Page 14 of PenPal Hero

“Well, I think you can,” Alice returned sharply. “There’s a scripture in the book of Psalms, short and sweet, and it goes like this: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. Those are the words of a king, my friend. A king! You aren’t the only one who’s ever been afraid. How about we say it together?”

“I, um...” Bonnie blinked rapidly, trying to see through her tears. Her hands were fisted tightly around the ropes.

“When I am afraid,” Alice quoted softly, “I put my trust in You.”

“When I am afraid,” Bonnie repeated shakily, “I put my trust in You.” She had to say the short verse several times before the words were able to make a dent in her icy fear.

Soon, she and Alice were saying it together, inching forward ever so slowly on the rope bridge.

Bonnie wasn’t sure how long it took, but they succeeded in reaching the platform between trees one and two. She gave the tree a bear hug, unsure if she would ever be able to let go of it.

“Alrighty,” Alice sang out long before Bonnie was ready. “One rope bridge down. Three more to go.”

“Just shoot me now.” Tears slid weakly down Bonnie’s cheeks. She hadn’t thought she’d survive the first rope bridge. She couldn’t picture herself enduring the torture of three more.

“Not happening, sweet stuff! But I will go first this time, if you want,” Alice offered, giving her a quick squeeze hug from behind. “That’s how it’ll be when you become my business partner, you know. Sometimes I’ll lead, and you’ll follow. Sometimes you’ll lead, and I’ll follow. Occasionally, I’ll be out of the office altogether, and you’ll be sailing the entire ship in my absence.”

Bonnie nodded, feeling a giddy laugh rise inside her. “You say that like I’m not clinging for dear life to an ancient oak tree.” Hearing her boss’s muted footfalls against the platform, she peeked around the tree trunk and saw that Alice was already stepping onto the next rope bridge.

“Wait for me,” Bonnie squealed, reaching hastily for the first rope. “Team Yates and Underwood has a Yates in it, remember?”

Alice’s answering chuckle had a happy ring to it. “Indeed it does. Let’s rock and roll, partner!”

Partner. The way Alice kept calling her that felt every bit like the emotional arm twists Holt had been giving her lately. Some people might’ve been offended by the persistence of the brother-sister duo, but Bonnie honestly couldn’t see the downside of giving in to their coaxing and encouragement. Worst case scenario, she stood a real chance of ending up with a boyfriend and a promotion. Not exactly punishment.

Bonnie’s thoughts were spinning so hard and fast that she made it halfway across the second rope bridge in a matter of seconds.

“You’re getting your sea legs under you,” Alice noted in satisfaction.

“How about you speed up a little, slowpoke?” Bonnie teased back.

Snickering, Alice picked up the pace — not too much, though. They reached the second platform and took another short break.

Bonnie bear hugged the tree again, but not quite as hard as she’d held on to the last one. “I’d give you a high five,” she declared in a laughing voice, “if I wasn’t scared silly that the slap you’d give me in return wouldn’t send me flying into the nets below us.”

“Cute.” Alice rolled her eyes. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m working on recruiting a partner, not getting rid of her.” She motioned to the third rope bridge. “Your turn to lead again.”

Bonnie drew a few shallow breaths. We’ve made it this far. Can’t give up now. “If you insist, captain.” As her hands fisted around the next set of ropes, something bright flashed in her eyes, nearly blinding her. She winced and lowered her head for a few seconds, panting.

“What’s wrong?” Alice closed the distance between them, sliding her gloves up against Bonnie’s hands on the rope.

“I’m not sure. Something really bright flashed in my eyes. Made me see stars.” She blinked them away, but it took time.

Alice dropped her chin close to Bonnie’s shoulder. “I don’t see anything. Oh, wait. Yes, I do.” She made a soft humming sound in the back of her throat. “There’s something shiny alright on one of those hills in the distance. Maybe a shard of glass or something stuck in a tree.”

Bonnie continued to blink away the stars, glad she wasn’t the only one who’d seen it.

“And now it’s gone.” Alice sounded mystified. “That was weird. Tell you what,” she tightened her fists on the rope, “don’t look at it. Just focus on the next step, okay?”

“Without looking down, huh?” Bonnie grimaced.

“Exactly.” Alice chuckled again.

“So, no looking straight ahead, and no looking down,” Bonnie grumbled as she started moving again. “That’s some tough top-down management there, Miss Underwood.”

“You’ll get used to it, partner.” Alice chuckled merrily. “When I first started my business, I had to do a lot of walking by faith. You’ll be doing the same thing until you get comfortable holding the reins of leadership.”

Her words made Bonnie’s heart soar. “All joking aside, do you really think I have what it takes?”

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