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The washer buzzed at the most inopportune moment, and as if on cue, Roland’s smile faded. With the ugly reminder pulling him away, questions plagued his mind. Chiefly, when would he get a chance to chat with this incredible woman? He relished the private conversation with Jeanne. Too bad it couldn’t last forever.
Roland couldn’t recall the last time he had a meaningful discussion with any woman. The moment he sat at the table, all nervousness vanished. He was utterly enthralled with Jeanne’s smile, the tilt of her head when she listened, and her musical laughter. All of it quieted his soul. Whatever she did and everything she said captured his heart in the palm of her pretty little hands. He knew it from the beginning and didn’t even want to resist.
When he secured Jeanne’s phone number into the top shirt pocket near his heart, her lips parted, and he could swear a gasp gushed between them. Reluctantly, he excused himself, stepped into the laundry room, pulled out the wet clothes, and examined them. The load needed at least one more cycle to release the stink and embedded dirt. He stuffed the clothes back inside and dumped in more detergent. This load might do the trick. If not, I don’t know what to do. Maybe Cheryl will have a suggestion. Get the lead out, Roland, and get back to the ladies...to Jeanne.
During his haste to return, he didn’t hear Jeanne and Sister Cheryl leave the kitchen. When the women weren’t in sight upon his return, a sharp pain ripped through his gut. Female voices echoed from the living room, so he followed them.
Jeanne stood by the door with her hand on the knob. A knot clogged his throat. “Um, are you leaving so soon? Weren’t you going to tell me?”
She lifted her gaze to meet his and blessed him with another beautiful smile. “Yes and no. Of course, I wouldn’t leave without telling you. I was waiting for you, but I have errands to do for Renee. I’ll see you on Sunday morning...I hope.”
He nodded. His hand gently patted his shirt pocket, where he stowed her number. “Sure. Oh, I was thinking. Will you help me with the youth group on Sunday and again Wednesday night? I’m working out a lesson about Jesus’ first miracle for this Sunday’s lesson. On Wednesday, we’ll gather in one of the empty rooms and try a little harmony on a few hymns. Can you carry a tune?”
She shyly winked as if to reward him for his thoughtfulness, her hostess being none the wiser.
“Yes. That gives me a reason to come to church on those days instead of packing. Thanks for asking me. Please, will you share the information with me? I don’t want to stumble through either the lesson or the hymns. That wouldn’t give the kids a good impression. So...I guess we’ll talk later. Bye.”
“For sure. Thanks again.” His heart did three flips when she agreed. He wanted to spend every waking minute with Jeanne. Studying together would have to suffice until he could find another excuse to see her.
Jeanne nodded to Cheryl and left. The impulse to peek out the window overwhelmed his common sense, but then he checked himself. That kind of behavior would be too obvious in front of Sister Cheryl.
Cheryl gestured toward the kitchen. “Please have another cup of tea with me.”
Roland managed a half-smile and accepted her invitation. Memories of Jeanne and their conversation rambled through his head. He’d spoken about stuff he swore never to breathe to anyone other than a pastor, but he only told her how his father changed, the pain he inflicted, and his stent in jail. The worst would be told another day—another chat when he was ready to reveal more. Would she tell Renee or, worse, Winston?
What could I offer her...nothing? Sweaty palms rubbed on the front of some other man’s pants that he wore, and he exhaled a shuddery breath. Lord, do You have a plan for Jeanne and me...I mean, the two of us? I have never imagined being with such an angel. The moment I saw her at the center, it was like an invisible force encircled my heart, claiming it only for her. Is this real love? Please direct my steps and not let me blow my chances with her.
Cheryl’s voice pulled him from his muse. “Are you all right, Roland?”
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“Did your clothes not come clean on the first wash?”
He lifted his cup of cold tea and took a large gulp. His nose scrunched. “No, ma’am. I ran them through again. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Whatever is necessary to get them clean. Eli mentioned he was stopping by the shelter to see if any more clothes were donated in your size. So he may have a set for you later today. Do you mind having to wear secondhand?”
“No, ma’am.”
Cheryl rose to stop the shrill whistle of the teapot. She brought it to the table, filled Roland’s cup, and lowered herself onto the chair. “It was nice of Renee to bake the cookies and for Jeanne to bring them over today. I like her.” She lifted her cup and peered over the rim. “Do you?”
“It sure was nice of them both.” Roland shifted in his seat, and his palms grew moist again.
“I hope Jeanne will stay longer in Grove Hill. Maybe permanently. But I suppose her family misses her and wants her back home.”
