The Price of Trust

by Amanda Stephan

  "I'm so glad you're all right," Joe breathed, holding her hand tightly.

  "Why wouldn't I be? I've got God and you looking after me," she said drowsily.

  Carly woke later that evening still holding Joe's hand. He had fallen asleep, his head resting on his arm. She disentangled herself from his grip and tried to get as comfortable as possible.

  She lay trying to remember what had happened, memories flooding back and fading away before she could make much sense of them. She was still preoccupied with her thoughts when the door opened and Billy snuck into the room. He stopped short, amazed to see her awake. She lay a finger on her lips, pointing toward Joe. Billy stood rooted to the spot, unwilling to move and break the spell.

  "You're awake," he finally said softly, walking hesitantly toward the bed. She nodded, smiling. Billy stood next to her awkwardly for a few minutes before speaking. "Are you okay?"

  "I'm going to be fine," she said. They stared at one another for a few awkward minutes until Carly broke the silence. "What brings you here so late?" her voice barely above a whisper.

  Billy looked down and shuffled his feet broodingly. "I just wanted to see how you were doing," he answered abruptly, looking her in the face.

  "I'm good, Billy. Good," she said tiredly, leaning her throbbing head back onto her pillow.

  "Good?" He scowled. "How can you say that you're good? Don't you know you're in the hospital because some guy beat you up?"

  She looked at him, her eyes thoughtful. "Actually, I didn't know that I was here because I was beat up. But I guessed as much."

  "Guessed? You forgot?"

  "I guess he knocked it right out of me." She smiled ruefully, trying to lighten an intense situation. "I'm glad God took care of me."

  He shook his head, frowning. "God? How can you thank God for this?"

  "How?" She looked at him kindly, praying for the right words to say. "Because he took care of me. He didn't allow Ian to kill me, that's one thing."

  "Fine. What else can you thank God for?" he said earnestly, looking at her.

  "For the friends he's given me. For giving me a home. For allowing me to live another day. For my health. For forgiving me. For my salvation," she said softly, praying that God would use her to be a witness for him.

  "Forgiving you? What do you need to be forgiven for?" Billy asked suspiciously.

  "Because I'm a sinner, that's what I needed to be forgiven for."

  "A sinner? What's the big deal about being a sinner?"

  "It's a very big deal, Billy. If I didn't ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins, I wouldn't be able to go to heaven when I die," she said, watching his face for some sign of understanding.

  "This is all about being a Christian again, isn't it?" he said, eyeing her skeptically.

  "I suppose it is." She grinned then grimaced at the pain in her mouth.

  "You sure are religious, ain't ya?" He snorted rudely, rolling his eyes. "My dad always said there were people like you, but I'd never met one before."

  "It's not that I'm religious," she said quietly but firmly. "My religion isn't what's going to get me to heaven."

  "Yeah, I know," he said, interrupting her before she could finish. "That's why you wouldn't date me, because you were afraid that you wouldn't go to heaven." He looked contemptuously at Joe, who was still laying with his head resting on his arm on her bedside.

  "You know, there ain't nothing but a bunch of hypocrites at churches, that's one of the reasons I don't like to go to church." He glared at her, daring her to disagree with him.

  "I'm sure there are hypocrites in churches, but that isn't all there is," she said, trying to be kind. "But you know, I sure have met a lot more hypocrites out of the churches than in them. They're in the stores, at the restaurants, anywhere you go, but that doesn't stop you from going to those places, does it?" she asked gently, her eyes not leaving his face. He glared at her for a little longer, not saying anything.

  "Billy," she said softly, "Don't you want to go to heaven when you die? If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity?"

  He blinked, taken by surprise. His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, then he shut it quickly, watching her to see if she were serious. Emotions rushed through his eyes and face, a mile a minute.

  "I can't," he squeaked out, edging toward the door, suddenly very anxious to leave.

  She watched him, wincing as she turned her head. "Why can't you? Don't leave yet. Please."

  He turned to stare at her, not wanting to leave, yet not wanting to stay. "Why do you want me to stay? So you can save my soul?" he said, trying to sound tough but unable to hide his true feelings. "I'm unforgivable."

