“I thought he might...” She winced. “I told him how much I wanted to make up with you, and...”
“Yeah, he pointed out just how important family is, and that’s not just a religion thing. It’s a life thing, and it kind of applied to me and Shari, too. Sawyer was right that I can’t separate her from her family. And they want to make sure she’s okay—that her pregnancy is safe, and all that. They loved her before I did, so...”
“Oh, Brian...” This didn’t sound good. Was her family breaking the couple up?
“No, it’s okay,” he said quickly. “I talked to her father, and they want her to have a proper wedding. Those take time to plan. We aren’t ready for a baby, she and I, but I love her. So we’re going to slow this down. I’m going to work really hard, save up, and we’ll get married after the baby is born.”
“Oh!” Olivia smiled through her own sadness. “That’s a good idea.”
“And her dad is going to hire me at the truck yard that he owns. He needs a good mechanic, and it’ll pay better than the job I’ve got now. I can show him what I’m made of, earn his respect. I think he needs to see firsthand that I’m the kind of guy who will take care of her.”
Her brother was making some mature choices here, and she felt a wave of love for him. At least it could work out for one of them.
“That sounds like a great plan, Brian,” she said. “I’m really proud of you.”
“And...” He sighed. “You’ll like this part—Shari and I agreed to start going to church with her grandma once a month. You know—family ties and all that.”
Olivia couldn’t help but smile. “Church can’t hurt, Brian.”
“I beg to differ. Whatever,” Brian said, but his tone had softened. “Maybe it won’t be so bad. I kind of like the pastor. Besides, her grandmother is getting on in years, and this is a relationship that matters to Shari. So I can be flexible.”
“I’m glad,” she said. “And I mean it—I’m really proud.”
“Thanks. I’m going shopping for a ring this afternoon,” he said. “She deserves a proper proposal. I’m not just marrying her because of the baby, and I want her family to know that, too. A ring sends a message.”
“I think so, too,” Olivia agreed.
“Okay, well, just wanted to let you know. Thanks for being here for me. I know I’ve been hard on you, but I think it’s time I make the life I want, instead of just being mad that you had it easier.”
“Not as easy as you think,” she said quietly. “I’m still working hard to help pay that debt off. I’ve been putting some extra on top of my share of the monthly payments, you know. We’ll get rid of it, eventually.”
“The Whites won’t help?” Brian asked.
“I’m afraid not. It’s okay. We’ll just keep moving forward, right? You’ve got Shari and the baby now—let’s keep those priorities in sight. A dad has to put his kids first.”
“Yeah. And I want you to come back next month so Shari’s family can meet you. They want to have a big dinner and you’re the closest family I’ve got. Will you come?”
“Yes, of course,” she said. “I’m going back to Billings in the morning, though. I need to be in my own apartment again.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Brian asked.
“I’m sure...” She was doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Olivia was missing Sawyer and the way he made her feel. She was missing the toddlers, too. They’d settled right into her heart. Being in the safest place she knew wasn’t going to be enough. Not this time. “But I’ll be back for the dinner. Give me a call later and tell me when and where.”
“Thanks,” Brian said. “I’d better go. I’m standing in front of the jewelry store, so...”
“Pick something beautiful,” she said with a misty smile.
“Yeah. I will. See you.”
After saying goodbye, Olivia hung up the call and looked down at the phone in her hand. Brian would be okay...and it sounded like his new in-laws would help him learn the next steps. Waiting on that wedding wasn’t a terrible idea. Brian and Shari were both young and scared, and some family support never hurt. Mia would have given anything to have had a little bit of that...
God had worked out a reconciliation for her and Brian after all, and it hadn’t included any favors from Mia’s family. Brian had some new promise in his future and it was all happening right here in Beaut with the girl he’d fallen for. Olivia had failed in her mission for Mia’s parents, but her prayers had all been answered.
Olivia would head back to Billings in the morning like she’d said, but before she left, she had one more thing she wanted to do, and that was to visit Mia’s grave...alone. She had a few things to say to her best friend...
Olivia left her bag on the bed and grabbed her purse. Today, she’d have that time with her own grief—her memories, her dashed hopes for the future. And then she’d go back to Billings. She’d continue to make that city home, and put one foot in front of the other.
The drive to the little country church took a few minutes, and when she arrived, the sun shone low and golden. She parked her car and when she got out, she pulled her jacket a little closer around herself.
She paused at the gate to the graveyard, and looked down at that familiar verse: “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.”
Maybe her comfort would come, too. At long last. But she was mourning more than her friend. She was mourning the man she’d fallen in love with, her own sense of safety and goodness that had been shattered in this town. She’d lost so much in the last few years, and perhaps if
