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always welcome to bring friends with you as well. Just call ahead in case we need you to bring extra supplies.”
     
    The sun cast fiery shadows across the mountains as Joel called Shelley to the car. “Come on, girl. Time to go.” She cast a longing look in the direction of the other dogs before jumping onto the back seat. “You’ve had a fine time and we’ll be back in a few days.” He pulled the protective blanket straight and ruffled her head. “Go to sleep now.”
    His mom handed him a bag of freshly picked carrots. “I’ll have your room ready, Joel.”
    “Thanks, Mom. I’ll call if I have to cancel for any reason but I’m sure we’ll be here.” He gave her a long hug and shook hands with his dad before slipping into the driver’s seat. “I’ll see you soon.”
    On the way home, his thoughts kept turning to the upcoming photo shoot. He often travelled on work assignments, but felt a special expectancy about this trip. I’m open to whatever you’re doing, Lord. Help me to see where you’re working and give me sensitivity to follow your leading.
    He flicked his headlights on as the mountains swallowed the last traces of dusk.

Chapter Four
Today, I plan on doing the important stuff. I need a bank account, a car and a plan.
From the journal of Sarah Johnson
Friday, 7th March
     
    Sarah spent the next couple of days resting, exploring the city, and going through the list she’d prepared with her dad. “Don’t make any rash decisions,” he cautioned her. “See what’s available. Check newspaper ads and the internet and ask people what they think.”
    “I can’t ask total strangers, Dad.”
    “They’ll all be strangers at first, honey. If you buy something at a store, ask the cashier which bank is the best to deal with. Go to the tourist information centre and ask where the used car lots are. Most people are only too happy to give advice about that sort of thing.”
    Sarah found he was right, and soon had a dozen opinions on grocery stores, cars, employment, and bank accounts. It was a good way to occupy her mind, for when she was out of the motel she was too busy to dwell on home. It felt like a holiday, a slice of fun that she would capture in photographs and memories and take home to share with family and friends.
    On the sixth day, she started making decisions.
    “I’d like to open a bank account,” she told the smartly dressed woman behind the counter.
    The money she had with her was cash she’d saved with Luke. Money in his bank account when he was killed. His parents had given it all back to her, along with Luke’s savings.
    “He intended it to be used in New Zealand, Sarah. He knew it would be expensive to start a new life over there. Please take it and use it to get established.”
    The nest egg shrunk greatly when converted to New Zealand currency, but was still more than enough to buy a car and other basics and support her for a few months. It was also enough reason to keep her in New Zealand. Luke’s parents would be disappointed if she didn’t give life here a fair chance. She reminded herself of that frequently.
    With her bank accounts set up, the next thing on her list was a car. She’d visited a dozen dealerships and a couple of vehicle auctions over the previous days and had come away with a list of potential cars. She e-mailed this to her father and asked him to go through it and give her some advice. He e-mailed back the next morning.
     
    Dear Sarah,
    I did some research on the cars I’m not familiar with and this is my conclusion. The Toyota Starlet is the best deal, followed by the Nissan Pulsar. Don’t forget to bargain them down. Dealers always build a discount into their price.
    I was interested to hear about the compulsory warrant of fitness. It sounds like a good system and the vehicles in NZ must be in good shape. Send us a photo of the car once you’ve got it.
    Mom sends loads of love and says she will e-mail this evening.
    Love, Dad
     
    The Starlet was