58 pages • 1 hour read
Counting Miracles
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Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 4 Summary
I
In the morning, Kaitlyn reflects on what Casey said about happiness. She knows she’s been busy with motherhood, work, and volunteering, but doesn’t think she’s dissatisfied. She gets up, makes coffee and breakfast and greets Mitch when he comes downstairs. Her stomach flutters when she remembers she’s seeing Tanner soon.
II
Kaitlyn tells herself her zoo outing with Tanner isn’t a date because Mitch will be there. However, Mitch comments on her outfit when they’re getting ready. She tells him the man who gave Casey a ride is joining them, which Mitch doesn’t mind.
III
Kaitlyn and Mitch pick up Tanner at his hotel. On the drive, Kaitlyn marvels at how easily Tanner talks to Mitch. He also asks after Casey and tells Kaitlyn how much he likes exotic animals after his time abroad.
IV
At the zoo, Mitch leads the way while Kaitlyn and Tanner hang back and chat. Tanner tells Kaitlyn more about his travels and what he enjoyed about living in Africa. He also explains more about his work with USAID and the places he wants to see when he goes back overseas. He turns the conversation to Kaitlyn and she tells him about volunteering with “a nonprofit called Our Daily Bread” (87). Her dad devoted every Monday to helping others and she picked up the habit. She speaks affectionately about him and her mom, both of whom still live in Kentucky. The conversation shifts back to Cameroon, and Tanner describes the animals he saw there, his connection with Vince, and his time playing soccer.
After the zoo, Kaitlyn, Tanner, and Mitch go out for lunch before stopping at Walmart for a Frisbee, and driving to the park. Kaitlyn watches Tanner and Mitch play. After dropping Tanner off afterwards, she reflects on the day.
V
Back home, Casey is shocked to learn that Tanner accompanied Kaitlyn and Mitch to the zoo. She then asks if she can go to school to decorate for the game, offering to bring Mitch with her because Kaitlyn has to work. She also asks if Kaitlyn will get her a car, revealing that George promised to get her one if she moves in with him in Greensboro. Kaitlyn tries to hide her surprise.
VI
While making dinner, Kaitlyn considers how things would change if Kaitlyn moved out. She knows Mitch would be devastated. She dismisses these thoughts while doing her house calls throughout the rest of the evening. She returns home after eight to find Casey and Mitch watching a movie.
VII
Kaitlyn’s insurance broker calls the next day about Casey’s accident and Tanner’s car. She then follows up with Tanner via text and thanks him for the nice time they had at the zoo. She tries focusing on work and dismissing thoughts of Tanner throughout the rest of the day.
VIII
That night, Mitch asks Kaitlyn if Casey is moving out while she’s tucking him in for bed. She tries to reassure him.
IX
Kaitlyn thinks about Tanner while cleaning the kitchen, showering, and getting ready for bed. She then receives a text from him suggesting he’ll see her around. She gets in bed naked and realizes he likes her.
X
On Monday, Kaitlyn sends the kids to school, goes to work, and reports to Our Daily Bread. She’s shocked when Tanner shows up to volunteer.
XI
Kaitlyn and Tanner catch up outside Our Daily Bread after several hours of volunteering. He informs her he got his car to the shop and invites her out to dinner the next night. She promises to get back to him after checking with the kids.
Chapter 5 Summary
I
Jasper spends Sunday tending to Arlo’s injuries and whittling on his porch. Meanwhile, his mind wanders. He remembers when he saw a white deer in the Uwharrie shortly prior to his dad’s death. His dad told him legends about the deer, suggesting they’re “messengers from the otherworld” (107).
II
The next day, Jasper drives to the police station to see his friend, Sheriff Charlie Donley. He tells Charlie about the dead fawn and his encounter with the boys. Charlie can’t do anything because Jasper doesn’t know the boys’ names and the boys technically didn’t commit any crime. Jasper thinks they’re really looking for the white deer.
