A Journey by Chance by Sally John Page A

restaurant delayed their exit from the city. Although rush hour was over, they encountered an accident on the freeway, and traffic was held up for a while. She had fallen asleep in the back.
    Brady remained cheerful through it all. After their curt discussion on the bus about their parents, they had changed the subject. He was friendly enough toward her, but seemed aloof as before, as if that chip had perched itself back up on his shoulder. She didn’t exactly mind; she had enough problems to occupy her energies without delving into his.
    It was odd that he pressed to take her home.
    With a start she realized she really hadn’t thanked him for the bus tour. On top of everything else, she seemed to be developing a knack for rudeness. She knew better. “Brady. Thank you for the bus tour.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    â€œAnd for, um, well, coming to find me when you did.” Her stomach ached again as she remembered reading about the elephant. How could life get so messy in just 28 short years?
    â€œGuess it was God’s timing.” His voice was soft. “Couldn’t have our guest crying all by herself in the middle of downtown Chicago.”
    â€œGod’s timing? I doubt He’d care about something like that. There are too many important things going on in the world.”
    â€œBut this was important to you, and you’re important to God. That’s the whole point of Jesus walking on earth in the form of a man, to tell us that He does care about all the nittygritty details of life.”
    â€œIs that what you write about?”
    â€œYeah, I guess basically it is.”
    â€œFrom what I read on the book jacket, the characters are everyday people.”
    He pulled into Aunt Lottie’s driveway. “You read the book jacket?”
    â€œActually I bought the whole book.”
    â€œThank you.” The porch light illumined his face. He was grinning like a little kid.
    â€œYou’re welcome. You’re the first nationally known author I’ve ever met. Thought it would be appropriate to get a copy. Well, thanks for the ride.” She reached for the shopping bag between them on the bench seat.
    Brady placed his hand over hers. “Do you mind sitting here for a minute? I need to say something.”
    â€œUm, okay.” She felt it again. It was like in the department store. His hand on hers gave her an instant sense of well-being, as if some invisible protective covering gently enfolded her.
    He removed his hand and cut the engine. “I was out of line on the bus.” He stopped. As he turned toward her, the front porch light threw a shadow across his face.
    She surmised that he referred to his snappish response to her not knowing about Rosie. “Well, I can’t imagine what life is like in Valley Oaks. I can’t understand what growing up here with this knowledge meant.”
    â€œLikewise, I just can’t imagine you not knowing. I apologize. Look, I know this is uncomfortable, but can we talk through it so that we can stop trying to avoid it?”
    â€œI take it this is what’s been bugging you?”
    â€œMm-hmm.”
    â€œBrady, I don’t know if I have it in me tonight. I am exhausted.”
    He looked toward the windshield and drummed his fingers on the dashboard a moment, then turned back. “To tell you the truth, I won’t sleep tonight until I air this thing. Five minutes?”
    She slid down until her head rested back against the seat. “I guess I’ve only been avoiding it since this morning. I imagine every time the Lindstrom-Philips family came to town, you’ve been avoiding it.”
    â€œI’m pretty much faced with it all the time, what with all your cousins around. And now my cousin is marrying a Lindstrom. Kind of impossible to avoid it.”
    â€œWhy is it so difficult for you? Every family tree has a skeleton in its closet. It’s not like you’re responsible for