife there as long as she was.
“Your mother is a very confused woman,” Aunt Sherry told her. “We pray for her every day, and you should, too.”
At first Emily had a difficult time praying for someone who wanted nothing to do with her, but over time she realized how pitiful her mother’s existence was. As an adult, Emily saw things differently. She’d learned more about her mother and understood that the woman had always teetered on the brink of disaster, and her father had pulled her out of a mess shortly after they met.
Emily’s earliest memories of her mother were good. She and her dad went to church most Sundays, but her mother begged off due to a headache or some other malady. Then one Sunday, a few weeks after Emily’s fourteenth birthday, she and her dad came home to an empty house. She’d always remember her father’s loud gasp when he picked up the note on the kitchen table. He never let her see it, but he told her it would just be the two of them from then on.
For months Emily alternately blamed her dad and herself for her mother leaving. If only she hadn’t gotten so upset when she was told she couldn’t wear makeup to school or told her parents she wanted to run away. At times she thought she’d given her mother the idea.
No matter what her dad did to console her, she still felt responsible, until he finally took her to a Christian counselor, who eventually convinced her she wasn’t to blame. She was being a normal teenager, but her mother wasn’t equipped to deal with everyday life.
“You have a choice,” the counselor had said. “Life can be difficult, but you don’t have to let it keep you down. You can wallow in the past, or you can look forward to the future, knowing that your faith in Christ reserves you a place with Him for eternity.” She’d paused to let Emily digest that before adding, “You have an earthly father who can only do so much, but your heavenly Father is with you for eternity—no matter what happens.”
Those words had stuck in Emily’s mind and gotten her through the most difficult of times. Her counselor was right. Life was extremely difficult. Fortunately, the people from church were loving, caring folks who never wavered in their commitment to help her and her father. And every summer she got to stay with Aunt Sherry and Uncle Mel and her cousins, where she felt like she was part of a happy family.
Kingston sighed again, pulling her back to the moment. She loved this dog. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing for Mr. Zimmerman to move to a condo in Florida. She’d love to keep Kingston—or at least have him with Uncle Mel and Aunt Sherry so she could visit him. She just wished she wasn’t so confused.
“What am I gonna do, Kingston?” she asked softly.
“Anything I can help with?”
The voice by the counter startled her. She glanced up and saw Noah standing there looking concerned.
Emily was tempted to brush him off, but what was the point? She figured she might as well be open.
“I’m frustrated about my future.” She looked back at Kingston who continued staring at her with adoring eyes then turned back to Noah. “Now that I’ve been out of school for a while and had some time to think, going back sounds pretty good—at least sometimes—but I don’t want to do it without a goal in mind.”
Noah nodded but didn’t say anything. He appeared to be mulling over her comment.
“I mean, I don’t want to stall for time with school being my excuse. I’ve seen other people do that.”
“Yeah, I have, too.” Noah gestured to the desk. “Just remember that you always have a place here as long as you need it.”
“Thank you.”
“Why don’t you go on home now? We’ve had a busy day, and Kingston and I don’t want to wear you out.” He smiled.
Kingston seemed to understand what Noah said. He walked over to the counter, picked up the leash in his mouth, and brought it to Emily.
“Sometimes it’s hard to remember he’s a dog.”
Noah laughed. “I know what you mean. He’s in tune to you.” Suddenly his smile faded, and he looked at her as though he saw something he’d missed before.
Emily felt a familiar internal fluttering—something that had been happening more often lately when Noah looked at her that way. “I—I guess you’re right. It has been a long day, and Kingston is obviously ready to go home—I mean to Uncle Mel and Aunt Sherry’s.”
Noah patted Kingston’s head as they walked past him to the door. Emily stopped, turned to face Noah, and blinked. “I appreciate everything you’re doing, Noah.”
“And I feel the same about you.”
Her mouth grew dry as she waved and said good-bye. Kingston looked up at her as if he wanted to acknowledge what she was thinking. For the first time in her life, she felt like she truly belonged—yet she didn’t have a permanent home, a career that seemed ideal for her, or a clue about her future. What was up with that?
All the way to her aunt and uncle’s, Emily chatted with Kingston. He gave her occasional understanding glances, but most of the time he focused straight ahead on the road. Their afternoon routine was basically the same, but her feelings had escalated; she felt like she might burst if something didn’t happen soon. It was all up to her now.
