At the sound of her name his heart picked up speed. When he had decided to move back to Freedom Lake, he had no idea Michelle had moved back as well. If so, he would have thought harder about the move. But Virginia was filled with memories of Charlene and they haunted him. Haunted his every waking moment and into the night.
“Why would she believe in God? Everyone she’s loved has been ripped from her.” The last words ended on a whisper.
Had he done that to her? Could it have been possible she wanted more than just a high-school romance? The thought paralyzed him. He had never seen himself as a person who had caused destruction, but the hate he had felt for a few months after Charlene died spoke otherwise. And if he was right, if Michelle really wanted more from their relationship, then he may have hurt another person.
Have I always been so self-absorbed?
“She thought the same way, but over time, she’s starting to see God’s glory.”
Did he owe her an apology? He swallowed realizing the lump had gained in proportion. Guy stared at his friend, realizing Evan was still talking. He knew Evan was trying to push but not too hard.
“If I go, will you stop asking?”
A slow grin made its way across his friend’s face. “If you go, I won’t ask you to go again. But...if you go and you can’t refute God’s truth, then you have to come back.”
Guy stared at Evan. He drove a hard bargain. But you don’t believe in God anymore, so what do you have to lose?
“I’ll have to ask Nana Baker if she can watch the girls a little longer.”
“I have a feeling she’ll be on board.” He saluted with his crutch. “See you at seven, G.”
Guy hopped out of his chair and raced toward the door to open it. “See you, Ev.” The words were short, clipped, and resigned.
He could only hope the Bible study would be short and he wouldn’t lose his temper. He hated to see people so blinded by their belief in fairy tales.
Chapter Five
The breeze caressed her skin and her red maxi dress swished against her softly as Michelle walked up the sidewalk. It was a perfect spring night. We should have Bible study on the back porch. No way she wanted to be cooped up on a night like this.
Michelle couldn’t believe how far along she’d come. It seemed like yesterday she had followed Jo here intent on calling foul on every statement and Scripture. Now, her soul seemed to thirst for the knowledge she would gain from their studies. Only she wasn’t ready to admit that to anyone.
Darryl opened the door with a smile which quickly turned to a frown.
She chuckled. “Sorry, maybe she’s late.” Darryl had it bad for Chloe. Yet for some reason, he hadn’t asked her out.
“She’s never late.”
“First time for everything.” Michelle walked passed him, laughing softly. Maybe she should convince Chloe to put the man out of his misery and go on a date with him.
Jo came out of the kitchen and grinned when she saw her. “Hey Chelle, I thought for sure it was Chloe.” They hugged.
“So did Darryl. He looked like a puppy, who just got kicked, with that sad look he gave me.” She looked around. “Where’s Evan?”
“Running a little bit behind.”
“Who’s driving him?” She tried to lower her voice back to the normal tone instead of the high-pitch worry that laced it. Evan didn’t like to drive without the use of a prosthetic.
“Guy.”
“Who?” She did not say what I thought she did.
“Guy is picking him up. He promised Evan he’d come to the group tonight.”
“Why?” She folded her arms, vaguely noticing the chill bumps claiming space on her skin. I knew I should have brought a jacket. The short sleeves were no match for the shivers which made themselves known at the sound of his name.
Jo moved closer, lowering her voice. “Evan really wants him to turn back to God.” Jo searched her gaze. “You don’t begrudge him that do you? Didn’t you say you feel sorry for him?”
Before she could answer, Chloe’s hello and Darryl’s reply took her attention.
She turned and watched as Chloe stammered then picked up speed in her conversation while Darryl watched in awe. “When will those two ever go out?”
“Never,” Jo replied. “I’ve never seen two people who clearly like each other hmm and haw around an issue.”
“Maybe we should set them up.”
Jo snorted. “Chloe looks all sweet like a little black fairy, but that girl will go full out Tinkerbell if we set her up. I did it once. Never again.”
Michelle’s laugh escaped before she tempered it. It was a full out guffaw complete with an unladylike snort. The image of Chloe mad did resemble the Peter Pan fairy.
“Fine then. We won’t set her up.” She shook her head as Chloe and Darryl clammed up but continued staring at one another. “But how are we going to get them together?”
Jo laid a hand on her shoulder. “Let God handle that. Otherwise, it won’t work.”
She nodded her head in concession. She knew what happened when you weren’t ready for a relationship. Only God knew when those two would be ready.
GUY TAPPED HIS THUMB against the steering wheel while continuing to stare out the window. He didn’t want to go in. Just go in and get it over with.
“Man, they won’t bite.” Evan said. “Just walk inside and everything else will fall into place.”
Guy stared at him skeptically. Did Evan not realize he hadn’t socialized in over three years now? Three years. His last Bible study had been when Charlene was five months pregnant. The next month, she’d been placed on bed rest. Once the girls came, his time had become solely theirs.
“The longer we sit here, the longer it will take for Bible study to be over.”
Guy opened the door and jumped out
