A Journey by Chance by Sally John Read Free Book Online Page A

without prying and was grateful that she had agreed to be in the wedding and able to spend a few weeks beforehand in town. He didn’t tell her any jokes.
    She soon began to relax. She reminded herself that this was part of the special time she wanted to spend with Lauren. Maybe she could just let go for a bit.
    It wasn’t until she stood at the end of the lane with a heavy ball in her hand that she realized bowling was a new activity since her injury. She’d have to gauge her steps carefully in order to keep her balance.
    It didn’t quite work. As the ball dropped from her fingers, her left leg gave way and she rolled ungracefully onto her side. Her legs flew up as first her elbow, shoulder, and then head hit the floor.
    â€œOw!”
    Her feet plopped down and she lay still, taking inventory.
    There was no hole to crawl into.
    She was lying in a bowling alley, literally in the alley itself, set somewhere in the middle of cornfields .
    Her friends were thousands of miles away.
    Her leg wasn’t right.
    Her job wasn’t right.
    The plastic hair clip was cutting into her head.
    The weather was unbelievably putrid .
    Could life get anymore dreadful than this?
    It could. She sensed Mr. Homespun himself would be the first to her rescue.
    â€œAre you all right?” Brady asked as he knelt beside her.
    She burst out laughing.
    It had been a long time since Gina had laughed so freely. What an absolutely ridiculous situation!
    Brady helped her to a sitting position. She pulled the clip from her hair and continued laughing while she rubbed the back of her head.
    Aaron and then Lauren peered over Brady’s shoulder. “Are you all right?” they asked.
    She nodded and giggled.
    â€œCan you stand up?” Brady held out his hand.
    She wiped tears from her eyes.
    He grasped her hands and pulled her to her feet. “Is that a smile on your face?” He leaned toward her and scrunched up his eyes.
    â€œProbably,” she giggled. “So what if it is?”
    â€œWell, it’s about time. Welcome to Valley Oaks, Gina Philips.” He tilted his head toward the alley. “Care to pick up your spare?”
    One lone pin stood in the right corner. How in the world had she done that? She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Bowling just got crossed off my list of fun things to do.”
    â€œOh, come on. I’ll catch you this time.”
    She laughed again, along with him. Eventually the others talked her into rolling the ball down any which way she could. She walked to the end of the lane, holding the ball in both hands, then dropped it with a little “oomph” to send it on its way.
    She missed that spare, but never her turn. The evening turned out to be rather enjoyable.
    Even Brady Olafsson seemed less annoying.

    After church the next morning, Aunt Lottie napped. Gina and her mother settled on the front porch swing with unsweetened iced tea and gently pushed, creating a slight breeze in the hot afternoon.
    â€œWell, that was different,” Gina commented.
    â€œWhat was?”
    â€œChurch. Kind of informal.”
    â€œNot like home, that’s for sure. The pastor makes Jesus sound, oh, I don’t know. Maybe approachable is the word.”
    Gina nodded. “Everyday and real. Like the people. Although Brady Oleo wasn’t everyday. He wore a nice pair of jeans and no cap.”
    Maggie’s forehead creased.
    â€œYou missed him at the open house. He wore mud-caked boots and jeans! Unbelievable.”
    â€œThat’s the Olafssons.” Maggie stared out at the street.
    â€œDid you know—” The phone shrilled through the screen door. “I’ll get that.”
    Gina hurried to the kitchen. “Hello.”
    â€œHi, Gina. How are things in Podunk?”
    â€œDad! Hey, I promised not to call it that. How’s work?” She always asked him about work. It was synonymous with “How are you?” As a top executive in