Mending Places (14 page)

Heat crept up her neck, suffusing her cheeks. Neither Gram nor Mrs. Eddlestein played chess or had any interest in learning. Hanna had asked before, missing the games of chess she’d played with her college roommate, but the two older ladies preferred to stick to Scrabble.

“I just felt like playing.”

Gram’s lips curled in a knowing smile.

“Can’t a girl just want a game of chess?” Hanna muttered as she slipped out of the kitchen through the swinging doors.

She heard Gram chuckle as she headed for the great room. Micah was lining up the pieces.

She’d avoided him since their return from the mountain two days ago, embarrassed about clinging to him in the middle of the night. But as she’d prayed about her own healing and asked God to make her ready for a relationship, Micah had once again come to mind. She’d surrendered it to God during her quiet time and decided to take steps to build a relationship with Micah. She could use a friend, and she figured he could too. He’d mentioned on the trip that he played chess, so …

Hanna sat across from him on the floor and helped him set up the pieces. “I’m out of practice. I haven’t played since college.”

“You first.” He gestured for her to start.

She made her move, then settled back against the sofa front. She wondered what his background was and how it affected him. She couldn’t
help but think of Keith and how his father’s behavior had seemingly affected him.

Micah moved a rook, and she reached out to move her knight. He was playing to win, and there was nothing she liked better than a good competition.

Micah watched Hanna from across the chessboard as she made her third move. Her legs curled to the side, one leg folded under the other. Her long, straight hair hung on both sides of her face, and she casually tucked it behind her ears. She analyzed the board, her lashes sweeping the tops of her cheeks, lashes that looked soft and supple, not the kind that sprung stiffly with clumps of black makeup. In fact, he couldn’t see a trace of makeup on her face. Her lips were rosy pink but—

“Micah.”

“Huh?”

“It’s your turn.”

Her cheeks were flushed with pink, and he realized she’d caught him staring. He made a move with a knight and resolved to keep his eyes on the board. He’d thought about her a lot lately. Especially after her nightmare. She was independent and capable, but the vulnerability he’d sensed in her that night drew him.

She was a beautiful woman. The natural kind of beauty that you see on soap commercials. But it was more than outward beauty that attracted him. She was beautiful on the inside too. She’d been raised in a nice, Christian family, the kind that went on drives in the country and picnics in the summer. Her parents had been her biggest fans when she’d played volleyball in high school and sung solos at church. Their backgrounds couldn’t be more different.

She cleared her throat loudly.

“My turn again?”

Her smile wrapped around him like a hug. “Where are you tonight?”

“Sorry. I’ll do better.” He moved his rook, trapping her queen.

“Hey, how’d you do that? You’re not even paying attention.”

“I multitask well.”

“Man, I can’t do two things at once to save my life. Take that pat-your-head, rub-your-belly thing. I can’t do it. If I pat with my left hand, I pat with my right.”

“But you can play volleyball.”

She shrugged. “That’s different.”

“Have you ever thought about setting up a net behind the lodge in that big, grassy area?”

She paused in moving a knight. “That’s a great idea. We could have a volleyball night and get all the guests involved.”

“Sure. I think it’d be fun.”

She spoke as if to herself. “We have enough guests now—at least, if the cancellations stop.”

“Cancellations?”

“Lately we’ve had a lot of them. It’s odd.” Hmm.

“Have you ever known the Majestic to run ridiculously low rates during the summer to attract tourists?” She blocked his move.

“Sorry. I didn’t get involved in that aspect of the business.”

It would be strange if the Majestic was trying to attract Higher Grounds customers. The hotel had always bustled with business during the summer.

Hanna concentrated on the game, remaining quiet. He observed her as she tucked in the corner of her mouth and squinted at the board. She was too appealing. Dangerously appealing. He was already attracted to her, and now he was beginning to get emotionally involved.

Watch it, Gallagher.
He didn’t need the reminder. He’d been careless until now, but he was determined to keep the relationship on a professional level. She was his boss, and he needed to keep it that way.

At last Hanna made a final move, winning the game. That was fine. He didn’t mind losing a game to a woman. But he wouldn’t lose his heart to one. Not at any cost.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
 

Hanna started the mower and surged forward across the backyard. It was an old relic, her grandfather’s, but it was a ride-on model, and she was glad for that, given the size of the property. The sun warmed her skin, while a light breeze cooled her off and carried the smell of cut grass.

She actually enjoyed the chore, delighted in having time to think. And she could use a few minutes’ thinking time today. Something was not right with Micah. The amiable Micah was gone, replaced by an indifferent, aloof one. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He seemed his normal self with the customers and Gram. Namely, everyone but her.

What had happened after the chess game two days ago? She thought of every time she’d seen him since. There weren’t many instances since he’d done two-day trips, but there was a difference in his behavior toward her. He wasn’t rude or mean, just indifferent. Professional. Business only.