When they pulled onto the dirt road, the dog’s ears perked up. There was no doubt he knew where he was.
“We’re home, Kingston.”
The instant she stopped the car, Kingston pawed at the door. She hopped out of the driver’s side and looked at him, which was all the encouragement he needed to hop over her seat and out the door. He ran around in circles for a few seconds, until Uncle Mel hollered that he was in the barn.
Kingston took off running toward the sound of Uncle Mel’s voice. Emily went into the house to put down her handbag. Aunt Sherry greeted her as she walked into the kitchen.
“Mel has some news from town,” Aunt Sherry said.
“News?” Emily lifted a carrot stick off the platter on the island and munched the edge. “What happened?”
Aunt Sherry frowned for a moment then shook her head. “I better let Mel tell you. Why don’t you go on out to the barn?”
Panic rose in Emily as she followed her aunt’s orders. When she got to the barn door, she paused to let her eyes adjust.
“Hey, Emily girl, come on over here. I gotta tell you something.” Uncle Mel patted a bale of hay next to him. “Have a seat.”
Fourteen
“I talked to Dwayne this afternoon,” Uncle Mel said. “Apparently there’s a whole list of warrants out for Brad’s arrest—some from other states.”
“So what happens now?” Emily asked.
Uncle Mel shrugged. “We’re not sure yet. Looks like he might be extradited, but they have a bunch of paperwork to handle first.”
“What does that mean for Jillian?”
Uncle Mel offered a half smile. “Looks like Jillian won’t have to worry about Brad coming after her. He’ll be in jail somewhere for a very long time.”
So that meant Jillian could go back to work soon. Emily had mixed feelings about that. Having Jillian back at the office would free Emily up to pursue other things—and give her time to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.
“What’s wrong?” Uncle Mel asked as he paused, folded his arms, and leaned against a post. “Are you unhappy about something?”
“No.” Emily slowly shook her head. “I just don’t know what to do yet.”
“It’s tough having to make decisions,” he agreed. “I remember trying to decide whether I should seek my fortune in the big city or stay on the farm where I’d always been.”
“What was the turning point for you?”
He snickered. “I tried the city for about a year and quickly learned that it’s not for me.”
Emily couldn’t imagine Uncle Mel in the city. “I could have told you that.”
“If you’d been around then, I might have asked you.” With a grin, he added, “But there are some things we have to figure out for ourselves.”
“So do you think I should consider farm life?”
Uncle Mel shrugged. “Everyone’s different. Some people know what they want all their lives.”
Emily thought for a few seconds. “Ever since I went to an art museum with my middle school class, I’ve wanted to work in one.”
“Is that what you still want to do?”
She frowned. “I think so.”
“Well, then do it. You’re young, and you have your whole life ahead of you.”
“Thanks, Uncle Mel.”
Emily felt the warmth of his smile as he nodded. “I didn’t do anything but encourage you to do what you said you wanted.”
“That’s exactly what I needed.” She fought an unsettled feeling that kept creeping up.
“I’m glad I could help.” He reached over and picked up the rake. “I better get back to work. Sherry doesn’t like me being late for supper.”
Aunt Sherry glanced at her as she walked in through the kitchen door. “So what do you think about what’s going on?”
Emily forced a smile. “I’m just glad Jillian will be free to come back to work. I know she misses working at the clinic.”
“She’s a good girl but a little naive. Maybe this experience will help her become more discerning.”
“I’m sure she will,” Emily said. “Need some help with that?”
“Thanks but no. I’m almost done here. Why don’t you go get washed up and come help me set the table?”
❧
The next couple of weeks went by quickly. Jillian had to go to court, but she didn’t have to testify in front of Brad. Emily and Noah were in the courtroom to offer their support, so when Brad was led away the last time, they let out a collective sigh of relief. Emily felt a surge of protectiveness as she met Jillian’s gaze.
“She’s holding up quite well,” Noah acknowledged. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure how this would turn out.”
“I was concerned, too.” Emily glanced back and forth between Noah and Jillian, who stood about twenty feet away. “Why don’t we go see how she feels?”
Jillian met them halfway. “I am so glad that’s over with.”
Emily put her arm around Jillian. “So how are you feeling now?”
