In the Paths of Righteousness (Psalm 23 Mysteries) by Debbie Viguié

Jeremiah said.
    “You served?” Zack asked.
    Jeremiah nodded. “I was born and raised in Israel. There, everyone serves their time.”
    Zack shook his head. “That’s one way of doing it. I don’t know if I could stand that, though. Someday I’d like to have kids and I plan on steering them clear away from that particular experience.”
    His eyes looked haunted as he spoke. Jeremiah realized that the doctor turned cowboy had seen far more overseas than he ever wanted to. He’d seen enough that he abandoned medicine in favor of something more isolated and less bloody. Jeremiah had seen a lot of men go through similar transformations.
    “You grew up in Israel?” Curly asked, suddenly seeming interested.
    “Yes, why?”
    “My girlfriend is Jewish. She keeps talking about taking a trip there.”
    “I would recommend it, especially if she wants to really connect with the culture and the people,” Jeremiah said.
    “Mind if I ask you some questions?”
    “Go right ahead.”
     
    Cindy went and sat down on the ground next to Liz with her food. “How’s it going?” she asked.
    “Good. One of the strangest shoots I’ve ever been on, but good.”
    “How’s it strange?” Cindy asked.
    “With all the dust and everything else and the constant movement and the fact that my kit has to ride in the wagon I’m not checking makeup and doing touchups every so often. I feel like I’ve got almost nothing to do and I keep feeling bad like I’m shirking my duties, but that’s the nature of the beast, I guess.”
    “It’s funny, I never think of Kyle wearing makeup,” Cindy said.
    “Oh, trust me, lots and lots on most shooting days,” Liz said with a smile. “But, that’s being an actor. It’s going to take a lot to cover that shiner he’s working on. Then with all the environmental factors I’m not even sure how well I’m going to be able to disguise it.”
    “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was going to be making your job hard,” Cindy said.
    “I’m sure all you were thinking about at the time was how much you wanted to hit him,” Liz said.
    “Yup. I’m thinking of auctioning off the chance to black his other eye. Who do you think will bid the most?”
    Liz shook her head. “Who knows? Kyle’s a bit of an egomaniac, but no more so than most stars. Most of the time he’s a lot nicer, too.”
    “I can’t be the only one who wants to deck him,” Cindy said, working to put the disappointment in her voice.
    Liz shrugged. “Personally I’d rather smack Junior. The little perv keeps hitting on me.”
    “Not your type I take it.”
    “No way,” Liz said fervently. “Besides, I’ve got a boyfriend.”
    “That must be nice.”
    “It is,” Liz said, breaking out into a grin. “He’s perfect. Kind, thoughtful, brilliant.”
    Cindy felt her own thoughts drifting toward Jeremiah and it took all her self control not to turn and look for him.
    “How about you, dating anyone?” Liz asked.
    “No,” Cindy said quickly.
    “Are you sure?” Liz asked.
    Cindy nodded.
    “Don’t worry. You’ll find Mr. Right. And when you do, it will be magic. You’ll do anything for him and follow wherever he goes.”
    Cindy forced herself to smile.
     
    Mark ate lunch with Wayne and Junior who weren’t very talkative. When it was over he had his work cut out for him just staying on his horse and paying attention to the terrain and cattle to try and get close enough to anyone to question them.
    The cattle were moving slower than they had in the morning and Mark felt like he ate a ton of dust. He was certain he was never going to get the stink of the cattle out of his skin and hair let alone his sinus passages. He got occasional glimpses of Traci and she was usually grinning from ear to ear. He had to admire her chipper attitude and wished he could share it.
    His spine was beginning to feel like it had been jolted one too many times when they finally reached the place where they were going to be spending the night. He