Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
W aking to the sounds of life and family in his home once again filled Ryan with a deep joy in his soul. Rising to his feet, he peered up and thanked God. After getting dressed, he ventured down the hall and into the kitchen to find his wife at the coffee pot refilling her mug. Coming in gently behind her, he wrapped his arms around her in a sweet embrace and kissed her neck. She turned around in his hold, and he placed a soft peck on her lips and smiled as he looked into her eyes.
“Oh, how I have missed you, love.”
“And I you.” Looking him up and down, she lifted an eyebrow. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah. I need to go over and talk to Jason. He’s off today, and I agreed to meet with him.”
“Okay. I’m going to the park with Sarah a little while later, anyway. But I thought you’d have website stuff to do.”
“I lost another client. I don’t really have much going on with the business right now.” Seeing concern flicker in her eyes, he shook his head. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”
She smiled and turned back toward the coffee maker. She opened a cupboard and pulled down a to-go cup and filled it with coffee and a splash of water.
She handed it to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Have a great day!”
“Thank you. You as well.” Walking over to the boys, he kissed the top of each of their heads and wished them a good day.
Arriving at Jason’s a little while later, the conversation circled around Emily and her return to Cedarwood Creek as they sat on his couch in the living room.
“And where does she stand with the Linda stuff?” Jason’s eyes lit with concern. “Please tell me you’re not hiding the fact we’re trying to help her . . .”
Ryan laughed and shook his head as he raised a hand. “No worries. I do eventually learn. She knows about everything and she’s totally on board now. She even had a good idea about Linda. We could have her work at the grill.”
Jason smiled. “Why didn’t we think of that?”
“Right? Now we have to figure out a way to get her to move to Cedarwood Creek. And find her a place.”
“The only place she could afford on that wage would be an apartment.” Rubbing his chin, Jason appeared to think for a moment. “I wonder if Bill . . . No. He wouldn’t.”
“Wait, what about Bill?”
“He has a four-plex over by the gas station on Cedar Street. But he would never help us out with this.”
“Actually . . .” Ryan stood from the couch as he smiled. “I think he might. I’ll explain on the way.”
Explaining the conversation he had with Bill, Jason was excited.
“God is really on the move! Sometimes it just feels like He is doing something amazing.” Jason’s words came as they slowed down near Bill’s house.
Ryan looked over at him and shook his head. “Not sometimes, all the time. Romans 8:28. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose .”
“Look at you, memorizing Bible verses, Bro.”
Laughing, Ryan smiled. “I’ve known that one for a while.”
Though the conversation with Bill went well the other day at the grill, Ryan would be lying if he wasn’t slightly worried about the request. He prayed all the way over to Bill’s house that day with his brother.
Bill immediately invited them inside to sit down and provided them both with cups of coffee. Ryan and Jason detailed the current state of Linda and Tiffany’s life in Spokane and their plan to help her out.
“Absolutely she can move into one of the rentals I own. In fact, I just had a tenant give notice today. Let me take it another step for you all.” Bill opened his arms up and smiled from ear-to-ear. “She doesn’t need to worry about rent. Not as soon as she gets here, anyway. In fact, I’ll give her the first three months free and then charge her a discount so she’s not struggling!”
“Wow. You’d do that?” Jason shook his head, confusion written all over his expression. “I understand you had an experience, but I don’t understand this kindness.”
Bill looked over at Ryan, then back at Jason. “God has shown me the ticket to joy in this life lately, and it starts with giving as much as possible. To God be the glory!”
Folding laundry in her bedroom, Emily hummed along with the radio she had playing in the background.
Elizabeth walked in. “Hey. Is it okay if Tanya picks me up so we can go over to the church? The youth group is cleaning up people’s yards today.”
“People’s yards?” Emily was confused.
“It’s like for the older people in the church, I guess.”
Elizabeth wasn’t one to do any sort of physical labor, but Emily was glad to hear she was wanting to get involved. “Of course you can go. What time will you be back?”
Shrugging a shoulder, she said, “I’m not sure, but I can text you when I find out?”
“Sounds good. Have fun.”
After getting household chores completed and the boys fed with lunch, the three of them ventured over to the Cedarwood Creek park. The boys darted to go play with the other kids on the playground while Emily took a seat with Sarah on the bench. Relaxing as she recalled her visits with her outside the school on a similar bench, Emily was glad to be in the company of her friend once again.
“Well, you were right.”
“I know.” Sarah laughed and shook her head as she playfully tapped her arm. “Whatcha talking about, girl?”
“The last day of school, you told me how God had to break you down to nothing and get you to the end of yourself before He could really do the work He needed to do. That was my summer in a nutshell.”
“I said that?” Sarah looked pleased with herself. “Sounds really smart of me to say. Just kidding. I know what you’re talking about, and it is what God has to do with His people. I don’t think He brings the pain, but He allows it and then uses it for His own purposes to shape us more like His Son.”
“Amen. I thought I was going crazy, but God was just peeling the layers of my life away so I relied on Him more.” Wiping a few stray tears, she smiled and looked at her friend. “Thank you for being there for me. Even when I was in California, you answered your phone, and that means a lot to me.”
“No problem. That’s what friends are for.” Tilting her head slowly, Sarah’s lips curled into a smile. “Speaking of helping your friends . . . what are your teaching plans?”
Emily shrugged and sighed. “I’m not sure. Probably going to apply to that alternative school across town.”
“Yeah? What about coming back to our school?”
She laughed and shook her head. “I couldn’t ask that after I filled out a form saying I wouldn’t be back.”
“How about you come back and teach next year, friend?”
“Really?” Emily beamed. “You’d have me back? Even though I left my husband for a minute? Isn’t the board kind of . . . tough on that kind of thing?”
“Of course we want you back! And the board has had a change of heart. That speech your husband gave really hit this town hard. Plus, you’ll be pleased to know those nasty teachers are gone.”
“Was it that big of a deal?”
“Did he not tell you? The whole town showed up at the grill and begged him to stay in Cedarwood Creek.”
Emily’s heart stirred. “He didn’t speak a word of it. But he had thought I wanted him to move to California, so that’s probably why he didn’t share. He didn’t want to pressure me.”
“You got one of the good ones, girl.” Sarah smiled as her eyes connected to Jack and Conner on the playground equipment, specifically the bridge leading over to the slide. “And your kids seem to be happy.”
“They’re thrilled to be back in town. Even Elizabeth. She’s down at the church helping the other youth go around and clean up older members’ yards around town.”
“That’s awesome. I’m so glad it’s working out for you and your family.” Sarah lifted her eyebrows. “And things are good with Ryan?”
“So far, so good. I just hope it lasts . . .” Emily covered her mouth and shook her head. “I shouldn’t say that.”
“It’s normal to worry, but you should be honest with him as you feel it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And don’t forget to trust God through this all. He brought you back to Cedarwood Creek.”