"So, Cooper and Melanie have children?" Angela asked as they walked toward his truck.
"Two. Alex is eight, and Chloe just turned five." Jude helped her into the passenger seat. "They're good kids. Energetic, but good."
"I'm looking forward to meeting them."
As Jude started the engine, he glanced over at Angela. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and her eyes were bright with anticipation. The sight made his chest tighten in that now-familiar way.
He'd never expected to find someone who fit so naturally into his life. Someone who shared not only his faith, but who also seemed to understand what was important to him without him having to explain it in great detail.
"Cooper and Melanie have been my friends for a few years now," Jude said as he pulled out of the parking lot. "They were the only people I got close to at the church after my dad passed away. He was the one who’d brought me to that church, and after he died…" He paused, searching for the right words. "It felt like I'd lost my spiritual compass for a while.”
“I’m sure that must have been difficult.”
“It was,” he said as he pulled out of the parking lot onto the street. “I stopped coming for awhile, but eventually, I found my way back, and it was after that that I met Cooper. Having him, Melanie, and their kids become part of my life has been a real blessing.”
“I’m glad you have them,” Angela said, resting her hand on his arm for a moment. “I hope they like me.”
“Oh, they will,” Jude assured her. “I’ve already spoken to them about you.”
“Really?”
He smiled at her. “Yep. Cooper tried to encourage me to pursue you.”
Angela leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. “I guess I owe him a debt of gratitude.”
“So do I,” Jude said, his voice tight with emotion. “So do I.”
After a few moments of silence, Angela asked, ““Do you have a favorite verse?”
“Yep. It was my dad’s life verse, and it became mine. It’s the second part of First Corinthians ten, verse thirty-one.Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
“Oh, I know that one,” Angela said. “And I like it too.”
“Do you have a favorite verse?”
“Yes, I do. And interestingly enough, it’s one of the verses the pastor spoke on today,” Angela said. “Philippians four verse thirteen.I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.I know that in its context it is about allowing God to give us strength to be content, regardless of the circumstances in our lives. For me, it’s that, but it’s also about leaning on His strength in other areas of my life. Particularly when I face things that scare me or that I feel I can’t handle.”
As soon as she said it, he understood completely why she would choose that verse. “You say it a lot to yourself, don’t you?”
She nodded. “I struggle with fear, especially when it comes to trying new or difficult things. That verse is what I cling to in order to face them.”
Jude tucked away the insight she’d given him, grateful that she’d opened up the way she had.
When they reached Cooper and Melanie’s house, the front door was flung open even before they reached it.
“Uncle Jude!” Alex yelled out as they walked up the sidewalk, hand-in-hand. “Daddy said you have a girlfriend now.”
Jude chuckled as they climbed the steps. “Yes. That’s true. This is Angela.”
Alex peered up at her, his gray eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So now you have a gunanda girlfriend. Cool!”
“Alexander Sullivan, let our guests in and close the door,” Melanie called from further inside the house. “You’re letting cold air in.”
Alex stepped back, and Jude let Angela precede him into the house. The boy closed the door behind them.
“Welcome,” Cooper said as he stepped into the hall from the kitchen. “You can hang your coats in the closet there.”
Jude helped Angela out of hers and hung it up before he did the same with his.
