25

The following morning, Hayley rinsed the breakfast dishes in the sink. Outside the kitchen window, the gloom brightened until the rising sun peeked through the poplar trees, and its blaze of orange and red backlit the stark limbs and tight, pale green buds. Hayley stood transfixed and tried to absorb some of the sunrise’s beautiful serenity.

“Reminds you of Easter, doesn’t it?” Laureen leaned against the counter as she refilled her coffee cup. “I love spring sunrises and the promise of sweet life after winter’s harshness.”

“A renewal of hope.” But Hayley felt stuck in winter. She could sure use some renewal. After last night, even Franklin and Laureen’s love couldn’t put a flame to her dream’s smoking embers. A ray of sunshine hit Hayley’s face, and she ducked her head. Too bright on a day when she wanted to hide in the shadows.

Trevor’s parents had opened their arms when she’d confessed her story, but what about Trevor? Would she see him before he moved to Toronto? Her presence might keep him from spending time with his mom and dad.

The phone rang, and Hayley turned to her employers, sipping their cups of coffee at the table. “Should I get it?”

They both nodded, and Laureen spoke. “Please.”

Hayley looked at them more closely as she walked to the phone. They both seemed older this morning. She sighed. They’d forgiven her, but could she forgive herself for causing so much stress? “Hello?”

Silence. Hayley listened to her heartbeat. Ten beats.

“Hayley.”

Trevor. Hayley stifled a gasp by inhaling slowly. “Did you want to talk to your mom and dad?”

He cleared his throat. “I’ll talk to them when I come out. I need to talk to them, but to you, too…may I?”

Hayley moved back to the kitchen window and lifted her face to the sun. “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Are you guys going to church this morning?”

“No. Your folks don’t feel up to it, so we plan to have our own little worship time here.”

“Oh. Maybe I’ll wait until later, then. I could come after lunch.”

Hayley took a deep breath. Couldn’t hurt to suggest it. “Or you could join us.”

A short, potent silence.

“You’re right, I could.” Trevor’s voice sounded even huskier than usual. “I’ll see you soon.”

~*~

Hayley told Trevor’s parents what he’d said.

“We need to pray.” Franklin’s voice was soft.

For the next hour, the kitchen table became an altar as Franklin, Laureen, and Hayley held hands and prayed for Trevor. For his salvation and healing. And for protection. Hayley’s home city of Toronto never seemed so huge and far away. So much could go wrong, as she knew all too well. Please, God…

Franklin took a deep, shaky breath. “Father God, You know our hearts, and You know Trevor’s. Grant him the healing he needs, we pray. And grant us grace and wisdom this morning to share Your love with him. Open his ears to hear Your voice, in Jesus’ name.”

Gravel crunched, and Laureen squeezed Hayley’s hand before letting go. “That must be our boy.” She pushed herself upright, wobbled, and grabbed the table. “Hayley, could you help me into the living room?”

Franklin stood and leaned against the wall behind him.

Hayley glanced at him sharply. “Are you all right?”

He waved her off. “I’m fine. You two go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”

The elderly couple had barely settled onto the couch, when footsteps pounded up the steps and the front door opened.

Trevor stood in the open doorway. How could a face look so ravaged and hopeful at the same time?

Laureen scooted closer to Franklin and patted the space beside her. “Come here, son. Have a seat.”

Trevor ducked his head and crossed the room.

Hayley’s heart sank, and her throat constricted. He hadn’t even looked at her.

He clasped his hands between his knees. “I’m not sure where to start. So much has happened.” Finally, Trevor looked at Hayley for a moment before he bowed forward and closed his eyes. Almost as if he was praying.

A tiny sprig of anticipation germinated in Hayley’s chest.

Laureen rubbed her son’s broad back and prayed aloud. “Dear Lord, help our son, for Jesus’ sake.”

Trevor faced his parents. “You’ve been praying for me for a long time, haven’t you?”

“Of course.” Franklin’s voice quavered just a bit. “We love you, Trev.”

