‘Lord, what are you doing? What’s your plan here?’I prayed in one of the horse stalls, not caring that my knees were in dirty hay.
‘Wait for her.’The Holy Spirit pressed those three words into my heart, and my eyes popped open. My heart raced at what they could mean, something I’d hoped for a long time. Maggie had told me that, the night Scarlett died with our unborn daughter in her belly, the Lord gave her a dream.
In the dream, she was at a large dinner table with just her and God. She’d made a nine-course meal and was serving the Lord a giant plate. She was on one side of the table, in the land of the living, and the Lord was on the other. Then, before she knew what was happening, Scarlett was standing behind God, holding our baby in her arms, wearing all white, and smiling at Maggie.
My grandmother said she knew at that moment the Lord had taken both Scarlett and our daughter, and she fell to her knees, sobbing in the dream.
Then she said God reached over, brushed her forehead with his thumb, looked her right in the eye, and said:
“I will redeem Seth and restore everything he has lost.”
I’d thought a lot about that dream over the last four years, more so over the last year, as the loneliness really set in. I missed Scarlett every day and sometimes our unborn child even more because I hadn’t gotten to meet her. I had tried to move on, like Scarlett told me to, and went on a few dates last year, but I wasn’t really interested in any other woman until now. The moment I saw Ella grieving in the woods, it felt like I’d been struck by lightning. I hated that her husband had been taken from her in an act of senseless violence. A sign that the world was breaking down even further into chaos.
But I couldn’t deny that she was everything I’d been looking for. Ella was beautiful, smart, stubborn, and kind, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I could see a future with her under the right circumstances. But it wasn’t the right time. She was still grieving the loss of her husband, mad at God, and trying to find her way back to him. I wanted to be the beacon that led her back to shore, but I knew I had to do it slowly or, like a wild horse, I’d spook her.
So I’d wait. I’d wait for her however long it took. Assuming she’d even want me.
Chapter Fifteen
Ella
After driving myself home, I called my mom and Anna. They were shocked but thrilled, of course, and both booked tickets to come visit me within the next few weeks. I decided I was just going to take it one day at a time. The empty bed still depressed me, and thinking of raising an infant alone made me want to cry myself to sleep, but I was determined not to fall into depression again just as I was coming up out of it.
The next morning, there was more firewood outside with a note.
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” - Psalm 91:4
Sethseemed as persistent as his grandmother. Under the Bible verse was a longer note with a phone number at the end.
Heard you needed a job with healthcare benefits. Lucky you, my assistant just quit. You’re hired so long as you don’t bring the diaper chicken to work. Call me for details.
-Seth
I grinned at the diaper chicken comment. Was he for real though?
“He doesn’t mean that, Honey.” I stroked her feathers, and she gave me a ba-gok.
I dialed him immediately.
“This is Seth,” he said.
“I don’t need a handout,” I told him.
“Oh, hello stubborn-Ella.”
I rolled my eyes at his nickname, but there was a smile on my lips. “Hello. Got your note. I don’t need a pity job. I am actually well qualified. I worked as an office manager at a dental office for five years. I did inventory, ordered stock, and did all the billing for seven employees. Not to mention setting up appointments and dealing with customers.”
“Well, that’s great. You sound overqualified for what I need, but I’ll take ya anyway.”
I scoffed. Was he serious or just making this job up for me? He was a sweet guy; I could see him doing it, but I didn’t want to put him out financially. “Youreallyhad an assistant just quit?” I quizzed him. A job up the road would be amazing. I needed healthcare because delivering a baby was expensive, as well as the baby themselves.
“I did,” he said.
“You’re a Christian. You wouldn’t lie, would you?”
He laughed, “Alright, you caught me. It was Maggie, and she just quit so I could offer you the job. Happy?”
I frowned. “Well, no, because now Maggie is out of work.”
