LITMIR.BIZ

      As Josie and Mike sat in silence, stuck in traffic on the main drag, Josie prayed for Lisa and her uncle. It was as plain as an egg over-easy that Lisa craved his love and attention. But he was clueless. Clueless of her needs. Clueless about what to do to meet those needs.

      Lord Jesus, give me wisdom. Help me know what to do to help the two of them. It seems that somehow, I could teach them how to relate. How to— “That’s it!”

      “What?” Mike asked.

      She pulled into the parking lot at the Comfy Inn and stopped next to Mike’s Beemer. “I have an idea.”

      “Is that a good thing?” The skeptical look on his face was almost comical. And he couldn’t seem to get out of the car fast enough.

      He came around to her window, and she grabbed the duct-taped window crank. After she spent an exhausting thirty seconds rolling it down, he said, “I guess I should ask what it is.”

      “Look, Mike. I have a suggestion. An offer, really.”

      “Okay.” There was that skeptical look again.

      “Lisa needs you. And you need to get to know Lisa so you can be a better parent.”

      “Guardian.”

      “Parent. What’s so hard about admitting that you’re more than an uncle now?”

      “You said you had an offer?”

      “How about you plan to hang around for several days. I’ll try to get a few afternoons off to help you get to know your niece.”

      “And what do I owe you in return?”

      “Don’t start grabbing your wallet. I just want to help.”

      “Like Jesus did.”

      “Exactly!” She laughed with the sheer joy of finally getting a point across to him. But then she noticed his hands in his pockets and that he was studying his feet. “You don’t believe in God, do you?” she asked.

      Though Michael was surprised she’d drawn such a conclusion, he immediately began to wonder about practicalities, such as how he would stay away from the bank for several more days. “Oh, I believe. I’m a Christian. It’s just that…well…” He checked his watch.

      “Oooh,” she growled. “I forgot. You don’t have time for your niece.” She slung her arms in the air, setting off an alarm of jangling bracelets. “You’re hopeless, Mike.”

      She backed up the car and squealed out of the motel lot. All because he’d looked at his watch.

      Well, he couldn’t help that he had responsibilities. He had stockholders depending on him. And his family’s good name.

      And Lisa, his conscience tried to tell him. He pushed the thought aside as he fumbled with the key to his room. When he finally unlocked the door, he stormed in and kicked the door shut behind him. He would check in with his brother at the office to see how the Mason account was going. Then he would know how much time he had left to persuade Lisa to go back to the boarding school.

      He reached his secretary who put him through to Gary’s secretary. Finally, his brother picked up. “Hello, Michael. How’s Lisa?”

      “She’s fine. Just not too happy to see me.”

      Gary chuckled. “Did you really think she’d make it easy on you?”

      With a deep sigh, and feeling older than his thirty-two years, he collapsed into a chair. “Do you think you and Dad could spare me for a couple more days? She’s refusing to come home.”

      “I’d be glad to. You’ve got more important matters to take care of.”

      Maybe Josie was right—he was hopeless. Because he would rather be dealing with fluctuating interest rates than with the fluctuating hormones of a teenager.

      “So, are you managing okay?” Michael asked. There was a pause, and he began to fear the worst.

      “To tell you the truth, I’ve never been happier.”

      Happy? Michael had been challenged, fulfilled—and lately, suffocated—by the job. But it had been a while since he could claim he was happy. Probably not since the first year or two when he’d had his dad’s full attention and approval.

      “Sounds like you’re handling things nicely, Gary. Just be sure to call me if Tom Mason needs anything. I think he’ll do his financing with us this time, then we’ll aim for the umbrella of all their business.”

      “I promise, I won’t let you down big brother,” Gary said before he hung up.

      Michael had a perfectly capable brother who didn’t need him. And a perfectly rebellious niece who did.

      He clasped his hands behind his head.

      Dear God, I know I haven’t spent enough time in prayer lately. I’ve felt cold inside since Patricia died and left me with Lisa to care for. Please give me guidance. I’m not used to having a living, breathing creature depending on me—not beyond a paycheck, anyway. Now Josie’s made this offer to help me get to know Lisa.

      With interlocked fingers, he massaged the back of his neck where a dull throb pounded out the beat of his heart.

      It galled him to think he could need the help of the infuriating woman. Who was she to tell him how to do anything? Why, he could buy—

      He stopped, a sick ache gnawing at him.

      Forgive me, Lord, for the sin of pride.

      If he could only find some way to persuade Lisa to leave Gatlinburg, then he wouldn’t have to depend on Josie. God, help me do this Your way, not my own.

      The shrill ring of the ancient motel phone jerked his head up. He stared at the rotary dial a moment, perplexed, as if God Himself were calling. Then he laughed at the ridiculousness of the notion and answered it. “Hello?”

      “I’m sorry I told you you’re hopeless.”

      Stunned to hear Josie on the line, he didn’t respond.

      “I felt guilty all the way home. And I can’t concentrate on anything.”

      He waited, a smile creeping up on him, to see how apologetic Josie could be.

      “Mike, are you there?”

      Amazingly, the sound of her voice cheered him, and something warm released inside him. “You’re having a nice conversation all by yourself.”

      “Why, you smart-aleck, good-for-nothing—”

      “I thought you were calling to be nice.”

      She made that funny little growling sound again. The one

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