“When Jesus hung on the cross, He took every sin, every evil that was ever in the world—the past, the present and the future.He became so hideously ugly with sin that God the Father had to actually turn His back on Him.That was why Jesus called out and asked why His Father had forsaken Him.”
“How much more of this do I have to listen to?”
“Not much.”
His look was one of indulgent cynicism.“Good.”He crossed his arms in front of his chest as if that could block out her words.
“Yet Jesus, in all his pain and torment, asked that God forgive.”Lesley knew she wasn’t reaching Cole, she doubted that anything she said would.Nonetheless she continued.“Don’t you understand?If Jesus could show that kind of forgiveness for you and me, couldn’t you find it in your heart to forgive Jennings?”
Cole’s hands knotted into tight fists.For a long time he said nothing as he stood before her.He was so tall and hard, he might as well have been carved out of stone.“You ask too much.”
Her eyes wide and shimmering with tears, Lesley slipped the engagement ring off her finger.“I love you, Cole, but my love will never be enough for you.”She placed the ring in the palm of his hand.
“You don’t mean this?”Cole’s voice was as cold as the arctic wind.
“I’ve never been more serious.”
“I won’t come back.”Cole’s low words weren’t a threat but a promise.
“I know that,” she murmured and glanced down at the carpet.“God go with you, Cole.”
One dark brow shot up with sardonic disbelief.“I’m taking the car with me.I’ll contact the owner about the duplex.Whatever’s inside can be given to charity.That’s about as Christian asI plan to get.”He walked out of the house, looking back at her once, his gaze whip-sharp.“Goodbye, Lesley.”
A hand over her mouth to hold back the threatening sobs, Lesley watched as he walked out of her half of the house and into his half.Not questioning her actions, she took the small devotional Bible on the end table and ran outside.If she tried to give it to Cole now, he’d throw it back at her.Carefully and as noiselessly as possible she placed it in the backseat of his car.
She was in the house by the time he returned.He glanced back at her once, his look uncompromisingly hard.Without another word he backed out of the driveway and out of her life.
Chapter Eleven
“Are you all right?”Terry asked as they walked down the church corridor from the Sunday school classroom to the sanctuary.Their footsteps echoed through the long hall.
“Why shouldn’t I be fine?”Lesley decided to be obtuse.Three weeks and not a word from Cole.Not that she expected him to contact her.
“Don’t play dumb,” Terry hissed.“You’re miserable, so admit it.”
“Okay, you win,” Lesley answered sharply.“I’m miserable.Does that make you happy?”
“No,” Terry observed softly.“It makes me as brokenhearted as you.”
“Well, don’t be,” Lesley responded in a falsely cheerful voice.“My relationship with Cole was doomed anyway.I only hastened the process.”
“But you still love him.”
Fresh pain burned through her heart.“That hasn’t changed, but after my speech on God’s love and forgiveness, I’ve got to look on the positive side of this situation and grow from it.”
“Don’t try so hard.”Her sister squeezed her arm affectionately.“Give yourself time.”
Lesley arched delicately shaped brows.“Time,” she said with a sigh, “the great healer.”But how much time would it take for the haunting memories to dissipate?How long would it be before thoughts of Cole didn’t dominate every waking minute and before her life had order again?
Every time the phone rang, her heart pounded like a jackhammer.When she checked the mailbox, her fingers shook.Cole had written and phoned her so often.And now there was nothing.Nothing.Lesley was left to pick up the pieces of her life and go on.Although she accepted the fact Cole wasn’t coming back, her heart waged its own battle.Time, she had to believe, would convince her heart, too.
“Is the other half of the duplex rented?”Terry whispered as they entered the vestibule.
“Not yet.”Thefor rentsign in the grass outside the duplex was a constant reminder that Cole was gone for good.
“Any nibbles?”
Lesley shrugged.“Not that I know of.”
