They remained mostly silent on the steep incline, taking in the scenery. Occasionally Abby would ask about some noise that Sabin hadn’t heard. She seemed not only to hear but also to see things that, despite his best efforts, escaped him. She was completely in her element.

The trail leveled off after twenty minutes. Abby walked up next to him. “Sabin, I wanted to talk about something.”

“Sure. Anything.”

“I’m thinking about staying.”

He turned and faced her, flabbergasted. “Wha—What do you mean? In the States?”

She nodded.

“I really don’t think that’s a wise decision. You could be in a lot of trouble if you stay. I think the federal agents made that clear.”

She breathed deeply. “I know. But the more I’ve thought about all this, the more I see that these things that are happening have a purpose. God knew I’d face these obstacles.”

“Abby, the attorney general isn’t fooling around. You could be thrown into prison.”

She shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “I realize that. But if God wants to use me there, he’ll give me the strength to face it.”

He shook his head. “Abby, think this through. Prison may not be as horrible as it once was, but it’s no place for a woman like you. You belong in the jungle.”

Abby shot him a puzzled look.

“Okay, that came out a bit harsh,” he said. “What I mean is, as much as I like having you around, you don’t fit here. Right? Isn’t that what you said? And with these legal issues, it only makes sense—”

“Sabin, I can’t ignore what I’m feeling. When I went to the funeral and heard that young boy—”

“Abby, excuse me for being blunt, but look at your reasons here. An old message from grandparents you never knew? Something an eleven-year-old boy said? Your feelings? Do those justify throwing your life away?”

“I know it sounds foolish. But this isn’t something I’m taking lightly, Sabin. I just sense…It seems like God is telling me to stay, that he has a purpose for my being here. Like my grandparents said, to restart—”

He shook his head. “Lauren is going to explode when she hears this.”

Abby’s face hardened. “Is that what you’re worried about? Is that why you’re anxious to get rid of me? Because of how Lauren will react?”

“She simply made it clear that having you around was making life more difficult.”

“Well, I’m sorry I’m so much trouble. I’ll just have to find somewhere else to stay.”

“Abby, I didn’t mean…”

She didn’t wait for his apology. Instead, she stepped past him and stormed up the trail.