Flash Flood (9 page)

Alina hesitated. She refused to lie, and the truth bordered on more than she cared to confess. “For some of them, that fact doesn’t matter. In any event, I’m committed to finishing strong.” She forced a chuckle with the cliché. “Fred needs to take it easy, and I’ll do all I can. I’m sure this week will be easier. Ryan is not demanding at all, and he could be under the circumstances.”

“Fred likes him and says Ryan comes highly recommended from Neon.”

“I can see why. I suppose he told you Ryan joined the Tuesday morning Bible study.”

“Right, and he came to a Friday night men’s study at our church. That’s a positive step no matter how you look at it. I have to believe Ryan is praying for things to smooth out.” Marta pulled off one of her gloves to allow a drop of rain to fall into her palm. She frowned. “I’m ready for lots of sunshine in more ways than the weather. Say, have you updated your résumé?”

“Sure have. Even made a couple of inquiries, but I need to work on it a little more.” Alina wanted the topic to change—to anything but work and Ryan.

The two moved their horses to a ridge overlooking a clump of barren trees where they could see through the limbs. In the distance, the Ohio River, swollen from the thawing snow, flowed lazily. With the sky a tinge of gray, the water reflected the same gloomy tint.

“No matter what the season,” Marta said, “I always have to look at the river, study it as though I’m checking the temperament of an old friend. Not sure why, except the river symbolizes that no matter what crisis plagues us, life continues its ebb and flow.” She turned to Alina. “Some things were put here to show us the majesty of God’s creation.”

“I find it hypnotizing.”

“I love the river and fear it at the same time, all that tremendous power within the banks of Ohio and Kentucky. No wonder the Native Americans revered it.”

Marta’s calm reflections soothed Alina’s restless spirit. She welcomed the change of pace and the insight.

“Can you imagine paddling a canoe way out there?” Marta asked. “I’d be petrified, and I’m rather daring.”

Alina pointed to a barge making its way downstream, most likely with a load of coal. “One of those or a ferry is more my style.”

The two laughed and watched the barge inch its way along.

“Alina.”

She turned to face the woman of wisdom. “God has a plan, and His purpose will unfold just like the river rises and falls. He will see you through the next few months with blessings far more than you could ever dream. I feel this so deeply that I had to share it.”

“I have to believe those very same things,” Alina said. “Without His promises, I’d give up.” She blinked back a few tears. The urge to tell this wise woman about Ryan nibbled at her heart, but it was best that her secret stay intact. Fred and Marta were concerned about the decision they’d made regarding Flash, and Alina loved them dearly. If they learned the truth, they’d feel even worse.

Monday, 4:00 a.m
.

Ryan stared at the clock. The large numbers glared in red.
Why am I awake at four in the morning?
He recalled his mother’s words. “If God wakes you in the middle of the night, it’s a direct line. Better listen to what He has to say.”

Okay, Lord, I’m listening, or am I supposed to be praying for someone?
For the next few moments, Ryan prayed for everyone he could think of. Still, sleep evaded him.

Lord, is this about the job offer in Columbus? Am I supposed to take it? Decline?
As good as the promotion sounded, he feared jumping into a new position. His parents would love having him around, although they traveled a lot since retiring. He chuckled. All of this could be so he’d keep watch on his parents’ home and feed the dog when they were gone. He ought to seek out their advice, or at least run the idea past them.
Never hurts to gather wise counsel
. Ryan switched on the light above his nightstand and reached for the notepad. He jotted down a reminder to call Mom and Dad.

Lord, is this break into my sleep about Alina? Is she having a tougher time than I think with this transition?
Of course, the whole buyout had to be overwhelming: losing her job and all the insecurities surrounding a possible career change and relocation. To top it off, she had to work with him. Back in college, she’d exhibited extraordinary strength except when it came to dealing with her mother. Perhaps her mother was ill and Alina needed to take care of her, too. He took a deep breath and weighed the merits of calling her—to check on her. She most likely wouldn’t appreciate being wakened, but if something was wrong, he could offer help.

The urge to phone Alina refused to let up. His gaze rested on his cell phone by his computer. Even his toes tingled. Finally he crawled from the bed and looked for her number in his Flash contacts. A part of him figured he was asking for trouble—possibly the harassment suit that often entered his mind. He cringed; a lawsuit would take care of any promotions. Yet … what if someone was trying to break into her home, or she’d received devastating news? Ryan ignored the reservations and punched in her number on his cell. She answered on the first ring.

“Alina, this is Ryan. Are you all right?”

“Ryan?” She yawned. “Yes, I’m fine. Why?”

“I had this weird feeling you might need help.”

“Not at all. For some reason I woke up and haven’t been able to go back to sleep.”

He smiled and leaned back on the bed. “Me, too. I—I feel really stupid about this call. And you’re fine?”

“Yes, unless you have a cure for insomnia.”

“I usually pray.”

“Yeah, I remember what your mother used to say.”

She hasn’t forgotten
. “So were you praying for me?”

“Do you fancy yourself at the top of my list?” He loved the teasing in her voice.

“Sorry. A guy can hope.” Silence. The wrong thing to say. “Did you have a good weekend?”

“As a matter of fact, I did. I took Anna outside on Saturday afternoon, and we had a picnic of sorts. A little chilly, but I wrapped her up good. Then today, Marta, Fred’s wife, and I rode horses on their property. I guess that was yesterday. What about you?”

