Chapter Twelve, Comfort Food

Beth froze. No ring…no ring…no ring, echoed in her head. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. Her ears roared as her mind reeled and panic surged through her. Just when she thought she might faint, Adam squeezed her hand - bringing her back to her senses.

"I…It's not…" She swallowed hard.

Taking a deep breath, she tried again. "I haven't…broken off...the engagement…I just…I couldn't think straight with the ring on my finger. No-no matter how many miles I put between Kyle and me…the sight and-and feel of the ring seemed to-to bring me face to face with him…with the pain and confusion…I just had to put it away for now. Can you understand that?" Her lips trembled and her eyes searched his as her pounding heart pleaded that he would.

Adam reached across the table with his free hand and gently wiped away the tear she didn't realize had fallen.

"Beth…you don't owe me any explanation…and, yes, I understand," he said in a gentle voice, his gaze caressing her face. "Do you plan on staying around for a while?"

"Yes…I'm not really sure how long. Initially, I didn't know if I'd ever go home. I just wanted to get away. Now…well, I know I'll have to return at some point. For now, I'm just trying to enjoy a vacation before I have to go back."

Tracing the back of her hand with his thumb, he nodded and said, "Well, I'm here for you as long as you decide to hang around…for as long as you need me, if that's ok."

Relief washed over her and she knew her face lit in a smile. "That would be great."

Scrunching her brow in confusion, she said, "But…what do you mean? I thought…Aren't you…Ohhh!" Understanding dawned on her. "You live here…in Pigeon Forge."

Wearing a sheepish grin, he said, "Yes. Sorry. I didn't want to tell you when we first met. You were so skittish…I was afraid you might think I was stalking you."

Giggling, she said, "Guess I can't blame you. I was pretty paranoid."

"That's ok. A woman traveling alone should be extra cautious."

Sighing, she gave his hand a light squeeze and pulled away to close her menu. "Thanks. Shall we order? Chicken-n-dumplings sound real good right now."

"And I think I'll go with the pot roast." Stacking the menus together, he signaled the waitress.

Once they ordered, he reached across the table with open hands. "Shall we pray?"

Nodding, she placed her hands in his, absorbing the comfort and security their gentle strength brought, and bowed her head.

"Dear Father, we thank you that you have kept us safe in our travels and that you have brought us together in your providence. May I be the help and strength…the friend that Beth needs during this time. Give her wisdom, Lord, to make the right decisions concerning her future. We thank you for this food and pray that you will use it to strengthen our bodies for your service. In Christ's name and for His glory we pray these things…Amen."

"Amen."

She looked up and met his smile with her own. "Thanks."

Snatching a corn fritter from the basket left by the waitress, she took a bite and her eyes went wide. "Mmm. Wow…these are delicious. I've never tasted anything like it."

His grin spread from ear to ear. "I told you they were good." Taking a bite of his own fritter, he shook his head and said, "Mm, mm, good."

Beth laughed and Adam joined her. And as they laughed, all her tension drained away…

~Linnette R Mullin