Trevor glanced at Hayley again, and the corners of his mouth lifted. “I love you, too.”

Shock tingled through Hayley. Did he mean her?

Trevor looked back at his folks, his gaze lingering on his father’s face and then his mother’s. “So I guess God’s been listening to you, because He opened my eyes last night.”

“Thank You, Jesus.” Laureen beamed and clasped her hands. “What happened?”

Trevor’s gaze shifted to Hayley once more, and she cringed at the pain etched in his face. She wanted to smooth away the lines around his mouth, beside his beautiful eyes. But uncertainty glued her to her chair.

He cleared his throat. “When I left here last night, I was a mess. I’d come seeking answers, but what I saw and heard...”

That tiny sprig of hope died. Hayley released a quiet moan, but he must have heard.

“Hayley, I’m sorry. I made assumptions I had no right to make.” He turned to his mother, and his voice lowered. “You sent Max. Thank you. God used him to make me see what a jerk I’ve been and showed me how to give my doubts, my past to Him.” Trevor slid off the couch, knelt in front of his parents, and clasped their hands in his. “Mom, Dad, I got down on my knees last night, just like this, and asked God to make me the man I should be.”

“Thank You, Lord! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow…” Laureen sang, hands raised, and Franklin joined in. Their voices cracked, but their smiles radiated.

The whole room seemed to glow from the joy on Laureen and Franklin’s faces. Hayley pressed her fingers to her eyes, but tears broke free and ran down her face as her prayer from the previous night echoed. Even if Trevor can’t love me, help him love You.

God had heard. And answered. Thank You.

But part of her heart ached. If only Trevor could care for her, too.

Lost in her musing, she started when Trevor touched her hand. She hadn’t even noticed him stand. “Wh-what?”

“Will you come with me later? Maybe out to the gazebo?”

She looked into his dark-lashed gray eyes and nodded, unable to speak.

Trevor blew out a breath. “Thanks.” He sat back on the couch. His jaw clenched and unclenched. “I’ve still got some unfinished business, but Max says I’ve got to learn to trust God. In everything.”

Franklin nodded. “That’s an ongoing lesson, son. But we’re thrilled to know that wherever you go, God will be leading you.”

Hayley bit her lip. She couldn’t bear to think about Trevor moving to Toronto now.

Trevor’s gaze moved from his parents to Hayley and back again. “I have more news.” He paused for several heartbeats. “I’m not going to Toronto after all. I plan to phone Vince Starr first thing tomorrow morning.”

Franklin whooped, Laureen clapped her hands, and Trevor grinned.

“And one more thing. Think I could move back here? I’ve already sub-let my place to my buddy Ryan, and it wouldn’t be right to back out of our deal.”

While Trevor’s parents laughed and hugged him, Hayley’s mind whirled. Her body felt numb. It was too much to absorb.

Trevor, living at the farm?

Oh, sweet torture.

~*~

His parents took turns praying, their hands on his head. The living room looked the same, but he could swear heaven had joined them in the familiar space. Afterward, his mom wiped her eyes and rested her head on his dad’s shoulder. Trevor drew in a shaky breath. These two were the best thing that had ever happened to him. His breath caught, and he breathed it out in a prayer. Thanks, God, for their love. He gazed at the one who’d triggered his desperate surrender to God. She’d kept quiet while his parents prayed. Her head remained bowed, her eyes closed.

Could Hayley forgive him? Could she give their relationship—the attraction quickly escalating into something much more—a chance? Time to find out. He patted his mom’s shoulder, stood, and crossed the room. Trevor held out his hand. “Hayley, will you come with me?”

She looked up, jade eyes wide, and nodded. She placed her cool, small hand in his, and a tremor ripped through him. So delicate, so easily crushed. Like her feelings. Oh, God…

Laureen nodded toward the coat closet. “You’ll need your coat, dear. It’s pretty chilly this morning.”

