Free Rocky Point Reunion by Barbara McMahon

praying all along, but after leaving like he had, he hadn’t felt worthy. He still didn’t. God didn’t want people to hurt those they love. Or to turn away from Him. Yet Zack had done that and more.
    Could he come back and fit in? Or would his restless spirit keep him from the contentment his brother seemed to have found?
    Some of that was due to Gillian, he knew. The Lord wanted man to have a helpmeet and Joe had Gillian.
    He’d had a good one himself and carelessly thrown it all away.
    Jenny was talking a mile a minute when he stepped into the kitchen. She regaled whoever was on the phone with her day at Sally Anne’s, the new swimsuit she’d bought with money from Uncle Zack and the plans for swimming later in the week if the weather stayed warm.
    â€œWhen are you going to be home?” she asked. She nodded and looked at Zack. “Okay. Here’s Uncle Zack. They’ll be home next week,” she said, handing him the phone and scampering out of the room.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œIt’s Joe. We’re in Saint Louis. Saw the arch today. I told Jenny we stopped at an internet café and sent some pictures, so she can see them. How are things going?”
    â€œGood. Kimberly helped today, taking Jenny. I hopeshe doesn’t expect me to reciprocate. Two giggling seven-year-olds would be more than I can cope with.” He leaned back in the chair remembering trying to keep up with her energy. And the cute things she unexpectedly said during the course of a day.
    Joe laughed. “She won’t. I’m sure she’s glad to have Jenny with Sally Anne. Together they entertain themselves. How was the church picnic?”
    â€œFine.” He went on the alert. He didn’t want to discuss his meetings with Marcie, not yet.
    Joe waited a couple of seconds. “Marcie there?”
    â€œYeah. We talked. I apologized. And saw her father today to apologize. He’s aged.” Zack carefully kept his tone neutral.
    â€œHaven’t we all?”
    â€œA teenager I met at the picnic wants to learn more about cars, so I had him at the shop today. He might stop by again. He’s smart, and won’t be unsupervised.”
    â€œYour call. If you’re serious about going in partners, we’ll talk more about it when I get back. Which should be mid to late next week. We’re heading for Chicago next, then New York and Boston. Gillian hasn’t seen anything farther east than Vegas, so we’re both enjoying it. Just wish we could drive together.”
    â€œShould have gotten a huge moving van and put her car in it.”
    â€œYeah, right. Take care of my daughter.”
    Zack smiled. “Always. You two enjoy the sightseeing.” He hung up slowly, thinking about what Jenny had said on the bluff.
    â€œGod, if You’re still listening for me,” he said. “I’d, uh, like to ask Your blessing on my brother and his fiancée as they drive across the country. Please keep them safe,” headded, feeling awkward. He waited a heartbeat then went to show Jenny the photos Joe had emailed.
    When he tucked her into bed later, he went back to the computer to look again at the pictures. A lot were singles, either of him or Gillian. She was lovely with her tawny golden-blond hair and bright blue eyes. So different from Pamela, Joe’s first wife. In addition to being beautiful on the outside, she was as beautiful on the inside. Sweet and loving to Joe and Jenny, and welcoming to him.
    Of course, they had no past together.
    He gave in to the desire to hear Marcie’s voice once again. He dialed her number, knowing he had the perfect excuse and hoping she wouldn’t hang up on him.
    â€œHello?”
    The sweet sound warmed his heart. “Hi, Marcie, it’s Zack.”
    â€œNow what?”
    He settled in the chair, taking it as a good sign that she hadn’t hung up on him.
    â€œJoe sent some pictures, thought you might want to