I licked my lips and climbed out. Zach didn't bother to lock up the helmets.
'It's a short path,' he said, heading off into the underbrush.
I didn't know whether to refuse and stay by the motorcycle or run down the road for help. I reluctantly followed. After about twenty yards we came into a clearing. There was the foundation of a destroyed house and a rickety pier with a lot of the boards missing. Zach pointed at the outline of the house.
'The house burned down shortly before I moved to Savannah. Mr. Appleby represented the owners who had to sue the insurance company on the policy.'
'Why?'
'The company alleged arson. There was no question it was a set fire, but the evidence connecting our clients was sketchy. They used the insurance money to pay off business debts and avoid bankruptcy instead of rebuilding the house.'
The strip of land extended out and provided a nice view up and down Tybee Creek. In the distance I could see cars crossing over the bridge.
'It's a pretty spot,' I said. 'Can we go now?'
'You can see better from here,' Zach said, walking toward the water.
I followed him to a gazebo near the edge of the water. It didn't take many months for wood to weather in the salt air. Only a few flecks of white paint remained. The vines planted at the edge of the structure were in summer green. Zach didn't enter the gazebo but sat on the front steps. I stood beside him. He was right about the view.
'I like to come here and pray,' he said. 'I've been in every season of the year.'
I looked at him in surprise. I'd been thinking about him in such a negative way that his comment caught me off guard.
'Why here?' I managed.
'It reminds me of a place I liked to go in California. It wasn't near the ocean, but it felt the same.'
'What sort of place?'
'Up in the mountains near an abandoned cabin that had fallen in on itself. That's where the Lord told me to come to Savannah.'
I sat down on the far end of the steps, leaving a healthy distance between us. 'How did that happen? You promised to tell me.'
'I know.' Zach smiled and took off his sunglasses. 'And I try to always keep my promises.'
It was such a sweet smile that I blushed in embarrassment at my fears of a few moments before.
'Mr. Appleby read an admiralty case note I wrote for the Pepperdine Law Review and contacted me. I'd never visited this part of the country and agreed to fly out for a visit. I already had three offers from law firms on the West Coast but thought it wouldn't hurt to check out Savannah. I met with Mr. Appleby, and he offered me a job before I left town. The money didn't compare with the other firms' offers, but the cost of living is so much lower here that it was worth considering. Of course, like you, the most important consideration for me was God's will.'
'Did you ask your parents?'
'We discussed it. They wanted me closer to home but tried not to let their emotions get in the way. In the end, they left it up to me. That's probably easier to do with a son than a daughter.'
'My parents allowed me to make my choice this summer.'
'Good for them. Anyway, I rode the black motorcycle into the mountains so I could spend time praying about the decision. I took a tent and sleeping bag so I could spend the night.'
'Alone?'
'Except for the bears and mountain lions. The old cabin was built on land purchased by the state to include in a park. It was okay to camp there, but I couldn't build a fire. Just before the sunset I was reading in Acts about the fellowship the early Christians enjoyed in Jerusalem.'
'When they had all things in common?' I interrupted.
'Yes, only the part that touched my heart was the phrase 'fellowship of believers.' In my family, relationship with other Christians stood at the center of everything. I knew if I took one of the other jobs, I might make more money, but that the fellowship of believers waited for me in Savannah.'
'Where are these people?' I asked, feeling excitement rise up inside me. 'I could go to church with you tomorrow.'
Zach shook his head. 'I'm not sure I've met them. I'm part of a church that meets in a house on the north side of the city. It's a great group, but as I've continued to pray about the verse, I think it may be more personal than corporate.'
'I don't understand.'
'The best fellowship often happens one-on-one with another person, not in a crowd of people.'
I swallowed. 'Are you talking about male/female fellowship?' I asked.
Zach laughed. 'With everything shared in common. You're already good at cross-examination.'
'Why are you telling me this? You're not talking to me as you would a summer clerk.'
'That's right. You're the type of girl who deserves the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I want to be completely up front with you. I'm interested in getting to know you better, but only with your permission. If you say no, I won't bring it up again, and there won't be any hard feelings on my part.'
It was the most flattering, pure-hearted invitation I'd ever received from a male.
'I'll need to talk to my parents about it.'
'Sure. You can talk to Joe Carpenter if you like. I'm not suggesting we date or agree to anything beyond getting to know each other in a transparent way.' Zach gestured with his hand across the expanse of the marsh. 'Without the distractions of phony barriers.'
I stared at the marsh for a few moments. My heart beat a little faster. 'I've never had anyone approach me like this,' I said.
Zach pulled on his ponytail. 'And I'd bet you've never met a Christian lawyer from California with long hair who owns two motorcycles.'
17
DURING THE RETURN TRIP TO MRS. FAIRMONT'S HOUSE, THE SUN climbed higher in the sky. The artificial breeze created by the speed of the motorcycle kept me outwardly cool, but inside I felt flushed.
I barely knew the young lawyer, but he'd already shown the ability to get behind my defenses. No one, not even the boys at church who'd known me all their lives and shared the same religious convictions, ever came close to relating to me as a person. The novelty of the ride in the sidecar couldn't compete with the new thoughts racing through my head. I spoke into the microphone.
'How long have you been thinking about what you said to me on the island?'
Zach glanced sideways. 'Is this a good time to talk about that question?'
'Yes.'
'Since the first time we met.'
'Was it the homeschool connection?'
'It was everything. Put yourself in my shoes. How hard is it to meet people whose main goal in life is to love and obey God?'
We stopped in front of Mrs. Fairmont's house. I handed him the helmet. 'Do you want to come in for a few minutes?' I asked.
'No, I'm going to the office.'
'Thanks for the ride.'
As I reached the front door, I heard Zach pull away from the curb. I couldn't resist stopping to watch him ride down the street until he was out of sight.
Flip greeted me at the door. Mrs. Fairmont was sitting in the den with a book in her lap. Her eyes were closed. I quietly walked over to her chair. The book in her lap was a biography of Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams. I
