Before Rachel could answer, Janie turned and grabbed Sam’s hand. “Let’s get you signed in to your class.”
The look Ty gave Rachel made it clear. Once again she’d messed up and violated some code that he held sacred. Okay, fine. She hadn’t told Janie about Ricky or her kidneys, or about much of anything. But she was new at this friend thing. The last friends she’d had sold her out to Chris and his lies. Not one of them had stood beside her. So why should she be expected to be open with these people she barely knew?
A tiny voice whispered that maybe she should tell Janie just that. Maybe she should let go of the armor she’d carried based on her past wounds, because otherwise, she would end up alone.
Was that what people meant when they said God was talking to them? And why was God finally showing up in her life now?
But she had to admit, the voice had a point. She’d heard Ricky speak of his regret in pushing his son away, and how he didn’t want to spend the rest of his days alone. She’d thought Ricky ridiculous for thinking that, considering so many people loved him.
No one loved her like that, except for Katie.
So maybe it was time for her to give it a chance.
And that was why Ty didn’t trust liars. Did Rachel realize how much it meant that Janie had been willing to trust her as a friend? Janie had tons of acquaintances, and everyone liked her. But he hadn’t seen Janie connect with someone like this in a long time. And Rachel had ruined it with her lies.
As Ty shook his head, Ricky nudged him. Everyone was standing for the opening hymn, and here he was, sitting there woolgathering like an idiot.
It shouldn’t matter if Rachel hurt Janie’s feelings, other than the fact that Janie was a good friend. But it was more than that. It served as confirmation that he couldn’t trust Rachel to...
What?
What exactly did he think he needed to trust Rachel for anyway?
It would be easier if they weren’t reciting the Lord’s Prayer, asking God to forgive their debts as they forgive their debtors.
Holding a grudge against Rachel was wrong. Ty knew that. But what was the difference between holding a grudge against someone and being wary of them based on their past, and seemingly present, actions?
Father, help me.
It was all Ty could pray, under the circumstances. Especially as he glanced over at Rachel, who was singing along like something in her heart had changed. The last time they’d been here, she’d acted wary, mistrustful. But now she seemed open to what God had to say.
That was another reason why, even though he had moments of liking her and wondering what if, he couldn’t follow that trail of thought. Janie might mock Ty for his standards, but they were God’s standards, and he wanted a woman in his life who was willing to live according to them. That was why he had no respect for Rachel’s ex. Yes, Chris had been known as a good lawyer, but he’d do anything to win. Ty was also a good lawyer, but he’d never compromised his beliefs for anyone or anything.
At the end of the service, Pastor Roberts called Ricky up for his announcement. The pastor had graciously agreed to let Ricky tell the congregation about Rachel and invite everyone to the barbecue tonight to explain about Rachel’s condition. When Ricky talked about Rachel needing a kidney, Pastor Roberts held out a hand.
“I know we’re technically done with church, and some of you have things to do, so you’re excused. But Rachel, if you wouldn’t mind coming up here, I think we all need to pray for you.”
Rachel had ended up sitting with them since Janie had been so cold to her. Ty could tell from the expression on Rachel’s face that no one had offered prayer over her like this before. Just like the enthusiastic welcome they’d tried to give her at the ranch, this was overwhelming for her.
He took her hand and squeezed. “It’s okay. I’ll come up with you,” he said quietly. “Some other people will follow, and we’re going to pray for you. We just want to share God’s love with you.”
Rachel looked up at him and nodded.
When they walked over to Pastor Roberts, Ty wasn’t surprised at all the people who followed. Janie was one of the first who joined them.
“I’m sorry I was so snippy with you,” Janie said quietly as they were walking up. She took Rachel’s other hand. “You’ve got way more on your mind than telling your life story to someone you just met. I guess I got carried away with meeting a new friend.”
Ty’s heart softened as Rachel looked over at her. “It’s okay. I haven’t had a friend in so long, I’m probably rusty at being one myself. We’ll figure it out together.”
Her words shamed him. In truth, Ty was also rusty at making friends. And at letting a new person into his life. He’d been so busy protecting himself, protecting Ricky, that he wasn’t so good at opening up, either. It wasn’t like he’d told Rachel everything about him. So why did he and everyone else expect it of her? Was he wrong for not letting her tell everyone her business in her own time?
When Pastor Roberts started to pray, Ty could feel the love and support of everyone in the community praying with them. He’d had this love and support his whole life.
All this time he’d never considered what it meant to walk in someone else’s shoes, but after Pastor Roberts’s sermon on the topic, Ty was determined to do a better job of it. He wouldn’t fully trust Rachel, but he’d try. Things would be better when he had the full report from the investigator, and maybe Ty
