4

Lucy woke the next morning to sunlight streaming through the windows. She tiptoed past Isabel’s bedroom and let Roscoe outside. Flick followed. They acted as though they’d been together forever. Old, anxious, lazy Roscoe and young, energetic, curious Flick. What a pair. Incredible how they’d become close.

She mixed up pancake batter and before long, Isabel’s voice called out. Lucy set the bowl on the counter and hurried to Isabel’s room.

“How did you sleep?”

Isabel stretched and groaned. “Not great, but I’m OK. Can you help me to the bathroom?”

“Of course.”

Several minutes later, the aroma of hot fluffy pancakes and sweet syrup filled the kitchen. Isabel poured syrup over the golden stack in front of her. “I’m fine here for a few hours by myself. I’m sure you want to go to church.”

Lucy put her napkin in her lap. “I was planning to watch the live stream of my church back home. That way I can stay with you and we can watch it together.”

“No.”

Lucy stared at Isabel. “What do you mean, no?”

“You are not spending your time here pining over what you’re missing at home. If you want to go to church, you’ll go to church. I overheard Noah inviting you last night. No excuses. I’ll stay here with the animals. You’ve fed them and let Roscoe out. We’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure Noah was only being polite. I don’t want to impose.”

Isabel huffed. “You are impossible.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and pressed a button.

“What are you doing?”

Isabel waved a hand, then spoke into the phone. “Good morning, Noah. Lucy would love to join you for church this morning.” A pause. “Yes, I’m sure.” Another pause. “OK, great. Bye.” She disconnected and leveled her gaze at Lucy. “It’s settled. You’re going.”

Indignation rose. “I’m not a child, Isabel. Even after all these years, you still treat me like one. I can make my own decisions.”

“Yes, but some of your decisions are stupid. I’m stuck in this house, but you’re not. I need you to get out there and live your life so you can tell me stories. I love you and I need your help, but I don’t want you hovering over me. Go get ready. He’ll be here in half an hour.”

Lucy swallowed her words. An angry reply wouldn’t help. And yes, she’d rather go to church than watch it on TV. She walked to her bedroom without a word, changed into a skirt and short-sleeved shirt, then pulled on a long cardigan and a pair of boots. She ran a comb through her hair, fluffed the ends, and applied a light coat of makeup. Satisfied, she returned to the kitchen where Isabel still sat at the table.

“Come on, I’ll help you back to your chair.” Lucy placed the walker in front of Isabel. She helped her back to the chair and handed her a bottle of water, her phone, the TV remote, and her prescription bottles. “Can I get you anything else?”

Isabel’s brow furrowed. “Yes. Gummy bears.”

Lucy blinked. “What?”

“You heard me. I want gummy bears.”

“Why?”

“I happen to love them. I keep a stash in the cabinet next to the refrigerator. You wouldn’t deny an old woman her sugar cravings.”

Lucy laughed. “You’re not old yet.”

“I certainly feel like it these days. This hip will take some adjustment. I miss my morning walks. The neighbors will wonder what happened to me.”

“We’ll get you back up and walking again soon enough. After church I’ll help you with your exercises.”

The doorbell rang and Lucy’s heart skipped a beat. Noah.

“Come in!” Isabel called out.

Noah strode into the room, dazzling Lucy with a bright smile. His V-neck T-shirt highlighted his broad frame which tapered to a narrow waist in well-fitting khaki’s. He moved to Isabel’s chair and presented her with a bouquet of purples and fuchsias. Isabel’s face brightened. “Oh, you shouldn’t have. How lovely!”

“You needed something pretty beside you while you’re stuck in that chair.”

“What are those flowers?” Lucy asked.

“Bougainvillea. There are several bushes of it along the side of my yard.”

Isabel pointed to the kitchen. “There’s a vase under the sink. Please bring it out here.”

Lucy filled the vase with water and arranged the flowers on the end table next to Isabel’s chair. She returned to the kitchen and brought out the bag of gummy bears, depositing them on the end table as well. Isabel and Noah had their heads together, whispering, but stopped when she entered the room.

“What are you two conspiring about?” Lucy asked.

Noah grinned. “Your sister wants to make sure I take good care of you. Shall we go?”

“Are you sure you’ll be OK?” Lucy asked.

Isabel waved a hand at them. “Yes, now go. You don’t want to be late.”

“Call me if you have any problems with Roscoe.” Lucy turned to Noah. “I should take my car, too, in case I need to come back early.”

Noah placed a hand on the small of Lucy’s back and guided her toward the door. “You won’t need to come back early.” He gestured to Roscoe, who lay on the floor with Flick curled up beside him. “I bet he won’t even notice you leaving.”