“Beyond relieved.” She cast a quick glance toward Noah. “And ready to go back to work, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course it is,” he said. “When would you like to return?”
Emily felt her insides tighten as she turned back to Jillian. Until now she hadn’t really thought about how her own life would be affected by another change. Would she still be needed at the clinic? She knew she couldn’t continue working part-time forever. Maybe this was the push she needed.
Jillian glanced at her, smiled, then turned back to Noah. “How about next week?”
“Perfect,” Noah said. “I’m sure Emily will be glad to have you back.”
❧
Noah couldn’t tell what was going on with Emily, but she didn’t seem herself. Outwardly she appeared happy, but he could tell there was something behind that smile. Something that he’d spotted a few times since he’d known her.
As soon as Jillian left, he gently placed his hand in the small of her back and leaned over to whisper. “Are you okay?”
She hesitated for a split second then nodded. “I’m fine.”
“Wanna go somewhere and talk?”
Noah’s chest constricted as she looked him in the eye and nodded. “Sure.”
Since they’d driven together from the clinic, he helped her into the passenger seat then went around to his side of the truck and got in. “It’s nice out. How about a park?”
“Sounds good.”
Since he knew she loved roses, he drove to Ritter Park where they could sit and chat in the rose garden. She smiled as he took her hand and led her to a quiet place.
“This is so beautiful.” Emily looked around at the rows and rows of flowers in various colors.
Warmth flooded him. “I thought you might like it.”
After they found a place to sit, a comfortable silence fell between them. The only sound was the chirping of birds.
Finally Emily turned to him. “I’m relieved that Jillian won’t have to worry about Brad anymore.”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, me, too.”
“That was quite a scare we had when Dwayne had to go inside and get Brad out of her house.”
Noah met her gaze. “Dwayne is trying to witness to Jillian, ya know. He feels like she just needs to be surrounded by Christian love to stay strong against the evil nature of people like Brad.”
Her smile added even more sparkle to the beauty surrounding them. “That’s a no-brainer.”
He chuckled. “As much as I don’t understand it, all the things that happened with Jillian turned out to be a blessing.” He paused for a moment then added, “We need to continue praying for Brad. Something terrible must have happened to him in the past.”
“I’m sure.” Emily cleared her throat. “So what did you want to talk about?”
Noah wasn’t sure how to begin, so he figured he might as well just come out with it. He looked her in the eye and held her gaze for a few seconds before he finally said, “You.”
She instantly frowned. “Me?”
He nodded. “Yes. I could tell something was bothering you in the courtroom, and I thought you might want to talk about it.”
Emily swallowed as she looked around before locking gazes with him again. “I’m really happy for Jillian, and I want her to come back to work. It’s just. . .” Her voice trailed off as she seemed to gather her thoughts. “It’s just that now I need to make a decision about what I need to do next.”
“What you need to do?” he challenged.
She snickered. “Okay, what I want to do. I still don’t know.”
“You once mentioned that you wanted to become a curator in an art museum. How about that?”
“I’m not so sure I can do it.”
When she looked down, he gently turned her face toward his. “Of course you can. I have a feeling that you can do almost anything you set your mind to.” She’d already proven that after nearly doubling his accounts receivable deposits in the short time she’d been working for him.
“To get what I need, I’ll have to go to New York.”
“New York? There’s a graduate art program at Marshall University.”
She offered a sad smile. “Yes, but if I want to work in a bigger city, I’ll need to go to NYU.”
He pondered that for a moment. As much as Noah wanted to keep her in West Virginia, he cared enough to want what was best for her. “If that’s what you really want, just do it. I’ve seen people who don’t pursue their dreams, and they go through life wondering what-if.” As he spoke, he shuddered at the very idea of her leaving town for the big city and the possibility of not seeing her again.
Once again they fell silent. A slight breeze had picked up the scent of the roses and carried it toward them. After several minutes, Emily stood. “I’ll think about it, okay?”
He nodded. “Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.” But what he really wanted to do was tell her he loved her and beg her not to go.
❧
Early the next morning, Emily got up and started the process of applying to NYU for their art history graduate program. Noah’s words about people wondering what-if kept flowing through her mind. She knew her mother was one of those unhappy people, and she certainly didn’t want to end up like the woman who’d abandoned the people who needed her most.
