34

Trevor shuffled into his tiny kitchen Saturday morning and yawned as he filled the coffeemaker. He braced his arms against the counter as he relived last night’s revelations. Nila—alive! He shook his head in wonder. After all these years of bitterness at her fate…God’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Right after Trevor let go of his hatred of Kirby, Nila showed up, not only alive, but happily married and glowing with impending motherhood. Incredible.

After Laureen, Dave, and Lydia had said their goodbyes, the two younger couples walked across the street to Will and Nila’s. There they’d talked long into the night, sharing their brokenness and God’s mercy. Trevor found out Will’s scars weren’t makeup when the couple explained how they’d met and how God had redeemed them both. Definitely amazing.

Trevor poured himself a cup of coffee, grabbed his Bible, and sat at the table. Last night’s drama haunted him. Trevor flipped through several pages until he found the heading, “The Crowd Chooses Barabbas” in Matthew 27. Will’s portrayal of the condemned man had triggered a searing need to know the whole story. He started reading at the beginning of the chapter.

Several minutes later, Trevor closed his Bible and wiped his face. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…” His voice cracked, but he sang aloud anyway. Ryan had gone home to Lumsden for Easter, so there was no one to hear him. Except Jesus. “I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” Thank You, Jesus.

He wrapped his hands around his coffee mug and swallowed hard. The purple-gray mug reminded him of Larry Kirby’s mottled face as he’d run from Trevor. Shame flooded him, and his shoulders sagged. He’d been forgiven by God, but what about Kirby? Trevor groaned. He didn’t want to think about Kirby, not today. But the image wouldn’t leave. “Do I have to ask his forgiveness, Lord? You know he won’t give it. And even if I tell him I forgive him, he won’t believe me.”

He needs to hear it from you.

Really? Hadn’t he done enough by releasing Kirby to God? He listened but didn’t get a response. Fine. He’d give it a shot. He grabbed his phone and searched the internet. “Larry Kirby.” Nothing. He’d tried. What more could he do?

Trust Me.

Yeah, OK. But Hayley and his mother were probably anxious to get to the hospital. He’d promised to pick them up from Dave and Lydia’s by ten and it was already five after. He sent a quick text to Hayley. “Running late. Will be there in thirty minutes.”

Thoughts of Hayley replaced Kirby’s face as Trevor pictured her short auburn hair, full lips, and those sparkling jade eyes. Her creamy skin showed every blush, and her slender, feminine figure made his pulse race. But even more, Hayley’s courage and faith drew him to her like a weld to steel. Yeah, he’d stick with her forever. If she’d have him.

He just had to figure out an impressive way to propose. Humming the old hymn, he headed to the shower.

~*~

As they exited the elevator closest to the ICU, Trevor pulled Hayley closer to his left side while his mother held his right arm. He held his head high and greeted everyone in the hallway with a smile. Life was good. Until they passed the room two doors before his father’s. Trevor jerked when a loud, raspy voice howled, “I don’t want to die!” He’d know that voice anywhere. He released his mother and Hayley. “Go on, see how Dad’s doing. I have to take care of something.”

His mom raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything.

Hayley clung to his arm, though. “What’s the matter? Do you know him?”

“I do, and I need to talk to him alone. OK?”

Hayley studied him for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll be with your mom and dad, then.”

With a deep sigh, Trevor walked towards the other room.

A nurse stopped him. “I’m sorry, sir. Family only in this area. Are you related?”

“No, but I used to be his foster son.”

“Well, according to our records, he doesn’t have any family. But if you want to try to comfort him, please do. I doubt it matters at this point. I just need your name.” He told her, and she wrote it down. “OK, Mr. Hiebert, you’ve got five minutes.”

“He may not want to see me.”

A string of curses poured from the wired and tubed form inside the room.

“He’s been unconscious until today, and he was a lot easier to deal with then. Go on in. If you dare.” She turned back to her charts.

This morning I couldn’t help but praise Your timing, Lord God. Not sure I like it now. But give me the right words to say, the ones he needs to hear, in Jesus’s name.

Trevor steeled himself and walked into the room. The man on the bed was barely recognizable under the bandages and bruises. “Kirby?”

The man’s eyes opened wide, and his lips trembled. “I’m…already dying. You’re too late...Go away.”

Trevor sat on the hard chair beside the bed. “What happened?”

“Tried to beat a train…after…you…I…lost.” Kirby’s voice trailed off.

“I’m sorry.”

Kirby swore, gasping between words.

