Looking at the text again, she read it once more. “I feel like I can do better,” Layla said to the quiet room. “I can try to be more gracious with my conversations and help Mark to see the glory in God’s works.”Maybe if he can understand that God loves him, he won’t feel so much resentment. He will come to appreciate all the good things that still exist in his life, like Heath … and me,Layla thought.
Satisfied, Layla flipped the pages to Philippians.Just one more tonight,Layla thought as she searched the text for one of her favorites. She grinned when she landed at Philippians, chapter four, verse six, and read quietly, “‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.’”
Layla smiled. “I will pray to God, and He will provide. He will show me a way to make things better with Mark.” Layla yawned broadly, and with a content smile, she put the Bible on her small writing desk. Once she was changed and ready for bed, she pulled the soft blankets around her and snuggled down into the comfortable pillow.
***
After reviewing the Bible scripture, Layla slept so soundly that night that she didn’t even mind that she woke earlier than usual the following morning. She slipped out of bed and hurriedly dressed. She put on a pair of soft white moccasins so that her footsteps would stay nice and light; she didn’t want to awaken Mark or Heath at this hour, but she knew just what to do to fix things with her husband.
Grabbing two woven baskets from the kitchen, she raced to the chicken coop. She filled the basket with almost a dozen eggs and headed back to the house. On her way, she picked an entire basketful of Gerber Daisies. She smiled at the happy little flowers and did her best to balance both of her baskets on her way through the kitchen door.Today is going to be a good day,Layla thought contentedly. In her readings the night before, she found strength and encouragement in the words of God. It powered her through her chores that morning.
“Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory,” Layla sang quietly as she went about making breakfast. She set the biscuits to bake and found some bacon that would do nicely. She put the slices of meat in a pan, using the hook to dangle them over the fire. Layla also found the jar of raspberry jam she knew Mark enjoyed having with his biscuits. “Mark would certainly like to wake up to the smell of freshly baked biscuits and sizzling bacon. But what else?” Eyeing the coffee pot, she decided adding some freshly brewed coffee to the mix would be wonderful.
“Mark is sure to love this,” Layla told herself as she finished her chores. She found a glass vase that would hold the flowers, so she filled the vase with water and added the flowers to it. Layla sniffed the petals. “So nice.”
Taking the vase into the dining room, she positioned it in the center of the table. “Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory,” She kept working quite merrily until the breakfast was ready. Delicately plating the items, she carried them triumphantly to the table.
Heath cried out, and Layla was relieved that he woke at just the right time. She bounded up the stairs and into his room. “Good morning, sweet baby,” Layla sang softly. Heath brought himself up to a standing position in his crib, making a happy sound that brought joy to Layla’s heart. “How are we today, Mr. Heath?” Layla asked as she took Heath from the crib and moved with him about the room, changing his nappy and dressing him in proper clothing for the day. “And what about Daddy?” Layla said to the little boy. “Do you think your daddy will be just as happy as you are this morning? Do you think he will be hungry, too?” She giggled with delight as Heath grabbed a strand of her hair, waving it back and forth in the air. “I think we should go and see.”
Layla could hardly contain her excitement as her stomach flip-flopped with giddiness. She just knew that she had done well with the breakfast preparations and couldn’t wait to see if her efforts would make Mark smile.
Hefting Heath onto her hip, they walked down the hallway. As they were about to head down the stairs, Layla noticed that Mark’s bedroom door was ajar.
“Strange,” Layla murmured to Heath. “I didn’t hear your daddy get up this morning.” Layla didn’t like to invade Mark’s privacy, so part of her thought it would be best if she just went down to breakfast, but the open bedroom door confused her. “He would have needed to be up very early if he left the house before I was awake.”
Layla hummed as she considered it, and Heath put a hand on her throat. He seemed to like feeling the way her words vibrated. “Oh no,” she murmured with a rush of anxiety. “He might be sick. He might have left his door open because he wanted me to check in on him,” she thought aloud, wanting Heath to understand what was happening around them at all times, not wanting him to be alarmed or scared.
Stricken, they moved closer to Mark’s room, and she pushed the door open ever so gently. “Mark?” she whispered. When there was no response, they stood in the doorway and looked about the room. Mark wasn’t lying in his bed. She called his name again, and Heath made a clucking noise with his tongue as if he was calling out to his father, too.
“Where are you?” Layla asked the empty room as she and Heath headed back toward the stairs. “Where is he?” Layla said to Heath, and the little boy answered her by blowing a raspberry. When she and the baby reached the dining room, the table was set just as Layla had left it. “I don’t understand,” Layla whispered. She placed Heath in his own seat, and once he was messily eating a piece of soft egg, she searched the kitchen.
The back door creaked open, and Layla whirled, hoping to see Mark. She frowned when the much smaller Jack James appeared. He brushed his long blond hair aside underneath his hat as he smiled kindly at Layla.
“Sorry if I startled you, Mrs. Flint,” he said quietly.
Layla’s heart leaped, and her words caught in her throat at being called by her married name; she still wasn’t used to the idea. “It’s really no problem, Jack. And please, call me Layla.”
“All right, Layla,” Jack responded. Shifting his stance, he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his brown woolen vest.
Peering over Jack’s shoulder, Layla wondered if Mark was coming in behind him.
“I just stopped by to tell you that Mr. Flint went into town this morning,” the ranch hand rushed to explain. “He had a meeting at the bank, so he rode out on Felix a short time ago.”
“Really?” Layla asked, her good mood deflating. She had prepared a wonderful breakfast for him, eager to see his face. Now, it seemed that she was not going to have the satisfaction. Layla’s face contorted with frustration. “Thank you for telling me, Jack.”
“You’re welcome.” Jack took his hands from his pockets and swung them idly by his sides.
Taking a deep breath, she shrugged her shoulders. “Do you happen to know when Mr. Flint plans to return from his trip into town?”
Jack tipped his head from side to side as though thinking over the possibilities. “I can’t say one way or the other. Sometimes, when things go well, he’s back in about an hour. Other days, he is gone until after dinnertime. Never can tell what Mr. Flint will do once he’s in town.”
Layla was stricken by Jack’s words. Mark had gone into town. Yes, Jack said that Mark went to a meeting at the bank, but what would stop him from seeing her father at the general store, too? Could Mark really be so upset with her over the previous evening that he would revoke their agreement?
“Thank you for the information, Jack,” Layla said softly. Turning to check on Heath, a thought occurred to her. “I made a rather large breakfast this morning. Would you care to join us?”
Jack shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, Layla, but I’ve got to get back to work.” Jack stepped back toward the open door, running his hand through his hair again. “I heard you met my wife yesterday while you were in town.”
“Yes,” Layla said, a smile spreading across your face. “I did run into Eliza at the store. I was delighted to make her acquaintance.”
