Page 64 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

Discussing what it meant—sooner or later.

Taking a few deep breaths, he made his way to the boat, Pastor Arnie close behind.

The day had dawned bright and clear, but he knew rain was in the forecast for later. Early summer in Michigan meant lots of rain. Shielding his eyes, he looked to the horizon. Dark clouds were building but were still a long way off. The air was still and the lake calm.

He stepped into the boat and it rocked slightly. Pastor Arnie stepped in and Cody handed him a life vest.

“These are mandatory on my boats now,” he said.

“Understandable.” The other man slipped it on over his green polo shirt.

Cody turned the key in the ignition. The loud rumble of the engine succeeded in drowning out his thoughts for a moment.

I can do this. This is fine.

“Pull in the rope, please.” He pointed to the line tying them to the dock. Pastor Arnie did as he was asked, and Cody eased the boat into the open water.

“What’s that verse again?” His fingers tingled.

“Psalm 34:4,” Pastor Arnie said. “‘I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.’”

As they made their way around the island, Cody’s pulse spiked and his hands grew slick on the wheel.

“Okay, stop the boat and breathe with me.” Arnie put a hand on Cody’s shoulder. They floated for a few minutes, the boat rocking gently. “Nice and steady.”

Cody concentrated on the man’s soothing voice. Soon, his heart rate was back to normal and his sight had cleared.

“Thanks, Pastor.”

“My pleasure.” Arnie gestured to the bay. “Should we keep going?”

Cody started the boat again. After a few more moments of panic, Cody began to settle into the boat. When they’d been out an hour, he started having fun. He felt more like himself than he had in years.

“Let’s turn back,” he said. As they rounded the outcropping just before home, the engine sputtered and died. Cody bit back a curse. Why did bad things keep happening to him?

He opened the top of the outboard motor and poked around.

It was no use.

“What’s the diagnosis?” Pastor Arnie stood over his shoulder.

“I’ll have to take it back to the lab for an autopsy.” Cody shot the pastor a smile.

“I’m glad you’re able to joke about this. It shows real progress.” Arnie smiled back.

Cody checked the time. He was going to be late for meeting Mia if they didn’t hurry.

“Do you want the good news or the bad news?” He asked Arnie.

“What’s the good news?” Arnie moved back to his seat in the bow.

“I have paddles on board.” Cody went to the storage chest along the side of the boat and unsnapped its lid.

Arnie stood. “Okay, What’s the bad news?”

Cody handed him a paddle. “We have to use them.”

The two men stationed themselves on either side of the boat. They paddled hard. They made it about halfway back to their goal when a cold breeze whipped over them. The distant clouds weren’t quite so distant anymore. Now, they covered the sun cooling the air.

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