Just with her, though. She’d seen him joking with Mrs. Eddlestein and high-fiving the customers. Had she done something to upset him?

She edged around a tree and continued along the wood line, glancing at the large, open area of the backyard. She’d purchased a volleyball set yesterday, and Devon had volunteered to set it up.

Devon. He was a nice enough guy, but he was becoming a problem. When she’d expressed interest in volleyball, he’d asked if she wanted to
go watch Central Wyoming play sometime. She’d responded ambivalently, but she knew he’d ask again.

She shook her head. The guy she wasn’t interested in was all over her, and the one she wanted ignored her. She’d have to put an end to Devon’s interest, but she couldn’t use the you’re-an-employee line. After all, she wanted to pursue a relationship with Micah, and he was an employee too.

As she turned the mower back toward the lodge, Micah rounded the corner with an armful of backpacks. He balked when he saw her, then nodded in greeting as he continued on toward the barn.

Hanna watched him go and wondered again what was wrong. So much for building a relationship. It was going backward instead of forward.
I could use a little help here, God.

Micah emerged from the barn, and she waited until he neared, then shut off the mower. “Micah.”

He turned, brows raised.

“Are you all right? Have I done something to upset you?”

His tucked his hands in his pockets. “No, not at all.”

“You seem, I don’t know, different.”

He shook his head. “I’m fine. Hey, do you know where the dehydrated meat is? I looked in the pantry, but it wasn’t there.”

Hanna’s spirits sank at the change of topics. “You might ask Mrs. Eddlestein.”

He continued toward the lodge, and Hanna mechanically turned over the key. For whatever reason, he’d decided to keep their relationship professional. She tried not to take it personally. She wasn’t successful.
Was I wrong, Lord? Was this just my own silly thoughts? Before Micah, I didn’t even want to have a relationship with a man, much less be the pursuer. I’m no good at it, God. If this is what You want, please show it to Micah.

That night, after a dinner with Micah the Polite, she retired to her room for her quiet time. She was working her way through the Old Testament and was now in the book of Ruth. Ruth had lost her husband
and had traveled to Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who wanted to find a husband for her. Her instructions were clear:

“Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered.

Hanna continued reading and saw that Ruth had indeed done the forward thing her mother-in-law had asked of her. When Boaz discovered Ruth lying at his feet, he asked who she was.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsmen-redeemer.”

Hanna searched for the explanation of the verse at the bottom of the page. She knew a kinsman-redeemer was the closest male relative, who was responsible for marrying a widow. Her eyes found the answer to her question in the study notes.

Spread the corner of your garment over me.
A request for marriage.

Wow. The woman literally asked Boaz to marry her. Goose flesh tightened the skin on Hanna’s arms, and her heart tripped. Micah came to mind, and she shoved the thought away.

Oh no. No way, God, I am not asking Micah to marry me. Please tell me You’re not asking that.

She reread the verses and closed her eyes, listening more than praying. Her heart had not stopped its rhythmic pounding since she’d read the verses. Anxiety had sucked the moisture from her mouth, and she sipped from the ice water on her nightstand.

The words of the verses stirred in her mind, not settling anywhere, just floating aimlessly around. There was meaning in the story, a meaning for her, but it couldn’t be what she’d originally thought.
Okay, let’s think this through in a left-brained manner. Naomi knew what was supposed
to happen, and she told Ruth what she needed to do.
In Ruths case Naomi knew Ruth needed a husband.
So, what do I know? I know I feel drawn to Micah, and I know he needs a friend.
Her dream of their wedding day surfaced, but she shrugged it off.

She felt God wanted them together for some purpose.
It’s a little hard to accomplish that, God, when only one of us is aware of it.

Bingo.

The thought hit her like a sledgehammer.
That’s it. I’m aware of what God wants, but Micah isn’t.

The story pieces settled at last, though in a pattern she wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
You want me to tell him? Oh, Lord, wouldn’t it just be easier if You told him?

She squirmed uncomfortably. People didn’t just go up to others and say, “We’re supposed to be together.”
He’ll think I’m a fruit loop, Lord! A real nutso. People just don’t do that.
The Bible story flashed like a neon sign in her mind.
Well, they don’t do it anymore.

Hanna closed her Bible and lay back against her pillows. How could she just walk up to him and say that? And for goodness’ sake, not only did he show no signs of being attracted to her, he didn’t even want to be around her!

She looked grimly at her Bible as if the Book were at fault.
If I agree to this, Lord, I’m going to need the courage of Ruth. And it would help if You’d maybe prepare his heart to be open to what I say. And speaking of what I’ll say … I guess I’m going to need some help there too.

She breathed a laugh.
See, Lord, don’t You think it’d be easier to do it Yourself?