And somehow, as the peace settled over me like a blanket, I knew that was enough.
Even the baby in my womb stirred as if to sayamen.
I knew I’d gotten so far off track the second the policewoman had given me that terrible news, and slowly guiding me like a shepherd with his flock was Seth. The little Bible verses on the chopped wood. The loving acts of service. The sermon. I knew I had to thank him for all he’d done to bring me back to the Lord. Maggie too. It felt like God had placed me here next to them for a reason. So I wouldn’t lose my way and I’d stay on the narrow path.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Seth
It was late, past ten p.m., but I wasn’t tired. I was restless. Was Ella reuniting with the Lord? Or had she slammed the door back in His face? I felt God urging me to pray for her, so I did. I begged Jesus to wrap her in His arms and comfort her, to bring her peace.
My phone pinged with a message, and I lurched off the couch.
Ella:Are you up?
I wrote back instantly.
Seth:Yes
Ella:Can I come over for a second? Can you call Maggie over, too?
I bolted upright and texted her back quickly.
Seth:Yes
Was sheokay?
I ran over to Maggie’s and lightly rapped on the door. Luckily, she was a night owl.
She answered with a look of concern. “Hey, hun, is everything okay?”
I told her quickly that Ella was coming over and wanted to speak with us both. She tightened the sash on her robe and came over to my house, pacing the living room.
“You think the baby is okay?” she asked, concern etched across her features.
“I hope so,” I told her.
It wasn’t like Ella to come over late. She hadn’t given any indication of what this was about. Maybe she needed a ride to the hospital or wasn’t feeling well suddenly, or?—
There was a knock at the door, and I threw it open in a panic.
Ella stood there, her head bowed a little, her fingers nervously picking at her nails.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Maggie asked.
When Ella looked up at me, there were tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said as they spilled over onto her cheeks. “Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for not letting me stray too far from God.”
She rushed into my arms and hugged me, squeezing tightly as I wrapped my arms around her and tipped my head forward to rest my chin on the top of her head. Relief rushed through me, and a peace came over me.
Thank you, God. Thank you,I prayed silently.
She was so heavily pregnant she had to move her belly to the side as she hugged me, but Ella didn’t let go. She held on to me like I was a life raft, and my heart beat wildly in my chest. I wanted to hold her like this forever. I wanted herto be mine. I wanted to protect her and make her happy, and all of a sudden, she was pulling away from me, wiping her eyes, and then hugging Maggie.
“I’ve acted like such a fool,” Ella said against Maggie’s shoulder.
“Oh, dear, we love you so much, and so does God,” Maggie told her.
Ella nodded as Maggie rubbed her back, and then when they pulled away, Ella looked over at me. There was a change in her gaze. She was looking at me differently, as if with new eyes. I couldn’t interpret it.