  "No one is unforgivable. All you have to do is ask him Billy. Just ask."

  "I told you I'm unforgivable!" he said bitterly, misery contorting his face. Shocked, Carly looked over at Joe, surprised that Billy hadn't woken him.

  "I'm sorry," Billy said wretchedly, but quieter. "If you really knew me, you wouldn't have anything to do with me."

  "Billy, I don't care what you've done. Nothing is so big that God can't forgive it. Please. Won't you just ask him?"

  Irresolutely, he stood at the door, unsure of what he should do. "Ian knew where you were because of me," he finally blurted, staring at the floor. He looked up at her battered face and continued. "I met him at the diner, and I was really mad that you were going to marry Joe and wouldn't give me a chance, and I told him everything I knew, including where Joe lived."

  Carly lay in stunned silence.

  "Now do you see why I'm unforgivable? I haven’t cared about anyone by myself for as long as I can remember, then you came into town and changed all that. I cared more for you than anything, and I'm the one who put you here. It's because of me," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I better go."

  "Wait!" Carly said urgently before he could get all the way out the door. "Let me ask you a question." He nodded for her to go on. "You say that you're unforgivable, right?" He nodded again. "Did you want Ian to hurt me?"

  Anguish flooded his face as he looked at her bruised face. "No! I just thought he'd take you away from Joe. I didn't know he was going to beat you up."

  "Ask me to forgive you," she said simply.

  "What?"

  "Ask me to forgive you," she said kindly. He hesitated, a confused frown on his face. "Why did you come here? Wasn't it to ask me to forgive you? Were you sorry for what happened?"

  "Yes," he said slowly, looking at her doubtfully.

  She looked at him stubbornly, her chin jutting out defiantly. "Then ask me to forgive you. You came all the way here to do it, so go ahead."

  "Will you forgive me?" he said uncertainly.

  "Okay. I forgive you." She smiled her sweetest smile at him. "Doesn't that feel good?"

  He looked at her as if she had two heads. "Doesn't what feel good?"

  "That you're forgiven." She smiled happily at him. "See. You're not unforgivable."

  "How can you forgive me?" he asked pitifully. "I don't deserve it."

  “Don't you get it yet?" She laughed quietly, then winced from pain. "Not one of us deserves to be forgiven, but God gives us mercy and forgives us anyway. Freely in fact. We don't have to do a thing to earn it. All we have to do is ask. Don't you want him to forgive you? Don't you want to be free from your sins and sorrows and know that whatever happens to you he's going to be right there with you, guiding you and taking care of you? Don't you want peace in times of trouble and heartache? I couldn't have lived through both of my parent's deaths and this situation with Ian without God. Don't you want that? Let go of your hate and rebellion. Ask him to forgive you," she said softly, reaching a hand out to him.

  Quietly, he shut the door and walked over to the bed, took her hand gently, and with tears in his eyes, bowed his head and asked God to save him.

  "Congratulations, Billy," Carly said, tears streaming down her cheeks after he was finished. "I'm so happy for you."

  "Thank you," he
whispered, looking at her warmly and brushing her hair away from her face. "I wish I could hug you."

  "Right now, that would hurt." She laughed softly, brushing the tears away from her eyes.

  "Congratulations," Joe said, yawning loudly, looking at them both.

  "How long were you awake?" Carly asked in surprise.

  "Just about the whole time." He stood up and offered his hand to Billy. "I'm glad for you."

  "I owe you an apology as well, Joe," Billy said, accepting his hand gratefully. "I've been a jerk to you ever since we were kids, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I was jealous and told Ian where Carly was." His voice broke with emotion. Recovering himself, he added, "But if you change your mind about marrying her, I'm still available." He winked at her, half-joking, half-serious.

  Joe took her hand, squeezing it as tightly as he dared. "I don't think you'll have the chance, buddy. I'm going to marry her right here in the hospital while she can't get away. She has no choice."

  "Joe…" she said, starting to argue.

