Christmas Haven by Hope White

tipped her face to look into his eyes.
    “I thought someone was following me. Ridiculous, right?”
    “What made you think that?”

    “I heard something in the trees.”
    Squinting against the sun, Morgan scanned the area behind her.
    “Locals do come out here to fish,” he offered.
    Just then, the sound of a boat’s motor echoed from the other side of the trees.
    “See?” Morgan said. “Probably just a fishing group.”
    As he steadied her with a hand to her arm, he said, “Why did you run off like that?”
    “I didn’t realize I’d gone so far. I was deep in thought.”
    “Thinking about…?”
    She took a breath and looked him straight on. “It’s my fault, Morgan. I’m responsible for Suzy’s death.”
    “Don’t talk like that.”
    “If I’d gone to see her when she’d called, she’d be alive today. But I didn’t. I had to spend every waking moment with my boyfriend, and when she needed me most I was absent. I abandon the people I love. I did the same thing to you and Lana when I left. What kind of person am I? If only I had gone over there—”
    “Jules, stop. Suzy’s death was an accident.”
    “We don’t know that for sure. But if I’d gone to her house that night she wouldn’t have taken the boat out by herself. She wouldn’t have—”
    Morgan pulled her to his chest. “Shh. Don’t do this to yourself. That’s a heavy load you’ve been carrying, sweetheart. And it’s unnecessary.”
    She leaned back and looked into his eyes. “What kind of person abandons the people she loves? What is the matter with me?”
    “You didn’t abandon those boys, Andy and Dane, even though caring about them put you in danger.”
    “Great, I stick by strangers over the people closest to me.”
    “Look, Suzy did what she was going to do regardless of whether you went to her that night or not. You couldn’t control her decision any more than I could control yours to leave Port Whisper.”
    “But—”
    “Do you blame yourself for every runaway who walks through your door? Are you responsible for their choices?”
    “No, I guess not.”
    “But a part of you thinks you are.” Julie shrugged.
    “You felt guilty about Suzy so you chose a profession where you could save kids. I get that. But, Jules, at some point the people you love or the kids you counsel have to make their own decisions, they have to have faith in themselves and God for a better life. Suzy’s parents should have been there for her first and foremost, then her pastor, friends and neighbors. Her death was not your fault.”
    “It feels like it.”
    “You’re holding on to a lot of guilt that isn’t deserved. I’d suggest praying to God for forgiveness, but I suspect this is more about you forgiving yourself.”
    The thought of forgiving herself had never entered her mind.
    “We’d better go.” As he led her up the trail to the boat, her cell phone rang.
    “Hello?” she answered.
    Silence. Her heart slammed against her chest. Was it another threatening call?
    “Hello?” she tried again, glancing at Morgan.
    “Miss Burns, it’s Andy.”

SEVEN
    A ndy, the first missing boy. Julie’s heart leaped into her throat.
    “Andy? How did you get this number?” she asked.
    “I got it from Mr. Pratt. He said you’ve been looking for me.”
    “I’ve been worried. You disappeared and—”
    “I’m fine. Where are you?”
    “I’m visiting friends.”
    “Where, in Seattle?”
    “Andy, what’s wrong? You sound upset.”
    “I said I’m fine,” he croaked. “Are you coming back?”
    “Eventually, but—”
    “Here’s Mr. Pratt.”
    A few seconds passed.
    “I thought you’d feel better if you heard from Andy,” William said.
    “Is he okay?”
    “Seems good to me. I’ve got him set up to stay in a halfway house tonight.”
    “But he was missing for a week. Did he say where he was, what happened?”
    William hesitated. “He’s not saying much. I don’t want to press and have him disappear again.”
    “True.