“Ooh, perfect,” she said, grabbing a grilled chicken salad. She determined to put Bill’s words away and not let them affect her mood. She leaned into Rick’s arm while he prayed over the food and afterward, intentionally refusing to meet Bill’s eyes.

While they ate, they talked about their experience in the museum. Cynthia loved the logical layout of the exhibits that showed the scientific evidence of a Creator, how God’s plan brought humanity out of the garden of Eden and into Christ’s arms, and how to process the bad things that happen in the world.

“I didn’t actually learn anything new,” Bill said as he pulled an onion off his sandwich, “but the way everything’s laid out really affirms what I already know.”

“Likewise,” Rick said. “I think I’m going to bring Mom and Dad out here next week. Maybe take them to the Ark Encounter too.”

“I’m surprised you’ve never been here before,” Cynthia said. “You’re only a couple of hours away.”

He shrugged. “Normally when I come home, I’m completely focused on decompressing. I don’t usually look for something to do.”

She thought about Bill’s words again. Trying to push them out of her mind, she dipped a piece of grilled chicken into some ranch dressing and said, “Well, thank you for bringing me. I will definitely come back another time.”

They’d taken separate cars. Bill left from the museum to go visit with Sergeant Waller, who had arrived in Charula to visit his family. In the car with Rick, Cynthia reached over and took his hand.

He glanced over at her as he got on the interstate. “I’m going to miss you.”

She brought his hand up and pressed her cheek against it. “I’m going to miss you too. Too bad you won’t be stationed in my area.”

“Right? No Green Berets in those parts.”

She looked in the side mirror and saw their tail. “Do you think the agents enjoyed the museum?”

He chuckled. “I think they only had eyes for their job. I doubt they even looked at one exhibit.”

“Maybe they saw enough that it sparked an interest and they’ll go back one day. It’s possible that going today will affect eternity for one of them.”

He squeezed her hand. “I like that thought.” As she yawned, she covered her mouth. He glanced at her again. “You going to be up to driving tomorrow morning?”

“Yeah. If I go in the morning.” She’d had a few nightmares this week, but nothing like before. “When I drove here, I left at three and I was fine. But I wouldn’t have been at three in the afternoon.”

“You can stay longer if you need to.”