The story where Jesus asked people who had never sinned to throw the first stone at the woman who had committed adultery was one of my favorites, and I thought Jack would like it too, so I dog-eared the page. I also loved the parable about the lost sheep, and even though he’d blocked my number, God really pressed on my heart to text it to Jack, so I did. Then I wrapped the Bible and note in gift wrap. Once that was all done, I headed for Seattle.
I pulled onto the interstate with a mission. I was going to barge into Jack’s office and make him see what an amazing person he was, how worthy he was of love and forgiveness. Last night, he’d pushed me away, but I knew that was because he thought he was too broken for me. He might be, but he wasn’ttoo broken for God. No one was, and I wanted him to know that. Then I’d tell him that I’d fallen in love with him somewhere along the past two years and see if he was willing to try to have a relationship.
It was a lot of putting myself out there, but for Jack, it was worth it. And if I was being honest, every time I thought of him, I could feel God nudging me as if saying,Yes, this is the one I’ve found for you. So I was standing on faith.
Faith that Jack wanted to have a relationship and faith that Jack would eventually have a relationship with the Lord. Both of which were necessary for me to move forward with him. A giddy feeling filled me, as if God was saying that all my dreams would come true.
My phone rang and I put it on speaker. “Hey, Jules.”
“Your mom said you’re going to Seattle to see Jack!” She sounded shocked and excited.
I grinned. “I am. He came to the show last night. And…well, God is really pushing me to follow things through with him.”
“Hannah, that’s great, but I had a dream last night. That’s why I called.” Her voice held an ominous tone. “You and Jack were in a field of flowers, happy and in love, and unbeknownst to you, there was a pack of wolves creeping towards you both.”
Chills broke out on my arms. I believed in spiritual warfare. I’d seen it happen enough times to know that the Devil would try to steal our blessings. I’d been in such a rush to get to Jack that I hadn’t even prayed over this trip.
“Would you pray for us?” I asked her.
“Absolutely. I’ll do it right now. Dear God, I ask that…”
I glanced over my left shoulder for a split second before changing lanes, and then there was a loud crack, followed by darkness.
I felt the Lord wrap me in a ball of light, and then I could no longer feel my body.
Chapter Thirty-Four
JACK
I felt completely different, which was so cheesy to admit, but I did. I felt like a totally changed person.
I stood next to Jason at the Riser banquet with a slight grin, just buzzing with energy. I was hungry for more of this “God” stuff. More worship music, church, Bible stories—all of it. I wanted to know everything, and I really wanted to share my news with Hannah.
I’d tried to call her again, but the phone had gone to voicemail right away. She must have turned it off. She was probably mad at me, which was totally understandable. She had thrown herself out there, told me she cared about me, kissed me even. And I’d shut the door in her face.
After this event, I’d try to hunt down her mother’s number or call the restaurant.
My phone rang with a Willow Harbor area code number I didn’t recognize. “I’m so sorry. I have to take this,” I told the two men who were pitching Jason and me an idea for our company. “It’s urgent,” I said before I left the room.
If it was Hannah, then it was important and urgent.
“This is Jack,” I said, waiting to hear her voice.
“Jack…this is Claire, Hannah’s mom.” Her voice was hollow and filled with grief.
I sat down right where I stood as a foreboding feeling came over me. “What’s wrong?” My hand started to shake as all of the earlier excitement I’d had vanished in an instant.
“Jack, Hannah’s been in an accident. She was coming to see you in Seattle and…a semi-truck crossed the middle lane and…” A sob ripped from her throat, and my heart protested her words.
No. No. No.She was coming to see me?
“Is she okay?” I asked, feeling a frantic need to see her come over me.
“I…They don’t know. She’s in the ICU in Boise, and I know you’re not a believer, but…”
“Iama believer. I believe now,” I told her.
“Well, good.” She sounded relieved. “Because when I prayed just now about what to do, I heard your name. Three times. I don’t know how you can help, but God certainly wants you here.”
