Page 106 of Canyon of Deceit
Oh, God, please give me strength and wisdom.
Jurg told the child her father was dead? I found it easy to comprehend Jurg’s greed for power within the Russian government, his patriotism, money, and desire to join the elite in Russia. What puzzled me lay with his obsessiveness toward Alina. He’d admitted she had a strong likeness to his sister and his animosity toward Rurik, but what else drove him to look like the caring uncle who wanted his niece safe and protected? I just didn’t buy the whole brother-sister loyalty, not with Jurg. People had invoked honor for thousands of years and disguised their bravado with love. The nudge to my spirit said Jurg’s crimes might have more to do with Rurik’s relationship with Edik Baranov.
Jurg had offered me a deal that, in his words, “guaranteed my release.” I no more believed him than Rurik. In Jurg’s twisted logic, anyone associated with Rurik outside of Alina were viable threats.“Make sure Alina is comfortable and believes everything I’ve told her is true. She’s an incredibly bright child and may disbelieve my words.”Jurg had lifted his gaze to me.“And I will release you unharmed when Alina and I board the plane.”
He had lied to Blane about releasing Alina before he left the country, and I had no way of informing Blane of the real plan. Why couldn’t I recall the name of the company where the laser chips had originated?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
—
The night crept by until morning light trickled in through the window. I slept little between worry and incessant what-ifs, longing for faith to wrap me in its cocoon. An image of Blane never left me. Rusty, as Major Montoya called him. Regret looped through me. We had the start of something meaningful. I’d been attracted to him right from the first time I walked into the group of Texas Rangers, readyto teach survival skills. While the other Rangers complimented my every move, he kept his distance.
Our first date sparked a flame that had never been extinguished. Not long afterward, his lack of faith sent me running. Those days in Dog Canyon were horrific, except there Blane accepted Jesus. But unless a miracle happened, my days were numbered.
Alina curled beside me on the sofa. During the early hours of the morning, she had seen me sitting there and joined me. The fresh scent of her, like wildflowers, brought back memories of Kate and me on one of our picnics. I’d lost my sister, but I’d not give up on Alina. What kind of future lay ahead with an uncle who intended to rule over her like he controlled those around him?
Alina opened her sky-blue eyes. “It’s not a dream. You’re here with me.”
I smiled at her. “I am. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, ma’am. I dreamed you and I were at the beach. The sun was warm but not hot. You held my hand, and we walked in the sand searching for seashells.”
“Such a beautiful dream. The beach always relaxes me, but I love the mountains more.”
“Tell me about them.” Alina’s eyes held innocent curiosity. “The ones with my uncle and Mr. Chandler weren’t fun.”
“I’ll tell you about mountains in a different place. They are the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Close your eyes and breathe in a freshness like nowhere else on earth. Trees everywhere. Families gather near cold streams of water that gurgle like a song...” I let my memories take me to the place where bighorn sheep, deer, and elk grazed. I purposely shivered with my recollections of cold water and wintery hikes above the tree zone.
“I’d love to hike in nature,” she said.
“We just walked a long way in our imagination. Aren’t your legs tired? I grew up in the country and my little sister loved to walk with me.”
Alina tilted her head... just like Kate used to do. “Does she live in Houston?”
“No, sweetie, she lives in heaven.”
“Do you get to see her?”
“One day I will. I’m glad God gave us an imagination so we can enjoy anywhere in the world we want to be.”
“God isn’t real at my old house. Daria said God is pretend.”
“God lives in your heart. All you need to do is invite Him in.” I touched the left side of my chest. “He loves and wants the best for you.” While I longed to say more, Jurg listened to everything we discussed.
“When my iPad has connectivity again, I’ll look for stuff about Him. Does He have a website or e-mail?”
“No, but if you talk to Him in your mind, He hears.”
Alina frowned. “How can He answer me?”
“Lots of ways, like a voice in your head or through something you read about Him.”
“Sounds weird. I’ll try talking to Him.”
The last time I had sung “Kate’s Song” was the day she had died, but a coaxing in my spirit told me I’d been silent too long. “Would you like to hear a song I wrote when my sister was your age?”
“Yes, please.”
