Her mother refused to come to the Sunday evening presentation, even after Cissy delighted her by admitting that she’d spent the afternoon with Gil.
“I just do not understand how you can move to Mexico to become the director of an isolated orphanage,” Sally complained. “You might as well be burying yourself alive. It’s just not fair. God wouldn’t require me to give my only child like this.”
“You know that God calls some of us to such work,” Cissy countered. “And He didn’t hold back when we required His only son for our salvation.”
Undaunted, Sally insisted that she couldn’t be a party to Cissy’s plans. “If you go tonight, you go without me. And if you go to Mexico, you go without my support. That includes the car you’re driving.”
Cissy disciplined her tongue, remembering that she, her cousin, Della, and Della’s children were the only family that Sally had. Believing that God would provide everything she needed to perform His will, even transportation, Cissy called a friend and begged a ride to church. Stephanie Gray and her husband warned that they might have to stay late for a meeting. Cissy gratefully accepted the inconvenience and set off to make her presentation.
Gil met her at the church door with a reassuring smile. Cissy decided that she would speak as if to him alone during her presentation, and the next hour flew by with merciful speed. After her presentation, several people spoke in favor of formally supporting the orphanage. In addition, several others came up to her afterward and promised monthly support as individuals. Gil was one of those.
“But you’re saving for your ranch,” she reminded him.
“Fifty dollars a month won’t make much difference,” he said.
“It will to the orphanage.”
When Stephanie came to remind her of the committee meeting, Gil immediately offered to give Cissy a ride home. Again. She accepted. Again. She was thrilled with the support God had provided that night, but when they pulled up next to the other vehicles in her mother’s drive, Cissy was reminded of her need for transportation.
“Did you mean what you said earlier about taking a look at my old car? It turns out that I’m going to need it. I’ll buy any parts required, of course.”
“I’ll take a look at it in the next day or two,” he said.
“Wonderful. You know,” she teased, “you’d sure be a good hand to have around the orphanage. Are you certain you’re called to ranching?” To her surprise, he didn’t laugh or even smile. Instead, his somber gaze locked on hers.
“Lately,” he said in a soft voice, “I’m not certain of anything, except…”
She didn’t know what made her lean forward, but when he slipped his hand around the nape of her neck and pulled her to him, she didn’t have far to go. He tilted his head, and his lips met hers with gentle but substantial pressure. Suddenly, Cissy realized she’d been waiting for this moment from the moment they’d met. She lifted a hand to his cheek, scratchy with its evening beard.
All at once, she heard the sound of children’s laughter from afar, and instantly the orphanage came to mind. She jerked back, appalled that she had lost sight of her purpose, even for a moment.
“Cissy, I’m sorry,” Gil apologized immediately. “I told myself I wouldn’t do that. I know you’re going away, but—”
“Good night, Gil!” she interrupted brightly, yanking on the door handle. “And, uh, thank you.”
She bailed out onto the ground and all but ran into the house.
And though her heart hurt when she lay down to sleep that night, she told herself that the pain would pass as the joy of obedience to God’s perfect will filled her.