Chapter Sixteen, A Slip Of The Tongue

"Hey, girl! Whatcha up to?"

"Tiffany! It's so good to hear from you. I just sent you a care package in the mail today."

"A care package? Shouldn't I be sending you one of those?"

Beth laughed. "Ok…so maybe it's more of a fun package. There's something in there for you, the boys, and my mom."

"Fun package? Now, that I can go for. Speaking of your mom…she's threatening to call the police and file a missing person's report if she doesn't hear from you soon. Are you sure you don't want me to give her your phone number?"

Beth's heart thudded. The thought of anybody else knowing her whereabouts, made her feel…unsettled. "I'm sorry, Tiff. Please bear with me a little longer. Tell her she has a gift coming to you in the mail. It should be there by mid-week. See if that will satisfy her a little longer."

Tiffany sighed. "Alright. I'll do the best I can. But, I can't make any promises about keeping her from calling the police."

"I know. Thanks, Tiff."

"So, what's new? Since you're sending gifts, I assume you've been shopping. Have you done any sight-seeing?"

"Oh, yes! We went to the National Park just today. We walked a few trails, saw some waterfalls, went on a drive through Cade's Cove and rode a horse and buggy ride at the end. We took lots of pictures. I'll show them to you when I get back.

"It was such a gorgeous day and everything was so beautiful. I wished the whole time that you and the boys could see it."

"We? What do you mean by we? Did you run into somebody you know?"

"We?" Oops! So much for keeping quiet about Adam. "Oh, a friend I met. He and his family own a land office that manages a lot of the cabins around here. They also own the cabin I'm renting."

"I see."

How can a person pack so much disapproval into those two little words? Beth wanted to groan.

"Adam has the sweetest old couple running the office. I wish you could meet them. They're quite the characters. And, the way they talk about Adam…you'd think he hung the moon.

"Tomorrow, I get to meet his mom. Adam's picking me up for church and then we'll have Sunday dinner with her. I can't wait to meet her. She sounds like such a wonderful, Godly woman the way Adam talks about her--"

"Stop, Beth. The way you're rattling on tells me you're trying to hide something from me. What is it?"

She sighed. "I'm sorry, Tiff. It's just…I know how you feel about guys in general and I don't want you to jump to conclusions and lump Adam in with the whole lot of them. He really is different. He's kind and caring and thoughtful…sincere…an example of what a Christian guy should be."

"As opposed to Kyle? Is that what you're saying?"

Falling silent, Beth tried to get her swirling thoughts to focus. How could she ever explain to Tiffany how different Adam is from Kyle or any other guy she'd ever known? "I guess…sort of…he's…well…Adam's the most genuine guy I've ever met."

"Have you broken things off with Kyle?"

"No."

"Not yet, anyway…right?"

"Right…not yet. Look. I don't plan on breaking up with Kyle in order to be with Adam. It's not like that at all. It's just that having met Adam, I can see all the things I felt deep down were wrong with Kyle and with our relationship…things I couldn't even form into thoughts, much less words.

"I do plan on breaking off our engagement when I return home and can do it in person. But I'm not playing the field while I'm away, either. Besides, Adam isn't the kind of guy who would get romantically involved with an engaged woman. He's a good friend and he's helping me sort through this whole mess."

"I see. Well…all I can say is - proceed with caution. You have no idea what this guy's motives might be."

"If Adam wanted to hurt me or take advantage of me, he could have done so before now. I trust it all to God, Tiff. He's the one who sent Adam to help me and I'm trusting God to protect me, as well."

"If you say so. When are you coming home, anyway?"

Leave it to Tiffany to drop things the moment God is brought into it. "I'm not sure. I thought I'd go ahead and enjoy some vacation time while I'm here, and gear up for returning home. If I return home with the least bit of uncertainty, Kyle might guilt me into changing my mind."

"Ok. But remember, I'm not there to bail you out of any messes you might end up in."

"Gotcha. I'll be fine, I promise. It's when I return home that I'll need you to watch my back."

Tiffany laughed. "Yes, well…I'll be here. I need to go. Soccer practice just finished. The boys have their first game on Thursday."

"I'll be sure to call and see how things go, and to see if you received my package."

"Sounds good. Take care and I'll talk to you Thursday. Love ya, girl."

"Love you, too, Tiff. Give the boys hugs and kisses for me."

"Will do. Bye."

"B-bye."

Beth sighed as she clicked the phone off. What am I going to do about Tiffany, Lord? I sure wish she'd let go of her hurt and mistrust…give it all to You. Of course, how can I help her when my life is such a mess? Beth chuckled. You can, though. Can't You? I'm so glad. Thanks for all You do for me.

Lifting her fresh cup of hot tea, she stepped onto the large, screened-in porch.

Please keep Tiffany wrapped up in Your loving arms - even though she doesn't think she wants to be there. Please help Mom not to worry. Help her to trust You for my care. Please don't let her call the police. Continue to give me wisdom. Thanks!

Settling on the swing, she studied the sunset reflecting off the lush mountain-side trees. Peace washed over her as she listened to the gurgling of the stream. Lord, is this a little piece of heaven? Mmm…I wish it were mine. I think I could live here forever…