  "I'm not taking any other answer," he said firmly, not giving in. "We're getting married as soon as I pick up the license. That's it."

  "But…" she began again weakly.

  "Nope. There's no arguing. When you get out of this hospital, you're going to be my wife, and I'm going to take care of you."

  "That's not very romantic," she said softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "But to be honest, I'd love to become your wife as soon as possible." She squeezed Joe's hand affectionately, smiling up at him.

  "Congratulations to you both then." Billy cleared his throat, embarrassed. He tried to be as happy for them as he could be. "I should get going and let you two work it all out." Quickly, he started for the door, anxious to be gone.

  "Billy," Joe said. He stopped and turned around, still edging toward the door. "You're always welcome at our place, and we'd both like to invite you to the wedding." Carly nodded emphatically. "Will you come?"

  "I'll try," he said. "I've got to go." He closed the door and was gone before anything else could be said.

  Carly and Joe were married two days later in a crowded hospital room, surrounded by all their family and friends (Billy included), doctors and nurses, in a very untypical wedding ceremony. Carly sat up in bed, still unable to get up and walk around, but was beautiful and resplendent, eyes sparkling joyously.

  Joe stood tall and protective over her, promising to hold and cherish, love and care for her till death parted them. When the pastor gave him permission to kiss the bride, he kissed her tenderly and softly, not wanting to hurt her bruised mouth, never wanting to let her go.

  One Year Later

  "Mail call, Carly," Penny called, letting herself into Carly and Joe's house. "How are you doing?" She went to the kitchen and started some coffee for herself.

  "Hi, Mom," Carly said, waddling into the kitchen to join her at the table. "Thanks for bringing the mail." She sat down heavily, leaning her cane on her chair. "What'd we get?"

  "Just a bunch of junk, looks like to me. Except for this one," Penny said, handing her an official-looking envelope. "How's the baby?" she asked, patting Carly's enlarged stomach affectionately.

  "She's doing well." She grinned, rubbing her belly. "I can't believe I've still got two months to go." She breathed deeply, opening the envelope. "It feels like she's sitting on my ribs swinging from one side to the other. And the heartburn could kill ya! I feel like a dragon."

  "I remember exactly." Penny laughed. "Here's some juice," she said, setting a mug of cider on the table for her. Carly sat still, frowning at the letter she held in her hand, her face pale.

  "What's wrong?" She laid a hand on her shoulder, her heart skipping a beat. "Is it the baby? Do you want me to get Joe?" she asked, shrugging her coat on.

  "Ian's dead," she said flatly after a moment.

  Penny gasped, sitting back down. "When? What happened?"

  "His plane crashed, killing everyone on board." Carly passed the letter to her to read. Absentmindedly, she got up and walked over to the sink, looking out the window.

  "Why does this guy," she paused, reading the letter, "Jed, want you to come out there?"

  "The only thing I can figure is that maybe I'll get the money Ian took from me. I don't really know." She paused, her shoulders stooped as if a heavy weight hung on her.

  "Are you going to go?" Penny asked gently.

  "I've got to talk to Joe about that first, but I was thinking I might."

  "Why?" she asked incredulously.

  "I need to forgive him," Carly said softly, her eyes begging Penny to try to understand. "I've been trying to ignore the whole situation and just forget it, but it's eating me up inside, making me bitter and hard-hearted. Maybe if I go, it'll be easier, and it'll bring closure."

  Penny reached over and gave her a quick hug. "If that's the way you feel about it, then I'd say go."

  "Carly!" Jed exclaimed, putting his pen down and coming over to greet her as she walked into his office. "You look great!" He eyed her full stomach and rosy cheeks, his admiration evident.

  "Hi, I'm Jed Wilson," he said, offering his hand to Joe, who followed close behind her.

  "Jed, this is my husband, Joe Baird. Joe, this is Jed," Carly said, introducing them, proud of her handsome husband. Joe shook his hand suspiciously, unsmiling.

