Page 67 of Wish You Faith

Evan knew what he had to do: flee!

How could he get out of there? His office was at the other end of this floor, overlooking the port in the distance, but he didn’t want to go there right now, knowing that Ximena would follow him.

He walked toward the elevator. Ximena followed closely behind him. Evan tuned her out. He had no idea how Connor dealt with this woman. He also wondered what Connor’s wife thought of the crazy situation the brothers had found themselves in.

Yes, Ximena had started off going after Connor, but then he married someone else. Evan felt sorry for her, being rejected, and only went out with her for that very reason—a mistake he had regretted ever since.

The elevator door opened. A man in a security uniform appeared. He carried an umbrella.

“It’s starting to rain outside,” he said.

“Next time give me an executive parking pass,” Ximena snapped at Evan. “I don’t want to always park by the curb.”

Her glare scared him a bit.

“We have limited parking spots in the basement since we turned part of it into office space. Sorry.”Not sorry.

Reluctantly, Ximena went with the security guard.

“See you later, Evan.” She waved with her manicured and bejeweled nails.

Evan ignored her.

No, I don’t want to ever see you again.

Evan hurried to his office. In a small refrigerator near the sitting area, he retrieved his lunch bag and a bottle of sparkling mineral water. He sat down in an armchair and called Rosie on speed dial as he unzipped his lunch bag.

Rosie didn’t answer.

He got worried.

He called her again.

No answer.

He prayed for God to bless his Cuban sandwich and a Fuji apple, and asked that God would keep Rosie safe.

His phone rang as soon as he said, “Amen.”

Rosie’s face showed up on the screen. Evan answered the phone and put it on video.

“Hey. We were moving soil and fertilizer. I couldn’t get to the phone. Whassup?” Rosie sounded unhurried. On FaceTime, her fresh face—no make-up—looked clean and calm.

“Don’t lift anything heavy.” Evan took a bite of his sandwich.

“No worries. Lorenzo operates the forklifts. I just direct traffic.”

Evan knew Rosie did more than just give instructions.

Rosie pointed to the screen. “That looks good. Is it lunch time over there?”

Evan nodded. “Short lunch because I have another meeting to go to in half an hour.”

This afternoon’s meeting was with his parents, the owners of Cavanaugh Shipping. Connor and Evan worked for their parents. The outcome of the meeting would determine his future—whether he continued working in the family business or whether he left and explored the world on his own.

Evan recognized the colorful hammock behind Rosie. It was empty. “Is your mom at SSLR?”

“She’s rounded up a few new friends there, and they’re all volunteering at the warehouse today. Can you believe it?”

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