Heart of Integrity (Hearts of the West, #2)

Chapter 18

Ifor sighed. He had to accept that she was telling the truth, no matter how much he doubted it. She was protecting someone, though—of that he was certain. And if not her father, then who?

He removed his hand from her shoulder and watched as she kneaded the dough on the table in front of her. Looking at her wrist, he studied the bruise again. Could it be that she had actually fallen, like she’d said?

Either way, she knew now he was there for her—that he would help her if ever she needed it. He only hoped that she wouldn’t allow fear to hold her back.

He returned to the chair and sat down.“Opal tells me you said you’re intending to come to church again.”

She glanced at him, relief on her face. Clearly, she was grateful for the change in subject. “Yes.”

“That’s wonderful. I shall have to introduce you to more of the congregation next time.”

“Thank you.” She kneaded steadily.

Perhaps he ought to go back to the sitting room and spend some more time with Opal before he had to leave. But the thought of having to tear himself away from Susan was surprisingly difficult.

Almost as difficult as it had been not to lean in and kiss her a few moments ago.

He shifted in the chair. “Do you think your father would ever wish to come along, too?”

She froze, just for a moment, then resumed her kneading.

So there was something amiss with her father. He might not have been the one to bruise her, but it was undeniable that there was trouble of some sort in their relationship.

She answered without looking at him.“I don’t think church is really his cup of tea, to be honest...”

“I see.”

She finally stopped kneading and began shaping the bread. “Could you ask Opal if she wants a cup of coffee?”

“Of course.” Reluctantly, he rose and made his way to the door. He couldn’t help glancing back at her as he left the room, and his heart skipped a beat as he noticed her watching him. He smiled, and she returned it, dipping her head almost immediately.

As he strode into the sitting room, his heart held a strange mix of emotions and thoughts. “Su— Miss Kelly wonders if you might like a cup of coffee?”

Opal looked up from the book she was reading. “Oh, tell her I’ll have one if the two of you will join me for it.”

Ifor chuckled. Even though she looked quite content to sit and read alone—a pleasure which a cup of coffee would no doubt enhance—she was only too eager to abandon her literary pursuits in order to gain some living, breathingcompany.

“I’ll tell her, but it might take more than that to pry her away from her chores. She’s certainly a hard worker.”

“Oh, and not just that—she makes the best bread I’ve ever tasted! What a gem she is, Ifor. I’m so glad you found her.”

Not as glad as he was.He thought again of howclose they’d been in the kitchen. How close he wished he still was to her.

“Oh, now what’s that little smile I see?”

He blinked, shifting his attention to Opal. “Hmm?”

She chuckled merrily. “My, my, Ifor. You’ve really fallen bad, haven’t you?”

“Opal!” he hissed, glancing back at the kitchen. “Not so loud.”

“Oh, I think she already knows anyway.”

“What?” His stomach lurched. “Did you tell her?”

“No! But she could hardly spend two minutes around you without seeing it, dear.”

He didn’t know what to think.

“Would it be so bad if she did know?” Opal asked coyly.

Conflict nudged his heart. “Well, weren’t you the one telling me to be careful, and not to let myself fall for her yet because she doesn’t even know the Lord?”

“Well, now. Not let yourself fall for her? It’s much too late for that! And I told her more about the Lord yesterday. I can tell there’s something there making her doubt, but I think she’s on a journey. I could see her coming to faith soon.” Her smile dimmed a little. “But you’re right. I’m sorry. I should be the wise one here, given my age, shouldn’t I? Oh, but I?—”

Heat crept into Ifor’s cheeks and he watched in silent horror as Susan entered the room just as Opal uttered the final sentence of her speech.

“—just think the two of you are made for each other.”

He froze, afraid to look at Susan, afraid to learn what her response to Opal’s outburst might be. He’d never been so embarrassed. At least, by anything that didn’t involve his brother.

“Coffee’s on.” Susan’s voice was quieter, smaller. “Can I fetch you a cup, Opal?”

Ifor hoped his cheeks weren’t as visibly hot as they felt. Hebraced himself and glanced up at her.

Her own cheeks had a touch of pink, and her eyes darted all over the room.

“I was just telling Ifor here that I’ll have a cup if you two will join me.”

Even Opal sounded a little embarrassed—and Ifor couldn’t remember ever experiencing that before.

