10. FISHING ENDEAVORS

As Richard beat a hasty retreat in the general direction of the men�s room, Garrett quietly said grace, his voice soothing and sure, encasing the listeners in a small bubble of comfort and security. Once said, he smiled eagerly and, snatching up his fork, proceeded to eat voraciously, content to listen to the two women talk cheerily, a light teasing banter sent back and forth between them.

Carissa�s voice penetrated the air, excitement tinging every word as she pleaded, �Garrett has a wonderful week-long camping trip planned for next summer, and that includes plenty of time for fishing. I promised myself years ago that I would convince you to go fishing at least once, and this is the perfect opportunity.�

Complacently, Charity continued to cut her supper into precise bite-size morsels, deliberately avoiding a response to the topic at hand for a few moments. �I do recall that conversation, and I�m sure you remember my saying that �your seeing me fishing� was never going to happen.�

A determined gleam entered Carissa�s eyes, but she proceeded delicately. �You wouldn�t necessarily have to fish. You could come along with me and I could give you some pointers. But, whether you fish or not, I would love having you and Richard along and so would Garret, wouldn�t you, dear?� She clasped his hand tightly beneath the table as an encouragement for the correct response.

A small smile formed upon his face, appearing sincere but also slightly forced, �Of course we would enjoy having the company.� Leaning forward and unable to conceal a glint of mischief, he mock whispered, �Watching Carissa put up a tent by herself is something no one should miss. The last time, the entire thing caved in on top of her.� A full-fledged laugh slipped from between Charity�s lips as she responded, �The entire tent, eh? Somehow, I can fully picture that happening.�

�Hmm, should I be pleased or insulted?� A smile punctuated Carissa�s words.

The gap left at the table grew more noticeable as another minute passed, and a hesitant warning began to fluctuate through Garrett�s mind. He often concealed his thoughts from others, allowing them to think the lesser of him for it, believing his intelligence far lower than the truth. Glancing away from his plate, his eyes searched for the return of Charity�s dignified husband. The man had seemed mildly disturbed when he vanished, and surprisingly, Garrett had noticed the behavior before his wife, although Charity�s brow was slowly knotting in a growing concern.

Carissa glanced at her husband�s sudden distraction, at which he hurriedly stood to his feet, wiping his hands with the napkin before laying it beside his plate. �Excuse me for a moment, if you please, ladies?� Without awaiting a response, he left his wife with her mouth slightly gaping, and Charity to glance after him as he lithely slipped between waiters and tables, surprisingly agile for a man of his sturdy size.

Pushing open the door to the men�s restroom, he caught it before it could clank loudly shut behind him. A coldly furious voice reached his ear, anger deliberately penetrating every word spoken, �Look, I don�t know who the hell you think you are, but I will not be intimidated. Stay away from my wife.� The voice could be mistaken as none other than Richard�s, and Garrett had barely enough to digest what he�d accidentally been witness to before Richard barreled around the corner with enough force to nearly knock the two of them off their feet.

Having never excelled at lying, Garrett weakly swallowed as Richard stared at him in stunned silence for a moment, before inquiring in a voice devoid of emotion, �How much did you overhear?� A dread settled into his stomach, but apart from the perspiration struggling to rise to the surface of his upper lip, compassion also rang strongly throughout his veins. �I heard enough, Richard, however unintentionally. Please tell me what�s happened. Perhaps, I can help, though you might not believe it of me.