He ran his finger around his cup's rim and sighed. “I guess so.”
“Have you and Eli talked about the youth minister position? I really think you’ll be the person to guide these kids. It carries with it a small part-time wage. If you take the job, it’ll start you on the road to a new beginning. Please consider the opportunity and pray about it.”
“Eli did suggest the job to me. But I’m not sure if I’d be accepted into the church. You know my story?” He met her gaze, searching for judgment, and spotted none.
“Not all of it, but I saw how you were with the kids. You have Jesus in your heart, Roland. Regardless of what sins we have committed in the past, we are forgiven. He loves His children, and you’re one of them. Please don’t permit the enemy to rake you over the coals with your past by making you doubt your potential.
“Roland, one of the Lord’s prophets, Isaiah, spoke to the Israelites in chapter forty-three about forgetting the former things and not dwelling in the past. God’s doing a new thing. Take some time and read those passages. You’ll find He is speaking to you and will direct your steps. The Lord has a plan for each of us. Just listen to His voice and follow what He has for you. Pray on it, listen, and obey.”
“I will. Thank you. You don’t know how much I appreciate you and Eli helping me, even if it’s temporary.”
“You’re welcome. You can stay here as long as you like. I’m confident He has great plans for you. Perhaps she’ll stay too.”
He lifted a quizzical brow. “Who?”
Cheryl laughed. “Jeanne, of course.”
He looked down at his secondhand clothes again and whispered. “I can only hope so.”
Breakfast had been the same every morning since Jeanne arrived. She could tell when the children were finished eating when banter from her niece and nephew filled the table. She loved hearing the little ones and relished their bond.
Jeanne spun a spoon in a bowl of oatmeal, scooped up a raisin, stared at it, and then dropped it back inside the dish. Marie licked off a glob of oatmeal and shook her spoon at her brother. “Stop it,” she warned for the second time.
The children’s teasing faded into the background. Will Renee understand, or perhaps...? No, Sister Cheryl assured me I wasn’t being silly or overly sensitive.
Laughter trilled throughout the room. Brice shoved Marie’s shoulder, and she tittered on her seat and released a shrill. Drawn from her muse, Jeanne gasped and lurched forward to grab Marie before she crashed onto the floor. Brice beat Jeanne by inches when he latched hold of his sister’s arm and pulled her back onto the seat in time to prevent a disaster.
Renee’s dark eyebrows lifted. “Okay, I guess you guys are through eating. You may go to the playroom. Please leave the door open.”
Jeanne admired how she lovingly handled her children—never demanding or being forceful. Where had she learned this from? It surely wasn’t from their parents. Perhaps she’d seen it in Winston’s mother. Then again, maybe she’d learned by trial and error, growing with each experience.
Brice and Marie stopped before exiting the room. Turning, the children smiled, waved at her, and then skipped down the hallway. When Roland hadn’t returned home after Marie’s birth, Winston remodeled his brother’s bedroom into a playroom. The space was ideal for closing the door when company came or for play dates with other friends. Renee and Winston didn’t believe in their children having a lot of toys, so the room had more room for playing tag or floor games when the outside weather wasn’t ideal.
Jeanne gathered the dishes off the table and carried them to the sink. She rolled up her sleeves, washed and dried the last dish, then turned to Renee. “Can we talk?”
“How about another cup of coffee while we chat?”
“Sure.” It’ll give me something to focus on while I try to confide in Renee if I cannot look into her eyes.
Renee topped off their coffee cups and claimed the chair across from her.
Jeanne added sugar and creamer while she ran the rehearsed scenario through her mind. She sighed and gathered enough courage to drop the question onto her older sister. “Ree, have either our brothers or you ever felt like Dad held a tight fist over us kids growing up? I mean, Dad has been more...”
The dry lump in Jeanne’s throat grew by the second. She gulped down a good amount of coffee and nodded at Renee before continuing. “I ran across a Bible passage that kinda conflicts with what Dad has taught us over the years. I figured he wouldn’t intentionally misquote or use His Word for selfish reasons. Remember when he repeatedly counseled us about how we must obey him and Mom? The verse is written as honor. It conflicts with Dad’s and Mom’s version. When I visited Sister Cheryl, I spoke to her about it, and she suggested I talk to you. I’ve been trying ever since I arrived in Grove Hill, but—”
“I hoped and prayed you’d share what was on your heart, sis. Go ahead. I’m listening.”