Trevor took a deep breath and leaned forward. “Look, man, I hated you for a long time, and it messed me up pretty badly, but Jesus died to save both of us. He loves you. You did some bad stuff. So did I. But I’m forgiven, and I’ve forgiven you. Because of Jesus. He paid the price for both of us.”

A brace held the man’s head immobile, but his glazed eyes turned toward Trevor. The darkness in them sent shivers down his spine.

“It’s…too…late.” Kirby’s mouth moved soundlessly. Then he shuddered, gasped, and stilled. Alarms sounded, and several personnel hustled into the room.

“I’m sorry, sir. You have to leave. Now.” A younger nurse brusquely pulled the curtains around Kirby’s bed, shutting Trevor out.

Trevor moved out of their way, his heart heavy. So what happened there, Lord? What good did that do?

He listened, but didn’t hear an answer. He stood in the hallway for a moment, trying to regain his composure then walked into his father’s room.

“There you are, son.” Franklin’s weak but cheerful voice greeted him. His dad was sitting up and looking awfully chipper in spite of the tubes and wires still attached.

“Hey, Dad, you look good. How do you feel?”

Franklin’s eyes twinkled. “Like I’ve been halfway butchered. But I’m on the mend now, and I’m grateful.”

Laureen patted Franklin’s leg. “I’m thankful too. God’s not done with us yet.”

Hayley vacated her chair and moved to Trevor’s side. When he looked at her, she tilted her head slightly and raised her eyebrows. He understood her unasked question and took her hand.

“Mom, Dad, I need to talk to Hayley for a few minutes. Do you mind?”

His mother’s smile caressed him. “Go on, you two. I’m content to stay with my sweetheart.”

“I’ll be here when you get back.” His dad winked and made a shooing motion.

Trevor led Hayley far down the hall, away from the room where someone called for a crash cart, and found a quiet corner. He pulled her close and inhaled the sweet, clean scent of her hair.

Hayley cupped his cheek with her hand. “Are you all right? What happened in there?”

Trevor leaned into her touch. “That was Kirby. He…he collided with a train after we fought.” Regret and sorrow tangled into a lump in his throat. “I had to tell him about God’s forgiveness…but he wouldn’t listen.” His arms tightened around Hayley. “And now, I think it may be too late.”

~*~

Hayley traced the lines on Trevor’s brow, but her touch couldn’t erase them. “What do you mean, you had to talk to him? Did God tell you to?”

Trevor’s lips twisted. “I think so. I sure got that impression, but now I don’t know. I mean, what good did it do?”

Help me out here, Lord. Please. “So you obeyed, even though I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant.”

He grunted—in agreement, she assumed. Hayley lowered her voice to not much more than a whisper. “Did God tell you to change Larry Kirby? To save him?”

Trevor’s head jerked up, dislodging Hayley’s hand. After two agonized heartbeats, he moved his hand to the back of Hayley’s head, lowered his face to meet hers, and spoke against her waiting mouth. “That’s what I love about you. You get right to the heart of the problem—and my heart. Thank you.”

Hayley slid her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. Mm-mm, citrusy. Part of her mind connected his taste to the health benefits of citrus fruit. He must be good for me. She smiled against his lips, but then he deepened the kiss, and all thought disappeared under a flood of sensation. Warmth, electricity, and need swirled together. Hayley moaned from somewhere under her ribcage. “More.”

An alarm sounded down the hall, and Trevor broke contact, breathing hard.

Reality barged in, and heat rushed up Hayley’s neck. “Oh, my.” She held her hands against her hot cheeks to cool them as she glanced around. No one seemed to be paying them any attention. Thankfully. She peeked up at Trevor. He looked a little overheated too, and that made her smile. Hayley took his hand, brought it to her lips, and kissed it. “Maybe we should go back to your father’s room, hmm?”

Trevor sucked in a breath and straightened his spine. “Yeah, they’re probably wondering what happened to us. You going to tell them?” He winked.

Hayley swatted his arm. “Not about kissing you.” She sobered. “But about Larry Kirby—do you want to tell them?”

Trevor sighed. “I guess so. We don’t always get a happy ending, do we?”

Hayley nibbled her lower lip for a moment. “No, not from our viewpoint, anyway. But we have to remember, God is in control. And leave it with Him. We could pray together for Larry Kirby. God knows his heart.”

Trevor ran a finger down the side of her face, leaving tingles in its wake. “You’re good for me, Red. Let’s go see the folks, before you tempt me to kiss you again.”

Hayley smiled. Another time, another place…she’d enjoy tempting Trevor Hiebert for the rest of her life.

She grasped his hand, and they walked toward Franklin’s room.

But just as Trevor reached for the door handle, a nurse hurried toward them.

“Mr. Hiebert, wait!”