III
Jasper remembers how devastated he was after his dad’s passing. However, Audrey was a comfort to him and they soon fell in love. Eventually Jasper dropped out of school to work “full-time at the peach orchard” (112). His boss never liked Jasper’s dad and took out his anger on Jasper, who soon lost his job. In 1958, Jasper was 18 and his dad had been dead a year. He wasn’t sure what to do now that he was alone and unemployed.
IV
Jasper drives to Asheboro High School to find a yearbook, but the lady in the office won’t let him inside.
V
Jasper leaves the school and drives to the Coopers’. Mitch lets him borrow Casey’s yearbook. Inside, he finds the boys from the woods: Carl Melton, Josh Littleton, and Eric Littleton.
VI
Back home, Jasper walks out to the tree behind the cabin where his wife and children are buried. He studies the headstones, talks to his family, and remembers the start of his and Audrey’s relationship again. After Audrey graduated high school, she left for Sweet Briar College. Jasper knew her family didn’t approve of him but was desperate to prove himself to her.
VII
Jasper calls Charlie and tells him the names of the boys from the woods. Charlie warns him to drop the issue as the Littletons are a powerful Asheboro family. Their father Clyde Littleton is known for his obsession with hunting, particularly exotic animals. Jasper guesses the boys are seeking his approval.
Despite Charlie’s warning, Jasper drives to the Littletons’. Clyde and Anne Littleton let him in. He tells them about the forest incident and the parents call their sons in. The boys deny Jasper’s accusations. Clyde demands that Jasper leave when he says the boys aren’t telling the truth.
VIII
Charlie calls Jasper when he returns home and scolds him for getting involved with the Littletons. Afterwards, Jasper stares out into the dark, worrying about the white deer.
Chapter 6 Summary
I
Tanner walks from Our Daily Bread to the mechanics to check up on his car. On the walk, he reflects on the Asheboro environment and community. He thinks about Kaitlyn, too, realizing he likes her more than he’s liked other women he’s dated. He’s glad she wasn’t angry when he showed up at the kitchen and wonders if she’ll say yes to dinner.
II
Tanner chats with the insurance adjuster and mechanic at the shop. Then he signs for a rental and drives to a local deli for lunch, where he runs into Casey. She confronts him about asking out Kaitlyn and admits that she’s unsure if she trusts him yet. She asks about his previous relationships and his war experience, explaining that she’s looking out for her mom.
III
Back at the hotel, Tanner reflects on his conversation with Casey and wonders if he’ll see Kaitlyn again. He decides to focus on looking for his dad in the meantime. However, he can’t stop thinking about the Coopers.
IV
Tanner continues his search for his dad. He meets with several Johnsons, but doesn’t have any luck. Then Kaitlyn texts inviting him over for dinner. He accepts, understanding that Casey is vetting him.
V
Tanner continues searching for his father. That night, he reflects on his parental past while eating dinner alone.
VI
The next day, Tanner makes more calls in search of his dad. He doesn’t find Dave Johnson and his mind keeps drifting to dinner at Kaitlyn’s.
VII
At the mechanics again, Tanner learns it’ll be three weeks before the parts for his car arrive. He wonders what he’ll do in the meantime while showering and picking up wine and Jenga to bring to the Coopers.
At the house, Tanner and Kaitlyn chat in the kitchen while cooking dinner. Tanner opens up about his reasons for coming to Asheboro. Kaitlyn is understanding but wonders aloud if finding his biological father is really what Tanner wants to do. Then Casey enters, interrupting their conversation. She tells Kaitlyn about her plans with her friends the next day.
VIII
Kaitlyn, Tanner, Casey, and Mitch share a pleasant meal. Afterwards, they play Frisbee and Jenga all together. When the kids go to their rooms, Kaitlyn and Tanner sit on the porch and continue chatting. Kaitlyn asks more about Tanner’s life and he explains his reasons for joining and leaving the military. He also explains his reasoning behind returning to Cameroon. Then he asks Kaitlyn about her divorce. She describes how her relationship was dissolving even before George cheated on her. Later, Kaitlyn walks Tanner out. They agree they want to see each other again and share a long kiss.