Lucy closed the door shut behind her, then paused for a moment. Silence. No barking, scratching, or whining. “He’s OK.”

“Yes. He’s OK, and Izzy is OK. No reason to worry.” He led Lucy to his driveway where a shiny blue late-model convertible sat with the top down.

Lucy pressed her hand to her chest. “Are we going to church in that?”

“Unless you’d rather I take the ice cream truck…” Noah’s eyes crinkled at the corners.

“No, this will be fine. I never rode in a convertible.”

Noah grinned. “There’s a first time for everything.” He opened the door for her and jogged to the driver’s side. He started the engine, and they were off. The sun shone hot and strong, but the breeze was heavenly.

Lucy relished the wind in her hair. It was exhilarating. Noah kept the car to a safe speed, but it felt as if they were flying. He kept stealing glances at her, clearly enjoying her excitement. The trip to church ended far too quickly. Lucy glanced at the building. “This is an unusual church.”

“It’s more contemporary than you may be used to, but I expect it will suit you well.”

Lucy followed Noah into the office building. They were greeted by several well-wishers near Ava Kathryn’s age. They entered an enormous auditorium. A few gray heads dotted the room, but they were the exception rather than the norm. They took seats halfway up the aisle, and a few moments later, an attractive young couple with a young boy slid in next to Noah. The little boy scrambled across the chairs and plopped into Noah’s lap. Noah beamed at the boy and hugged him tight.

“This is my grandson, Davy.”

Lucy’s heart squeezed at the sight. Her grandchildren no longer had a grandfather, with both Ethan and Jim’s dad gone. They’d been young when Ethan got sick and hardly remembered him.

“Hi, Davy.”

Davy waved and bounced in Noah’s lap. Noah set him on the ground and turned to the young woman next to him. “Lucy, meet my daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and David.”

Lucy reached around Noah and shook their hands, but there wasn’t time to talk, since a group of musicians on the stage started playing. The music was loud, with electric guitars and a drum set. This was nothing like her church back home. There wasn’t an organ in sight, and she didn’t recognize the song. Still, the beat was catchy, and as the hundreds in the congregation raised their voice in song, Lucy’s spirit lifted and she couldn’t help but join in. When the music ended, Betsy took Davy to his classroom, and after a few announcements, the preacher started his message.

“Open your Bibles to Isaiah 43. If you remember last week, God is talking to the Israelites. He’s encouraging them as they’re in captivity in Babylon. Their land was conquered, the temple was destroyed, and they’re now prisoners in a strange land. Nothing is familiar. Listen to what God tells them in verses 18 and 19:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

“Let me repeat the verse. Do not dwell on the past. Many people are guilty of this very thing. But dwelling on the past robs us of what God has for us in the present and the future. God says he’s doing a new thing! We don’t need to be afraid to try new things, even though they’re not familiar. We’d be lying around in diapers drinking from a bottle if we never learned new things.”

“God is about new things. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ Once we become Christians, we are a new creation. But many of us stop there. Sure, we believe in God, and we’ve given up many of our sinful ways, but God doesn’t want us simply to exist. He wants us to live life to the fullest.”

Lucy blinked. Live life to the fullest? She certainly wasn’t. How did one even do so? She turned her attention back to the pastor.

“Consider this. In the very first chapter of the Bible, God creates the heavens and the earth. Multiple times, God called his creation good. But God isn’t stopping there. Sure, he created mountains, oceans, and fields of wildflowers. He created sunrises and sunsets, and filled the world with majestic animals. And yes, he rested on the seventh day and declared it good. He walked in the garden with Adam and Eve in wonderful fellowship. He established the law, and had a relationship with his chosen people, the people of Israel. But turn with me to the book of Jeremiah. Chapter 31 verses 31-34.”

The words projected on a screen, and Lucy read along with the pastor:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

The pastor continued. “God promised the Israelites a new covenant. And with the new covenant came the person of Jesus Christ. If God hadn’t sent His Son, we’d still be sacrificing rams, bulls, and goats to atone for our sins. I, for one, am mighty grateful the good Lord saw fit to give us a new covenant. We continually see God doing new works, both in His Word and in our lives. And if that wasn’t enough, please turn to the end of your Bible. The second-to-last-chapter. Listen to me as I read from the words of Revelation 21. You’ll hear something you may consider surprising.”

The pastor’s gaze traveled the room, and then he flipped in his Bible toward the very back. “I’ll be reading verses 1-5.”

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

The pastor was silent for a moment as he let his words sink in. “That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m grateful God is making everything new. If He’s willing to create a new heaven and earth so we can live with Him in peace, how much more should we be willing to allow Him to do new works in us? Yes, our God is the God of new things. Let’s pray.”

