Chapter 38 #2
“Because of what Carter was saying, I decided to go over there. He predicted Eric wouldn’t be happy to see me.
” His voice vibrated against her back. “He was right, but Greg came along and managed to get us through the door. We were barely in the house before Dylan spilled the whole thing. He’d taken his dad’s keys and went to church when Eric and Samantha were fighting.
They’d had a huge argument the night of the fire.
Dylan was there hiding when I checked the building.
After I left, he lit some of the Christmas Eve candles.
I guess it was supposed to be like the votive candles in Catholic churches.
He thought they’d help his prayers for his parents. ”
“Oh, no.” Those candles were thin, meant to be hand-held during candlelight services, not to stand upright on their own.
“They were too close to an autumn flower arrangement with dried grasses. That caught and lit a banner. Dylan went for a fire extinguisher, but by the time he got back, the wall had ignited, and he couldn’t figure out how to work the extinguisher. He called 911 and hightailed it home.”
She tightened her hold on his hand. She knew the terror Dylan must’ve felt. The crippling guilt. “What happened when he admitted all that?”
“I talked with the boys for a while, and Greg worked with Eric and Samantha. Greg was still there when I left. I haven’t read it, but he told me he, Eric, and Dylan typed up the story and emailed it to the fire inspector.
Eric included a copy of that letter when he emailed Greg his resignation from the leadership board. ”
“He resigned?” Amazement fluttered in her voice.
Anson’s chest rose and fell behind her with a deep breath.
“Eric and Samantha have some things to work through. Samantha’s been concerned for some time that Eric’s out of balance.
Between work and church, he spends very little time at home.
That’s been at the core of their arguments.
When Eric found out Dylan had been sneaking off to church because of it, he was angry.
But then Samantha said her piece, and Carter talked about his experiences, and Eric … was not the man we’ve come to know.”
“Do you think you’ll get your job back?”
“Greg says the resignation letter includes a recommendation that the board consider reinstating me.”
“Praise God.” She laughed. “It’s amazing He turned the whole situation around so quickly.”
“Yeah.” His voice was clipped and low.
“What is it?”
“Last night wasn’t about that. I wanted to be there for Carter and Dylan.
You predicted God would work through my story, and He did.
I hope He’s not done yet, because Carter still hasn’t made a decision for Christ, though some of the things he said last night were promising.
I told him he’d see God move, and I think watching his dad soften was like witnessing a miracle.
” He rubbed her arm. “Carter’s got some curses hanging over his head, but Christ is a curse breaker. ”
She settled her head against his shoulder. “I wish it were more of an all-at-once freedom than an ongoing process.”
“It’s both. The moment we turn to Christ, sin no longer determines our eternity. But being free to make the right decision doesn’t make it easy.” He stroked her hair. “That’s one reason relationships are so important. We get to remind each other we’re free when we forget to act like it.”
Blaze tipped her head back to see him, but he still felt too far away.
She rotated and propped herself right in front of his chest with her elbow on his shoulder, her hand where she could toy with the soft bristle of his hair.
“Keep this up, and …” She bit the inside of her lips, but she couldn’t suppress the words. “I might fall in love with you.”
His mouth pulled into a full smile, and she brought her hand around to run her thumb over those perfect lips.
He kissed the pad of her finger as it passed.
As soon as her hand was out of the way, he drew his arms tighter around her and kissed her lips.
The thrill sank deep and fast into her core, the sensation of falling tempered by the security of his embrace.
He kissed the corner of her mouth, her cheek, then her forehead. His sigh skimmed her skin. “That’s the goal, isn’t it? What all of us want.”
She traced a finger up and down his neck. “To fall in love with you?” She felt his laugh as much as she heard it.
“Love.” Still holding her up with one arm, he brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “What we need is love that’s steadfast when we’re acting cursed. That’s the only surefire cure. God’s first, then each other’s.”
“Steadfast and surefire.” The words held her as surely as Anson’s arms.
“That’s what I want to be for you.” His focus roved her face. “That’s how I want our relationship to feel. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He nudged her nose with his and leaned in for another kiss.
The moment before their lips met, she repeated it again, this new heartbeat for their relationship. The words she’d spend her life living by. “Steadfast and surefire.”
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV