“Come on in, and we’ll see what Daisy needs,” Trace said, a grin tugging at his full lips.
Marissa hopped out of the truck, her floral skirt swishing around her knees as she headed for the door.
Trace tried to repress his grin as he opened the door to his sister’s building, shoving it open fully and ushering Marissa into with his hand on her back just as a happy squeal of “surprise,” echoed around them.
“What’s this?” Marissa said gazing around the room decorated in pink and blue bunting and tables full of refreshments.
“It’s a party,” Daisy said, making her way to Marissa and hugging her. “We’re celebrating life, love, and hope today,” she finished gesturing around her at several pregnant women who were nodding excitedly.
“We just had a baby shower for Brenda,” one of the younger women said, “so when Daisy told us what you and Trace were doing, we had to have a party for you too.”
Marissa gaped around her as tears filled her eyes. This was only a marriage of convenience. A way to keep from having to explain everything a million times over the next few months. It didn’t mean anything. Still, her heart was touched by the kindness of those around her and she entered into the party willingly.
“I told you it would be fine,” Daisy said as she nibbled a piece of cake watching her brother watch his new fake bride.
“Uh-huh,” Trace said absently.
“You like her don’t you?” Daisy asked bumping him with her elbow to make sure he was listening.
“Well sure,” Trace hedged.
“No, I mean you like her,” Daisy insisted, noting the soft flush of his neck. “Why don’t you tell her?”
“It isn’t the time,” Trace admitted. “She has enough on her mind right now. I’m just glad I can help out.”
Daisy shook her head. “Trace, I think you’re in this deeper than you know,” she said a slight frown marring her usually cheerful face. “I love what you’re doing to help Marissa and her baby, but I’m afraid you might lose your heart at the same time.”
Trace turned, looking at his little sister, his blue eyes meeting her lapis gaze. “I’m willing to risk it,” he said quietly. “If that’s what God wants, I’ll go with it. Some things are more important than the well being of my heart. Like a soul.”
Daisy reached over and touched his hand. “We’ll keep praying,” she said. “You’ve made the first step and saved that girl from a life of heartache and regret. We’ll just have to have faith for whatever comes next.”
Chapter 16
The first week back at school felt odd as Marissa organized her classroom, worked up lesson plans and settled into her small apartment much closer to work.
It felt good to be back in the classroom and she couldn’t help but grin every time a colleague noted her small gold wedding ring.
She loved telling the story she had embellished slightly, to her friends. After all who didn’t love a whirlwind romance that ended in a wedding and honeymoon baby? Even with the tiny twinges of guilt, she felt about the half-truth, it made her feel better about her situation and less uncomfortable.
Knowing that Trace was just on the other end of the phone line each night helped tremendously as well. Soon her students would be arriving as classes began, and she felt not only ready to face the year but ready to face the changes that were taking over her life.
“So when are we going to meet this wonderful new man in your life?” Alice asked one day as Marissa stepped into the break room for an extra snack.
“I don’t know,” Marissa hedged. “He’s still working in Wyoming, and we don’t know what we’ll do next.”
Alice smiled. “It’s like some novel romance,” she gushed. “I’m so happy for you.”
Marissa smiled, but something in her heart sank as she remembered that somewhere along the way this fake marriage would have to end.
Dropping a few coins in the snack machine and pushing a button, Marissa grabbed her snack and turned, preparing to leave only to notice one of the other teachers bowing her head over her meal.
Moving to the table where the other woman sat, Marissa took a seat waiting for her to finish.
“Oh, hi Marissa,” Susan said with a grin. “How’s the new year starting?”
“Good,” Marissa said her voice sounding distracted. “Susan, why do you pray over your meal?” she asked bluntly. Trace had done that, and it seemed like such a normal thing to him, but she hadn’t noticed others doing it before.
“I’m saying thanks,” Susan said swirling a bit of cheesy pasta around her fork.
“But why?” Marissa said. “You work for the money that pays for that food. Why thank someone else for your food?”
Susan put down her fork and looked at Michelle.
“Yes, I do work for the money I use to pay for my food,” the dark-haired woman said. “But I also know that all good things come from God and want to remember that what I have comes from Him.”
Marissa nodded but still couldn’t make sense of what Susan said. “Okay,” she said standing and heading for the door. “Have a good day.”
***
The phone was already ringing as Marissa put the key in her door and she smiled. Trace had called every day as soon as she got home from work, and today she was running late.
Pushing the door open, she hurried to the phone. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Trace’s warm voice rolled over her like a warm hug and she flopped into a squishy chair. “You have a good day?”
“I did,” Marissa said curling her feet under her. “I got a new student today and he’s going to be a challenge.”
Trace chuckled. “Somehow I think you’ll figure out what to do.”
“I paired him with a table full of girls who like school. I think it will