“Yeah, it is.” He pulled Hayley to her feet but didn’t let go of her hand. He’d keep this gorgeous redhead warm, no matter how cold it was outside. Trevor held Hayley’s black wool coat as she slipped her arms into its sleeves, then pulled it up over her shoulders. Instead of releasing her, he slid his arms around her waist and brought her close to his body. He breathed in the peachy scent of her hair and rested his cheek on it. “Nice,” he murmured. “I like your hair this way.” Soft, auburn waves caressed his face.

Hayley leaned against his chest and drew in a shaky breath. “Thanks. It’s too long to spike now, and I’m glad. That phase of my life is over.”

She sounded defensive, unsure. And he was the cause. He swallowed regret. “The gazebo or my car? Your choice.”

Hayley tilted her head. “I love the gazebo. If it’s not too cold outside.”

Trevor tightened his arms around her and then loosened his grip, turning her to face him. “It’s cool, but not freezing.”

Her decision suited him just fine. If she did get chilled, he could offer some warmth. Even the idea triggered heat zinging from his toes to his face. He could almost taste her lips on his. Get a grip, man. Trevor opened the back door and followed Hayley.

“I love the way the deck wraps around the gazebo. The deck’s traditional lines contrast perfectly with the Victorian gazebo. So pretty. Like a fairy tale setting.”

Was that nerves talking? Probably. Oh well, he could chitchat if it made her feel better.

“Dad and I built the deck about ten years ago, but the gazebo was his gift to Mom for their fiftieth anniversary. She’d always wanted one for some reason.” He shrugged. “A deck was doable for Dad and me, but not such a fancy structure. We used a kit, and it turned out pretty nice. Mom loves it.”

Hayley traced the carved hearts on either side of the entrance, a soft smile on her face. Then she turned, the smile gone. Lines appeared beside her mouth and between her eyebrows. “Let’s get this over with.”

He wanted to smooth away those lines with his lips. Apologize for doubting her. He could kick himself for hurting her. Trevor sat on the cold wooden bench and pulled Hayley down beside him. Would she mind if he tugged her closer? “Come’ere. I’ll keep you warm.” Hayley scooted as close as possible without sitting on his lap, and Trevor wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Better?”

She nodded. “It’s colder out here than I thought.” A deep sigh. “Want to go first, or should I?”

“Go ahead.”

“It’s not a pretty story.”

He touched his lips to her temple. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. And whatever you’ve done, you’re already forgiven.”

“You mean by God? I know that, but I need to know if you can deal with it.” Her gaze sharpened.

“Give me a chance. Please.”

As Hayley confessed her relationship with Blake Horner, her voice dropped to a monotone. Trevor struggled with discomfort that turned to anger and then rage at Horner’s betrayal. He curled his hands into fists and wrestled the urge to lash out.

“I’m sorry.” Hayley fell silent.

Trevor thumped the back of his head against the structure’s post. “I’d like to strangle the jerk, but I’m not angry with you. Please continue, Red.”

Hayley snuggled back against him, but folded her arms and ducked her head. “That’s not the worst part.”

Trevor steeled himself. The baby. God, help me. “Talk. I need to know.”

The explanation of the accident, the death of her baby, and the terrible, wrenching despair that nearly killed her tumbled out as she spoke. Soft sobs accompanied her words.

Trevor felt tears chill on his cheeks. He lifted her unresisting form onto his lap. “Hayley, I’m so sorry.”

She turned her face to his jacket and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her and stroked her hair, her back, and her arms. If only he could absorb her pain the way his denim jacket soaked up her tears. “Forgive me.” He choked on the words but forced them out. “I jumped to conclusions when I heard you talking to that guy. But even if what I’d assumed was true, I had no right to judge you.” He lifted her chin and wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb. “Can you forgive me?”

Hayley touched his cheek with a gloved hand. “Yes, of course I forgive you. But I need you to do something for me.”

Trevor swallowed hard. “Anything.” The haunter of his dreams tightened her arms around his neck, pulled his head lower, and tickled his lips with hers.

“Kiss me, please.”