Chapters 4-6 Analysis
The longer Tanner is in Asheboro, the more complicated his Search for Identity and Belonging become. His protracted time in North Carolina also introduces him to the Transformative Power of Love and Family and compels him to invest more concertedly in his Journey Towards Healing. Kaitlyn’s unfolding storyline reveals that her continued interactions with Tanner are also challenging her perception of herself and her past and future lives. Much like Tanner, Kaitlyn wants to believe that she hasn’t “forgotten how to be happy” (77). She tells herself that she “love[s] her kids and her work” and values her time “volunteer[ing] for the community” (77). Her internal monologue mirrors Tanner’s; his portions of the narrative reveal his attempts to convince himself that the life he’s living is in fact the life he wants. The characters’ avoidant tendencies however challenge their ability to own their wants and needs and to pursue them.
For Tanner, spending time with Kaitlyn and her kids allows him to imagine into the life that he could have. He spends time accompanying them to the zoo, playing Frisbee with Mitch, chatting with Casey, eating dinner at the house, and bonding over food, games, and conversation. These pastimes are symbolic representations of The Transformative Power of Love and Family. Because Tanner never knew his biological parents, his grandparents have passed away, and he has no other siblings or family, Tanner is a largely solitary individual. Spending time with the Coopers therefore makes Tanner feel as if his time in “Asheboro [is] proving to be more interesting than expected” (130). In part, Tanner’s comfortability in the North Carolina town is inspired by his attraction to Kaitlyn. He finds her beautiful, intriguing, and easy to be around: qualities which interest him “in a way that few other women ha[ve]” (131). However, Tanner’s time with Kaitlyn and in Asheboro is also influenced by the time he spends with Casey and Mitch. The Coopers’ familial sphere is unique to Tanner. He’s “never put down roots and found a place to call home” but his time with Kaitlyn, Mitch, and Casey shows him what belonging and acceptance, love and family feel like (147). His experiences with the Coopers are therefore contributing to Tanner’s self-discovery journey and gradually evolving how he sees himself and his future.
For Kaitlyn, spending time with Tanner allows her to reconnect with the independent woman she once was. She feels particularly transformed by Tanner’s company after their day at the zoo and the park because: “She hadn’t spent a day like today in forever—couldn’t remember when she’d felt like just a woman—not simply a mother or a doctor—and Tanner made her realize how much she’d missed that feeling” (93). Tanner’s character is therefore a narrative device used to reawaken Kaitlyn’s character and thus to further her Search for Identity and Belonging. He also inspires her to invest in her home and family life in new ways. While watching Tanner play Frisbee with Mitch, for example, she realizes that she can’t “remember the last time, if ever, George had done something like this with Mitch” (92). Tanner is helping her achieve a new work—life balance and reminding her how pleasant and rewarding family life can be. She experiences similar revelations when Tanner comes over for dinner, helps her cook and clean up, plays with her kids, and engages everyone in cheerful, positive dialogue. These aspects of Kaitlyn and Tanner’s dynamic are transforming both characters and teaching them how powerful reciprocal love and understanding can be.
Meanwhile, Jasper’s storyline unfolds in the interstitial pages. Jasper’s character isn’t as integrated into Kaitlyn and Tanner’s narrative world, which conveys his need for love and community. Because he’s isolated and grieving, Jasper becomes increasingly obsessed with bringing the three teenagers to justice for their antics in the woods and with protecting the white deer. His preoccupations therefore seem to contrast with Kaitlyn’s and Tanner’s concurrent preoccupations. At the same time, just as Kaitlyn’s and Tanner’s activities illustrate their need for love, family, and healing, so do Jasper’s. His encounters with Charlie, Clyde, and Anne show the way he’s trying to distract himself from his real sorrow. His avoidance techniques mirror Kaitlyn’s and Tanner’s. Kaitlyn tries to focus on work and volunteering to quash her feelings for Tanner, while Tanner tries to focus on finding his dad to temper his interest in Kaitlyn. Jasper is doing the same thing in his portion of the narrative, which shows his reluctance to heal and his fear of fostering new relationships.
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