“Never you mind the details, dear,” Eleanor piped in. “This is not an inquisition, we’re just trying to understand what you need going forward. And to be clear, Anna, we don’t advocate marriage for any reason other than love, and only to a believer, so please don’t think we’ll put any pressure on you in that way.”
Anna nodded. “That makes good sense. Thank you.”
“So how did Dr. Carmichael find out?” Pastor Harry asked.
“Though Matt tried to contact me, I never responded. Then just recently, I guess God had enough of my lies and sent him to our church. He said it was the first time in his life he had attended church when it wasn’t a wedding or a funeral. I guess God meant business, because Matt took one look at me and instantly knew.
“When you started praying for the safe delivery of Anna and Steven’s baby, he was understandably upset. A few days later, he came knocking.”
Pastor Harry whistled through his teeth. “Anna, you sure have put yourself through the wringer, haven’t you? Can’t imagine the stress you’ve been under—”
“Matt wants to be a father and has offered to help with expenses, so please take the crib back.”
Eleanor was not to be silenced. “The women’s ministry held a bake sale and earned the money for the baby’s crib, so I feel I can speak on their behalf. Anna, you’ve been a loyal member of the church for years. You’ve given of your time, your heart, and your money to anyone in need. Because you’ve made a mistake doesn’t negate that it’s your turn to have a little help. Last time I checked, you still have a little one coming into this world. Nothing’s changed that.”
Anna tried to hold back the tears, but they blinked free of her lashes and splashed down.
“This baby deserves all the love we can give, and the gift is for that precious child. So please, Anna, take it with our love. The message the ladies wanted me to convey when I dropped off this crib is that you are loved, and nothing changes that fact.”
Anna felt like a watering pot. The tears now flowed freely.
“Harry dear, can you put that crib together. It stays!” Eleanor waved her hand in his direction. and he dutifully got up and pulled the box into the nearby nursery.
“Let’s have some tea. Come.” She waved Anna into the kitchen, as if it was her home, and began to fill the kettle with water. “Must be my British heritage, but there’s nothing like a spot of tea to soothe the soul.”
“One more thing, Anna …” Eleanor whirled around with the kettle still in her hand. “Whatever you hear down the road of a negative nature, let me know. I’ll handle it. I expect the congregation to forgive wholeheartedly and no less. Jesus said clearly in his word that we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There’s not a one of us who’s perfect. Anyone who gossips and snips about will have to deal with me.” She harrumphed as she pointed with a kettle in one hand and the other hand flying up and down as if she was conducting an orchestra.
“Anna, Harry and I do understand a lot more than meets the eye. We could see your loneliness and pain, and so did God. He grants you mercy and forgiveness, and so must we all, and that’s that.” She laughed as she slammed the kettle on the stove with a bang. “And my emphasis is on the word all.”
Anna smiled at her antics and silently thanked the Lord for the love and true Christian leadership she had in her pastor and his dear, dear wife, Eleanor.
Betty and George sat in shock for a long moment. Anna could hear the tick, tick, tick, of the grandfather clock on the wall.
Betty was the first to speak, which was no surprise. In their relationship, she did the talking, and George nodded in agreement. In the past, Anna had often wondered what he thought, but that night he added his opinion.
“Not Steven’s baby, oh my …” Betty shook her head in disbelief. “Well, my dear, although you should’ve told us, I can see how it would be easy to let sleeping dogs lie, as they say.”
Anna waited for the indignation to surface. It usually took a few minutes for most people.
Betty folded and unfolded her hands. A frown knit her brow. “None of us exactly questioned you on the matter, did we, Anna? Although, had we given it some thought with Steven being so sick and all … we should’ve figured it out.”
Here it comes! Anna braced herself.
George ran his hands through his thinning hair and broke the awkward silence. “Well, Anna, you were next thing to sainthood in my book—it’s actually comforting to see you’re human after all.”
Betty smacked him on the arm. “George,” she said, “this is no time to joke around.”
“I’m not joking, Betty. After all the years she looked after Steven, and raised those boys primarily on her own—not to mention the loneliness that went along with that—I tell no lie when I say I thought she sported a halo.”
“Come to think of it, Anna, it’s true. George and I often commented how difficult life must be for you. We marveled at the amazing way in which you held your family together. All the while, we lived our life having fun. We socialized with our friends, went to movies, parties, and went on holidays, while you, dear thing, got so precious little of any of that. Not to mention the warmth of a body next to you at night. I know the last years had to have been … very lonely for the both of you.” Betty’s voice broke.
George took over. “Anna, we don’t condemn you. Steven was gone, and I know you stayed faithful to him until the end. In fact, he was
