Page 23 of Wish You Faith

“Does your brother live in the same town?”

Evan nodded. “And works in the same company back home in Seattle. He’s the other VP in the company. My parents are co-Presidents of our small establishment.”

“Small? How small?”

Evan shrugged. “We make do.”

“So you fled across the country and became a delivery truck driver.”

“Funny how I can still hear Mom’s voice ringing in my ear. She’d tell me that Connor would know what to do. Well, I’m not my brother, and I don’t know what to do with my career—or life, for that matter.”

“If you ask God…” Rosie stopped herself. How could she tell him what to do? She had no idea what to do with her own career either, besides continuing her job as manager of the tree farm. How long was this going to last? She had no idea. Would she be working here in five years? No clue.

“I mean, I tell myself to ask God,” Rosie corrected what she said. She swiped her phone and read Jeremiah 33:3 aloud.

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

“Good reminder.” Before Evan could say more, Lorenzo tore into the break room, carrying Rosie’s coat in one hand and her crossbody bag in the other.

“Bad news, Rosie.” He stopped to catch his breath. “Travis is in the front office with three dozen roses, a violinist, and a small red velvet box. He’s asking for you.”

“Oh no.”

“Whassup?” Evan finished his chili.

“Travis has been wanting to date Rosie for some weeks now. He comes at random times in person to ask her out. He doesn’t want no for an answer. Today takes the cake. Flowers, music, ring… It has escalated.”

“He wants to marry you?” Evan stared at Rosie. Fire in his eyes. “Ban him from the premises.”

“Can’t. He’s a customer of Christmastown. We decorate all his gyms up all over Georgia.” Rosie got up and took the coat and purse from Lorenzo. This wasn’t the first time she had to flee when Travis showed up.

“As long as he thinks you’re still in the building, he won’t leave,” Lorenzo said.

“I have to take Mom home.” Rosie tried to think about how to get out of the building without running into Travis.

“She’s on her hammock,” Lorenzo said. “When she gets up, I’ll take her home.”

“Thank you.” Rosie turned to Evan. “I’ll go with you to SSLR.”

“Go now. I’ll stall him.” Lorenzo was on his phone, telling the front clerk to keep Travis contained.

Rosie picked up Evan’s bowl and spoon and placed them in the sink. She ran water over them.

“Go already!” Lorenzo shooed them out of the break room.

“Don’t let Travis anywhere near Mom.”

“Yes, yes. I know.”

Rosie did not feel at ease if she left without seeing Mom. Evan followed her to the greenhouse.

“Does your mom come with you to work often?” Evan asked.

“She has been accompanying me a couple of times a week whenever she’s not busy at the SSLR day care she goes to.” Rosie’s voice caught. “When she was undergoing chemo, she wanted to see me at work. I almost quit my job here to spend her last days with her, but Mom said no. She insisted that I went to work as usual while she was receiving treatment. And then, miracle of miracles, she recovered.”

“That does happen. Let’s pray she lives for a very long time.”

“It’s up to God now to keep her cancer in remission—if it’s His will for Mom. Anyway, she comes and goes whenever she wants—with Amy’s approval, of course. We set up a hammock for her in the greenhouse so she could watch us work.”

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