Page 52 of Muskoka Miracle

“Yes, but whether there’s any left depends on how long you take.”

He chuckled. “I’ve missed you.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Sam glanced at Dan. “At least she is.”

“Hey, I’m glad you’re here too.”

“I promise not to get in the way of your married people time.”

Sarah pointed to the stairs, her cheeks pink. “Hurry up, else there will be no avo toast for you.”

“You’re such an Aussie still, with your brekkie and avo.”

“Of course I am. Now go.”

He saluted her, then murmured, “she’s tough,” at Dan then disappeared.

“Was I too tough?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his waist.

He kissed her nose. “You were exactly what you needed to be. Like his big sister.”

“Hmm.” She smiled. “I’ve never been the big sister, so that was kind of fun.” She sobered. “He didn’t look good, did he?”

“He’s obviously got some stuff going down.”

“Good thing we can take him in, and he can go with you on the camp this weekend.”

“You think he’ll be sober enough by then?”

“I think we won’t give him a choice.”

He pressed a kiss to her hair. He loved this woman. She was so good for him, and good for his family.

Just as Sarah predicted,Sam joined him and Boyd and a few others on the camp. But whether it was the rain, or concern about precisely what influence Sam would have on impressionable teens, or the fact that Dan was just getting old, Dan found his usual enjoyment of camping with the teens wasn’t there. It wasn’t because of Sarah’s absence. As she’d explained after her first camp, she had zero plans to do that ever again. And even the lure of huge stars and marshmallows cooked over an open fire held zero appeal. But even though the past few years he’d managed okay being away from her for a few days, this year felt different.

His body ached, reminding him that he only had a little more hockey in him before he should retire. Or maybe it was missing his wife, with that profound sense of connection they’d started sharing again prior to Sam’s arrival. But every time he thought about encouraging Sam to move on, something within him—he thought it might be the Holy Spirit—begged him to refrain.

After packing off the last of the campers he drove home, thankful he’d see Sarah, thankful that there’d be another person to intervene between Boyd’s rigidity and Sam’s looseness. Boyd was a lot better than a few years ago, but he still held some judgmental attitudes, and hadn’t understood why Dan would want to bring Sam along when Sam was hardly living like Jesus. Well, considering Jesus had hung out with sinners, Dan figured Sam was actually not doing too bad a job in some regards, but explaining that to Boyd was a step too far.

Dan turned into his drive, then glanced at Sam, slumped against the passenger door. “Hey, I’m glad you came.”

“I don’t think Boyd was.”

“It doesn’t matter now. The guys were glad for someone to bring the fun factor.”

“That’s me. Bringing the fun factor, even if I don’t bring much else.”

“Whoa.” Dan turned into his drive, then soon parked. “Hey, what’s that about?”

Sam shrugged.

“You were pretty quiet during the studies.” Dan opened the door. They probably had a few minutes before Boyd joined them. “Are you still going to church?”

Sam looked across at him guiltily. “Did I forget to tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

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