“Exactly.” She smiled and turned to him. “Here we are. A couple best friends seizing the moment.”
Best friends.Dawson had come to hate the term, but she was right. Because if they were dating, she would have come to believe the way he did and she would understand that only the God of the universe could’ve created a setting as beautiful as this one.
A faint mist from the falls filled the air around them. London led the way as they moved over the bridge and up the first part of the more difficult hike. The trail was still wide enough that he could walk beside her. She took hold of her backpack straps and smiled at him. “How was church?”
“Challenging.” He chuckled. “Which is good, actually. I like being challenged.”
“So that’s it.” She lowered her sunglasses long enough to shoot him a look. “That’s why you think I’m the girl for you.”
He thought about telling her that this—the hike they were sharing, the intimacy between them—was why he thought that. But he didn’t want to joke about it. He ignored her comment and looked straight ahead, through the mass of evergreen trees to the Columbia River Gorge far beyond. “The message was from John 16.”
“John.” She shifted her attention to the trail. “That’s one of the gospels, right?”
“Yes. One of the four.” He wasn’t sure if she was still teasing. Her parents had been believers when she wasborn. London’s mother had told Dawson that years ago. But in the two decades since, life had become demanding and their faith had grown cold.
“So?” London actually seemed interested. “Why is John 16 challenging?”
A bald eagle swept into view just ahead. They were common in the gorge, but the sight still stopped Dawson in his tracks. He pointed up. “Look.”
London shaded her eyes and lifted her face to the sky. “Wow.” London was clearly moved. “Only God could make something so majestic.”
Chills ran down Dawson’s arms. He turned to her. “You mean that?”
“I do.” She started walking again. “I believe in God, Dawson. I just … I’m not sure about everything that goes with it.” They passed another hiker and London picked up her pace. “So what is it about John 16?”
He was still stuck on her last statement. The one about believing in God. But that could wait. He focused on her question. “There’s a verse that says we will have trouble in this world.”
“We will?” She uttered a sad laugh. “Not very encouraging.”
“There’s more.” He kept up with her. “It also says to be happy, because Jesus has overcome the world.”
She stopped walking and faced him. “What does that mean? That He’s overcome the world?”
Standing inches from her, the sunlight streaming through the trees on their faces, Dawson wondered if he had ever loved her more. Especially in light of this conversation. “Well …” He willed himself to remember what she had just asked. He wanted only to take her in his arms, andkiss her. With a slow sort of passion that would end the guesswork between them.
Instead he led her to a bench just off the trail. “Let’s sit for a minute.”
They took their spots, and turned just enough so their knees were touching. “So …” Her quiet laugh was prettier than any sound Dawson knew. “What does it mean?”
He leaned his shoulder into the bench. “It means no matter what bad things happen in the world, Jesus has already gained victory over them. By dying on the cross.”
She thought for a moment. “Why doesn’t He just stop the bad things from happening? Like with my mom’s kidney?” Her pause felt sad. “Wouldn’t that be easier?”
“It’s a broken world.” Dawson felt his smile drop off. “The only way out is by taking Jesus at His word.” He could barely see her eyes through her sunglasses. “You know?”
She took a quick breath and stood. “I guess.” The conversation was clearly finished. “Come on.” She reached for his hand and helped him to his feet. “I have forever to think about Jesus. Right now I want to reach the top of those falls.”
The rest of the hike took nearly an hour, and most of it required they walk single file. Their conversation faded, the beauty around them all they needed. But the entire time Dawson couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d said. London never talked about faith. She would laugh it off and dismiss it as something only Dawson cared about. Like a hobby or a club, nothing more.
Until today.
At the top of the trail they took a selfie, the Columbia River Gorge spread out behind them, the falls just ahead. A thousand shades of green and blue. On the way backdown the mountain they stopped at the gift shop and bought matching T-shirts that read:I HIKED THE FALLS AT MULTNOMAH AND LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT.
They both laughed at the wording. As if hiking Multnomah Falls was Oregon’s version of Mount Everest. “I’ll wear it whenever I’m missing you.” She held up the bag and skipped a few times as they left the little store. “Which is a lot lately. You’re always gone. All those development deals.”
He caught up to her. “And I’ll wear mine every time you’re out with Chuck.”
“Charles.” Her smile filled her face and she linked arms with him. “We broke up.” She laughed. “I know, they never last. Who cares.” She rolled her eyes.