Lonesome and thinking about the past
echoed through his mind, but he shoved it aside. “Saturday I drove into Kentucky and enjoyed a bit of early spring. Sunday I attended a church here in Radisen, grabbed a to-go lunch, jogged a few miles, and read a great novel. Oh, and I took a nap. Old age must be settling in.” He hesitated. “Do you know why you woke up so early?”

“Not a clue.”

So I could call?
“Guess I should let you try to sleep again.” She yawned again. “It’s nearly four thirty, and we have to work today.”

“See you in a few hours, and thanks for understanding about my early morning call. It’s—it’s been good talking to you.” Ryan disconnected the call and set his cell phone on the nightstand. Wide awake, he headed for his laptop to get a head start on the day. He hoped the rest of the day made more sense than these last few minutes.

Vulnerable
best described how Alina felt. She should have exploded at Ryan for calling at such a horrible hour. Instead, she chatted away like the time or their business relationship meant nothing—like a giddy teenager. Why, she nearly flirted with him. How utterly disgusting.

If only she hadn’t been awake to begin with—and thinking about him. And yes, she’d been talking to God about the mess in her life, and she’d shed buckets of tears in the process. In a peculiar way, it seemed perfectly logical that Ryan should call a little after four in the morning. After all, he’d occupied her thoughts since before three.

If she didn’t watch her every step, Ryan would discover her feelings for him. How would she handle that catastrophe? Alina groaned and punched her pillow. The thought of him learning about the love buried in her heart for over six years sent her stomach into a twist worse than a roller-coaster ride.

Unable to sleep, she threw back the blankets and headed for the shower. With all this extra time, she’d edit her résumé and send it to a few prospective employers. Two companies in Columbus had indicated interest. The commute from Columbus to Anna’s home was about an hour and a half. Definitely doable.

She stretched. About two o’clock this afternoon, she’d be searching the drawers in the break room for toothpicks to hold her eyes open.
Thank you very much, Mr. Ryan Erikson. One more time you succeeded in robbing me of precious sleep
. He held the record for the cause of her insomnia. If only … the truth could be hidden from him, but she feared he’d one day learn her secret.

A tear slipped from her eye and rolled down her cheek. Emotional rain. Love showers. A flood of regret. No matter how she termed it, remorse always came in the form of Ryan Erikson.

Tuesday, 9:30 a.m
.

“Alina, how are things with the terminator?” James poked his head inside her office right after Ryan disappeared with Deidre to access records on the second floor.

James’s stance on the buyout had nearly gotten the best of her on numerous occasions. “Your attitude is not my idea of cooperation. Neither is it a way to respect Fred. Even if you don’t like Ryan, you could still honor Fred’s request.”

“So he’s won you over? I thought you had more sense than to side with the enemy.” He stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets. “I’m disappointed in you.”

“Ryan is not the enemy, and neither is Neon. Fred went to them when his health dictated retirement and he realized customers needed better service. You know that as well as I do. And you, of all people, should recognize Flash’s inability to stay up-to-date with technology.”

“People here in Radisen are fine with our service. You have a degree that will help you land another job, even if you’re one of the unlucky employees who won’t have one. I don’t have a college education, and neither do my guys. We have families to feed. Kids to clothe. Rent to pay. You don’t have a clue about finances.”

Alina’s temperature gauge registered above the boiling point, and anger took over. She stood and clenched her fists. “If you don’t leave my office this instant, I will go to Fred with the recommendation that he replace you. Then you can tell Becky and the kids how you lost your job.” She took a deep breath, and common sense flowed back into her veins. “James, you’ve been coming to Bible study for the past few months. Your family has regularly attended church. Harboring bitterness and resentment is not what God wants for any of us. I admit I’m having a hard time with the buyout, but I want to please God and do my best for Him. By improving my attitude, I help Fred.” She took a deep breath. “I apologize for spewing at you—not for the words but for how I said them.”

James’s jaw tightened, and he whirled around. The keys on his belt jingled down the hall. Alina stood and watched him head back to where the servicemen gathered when not on calls. He might not have appreciated what she said, but she felt God had spoken to James through her words. Ironic, yet so like her heavenly Father.

“Good job,” Deidre said.

Alina turned to see her friend grinning like a child with a bag of candy. “You heard?”

“Every word. James received a heavy dose of reality from you. He’s been stirring up trouble among the employees, and I don’t like it. Sooner or later he’ll have to make a choice, or Fred and Ryan will have him escorted out the door.”

Alina nodded. She swallowed a lump the size of a golf ball. Tears for James Ferguson? Why not? God wept oceans for His children.

“Here comes Ryan now,” Deidre said. “I opt for not telling him about your recent visitor.”

“He won’t hear it from my lips.”

“Have either of you seen James?” Ryan asked a moment later. “We have an appointment.”

“I saw him head that way,” Alina said, pointing toward the back. “He’s probably with the servicemen.”

“Thanks. We’re supposed to go on a few calls together.”

“With James?” Deidre’s face paled.

“Yeah. If I don’t return, call out the National Guard.” Ryan chuckled, but Alina didn’t think it was a bit funny.

“Who else is going?” Alina asked. “Just in case we get worried.” She forced a smile.

“No one. Oh, he’s harmless. All talk. See you later.” Ryan strolled down the same hall that James had taken.