  "Have a seat," Jed said, walking back to his chair. "I know that it wasn't a pleasant surprise when you received my letter, but I'm glad you came," he went on, casting sidelong glances at Carly as they made themselves comfortable. "I must say that you look beautiful, Carly," he said approvingly. "Marriage must agree with you!"

  She blushed and shot a quick glance toward Joe.

  "To tell you the truth, it wasn't a pleasant surprise," Joe said, irritated with the way Jed kept looking at her and the way he was talking to her.

  "It was a surprise," Carly interjected, trying to ease the tension.

  Jed looked from one to the other, his fingers drumming a quick staccato on his desk.

  "First, let me say that I'm really sorry about what happened last year," he began. "Ian told me that you and he were going to be married. I had no idea what he really intended."

  Joe cleared his throat, annoyed. Jed glanced at him and went on.

  "When he came back though, he was different. He just dove into his work and would hardly talk to anyone. It was like he was possessed. Insane almost."

  "What is your purpose for bringing Carly here?" Joe said angrily. He stood up to leave. "Is it to try to make her feel sorry for the man who intended to kill her?"

  "I have no intention of trying to make her or you feel sorry for Ian," Jed said, raising his hands in defense. "Please. Sit and listen for a moment. I have some things you both need to hear."

  Carly took his hand in hers, her eyes pleading. "Please, Joe." Reluctantly, he sat back down and edged his chair closer to hers.

  "Thank you." Jed cleared his throat. "Then, this past October, Ian changed. He was happy, almost jolly. Joking around with others, flirting again. Once again, he asked me to watch the business while he was away. I didn't ask questions. Ian hates it when people pry." Jed looked embarrassed. "I just figured that he was going on vacation or something. To tell the truth, I didn't really care. The office is so much more relaxed when he's not here."

  He colored, thinking he may have said too much. "Anyway. He left last week and his plane crashed. That part you both know from my letter. Now for what I didn't tell you. He left me as executor of his will. After I read it, I believe it was his intention of kidnapping you and forcing you to divorce Joe and stay with him," he said quietly.

  Carly gasped her face pale.

  "Why do you think that?" Joe asked, holding her hand firmly in his own.

  "To put it bluntly," Jed said, clearing his throat, "he left her everything he owns. Including his shares in this company. Plus, when I went into his apartment, I found these." He lay two one-way tickets on an airplane headed to Mexico. He le
aned back in his chair, allowing them to take the information in. Carly picked up the tickets then put them down again hurriedly as if she had been burned.

  "Why would that make you think he planned on kidnapping her? He might have been intending on taking someone else. You said that he was flirting again," Joe asked, bewildered.

  "Because Ian never gave anything away," Carly said before Jed could answer. "He was a very calculating person, and he didn't like doing something for someone if it didn't benefit him in some way."

  She stood up, laying her hand on her stomach absently, and walked about the room. She stopped at the window and turned to face Jed. "So why did you want me to come here? So you could tell me this, or is there something else you wanted?"

  Jed opened a file and laid it on the desk in front of him. "That's pretty much it, except you have to sign some papers to claim all the things he left you."

  "What if I refuse?" she asked, leaning on the windowsill, looking at Joe.

  "I guess it would go to the government, but I wouldn't advise you to let it go," Jed said, perplexed. "I don't think you understand how much you would be getting."

  She shook her head stubbornly, her jaw set. "All I want is what he owes me from stealing my wages."

  "Okay," he said slowly, drumming his fingers on his desk absently.

  He stared at her for a moment, perplexed. Then his face brightened. "When are you due?"

  "Two months," Joe answered proudly.

  "Were you planning on having a baby so soon after your wedding?"

  "Jed." Carly gripped her cane tightly, knowing what he was thinking.

  "Not really," Joe said honestly. "We were going to wait a little longer, but it didn't happen that way."

  "Don't you think this money could help your family?" Jed asked gently. "Are your medical bills all paid for? That can't be cheap." He stood and walked over to Carly, taking her hands in his, gazing at her face.

  "Look. After all the things Ian did to you, he owes you more than just back pay. Don't be so stubborn. Listen to reason."

  Carly stepped away, turning her back on both of them. "Joe, what do you think?"