“Hmm. Why not?”
“They’re not mine!”
“You feel you don’t deserve them?”
“I don’t. They belong to someone else.”
“Someone more deserving.”
Ethan pushed his fingers through his hair. Why did he feel like they were talking in circles? Of anyone, Marc should understand why they couldn’t use these coins.
“Did it ever occur to you that these coins are exactly what Hannah claims them to be? A gift from God?”
“No.”
“You don’t believe God could put these coins into Hannah’s hands so that you could expand your business?”
“I believe He could. I just don’t think He did.”
“Why not?”
“Why would He care about a gallery?”
“Maybe what you’re asking yourself is why would God answer Hannah’s prayer with gold coins, when He didn’t answer your prayers for Allison.”
Ethan blinked for a moment and fought back a wave of frustration tinged with anger. His phone beeped with an incoming text.
He was late for his afternoon class.
Bouncing to his feet, he excused himself.
Marc watched him with concern. “If you want to talk about this some more...”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve got to get back to school.”
Marc followed him out of the office. “How’s this? You try to find the owners—I mean really try—and if you don’t, you accept the coins for what they are, a gift from God.”
Ethan didn’t agree with Marc’s suggestion, but since he didn’t have the time or the energy to argue, he promised that he and Hannah would see Marc in church on Sunday, and left.
#
ZOE FOUND HANNAH ANDLaurel in the bakery that afternoon. Wiping her hands on her apron, Zoe considered the two. “I know why you’re here,” she told them.
Hannah cast Laurel a quick look before Laurel spoke up. “We came to see if you need any help cleaning up.”
Zoe hitched an eyebrow. “And maybe to see if I have any donuts left?”
Laurel’s face split into a grin. “That, too.”
“You’re in luck. I do. And they’re all the pink frosting ones.”
Laurel’s face fell.
“What’s the matter?” Zoe balled her fists and put them on her hips. “I thought those were your favorite.”
“They are, but they’re not for us,” Hannah said patiently as if explaining something difficult to a child.
Zoe’s gaze flashed between the two girls. They both wore secretive expressions. “If they’re not for you, who are they for?”
