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Authors: Carrie Daws

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BOOK: Crossing Values
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Hope grew stronger inside Peter. He watched Amber nibble on her lower lip again.

“I decided I didn’t want to walk away from that. With my past, if God thinks I’m important enough to meet me here in Oregon, the least I can do is trust Him.”

“Trust Him?” Peter barely contained the excitement building in his chest. Could she possibly mean what I hope she means?

Amber laced her fingers together. “Monday night I talked to your mom about all this. I told God that I knew He sent Jesus to save me through His death on the cross. I believe God raised Jesus from the dead and now He is with God in Heaven. I asked Him to come heal my heart and show me what to do next.”

Peter jumped out of his chair and crossed the space to where Amber was standing. He grabbed her hands and held them tight.

Amber looked back at him, her eyes filling with tears. “You’re happy?”

“I don’t know if I could adequately tell you how much,” said Peter.

As they stood there, Peter clearly heard: Remember, Peter. Faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is. . . .

Yes, Father. Love.

“Come on, you two,” said Frank. “Let’s not be late tonight!”

Peter gently wiped a tear from Amber’s cheek then turned slightly and offered her his arm. “May I escort you to your first Christmas Eve service in Crossing?”

She gently placed her hand on his arm. “I’d be honored.”

Chapter 15

MATTHEW STOMPED HIS BOOTS AND
opened the door to the Law Office. “Mr. Williams?”

Andy turned from the bookshelf in the conference room and looked at the stranger. “Yes, sir?”

“I’m looking for someone. The sheriff said that you might be helpful.”

Andy looked at the man curiously, taking in his blue jeans, hiking boots, and winter coat. “Now why might the sheriff send you to me?”

“He said that since you’re the only lawyer in town, everyone comes to you. He also said you often make trips to the outlaying homes and might notice someone new that’s avoiding town.”

“Well, I suppose that’s a good working theory.” Andy closed the law book he was holding and walked toward the man. “Who exactly are you looking for?”

“Her name’s Rachel. She’s in her mid-twenties, about five-foot-two with dark hair and eyes.”

“That’s not much to go on. . . . I’m sorry. Your name is . . .?”

“Matthew. Here’s a picture, but it’s about ten years old.”

Andy took the picture and tried not to react. “Is she wanted for some crime?”

“No, nothing like that. Have you seen her about?”

“I can’t say for sure. Do you have a number I can reach you at if I have any information to pass on to you?”

“Sure. Here’s my card. Call me anytime.”

Chapter 16

AMBER FELT LIKE SHE WAS
living a dream. As the church sang “Away in a Manger” by candlelight during the Christmas Eve service, tears overflowed once more. Jesus, You came for me. I don’t understand, but thank You.

As she stood there trying to quietly wipe the tears away, Frank passed her his handkerchief and Peter looked at her with concern. All she could do was smile at him.

Several of those at the service were people she’d met while working at the office. Andy and Allie were there, as well as Micah, who seemed to have found some peace with the season. Everyone was friendly, but considering the hour, few wanted to hang around long after the service.

The drive home was peaceful and Peter dropped them off at the door. Before pulling away he looked at Amber and quietly said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Amber couldn’t remember a better Christmas. Faye spoiled her with more new clothes than she could remember owning in many years. And Peter gave her a new winter coat complete with hat, gloves, and a scarf. For the family, Amber had sketched different things: Faye at the logging office for Frank, Sassy lying in front of the couch for Peter, and the maple tree with the face of a child looking down from the sky for Faye.

“Oh, Amber.” Tears came to Faye’s eyes and Amber went to sit beside her on the couch. “However did you know how to draw Jamie?”

“I just looked at the similarities in your other three,” said Amber. “And I asked Peter some questions.”

“So that’s why you wanted to know if she looked more like Brittney or Logan,” said Peter.

“Yeah. All three of you look a lot alike, but you and Brittney are much closer. The shape of Logan’s face and jawline is more square and his mouth is more like his father’s.”

“You’re very good,” said Faye.

“You ever take any classes?” said Frank.

“Not really,” said Amber. “Just what I could pick up here and there. Once in high school I had an art teacher that encouraged me. She gave me a book on some techniques, but it got left behind quite a while ago.”

