Friday Feature & Giveaway: Temptation by Marla Holt

Nicolas was covered in dirt and sweat, and his skin itched. If he hadn’t just destroyed one of his favorite parts of his year, he would have been satisfied with a good day’s hard work. As it was, the catharsis he’d been looking for felt more like a dead end. Like he was slowly erasing himself and his legacy from the church instead of controlling the narrative.

Rachel collapsed on the curb beside him. They sat on the edge of the church parking lot, looking out over the now-barren field where the garden had been.

She was just as dirty as he was, but it didn’t change how adorable he thought she was. He’d been so distracted by the way her tied-up T-shirt accented her waist that it had taken him more than an hour to realize she was wearing one of Blake’s campus ministry T-shirts. Because she had come from Blake’s place this morning.

He’d spent the rest of the day reminding himself of that.

“Here,” she said and handed him a red cup full of Coke.

He tried to hand it back. “I don’t drink soda.”

She pressed her fingers against his forearm, and the warm touch of her hand soothed the sore muscles like a balm. He wanted to lean into her but focused on the drink in his hand instead as she said, “It’s what’s in the soda, Nicolas.”

He sniffed. “Whiskey?” And a lot of it too.

Rachel looked to the sky and sighed. “Gabe’s funeral was five years ago today.”

Nicolas didn’t think. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “I’m sorry. I didn’t make the connection. How are you doing?”

Rachel shrugged and sagged against him. It was too hot to touch for long, but Rachel didn’t seem bothered by the heat or the fact that their significant others could turn from where they were gathered around the food table at any moment and see them embracing.

“It’s been five years, but I still miss him. Sometimes I wake up, and I still expect to find him in the kitchen making coffee and talking back to the news, like normal. Even if I have to resign myself to knowing things are never going to be normal like that again. I think that’s part of the reason why Naomi was determined to make this into a party. That and it was an excuse for her to flirt with your wife.”

Nicolas chuckled at her attempt at levity. He’d noticed the way Naomi had tracked Kat’s every move all day long. “I didn’t quite believe it before, but I think you might be right.”

Rachel only shrugged and motioned with her cup to where Naomi and Kat stood with Blake and the kids across the parking lot. Naomi squealed and pulled Kat into what looked like a spontaneous hug. Everyone else was smiling, so Nicolas chose to do the same. It hadn’t really been that bad, having them all here today.

Nicolas nudged Rachel, who was staring off into space, with his elbow. “What shall we toast to?” He didn’t want her to be sad today.

Rachel motioned toward the decimated field with her red cup. “To new beginnings,” she said.

Nicolas knocked his cup against hers and said aloud the one thing he’d been trying to garner for himself lately when it came to his job, and maybe his marriage. “To having the courage to start the journey.” They shared a sad smile before they both drained their drinks.