“I wish I could take it from him.”
“I know how you feel.” Evan clenched his jaw, remained silent for a few seconds. “I’m worried about him, and not sure what it will take for him to shape up.”
“Does he have plans once his contract is up in June?”
Evan shook his head. “No. He wants out of Jacksonville, but finding a job in his small town of Weatherton—especially in his field—would be a miracle.”
“I’m sure that stress isn’t helping matters.” Uncertainty of the future had stalled her healing for months. She understood his position to a point.
“Should I try talking to him again?”
“Hard to say.” She put herself in his place. “I lean toward praying for him and being a friend. The people who told me to move on, or get over my grief, are the ones I pushed the farthest away. Different scenarios, but same idea. Sometimes you just need a friend to be there for you.”
“Yeah.” His noncommittal answer held little conviction, and she suspected he’d try to talk to Jared again.
She trusted Evan would make the right decision. She and Jared were close, but in a different way than him and Evan. Their bond ran deep, and Evan would know the best way to break through Jared’s defenses.
Peering out the window, admiring the newly blossomed flowers, bright greens of grass and leaves, and a perfect sky, she found her way back to the calm from earlier. Jared would come around. His current behavior upset her, but she had faith in him.
An overflow of cars parked along the street in front of the church.
Evan parallel parked in a tight spot. “Times like this, I’m glad I chose a car and not a truck or SUV.”
“I’ve never seen it this packed, and we’re fifteen minutes early.”
“Everyone goes to church on Easter, and apparently they chose ours this year.” Evan jumped out and hurried to open her door.
“I hope we can find a seat.” She retrieved her purse, stood, and smoothed out where her dress had crinkled over her lap.
He gave his leg a pointed stare then winked. “If not, I can play the handicap card and ask someone to move.”
“You wouldn’t.” Even though she believed he’d be well within reason to request a seat, she knew full well he never would. However, his joke brought her joy, as it signaled an acceptance of his injury.
“You’re right.” He tucked a hand around her waist, tossing another wink her way. “We better hurry. I see a large group walking in and they might get the last seats.”
“Oh shush.” She giggled and bumped his shoulder. “I wasn’tthatworried about it.”
Maybe I should be. A line to enter the sanctuary curved out the double doors into the foyer. They inched forward. When they reached the entry, ushers escorted them to a seat. Not choosing their own spot felt odd, but she recognized the wisdom of having organized arrangements.
Evan folded open the bulletin, read it, then tapped her shoulder. “This explains why we’re so full today.”
She read the section where his finger pointed. “How did we forget Darnell Bertrand would be here today?”
A major football star in the nineties, Darnell Bertrand gave his life to the Lord when an injury ended his career, and he was forced to reevaluate his life. Since then, he’d become a pastor and created a foundation which formed free after-school sports leagues for those who couldn’t otherwise afford to play. In return for the free equipment and training, the program required several hours of community service a month and attendance at a minimum of one Bible study a month.
“I don’t know, but I’m stoked.” A broad grin showed Evan’s line of straight teeth. “The day I got my medical discharge, I stopped at the store on my way home and happened to pick up his book. His words helped me realize God had a plan for me, even if not the one I’d wanted.”
“He’s an inspiration.”
“I wish I would have remembered. I would have brought my book and had him sign it.”
She suppressed another giggle—not much celebrity-related impressed Evan, but his fan appreciation for Darnell shined bright. “They might have them for sale afterward.”
“But I already have a copy.” He rubbed his jaw. “Although I wouldn’t mind shelling out an extra ten bucks for a signed one.”
The service began with several worship songs, followed by two hymns, including her favorite to sing on Easter, “Up from the Grave He Arose.” After the congregation had been seated, Pastor Mackey introduced Darnell.
For forty-five minutes, she sat enraptured as she listened to Darnell’s testimony. She’d known a few obstacles he’d faced, like the injury, but had no idea he’d lost his parents at a young age, or that his wife was a cancer survivor.
