Operation Breathless by Marianne Evans Page A

defeat swooped in and attempted a coup. No one was beyond redemption—especially a displaced soul like Chelsea. Trying to cling to hope, he watched Susanna. She accompanied Layla’s team, and reassurance built. The contrast between the two teens was startling.
    Once they finished canoeing, the group assembled for a shoreline picnic complete with cold meat sandwiches, fruits and veggies, chips, pop, and cookies. Gabe opened the cooler he’d packed with Susanna that morning so he could distribute additional pop and water bottles. After that, he paired up with his boss, joining her on the checkered blanket she’d spread across the ground.
    He sat and stretched his legs while she perched next to him, cross-legged. She didn’t eat right away. Instead, she lifted her face toward the sky and breathed out a happy sound.
    “You seem content,” he observed.
    “This is awesome. You’ve done a fantastic job.”
    “I appreciate the compliment.” The only damper on his mood was Chelsea. He longed to reach her, but short of a miracle, he wouldn’t. Gabe’s confidence wavered—as it had so many times in his professional life. He forced himself to focus instead on the victory of Layla’s mood and the teenager’s adaptation to new and positive experiences.
    “I think Layla’s enjoying herself. She seems to like Kaitlyn. Wish I could say the same for Chelsea.” Susanna leaned back on her hands, her eyes still closed.
    Gabe took her in. Her words sang affirmation through his spirit. “Read minds much?”
    She chuckled, her face still directed toward the sun. “Remember, Gabe, rehab is a time consuming, step-by-step process. I think God gives us just enough victory to keep us going, and just enough tribulation to keep us humble. Layla is a victory today. Chelsea—well—she may not be a victory yet, but I refuse to write her off. I can’t. She’s a work in progress. Let’s keep on hoping and praying.”
    Despite the countless tragedies he’d witnessed during his time in Detroit, nothing filled him with greater hope and determination than that solid declaration of faith. Gabe cleared his throat and shook free of wistful desires—and that heart-melting warmth. This isn’t going to last. It can’t. “If you keep hoping, then I will, too.”
    She opened those bottomless, chestnut eyes of hers just long enough to peek at him and deliver a smile powerful enough to stoke the embers of his bleak, embattled spirit.
    Against his better judgment, Gabe’s heart took flight.
     
    ****
     
    The second half of their field trip began at the head of Sawmill hiking trail where Gabe split the kids into pairs and detailed their next event—a trust walk.
    “This hike is about recognizing dependence. It’s also about being safely guided.” While he spoke, he walked from twosome to twosome, distributing long, thin swaths of cloth. “Step one? Decide who’s going to be the leader. Next, tie the blindfold over the eyes of your partner.” Nervous titters erupted. Gabe kept moving. “Oh, c’mon—get over it, people! Those of you who are blindfolded first, have no fear. You’ll get your chance to lead. We’re about to embark on a pretty long journey. Everyone gets a chance to lead…everyone gets a chance to trust. Just like in real life.”
    Once again, Susanna admired the way Gabe took charge. He was a natural. His focus on helping the teens earned her respect and gratitude. She surveyed the kids, noticing a couple things straight away. First, Layla horsed around with Kaitlyn. Layla seemed to enjoy the idea. Second, Chelsea wore inappropriately tight, low-slung blue jeans paired with a too-small, long-sleeved graphic tee. Chelsea’s closed off stance simmered with hostility, and that broke Susanna’s heart.
    Still, she prayed.
    “What about you, Mr. Peretti?” One of the Tabernacle kids piped up, returning Susanna to the moment at hand. “You put this together. You should have to do it, too!”
    “Fair enough.” Gabe’s