“Yeah, but does she know that?” he questions, sounding entirely unconvinced.
I sigh. “According to Birdie, she took some vitamins that made her pills ineffective. That’s all I know.”
Deafening silence follows. I wonder if Logan’s thinking things through or doubting the story. I hate phone conversations because you never have the full context of what somebody’s saying.
Finally, he recommends, “You better call Zane and let him know. Last thing we need is Birdie ambushing him at the ranch with the news.”
I wipe tears from my eyes silently, giving him a begrudging grunt before I hang up.
Rojas claps a hand to my shoulder, “Time’s up, buddy.” He lies down on the ground unceremoniously, closing his eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he fainted.
Knowing my time’s up, all I can do is text Faith. Typing as fast as I can before I head back, I write:“I fucked up today, and I’m sorry. I’ve let you and the baby down. But I promise, I’ll get my shit pulled together.”
Two more hours on direct lines, and the wind finally starts cooperating. Soon, rumblings go up and down the line that we’re about to get pulled back to make camp and rest. We’re already two weeks into this, so I can’t imagine this roll goingon much longer, especially if the next crew up can get ahead of it.
As much as I want to talk to Faith over the phone, I need to see her in person. There are too many miscommunications that happen over the phone. And I also need some damn sleep, so that I don’t take everything she says the wrong way or say something stupid.
Soon enough, we’re pulling out and handing things over to the Eagle Valley Hotshots. We make camp a good distance away from the main camp because Kurt doesn’t want to risk any of us catching a cold or the flu from other crews. By the look of things, we could be on our way home in as little as twenty-four hours.
The thought of seeing Faith again and hearing her sweet voice thrills me. But first, I’ve got to sleep. I text: “Sugar, word going around camp is we could be headed home within 24. I have to sleep because I’m so fucking exhausted. I’ll let you know when I’m headed your way. I need to see you.”
Chapter Fifteen
FAITH
“You and your sister have been nothing but disappointments to your parents and the congregation. And you’re both going to be eternally punished for it.”
I stare at the two elders from my soon-to-be former church unsurprised. They always were straight to the point with declarations of eternal damnation. And they couldn’t have caught me at a worse time, with everything so unsettled between Travis and me.
They also make me realize something about myself—how judgmental I’ve been of Birdie and Travis in the past. Even recently.
Seeing my nature reflected in their words and demeanor touches a nerve. How dare they threaten me, especially without even knowing the half of what’s going on. “And exactly what are we going to be eternally punished for?”
Elder Thompson has orangish white hair and a beard with no mustache. Elder Monroe has large ears and an underdeveloped lower jaw that makes his hawkish nose all the more prominent.
So far, Elder Monroe has done all of the talking, a trend he continues. “I don’t know where to begin with Birdie. What with her turning her back on the congregation and all. But you, Missy? We’ve seen you carousing with that Cartwright boy. He’s unchurched and unsaved, and you know what the Bible says about being unevenly yoked.”
“Yes, and I know what it says about a religious spirit, too. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” I can tell by the way their eyebrows shoot up, they’re not used to having the Bible turned on them.
But who are they to wield God’s justice? Or to call Travis unchurched and unsaved?
“You don’t have the training to wield scripture against us, young lady. What gives you that kind of authority?”
I know this is it. The final straw. I can’t stop myself, though. “A free-thinking mind and a will of my own.”
Stony silence crashes into the store. I’m done trying to please them and make nice. Realizing I’m carrying a child they would condemn in an instant only quickens my resolve.
“How dare you!” Elder Monroe spits, slamming his foot on the ground for emphasis. The gesture makes me jump a little and my heart races.
I’m not entirely sure what these men might be capable of given the right circumstances. I stare past them out the feed store window, hoping somebody … anybody will show up to interrupt this confrontation.
After all, they would never act this way publicly. I’ve never seen Monroe’s face turn redder. If I didn’t know the context of our conversation, I’d have half a mind to call 9-1-1 to get him medical intervention.
Thankfully, Elder Thomspon steps in. “We’re wasting our breath, Ebenezer. You heard the girl. She’s made up her mind. Now, it’s time for us to make up our minds.”
Monroe nods grimly. “Faith Jenkins, as much as this painsme, you are no longer welcome in the House of the Seven Prophets. You understand? That’s five generations of faithful devotion squashed by one selfish girl. Oh, and you can close your tab with the congregation. None of our farmers will be frequenting your feed store again.”
I watch as the men turn on their heels and storm out. Catching my breath, I realize this is the final nail in the feed store’s coffin.
