Rekindled Hearts. Brenda Minton

If you see them, try to separate them. I think they would be perfect for the landscaping project.”

      Colt didn’t answer. He gave his friend a look and went back to stacking blocks. Michael had found a way to remind Colt that he and Lexi had been married here.

      “We’re just reminiscing, Michael.” Lexi smoothed her hair back from her face and gave Colt a look that he’d seen before.

      “There’s a lot of that going on.” Michael Garrison stopped working and pulled off his gloves. Colt ignored his matchmaking friend. Michael had brought up—more than once—that Colt and Lexi had spent six long hours stuck in that basement, the two of them and God. Maybe that had been God’s way of giving them time alone to work on their relationship.

      Michael never left God out of the equation. That made Colt a little itchy around his neck.

      “We’ve got a lot to get done.” Colt stacked more blocks in the wheelbarrow.

      “Snake.” Michael pointed. Colt wasn’t fooled. He’d already fallen for Lexi’s little joke.

      And then it hissed. Colt jumped back, and Michael laughed. Lexi’s laughter was soft, a little husky. He glanced her way and tried to pretend the snake didn’t matter. It slithered away and he reached for another block.

      “We’re having a Labor Day picnic here on Sunday after church.” Michael said it as if it meant something. “We could use some help with the grills.”

      Of course. Colt had known it had to be something. “I can help. What time do you want me to be here?”

      “Church starts at eleven.”

      Colt glanced from his ex-wife to what could soon be his ex-friend. Colt hadn’t been to church since before the divorce. Since Gavin’s death.

      His partner’s death wasn’t the only thing that had driven the wedge between him and God. Somewhere along the way, he’d gotten angry. He just hadn’t gotten it, the whole God thing.

      He couldn’t forget an auction from when he was a kid, when land from his family farm had been sold off, piece by piece.

      Church at eleven. Lexi watched him, teeth holding her bottom lip and blue eyes wide, waiting. He wasn’t going to make a promise that he might not keep. All of his life he had been proud that his word was good, it was solid. People could count on him to be there for them.

      Sometimes he let them down.

      “Colt, you don’t have to come to church.” Michael stacked another stone and moved away. “But you can be here to cook. You’re not getting out of that.”

      “I’ll be here.”

      Lexi was still looking at him, as if she wanted more from him. His radio crackled, and Bud’s voice filtered into his ear.

      “I have to go. There’s a dog wandering in a field outside of town. It might be Tommy’s.”

      “Let me know if you need me. If it’s a stray, I have room in the kennel.”

      “The ark, you mean. That place of yours is starting to get attention from the city council.”

      “The animals have to be taken care of. Maybe you should try the animal shelter idea on them again. This might help them to see how much we need a place for strays and unwanted pets.”

      He brushed hair back from her face and found it easy to smile. “Don’t ever change, Lex.”

      “I haven’t changed, Colt.” Lexi’s whispered words caught up with him as he walked away and he nodded, because he didn’t know what to say. And she was wrong. She had changed.

      She was stronger than ever, proving she didn’t really need him.