Second Chance with Love by Alana Hart, Ruth Tyler Philips
Authors: Alana Hart, Ruth Tyler Philips
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sick on short-term missions."
"No, not at all. Everyone's response is different. Just think, it can be more difficult to acclimatize on short-term trips because they are over so quickly." Hilda returned back to the bunk, but tossed aside the mosquito net and sat up. "When I was your age I had dreams of going on long-term missions, but mother wouldn't even let me go on short-term ones. Now I take every opportunity to go on trips, but only short-term strips fit into my schedule. You are getting an experience most people can only dream of, and you have enough faith and courage to take you this far. I say don't be too hard on yourself."
"Thanks." Abigail got changed into her nightgown in the small bathroom. "And you?" she called.
"Me?" Hilda raised her eyebrows.
"I've had many team leaders. But you're the only one who looks like you were wanting to go home the moment you got here."
Sitting in the moonlight, Hilda stiffened. She gave the speech she had written with every bit of passion she could muster at the time. The extra effort was mainly because she didn't want her team to see how Nathan had affected her. Losing her phone was bad enough, but losing it where Nathan was likely to find it and see Aaron's picture had unsettled her. Clearly, it was written across her face for all to read.
"Are you missing your son?"
"He’s called Aaron. Being away from him like this has affected me more than I thought it would."
"And who was that guy speaking with you earlier? If you don't mind me asking. He looked scary."
Hilda winced, luckily in the darkness where Abigail didn't see. "Just a blast from the past."
"Oh. I thought he was one of the soldiers that are patrolling the area."
Hilda's heart jolted. "No-no-no. That just can't be possible. He's just an old friend. From the past."
"Anyway, I'm going to crash." Abigail embraced Hilda with a hug, catching her off guard, so that at first she didn't know how to respond, but relaxed her tensed muscles and hugged Abigail back.
"Good night Abigail. Thanks for again for letting me use your MacBook." Hilda smiled.
Abigail climbed up into her bunk and went to bed.
A meditative silence filled the room. Hilda felt internally conflicted, thinking maybe it was best to tell someone what had actually happened between her and Nathan. But the more she thought about it, the more necessary it seemed to let it go. If anyone asked she would tell. Whenever people, taken by Aaron's beauty, asked about his father, she told them that she had dated his father as Christians but succumbed to fornication, and his father was no longer a Christian or interested in marriage. So she looked after Aaron and didn't want to burden his father who had aspirations of becoming a high-ranking officer in the army.
Melanie and Scott never pried further and Scott never seemed to know it was his best friend. And between her traveling on missions and him working overseas for the army, it was likely they would never meet again.
If she introduced Aaron to Nathan and she saw a glint of disappointment in Nathan's eyes, it would prove too much to handle. He never wanted children and she didn't want Aaron to be subjected to a father who felt forced to love his son.
Even though she had returned from backsliding, it didn't meant she was any stronger, the adage what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger did not apply here. Nathan had fallen away from God a long time ago; even as a Christian he was headstrong and didn't care much about rules. Not being a Christian, it was dangerous to have him in her life.
Then there was the compulsion to solve every problem, always taking action, always taking control and not having enough faith to accept that some situations needed him to trust in God. Nathan liked to prepare for every contingency. His take charge nature always kept Hilda on edge. His ambition and drive was motivating and impressive, but he never quite understood that his grueling work ethic and pace would have even been too
"No, not at all. Everyone's response is different. Just think, it can be more difficult to acclimatize on short-term trips because they are over so quickly." Hilda returned back to the bunk, but tossed aside the mosquito net and sat up. "When I was your age I had dreams of going on long-term missions, but mother wouldn't even let me go on short-term ones. Now I take every opportunity to go on trips, but only short-term strips fit into my schedule. You are getting an experience most people can only dream of, and you have enough faith and courage to take you this far. I say don't be too hard on yourself."
"Thanks." Abigail got changed into her nightgown in the small bathroom. "And you?" she called.
"Me?" Hilda raised her eyebrows.
"I've had many team leaders. But you're the only one who looks like you were wanting to go home the moment you got here."
Sitting in the moonlight, Hilda stiffened. She gave the speech she had written with every bit of passion she could muster at the time. The extra effort was mainly because she didn't want her team to see how Nathan had affected her. Losing her phone was bad enough, but losing it where Nathan was likely to find it and see Aaron's picture had unsettled her. Clearly, it was written across her face for all to read.
"Are you missing your son?"
"He’s called Aaron. Being away from him like this has affected me more than I thought it would."
"And who was that guy speaking with you earlier? If you don't mind me asking. He looked scary."
Hilda winced, luckily in the darkness where Abigail didn't see. "Just a blast from the past."
"Oh. I thought he was one of the soldiers that are patrolling the area."
Hilda's heart jolted. "No-no-no. That just can't be possible. He's just an old friend. From the past."
"Anyway, I'm going to crash." Abigail embraced Hilda with a hug, catching her off guard, so that at first she didn't know how to respond, but relaxed her tensed muscles and hugged Abigail back.
"Good night Abigail. Thanks for again for letting me use your MacBook." Hilda smiled.
Abigail climbed up into her bunk and went to bed.
A meditative silence filled the room. Hilda felt internally conflicted, thinking maybe it was best to tell someone what had actually happened between her and Nathan. But the more she thought about it, the more necessary it seemed to let it go. If anyone asked she would tell. Whenever people, taken by Aaron's beauty, asked about his father, she told them that she had dated his father as Christians but succumbed to fornication, and his father was no longer a Christian or interested in marriage. So she looked after Aaron and didn't want to burden his father who had aspirations of becoming a high-ranking officer in the army.
Melanie and Scott never pried further and Scott never seemed to know it was his best friend. And between her traveling on missions and him working overseas for the army, it was likely they would never meet again.
If she introduced Aaron to Nathan and she saw a glint of disappointment in Nathan's eyes, it would prove too much to handle. He never wanted children and she didn't want Aaron to be subjected to a father who felt forced to love his son.
Even though she had returned from backsliding, it didn't meant she was any stronger, the adage what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger did not apply here. Nathan had fallen away from God a long time ago; even as a Christian he was headstrong and didn't care much about rules. Not being a Christian, it was dangerous to have him in her life.
Then there was the compulsion to solve every problem, always taking action, always taking control and not having enough faith to accept that some situations needed him to trust in God. Nathan liked to prepare for every contingency. His take charge nature always kept Hilda on edge. His ambition and drive was motivating and impressive, but he never quite understood that his grueling work ethic and pace would have even been too
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