Robert remained speechless and Joe moved closer to Cindy. She took a step back, and he stopped his approach. “I owe you the biggest apology. Ruined your life and to be honest I don’t know how to fix that. But Sandra there says sorry is not enough. I need to change. Here’s hoping the doctors and the Good Lord will tag along for the ride.”
“Is that why you came here? To wheel me in for the final kill. I’ve heard it all before,” said Cindy.
“Don’t rightly recall me suggesting to go for help, but I understand your misgivings. I expect nothing from you, except if you’re on talking terms with the Almighty, you might bring my name up from time to time.” He nodded toward Sandra and turned to go. A few steps away he glanced back. “And to answer your question, Cindy, no, that’s not why I came here. I come to drag you home where you belong and knock sense into your thick skull. But it turns out that lady over there has magic in her voice. Got me thinking, with a little help I might actually prove worthy of my family’s love.”
All you could hear after he left was the lapping of the waves against the dock. Even the children sensed a change in the air. Robert took Sandra’s hand and squeezed it, and a sense of family swept over her. Could this encounter benefit them? What she wouldn’t give to have this man by her side clear into her rocking chair years.
Cindy edged closer. “Can we walk, Sandra?”
“Certainly. Nothing I’d like better.”
They walked to the far end of the dock. Sandra lifted her fancy dress and Cindy followed suit. The two women dropped to the edge of the platform to let their feet dangle in the water.
“Joe would kill me for sitting on a dirty wet wooden dock with my best dress on,” said Cindy.
“You don’t have to worry about him anymore. Just pray like he asked. It will help both of you.”
“How’s that?”
“There was a time a while back when I struggled to forgive someone who’d wronged me. One day I felt the impulse to pray for her. Every day the reminder came, and I went from a few obedient words – Bless the sorry excuse for a woman – to more heartfelt prayer. Eventually they brought me to my knees, and I stormed the heavens for Him to rescue her from her own hand. When the burden lifted, I’d forgiven her and life went on.”
“I suppose she became your best friend?” asked Cindy with a touch of attitude.
“Far from it. Forgiveness sets both parties free to continue life under a fresh anointing. There is no prize for obeying God’s word. But because the past no longer carries the same pain, it does allow us to choose the paths we travel next. In my case, I did not line up to receive a second blow to my heart.” Sandra laughed. “God’s ways are mysterious and situations vary, but all result in victory for the child of God.”
“I’m at the few-obedient-word stage,” she smiled and looked at Sandra. “But I promise to try.”
“That’s all we can do. I’m proud of you.”
“Why do you care? My sister and I accused you of trying to steal our father and being a gold digger. You should hate us.”
“Hatred is not in my vocabulary. I care for your father. It even surprised me because I’m not your typical jump-in-the-fire kind of woman, especially in romance.”
“My Dad is – but only when it socks him in the chin. He tells us you are the only one he’s ever been interested in since mother. And the more I see of you, the better I understand.” She scrunched up her brows. “Are you a saint or something?”
Sandra roared laughing. “If you mean perfect, definitely not. I have tarnished my halo many times in the past and I suspect if you hang around me long enough, you’ll see it discolor again.”
“So, can we start over?” asked Cindy.
“We already have. Here we sit like two friends talking and bathing our feet in the lake at ten o’clock on Christmas Eve.”
“Oh, my. Is that what time it is?” Cindy pulled her feet out of the water and jumped to her feet. “I can’t believe the little ones are still awake. Tomorrow is Christmas Day and our day will start at the crack of dawn.”
“Yes, I remember those days with fondness.”
“We should push off. Father has ordered a taxi to help the crowd of us get home. I hope you don’t mind him spending Christmas day with us.”
“Not in the least. It’s where he should be,” said Sandra.
Before Cindy headed down the ramp, she said, “We’ve given Father the thumbs up. I hope you’ll stick with him. He’s pretty much smitten.”
Sandra laughed. “I’ll be sticking around, Cindy. Call me if you’d like to visit again soon. I enjoyed our chat.”
“Count on it.”
Sandra watched her walk away but stayed behind to allow Robert the opportunity to say his goodbyes. The music in the tent started up, and she grew excited. The rest of the evening was hers and Roberts alone, and for once her entire body, soul and spirit craved the freedom that offered. Ten minutes later she heard his footsteps on the wooden planks. When he reached her he squeezed in from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back and closed her eyes.
“Are your feet frozen yet?”
“The water’s warm, and there’s room for two,” Sandra said.
“I think I like this position better.”
“So do I. Your heart is in tune with the peaceful music.”
“This day played horrible