“Hmm. Might should fix that,” said Frank.

“I’m impressed, Amber,” said Peter. “If this is what you can do with copy paper and a regular pencil, I’d love to know what you’d turn out with more professional grade equipment.”

“This is beautiful, my dear,” said Faye. “I will treasure it. I think one of our boys here needs to hit the wood shop and make us some frames!”

: : : : :

Amber stretched and looked at the clock. 7:32. I’d best get moving. She leaned over the side of the bed and ruffled the fur on Sassy’s side. “Come on, girl. It’s four days after Christmas and the first day of the work week. I can’t lay around all morning!”

She went downstairs to find Faye making pancakes for breakfast. “Morning!”

“Good morning,” said Faye. “Sounds like we have a pretty lazy week ahead of us.”

“We do?”

“Good morning, my ladies,” said Frank. He walked over and grabbed a coffee mug.

“I was just startin’ to tell Amber about our week,” said Faye.

“If you two can finalize all the paperwork for the Christmas trees this week, I’d much appreciate it. Peter’s closin’ up things in town, and the men will be workin’ on recyclin’ whatever is left over. I gotta start thinkin’ about makin’ sure all the year end paperwork gets together for Allie.”

“Do you need any help with that?” said Amber.

“Here,” said Faye. “You two start in on these while you talk.”

Frank grabbed the platter of pancakes from her and walked over to the table. Amber got the syrup out of the pantry and grabbed orange juice from the refrigerator.

“I was actually wonderin’, dear-heart, if maybe you’d like to help take over some of the bills and all down there.” He stopped to look at Amber. “I can pay the bills and balance the checkbook, but outside of that I get lost pretty fast.” Frank grabbed the syrup and began pouring it over his pancakes. “Oops. Sorry, love.”

“Franklin,” said Faye. “I wash more tablecloths because of you.”

“True ’nough,” said Frank. He winked at her, and Faye just shook her head as she giggled back at him.

“Anyway,” said Frank, “if you’re interested, Faye could arrange some time for you and Allie to sit down and she could train you on a lot of the other stuff she’d like for me to be doin’.”

“I think I would like that,” said Amber.

“Good. Love, you think you can make time to call Allie and see what she’s got time for this next week or two?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

: : : : :

Peter opened the door slightly and kicked snow off his boots before entering the office Monday afternoon. As he closed the door he looked toward Amber. She was smiling at him. Man, she’s got a great smile. What a difference from just a few weeks ago.

“Okay, Mom. Here’s the final numbers from the tree lot. Chad and Jack are working through the few trees that were left and I hired a couple of the boys hanging out in the square to help finish cleanup.”

“Wonderful, Peter.” Faye took the papers from him. “Andy called and said he needs to talk to you.”

“That’s odd. I was in town all morning.”

“I got the feeling he was up in Portland,” said Faye.

“Hmm. I don’t remember him saying he was heading up there for anything. I wonder what’s up.”

“He wouldn’t really say. I could tell he was being careful with his words.”

“Did he want me to call him?” said Peter.

“I don’t think so,” said Faye. “He said he’d look for you at your house later tonight.”

“Sounds good. Anything else?”

“No, it’s been pretty quiet ’round here. I was thinking about closing up the office early.” Faye stacked the papers she was working on neatly and put them to the side of her desk. “Amber, why don’t you and Peter go for a walk?”

Sassy barked in response and began wagging her tail.

“The sun is shining beautifully,” said Faye, “and it doesn’t seem to be too cold out there this afternoon.”

“It’s actually nice right now,” said Peter.

“Are you sure you don’t need help with those numbers?” said Amber.

“Nah. We’ve already done most of what needed done for the week. You two go on and enjoy yourselves.”

Peter grabbed Amber’s new coat off the rack and held it out for her. He opened the door, and they took off for the spot where just a couple days before he had placed Faye’s new bench.

“Your dad’s going to get Allie to teach me more of the finances in the office so I can help him with all that.”

“Does that mean you’re going to be hanging around for a while?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it. In fact, I kinda forgot about my plans to move on. That’s weird.”