Jeanne nodded. “Has Dad taken the obey and honor too far? Since graduating high school, they have pressured me to marry quickly and leave the house.” Her steady hands now shook while she stirred the coffee. Please, help me, Ree. I need to understand why. Nothing makes sense in what they’re doing. You’re the only one who can. “What do you think? I mean, is it possible...I was mistaken, and Mom and Dad don’t want me?” She pinned a stare on Renee.
“Have you prayed what’s in your heart?”
“Yes. Months and months now, but I haven’t received an answer yet. But I’m not giving up on prayer or on Him answering.”
Renee tapped a finger on the side of her cup. “Don’t overreact, sis. Your prayers are heard. Just because we question something doesn’t mean He’s abandoned us. And neither has Mom or Dad. They love you, and no, you’re not a mistake. Give the Lord time, and He’ll answer you.”
“All right. Tell me the truth. Have I hurt you in any way in speaking to Cheryl before I talked to you, sis?’
“Not in the least. Sister Cheryl is there to guide us through the valleys we seem to get bogged down in.” Renee swallowed and continued. “You are unaware of some things... Henry almost ruined his life years ago. You were incredibly young when it happened. The family never spoke about it, and I won’t now. He repented. You know that means to change your mind, right?”
“Yes. I found the definition online while researching the passage I’m concerned about. With all sin, we need to change our minds about the direction we’re headed in.”
“Henry quickly straightened up, and that’s when Dad got strict. You never got the freedom he gave us older children before that occurred. Sis, you’re the last child at home. I think the folks are tired and ready to start their retirement years. Remember, they’ve been raising children for over thirty-five years. Dad took a grip on us children, so we won’t stray from God or His Word. He has tried to protect your soul like our Heavenly Father does. I’m certain Dad had many conversations with Jesus on our behalf. After Ephesians 6:1, where the passage states children should obey, verse four tells fathers not to exasperate the children. So it swings both ways with obey and honor, but we all need to trust each other. When you go home, be honest with Dad and Mom. Do you have any bitterness against our parents?”
“None. Just confusion. I understand more now why Mom and Dad raised us that way. They were blessed with children and the responsibility of guiding us through His precepts, so we won’t stray. But I want to love the man I marry, attend college, and have a family. I’ll talk to them.
“Dad’s teachings about graduating high school and getting married to the first eligible man around are definitely not for me. Renee, you fell in love with Winston, and look at you guys—you have a rock-solid marriage and children—you’re happy. Am I wrong to want those things too?”
“Not at all, sister. But you’ll have to compromise on the college thing. Dad won’t pay your tuition, so you must get a job. Is there anyone in Hopewell you’re interested in as a potential husband?”
Jeanne’s lips flattened into a thin line, and she shook her head. “The guys back home are immature and goofy. The type of men I don’t want. Their attitudes are subjective and demanding. Whenever I dated a guy my age, he expected me to marry him the next day.”
Renee laid her hand on Jeanne’s. “Winston and I have talked about you permanently moving in here with us. We’d love for you to stay. Think about our offer and pray. We never want to leave the Lord out of any decision. We must obey His direction and His plan for us. Next Thursday, you’ll be going home. I’ve got a suggestion. Go home and get the rest of your clothes and return. Winston and I will talk to Mom and Dad. Remember, little sister, the Lord will make a way.” Renee smiled and squeezed her hand. “Are you interested in someone in Grove Hill?”
Jeanne grinned. “I am. But how can I be sure he wants to be with me or if he’s the man God has placed in my path?”
“Listen to that small, still voice...He’s speaking to you, perhaps in other ways. If any man has Jesus in his heart, his actions will reflect them. He might be the man to wait for, and he’ll be directed in your path. Dozens of things are done daily that we are unaware of, and most don’t come to light right away, but one day they will. Then you’ll see His purpose. The same with a verse. We read the same passage several times, and it meant little to us at the moment. But then, one day, it opens up to you, becomes crystal clear, and you totally understand the meaning. This holds true with everything the Father does for us.”
Jeanne nodded. “He does, and I’m hoping he’s the man God has placed in my life. Thanks, sis. I’m glad you showed me a little of what I didn’t know about our parents and the reason for their actions. I was confused by that passage and hoped our parents weren’t taking the commandment out of context. Thanks for your offer of coming to live here with you guys. I’d like that very much so.”
“You’re welcome. You will be led in the right direction and toward your purpose. I have an idea what He’s doing.” Renee held up her hand, stopping her. “I’m not revealing it until it happens.”
The women shared a giggle.