Helsinki Sunrise (15 page)

The doctor warned her he'd take some time to fully recover, that he'd need to rest and time to heal. He also cautioned her that the strain of reading wouldn't be good for Adam—she'd have to read to him. She didn't mind. Adam required large daily doses of the Bible which had been medicine to her soul.

After parking her car, she hurried inside the grocery store, leaving Adam resting in the reclined seat. She'd just stepped inside when her phone rang. Eveliina checked it before answering.

“Mikko, am I glad to hear from you. I've been trying to contact you all week.”

“I saw the missed calls, Evie. Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner—we've been away on a retreat, no cellphones, and only just returned.”

As she navigated the aisles with her trolley, she told Mikko everything that had happened over the past week.

“Thank you, Jesus. Do you know how long we've been praying for you, Evie?”

“I do. Thank you for never giving up on me.”

“Have you told Mummo and Ukki?”

“Of course. Phoned them the moment I could. I can't wait to introduce Adam to them, but they're in Savonlinna at the moment visiting with Pertti and Sarianna. They'll only be back in a month.”

“I wish you'd been able to contact me earlier.” Eveliina could sense how disappointed Mikko was that he'd been the last to hear.

“Me, too.”

“So Joel fired you? I can't believe it.”

“No. I quit.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Perhaps God needs the services of a visual effects artist somewhere?”

“No way…you won't believe this.” Mikko's excitement was contagious. If there was a cure, Eveliina wasn't interested. She wanted to be infected with whatever had her brother so worked up. “I've been praying for months now for a creative person to help us with the School of Intercession. Would you consider being part of the team?”

“Absolutely.” Her, Mikko, Adam—working together for God—what an adventure this would be. Wouldn't it? “How do you think Adam would feel about that?”

“You said he loves you?”

“Yes.”

“Then I'm sure he'll be thrilled to be able to go into the mission field here, with you by his side. You'd be a great help to him too, overcoming the language and cultural differences. You know we Finns are a different breed of people. But, why don't you ask him?”

“I'll do that. As soon as I get back to the car.”

“Again, wish I could be there. I'm missing out on so much.”

“Well, actually, Mikko. We do need you here. Adam requires 24/7 care for a while—doctor's orders that he's monitored. We'd feel more comfortable with you being here.”

“I'd planned to return to the cottage in a little over a week. I'm sure I could get away sooner.”

“Great. How soon?”

“I have a few things to wrap up. How does tomorrow afternoon sound?”

“Can't wait.”

 

****

 

Life couldn't get more perfect. Adam relaxed on the jetty. The calm waters of Lake Sahajärvi stretched out before him. His thoughts drifted to Eveliina, busy inside the cottage, making the first of many dinners they'd share. What a future lay ahead, serving God with the woman he loved right by his side.

He couldn't wait to see Mikko tomorrow. He had an important question for his friend—one he would have asked Eveliina's father, had he still been alive.

“Adam.” Eveliina beckoned to him as she strolled down to the jetty. “Do you want to pick mushrooms with me?”

“I've never been mushroom-picking before. What if I pick a poisonous one?”

“It's easy—just stay away from ones that look like they come out of a fairytale book or a gnome's garden.” She handed him a small basket. “I tell you what, you carry this and I'll pick. It's probably not a good idea for you to bend, anyway.”

“Probably not.”

He hung the basket on his splinted arm, and slid his other hand into hers. Their fingers folded around each other's like twining wisteria, their love blossoming into something as full and beautiful.

Metsä was just what they both needed—and mushroom-picking was way more fun than Adam had imagined it would be. Somehow, Adam knew that anything he did with Eveliina would turn into an adventure.

With enough
chanterelles
in their basket for a few dinners, Adam and Eveliina returned to the cottage to finish dinner preparations. Adam set the basket down on the kitchen counter. “Now if I remember correctly, you spoke of these little yellow mushrooms being accompanied by a large, tasty fish.”

“With that arm, it'll be a long time before you'll be out rowing on the lake, or casting a line. So I did this your way.” Eveliina removed the brown paper from a long parcel on the kitchen counter, revealing a large salmon. “Now, if I hold the fish so it doesn't move, do you think you'll be able to cut it into one inch steaks with your good arm? We'll fry a few tonight and freeze the rest.”

Adam slid his arm around her and pulled her close. “You are the most amazing woman I've ever met.”

“Flattery will only get you a good dinner, Adam Carter.”

“That's all I want…and this.” He could get used to her kisses.

Finally she pulled away. “If we don't get this salmon cut, you won't get fed tonight. When we're done, you can clean up for dinner, and I'll finish the cooking.”

“You sure you won't need more help?”

“Positive.”

Side by side, Adam and Eveliina got to work slicing the fish.

By the time Adam returned from washing up, the salmon was frying in a pan, coated with a lemon cream sauce. Eveliina had cooked the
chanterelles
in butter in their own small pan. The tossed salad waited on the dining room table which had been magically cleared and set with intricately woven table mats and fine silverware. Crystal glasses reflected the candlelight onto the windows.

Adam could smell a fresh blueberry pie baking in the oven. He was certain ice cream chilled in the freezer.

After a week's fast and four days of soft foods in the hospital, he prayed his stomach would be strong enough to stand the richness of this meal. He didn't need Eveliina thinking he couldn't stomach her cooking.
Lord, please don't let me disappoint her.

With the last morsel cleared from his plate, Adam felt many things. Sick was not one of them. “You were right—this was worth waiting for. And so were you.”

Tasty as the meal had been, the kiss she gave Adam was far more scrumptious.

“It's such a beautiful evening,” Eveliina said. “Why don't you relax on the jetty? I'll join you later. I have some things I need to do.”

Adam had hoped to spend every waking minute with her, but perhaps she needed some space. So much had happened in a week—sometimes even he found it hard to process it all. “OK. But don't take too long, it's quiet alone on the jetty.”

Eveliina merely smiled. “Don't forget the mosquito repellent.”

With a pillow tucked under his arm, and his Bible and repellent in his hand, Adam made his way to the jetty. At least the night was still young. The light only faded toward midnight.

“I promise the wait will be worth it,” she called after him.

 

****

 

Adam roused from his slumber as Eveliina stretched out beside him on the jetty. Much time had passed between laying his head on the pillow as his feet dangled in the cool lake, and Eveliina joining him. Sometime in his slumber, he'd curled up on the deck. The sky was darker. Midnight approached.

“What have you been up to?” Sleep thickened his voice.

Eveliina turned onto her stomach. “This.”

Unable to roll over with his arm in a splint, Adam sat up and turned around.

Eveliina sat up too.

In front of him lay an oil painting on a stretched canvas. A man sat at the end of a wooden jetty. Calm waters stretched out ahead of him, melding with a Finnish sunset—skies that had turned a purply hue.

A blueberry eve.

The skies were far darker on one side as Eveliina captured an approaching storm.

“Another of your many talents?” He reached for the painting.

She gently grabbed his hand. “Don't touch, my love. It has to dry.”

“You've outdone yourself. It's magnificent.”

“I wanted to capture the moment forever…you, on the jetty, at peace with the world, no matter the storm around you.”

Adam slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer before tucking her hair behind her ear. He kissed her delicate earlobe lightly—then his lips brushed hers. “And I want to capture this moment over, and over, as long as God grants us breath.”

“Oh, Adam…”

 

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AMDG