“Why?”

“Well, normally after just a couple of weeks I’d be looking for a map so I could figure out where I was and where I needed to go next. But, now . . .” Amber paused. Life is so different now. Could I really just stay here?

“Now, what?”

Peter stopped walking and Amber stopped with him. She turned to look at him.

“I think I’d like to stay.” Amber began to think about what all that could mean. Flashes of a home of her own, friends, and family passed through her mind. Two months ago I wouldn’t have thought it, but the idea of family and friends sounds comforting.

Peter smiled and reached for her hand. They started walking again.

After a few minutes, Amber said, “I suppose I should start looking for a place to stay. I can’t live with your mom and dad forever.”

“I don’t think there’s a rush. Mom likes you being close.”

“Yes, but the original deal was just for three or four months. If I’m thinking about staying here permanently, then I should get a place of my own.”

They’d reached the river and Peter brushed the bit of snow off the bench seat so they could sit.

“What about sharing?”

“Sharing? Like a roommate? I don’t know about that. It’s never worked out great before.”

“What about sharing with a husband?”

Amber stopped breathing momentarily. She could barely speak and wasn’t sure whether it was safer to look at Peter or the river. She couldn’t resist the urge to see what his eyes would tell her. “A husband?”

Peter reached for her hand again. “Look, Amber. I’m certainly not going to rush you down the aisle. I know a lot’s been happening inside you over the past month or so. But I do know that I am falling deeply in love with you. I’d like for marriage to be an option at some point in our future.”

Amber wasn’t sure what to say. Marriage. Me and Peter? She stood and walked a few steps closer to the river. “What about Stephanie?”

“Stephanie’s not an option for me. Never has been.”

“But you saw her so often.” Amber’s emotions were bubbling to the surface.

“I guess you could say that Stephanie was something to occupy my time. As far as I was concerned, she was never anything more than a friend.”

Amber felt like a huge load had been removed. Tears sprung to her eyes and began flowing down her cheeks.

“Anyway, she’d never settle down in Crossing,” said Peter, “or like my dad’s logging business. She was always pushing, trying to get me to move to Portland, become some executive in her father’s business. She just liked the idea of me. I’m not sure she ever liked the man I actually want to become.”

Amber couldn’t say a word without revealing she was crying. She just stood looking at the river, seeing instead the possibility of life with Peter. When did that become my dream? The first time we walked down this path together? Over dinner each night?

“Amber, what do you think?”

She turned and looked at him, tears still streaming down her face. “I don’t know what to think! I’m overwhelmed.”

Peter came to stand in front of her, taking her hands in his. “What is it, my precious one?”

Amber smiled at him. “First your dad wanted me. Then your mom and your dog.” Amber giggled for a moment. “Then I found out Jesus wanted me, and now you do. I feel like the verse you put on your mom’s bench. I feel like a ‘treasured possession.’”

Chapter 17

“ANDY!”

“Hey, Pete. We’ve got to talk.”

“Come on in.”

Peter was concerned. He knew his friend valued his home time, and to be away from Allie at almost 9:00 p.m. told him this was important. As Andy walked in, Peter noticed his crumpled suit pants and loosened tie. “You look beat. What’s going on?”

Andy sat on the leather couch while Peter took the chair next to him.

“I’m exhausted. I’ve been working on a new case, of sorts.”

“Can you tell me who the client is?”

“I guess you, Pete.”

“Me?”

Andy sighed. “A man came into my office the day after Christmas. A stranger to town, looking for a girl.”

“A girl? You mean Amber.”

“Well, I wasn’t sure, so I put him off. The girl he’s looking for is named Rachel.”

“So, it’s not Amber.”

“The picture he showed me of her at about fifteen or sixteen is a dead ringer. But I had to be sure, so I did some digging.”

Peter didn’t know what to think. My best friend is looking out for me. But he’s also digging up information on the woman I love behind my back. Amber’s already told me so much. Could there be more?

“The agency this man works for seems to be legit. They specialize in finding people. Based in Portland, they have a couple offices in California, one in Nevada, and another in Washington State.” Andy paused and rubbed his eyes.

BOOK: Crossing Values
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