Better. Could be a chorus, maybe. She probably needed a notebook. Or maybe the song was just for her.
Keely stared out the window, her thoughts stirring up the memory of Dawson helping her home—no, not home, but to the lodge—his arm sturdy as she hung on. Wow, he was strong, and capable, and...
“You don’t know anything aboutme.”
“But I very much want to.”
Oh ... Her chest tightened then, but the words swept through her, emerged soft, almost a whisper.
Trapped in the silence, where cold truths are kept,
In the grace of new snow, my veiled tears have wept.
But your warmth cuts through, like a promise anew,
In the blizzard’s embrace, I reach out to you.
“I like it.”
The voice was soft and female. Keely turned to see River standing behind her, holding a mug of coffee.
“It’s nothing.” Keely put down the guitar. “Just something...”
“It’s beautiful.” River set the coffee mug on a polished wooden coffee table. “Reminds me of 2 Samuel 22:20. ‘He brought me out into a spacious place. He rescued me because he delighted in me.’”
Keely raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think God is delighting in me, River. C’mon—”
“Why not?” She sat down, then indicated the coffee. “That’s for you. Two sugars and cream, right?”
“When my manager isn’t looking, yes.” She winked, picked up the coffee. “Thanks.” Hopefully River would just drop—
“I think God very much delights in you, Keely. I read the article—I know you grew up in the church. You said your mother was a woman of faith.”
“Yeah, but ... I don’t—”
“But now, this is what the Lord says—‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’”
Keely took a sip of the coffee. “You don’t know—”
“I know that God is greater than your fears, your weaknesses, even your sins.”
Keely looked away, at the fire, the flames curling around the logs.
“People think their sins, their mistakes, their bad choices willdisqualify them from God’s love. But that’s the point—God’s love saves us from all that. Forgiveness leads to abundance.” River leaned forward. “To grace and promises anew.”
Keely looked at her. “It’s just a song.”
“It was from a voice in your heart. Maybe you should start listening.” She got up. “I’m making breakfast. Want something?”
“The coffee is enough.”
“I’ll bring you some pancakes.”
She walked away, and Keely turned back to the fire, the song still humming inside her.
Hear my name, through the storm’s wild claim,
Feel my soul in the fresh snow’s tame.