Lucy bowed her head along with the rest of the congregation, but her mind wasn’t on the words of the prayer. It was on the words of the message. When was the last time she’d tried something new? She almost laughed out loud. Driving two thousand miles across the country and going to a contemporary church with a handsome near-stranger in a convertible certainly counted. She prayed silently. “OK, God, I get the message. You’re doing something new in my life. I promise not to run screaming from whatever you’re trying to teach me.”

Music started up again, and Lucy lifted her eyes to the stage which had filled with the praise team. A young man with long dreadlocks stood at the microphone.

“In the spirit of Pastor Micah’s message this morning, here’s a new song for you. We wrote it a few weeks ago and today will be our first time playing it in public. Please rise and join us in song.”

Lucy rose along with the rest of the congregation, and read the words on the screen as the keyboards, drums, and guitars roared to life.

For too long I was living day-to-day, not caring about tomorrow, cause it was far away.

But I met You and my life’s forever changed.

My heart’s been rearranged.

I’ll never be the same.

In You, In You, my life is now complete.

I lay it at Your feet.

And every day I live for You.

As the chorus repeated, Lucy joined the song with the rest of the congregation. Her heart filled with joy. Yes, it was a new song, but it was one she’d carry with her. She wasn’t sure she wanted her heart rearranged, but if God wanted her to do something different, who was she to argue?

When the song ended, Betsy turned to Noah. “Do you want to come over for lunch, Dad? You’re welcome to join us as well, Lucy.”

Would it be rude to decline? She should get back to Isabel. Noah spoke before Lucy had a chance.

“Thanks, sweetie, but I’d better get Lucy back to her sister. She’s worried about leaving her alone for the first time since her accident.”

Lucy’s admiration for Noah ticked up a notch. How well he understood her. “Yes, thank you, Betsy, but your dad is right. I do want to check on my sister.”

“No problem,” Betsy said. “Another time. You could bring your sister.”

Lucy smiled. “Thank you for the kind offer.” They exited the church and climbed back into the convertible. Lucy buckled her seatbelt and turned toward Noah. “I’m sorry you will miss lunch with your family. Thank you for understanding.”

Noah flashed a grin her way. “No problem. It’s Izzy’s first time alone since the surgery. I’m sure you’re worried. It’s only natural.”

The drive back to Isabel’s house was short. Too short. “I never realized how much fun a convertible could be.”

“It’s as Pastor Micah said. Trying something new. I never imagined I’d be driving an ice cream truck, but I love it.”

“Oh, is that the new thing God has for you?”

Noah chuckled. “Yes. I haven’t spent my life driving an ice cream truck.”

“What did you do before?” Lucy asked.

“We’ll save that topic for another day.” Noah winked. “Didn’t you want to check on your sister?”

Lucy’s face flushed. It was far too easy to spend time with this man. She fumbled with her seat belt. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

Noah’s eyes were kind. “No, don’t be sorry. I’d love to spend more time with you, and I promise I’ll answer your questions. How about dinner tonight? My treat.”

“I’d feel too guilty leaving Isabel, but you can join us again.”

Noah seemed to consider it for a moment. “It’s a deal, but only if you let me bring dessert.”

“Ice cream?”

Noah grinned. “No, I have something else in mind. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Lucy crossed the yard to Isabel’s house and opened the door. She couldn’t help smiling at the idea of seeing Noah again soon.

“That’s a big smile,” Isabel said, as Lucy entered the living room. “Pleasant time with Noah?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Yes, I had a pleasant time at church.” Lucy emphasized the last two words, hoping Isabel would leave it alone. She turned toward her sister, who was sitting at her computer desk.

“How did you get over there?”

“With my walker, of course.”

Lucy stared at her. “But there was no one here to help you.”

“I had PT in the hospital, and they taught me how to do it. I’m not an invalid. Yes, my hip is sore, and I admit, I need the walker, but I can certainly move from one side of the room to the other.”

“That’s wonderful.” Lucy crossed the room to where Isabel sat. “What are you doing?”

“Online shopping. Christmas is coming.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Lucy clapped a hand over her mouth. “I never finished my shopping. Somehow it slipped my mind. Do think there’s still time for gifts to ship? I’ll need to send the girls their presents.”

“It’ll be fine. Christmas isn’t for two and a half weeks. You can go home by then. I don’t want to take you away from your kids and grandkids.”

Lucy swallowed hard. “You’re not. The day you fell, both girls called to tell me they couldn’t make it home this year. If you don’t mind the company, I’d love to stay and spend Christmas with you.”

Isabel studied Lucy’s face. “Are you sure?”

Was she? This would be a Christmas unlike any she’d ever had. “Yes. You’re my only sister. Why should either of us spend the day alone?”

Isabel grinned. “In that case, pull up a chair. Let’s go shopping together.”