Alaskan Summer by Marilou Flinkman

the desk and approached the couple. “What will you need?”
    “The clerk says there are toiletries in the room, and if we need more to call.” He smiled at his wife. “I guess you’ll get to wear that sweatshirt you bought this afternoon.” He pointed to the shopping bag she clutched.
    “Do you take any prescription drugs that you will need right away?”
    “I have it right here.” Mrs. Harris dug into the large pocket-book she carried and pulled out a box with a compartment for each day’s pills. “This kept getting lost in the suitcase, so I put it in my purse.”
    Laurette said a silent prayer of thanks. Getting medicine at this time of night could be a problem.
    “Our office is in contact with your ship, so they’ll know where you are. We should be able to make airline arrangements for tomorrow.” She took a business card from her pocket. “If you need anything, please call my cell phone.”
    “Thank you, Laurette. You were an angel sent to help us.” Mr. Harris squeezed her hand between both of his.
    “We’ll be in contact with you in the morning. I hope you have a pleasant night.” Laurette watched the couple walk toward their room. She could smell food from the café. The pork chops can wait.
    She went into the restaurant and drank a cola while the waitress made up take-out boxes of the nightly special. Hope Ruth likes meat loaf, she thought after paying for the food.
    Laurette arrived home to smell fresh baking.
    Ruth came to the kitchen door with a big smile. “I baked a cake.”
    “Smells good and looks better.” Laurette put the take-out boxes next to the sheet cake on the table.
    “I used one of the box things John left here. He even had a can of frosting to go with it. I hope it tastes all right.”
    “It will be wonderful.” Laurette put the teakettle on the stove and took dishes from the cupboard. “I brought some hot food home. Then we’ll have that dessert.”
    When Laurette said grace, she silently added thanks to Jesus for taking care of her friend. “Wow, Ruth. Your cake is almost too pretty to eat.”
    “When did you make meat loaf? I haven’t had any in a long time. It tastes good.”
    Laurette told her friend about the people who missed their ship, explaining that the convenience of the take-out meal was too good to pass up. “I decided to let someone else do the cooking for us since I was running so late.”
    Ruth chuckled. “Nice to know I’m not the only one who gets confused. And we ended up with a delicious dinner.”
    Ruth cut pieces of cake while Laurette refilled their cups. “When will we have Ryan over for dinner again?” she asked.
    “I hadn’t thought about it,” Laurette admitted. “I asked him before because he was taking me to the music festival.”
    “Well, let’s feed him again.”
    “I’ll take him some cake tomorrow. That’ll tempt him to come to dinner.”
    Ruth smiled. Laurette could see her friend’s pleasure in the compliment.
    “I’m not sure whether Ryan’s a believer.” Laurette sipped her tea.
    “Do you talk to him about Jesus?”
    “Not really. I don’t know how to begin.”
    “Shouldn’t be hard for you to talk about the Savior. Your faith is evident in all you do.”
    “Really?” Laurette looked closely at Ruth. She seemed so clearheaded tonight, and she had baked a cake. She dared to hope it would last. Please, Jesus, hold Your servant Ruth in love and guidance.
    “Shall we get these dishes cleaned up?” Ruth started to stack the plates.
    After they had washed the dishes together, Ruth settled in her chair while Laurette e-mailed her parents. She knew her dad and brother would be busy with the wheat harvest. Her mom would be cooking huge meals to feed the workers. A note from their daughter would assure them she was okay.
    “Ready to read now?” Ruth asked when Laurette closed her laptop.
    After sharing the Scriptures, the women prepared for bed. Laurette had just reached for the light in her room when her cell