“Right, okay. I suppose I could have a quick cup with...with you both.” Susan glanced at Ifor, looking away again faster than a blink, then turned and went back into the kitchen.

“Oh, Opal!” Ifor exhaled and buried his face in his hands.

“Sorry!” Opal chimed, her mirthful tone in stark opposition to her statement.

He hesitated. Should he follow Susaninto the kitchen and try to explain? But there was nothing that could be said—Opal’s meaning had been all too clear.

Still, he hoped she knew that he and Opal weren’t sitting around conspiring about anything. But how could trying to explain something he had no words for possibly serve tomake the situation less awkward?

Before he could decide on a course of action, Susan returned bearing a tray of coffee cups. The pungent aroma wafted through the room as she placed it on the table, and prepared then served Opal a cup.

“Thank you, dear!” Opal’s composure had completely recovered, which was more than could be said for Ifor’s.

He rose andawkwardly reached for a cup, but just as he touched it, Susan did the same. His fingers brushed against hers, flooding him with even further self-conscious trepidation.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, glancing at him—he could see it from the corner of his eye. He summoned all his courage to look at her, and as their eyes met—despite the awkwardness—he was filled with the knowledge that he never wanted to look away.

The air seemed thick and balmy. They held each other’s gaze long enough to make him almost forget where they were. If they’d still been in the kitchen, he would’ve found it almost impossible not to move closer.

But she moved, breaking the atmosphere, and he returned to his seat and watched covertly as she made her way to the one opposite Opal’s.

“Won’t be long ’til summer. I can’t wait.” Opal looked wistful as she sipped her coffee.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever really get used to how hot it is here in the summer. Even winter here is warmer than most of the year is back home.”

“Takes a bit of getting used to, but I love it.I certainly don’t miss the rain.” Ifor said. Thankfully the last dregs of awkwardness were fading with each word they spoke.

“Just think, as blissful as it is here, Heaven will be even better.” Opal’s eyes lit up like someone who knew a secret.

“True,” he said.

“Some days I just can’t wait to get there,” Opal said. “No more rheumatism or rot! Nothing but joy and peace in the presence of God.”

“Well, if anyone deserves to go there, Opal, you certainly do.” Susan’s voice held a measure of sorrow.

Opal looked at Susan, her eyebrows lifting. “Deserves? Oh, why, dear—no one deserves to go there at all. Why, we all deserve to go the other way.”

Susan frowned. “The other way? You mean...Hell?”

Opal nodded, her expression kind. “Do you remember what I told you yesterday?”

Susan nodded, her face somber.

“Well,”Opal continued. “You remember I told you that Jesus died on the crossto take our punishment away?”

Susan nodded again. Ifor sipped his coffee and silently prayed that God would speak to her as she listened and learned.

“Well, that’s our punishment—Hell. That’s where we all deserve to go, because of all the wrong we’ve done. The only one who deserves to be in Heaven is the one who left it to come and rescue us—Jesus.”

“I see.” Susan’s brow was furrowed, as though she were deep in thought.

“Everyone can get there, my girl, but it’s certainly not through deserving it—we could never do that. It’s a free gift from God. He paid the cost of our sin, to set us free—forever. So, anyone—no matter who they are or what they’ve done—if they’ll repent and put their faith in Jesus, He’ll wash them clean and take them to Heaven when they die—to be with Him forever, away from everything bad and sad and broken.”

Susan clutched her coffee cup tightly. He could see hope on her face, but twice as much doubt.

“Surely, though, there are certain things that...can’t be forgiven?” Upon seeing the sorrow on her countenance, Ifor’s heartsqueezed with pity.

Opal shook her head. “Not even one, dear. God is big enough and powerful enough to forgive and wash away every single thing, no matter how terrible.”

Susan seemed to reel. “How could he just forgive someone for something so terrible without giving them any punishment?”

“Because Jesus already took all the punishment for it. It’s all paid for already.And in exchange, we’re given mercy.”

“But...why? Why would God do that?”

Opal chuckled. “I told you yesterday, remember? Because of how much He loves us.”

He studied Susan as she took in Opal’s words. She seemed stunned. As though it was the most incredible thing she’d ever heard. He remembered when he’d heard it all back home, in a little country church in Wales. It had been the most incredible thing he’d ever heard, too.

It still was.

As Opal chatted about a million different things, Ifor thanked God for His mercy and atonement. And for the weather here. And for Opal.

And for the young lady he was falling for more and more with each passing minute.