From The Ashes

by Claire Sanders

  Judith closed her eyes and sent a prayer of thanks heavenward. The Lord had sent her a man of faith.

  “Chloe!” Jacob called. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Chloe and Keneisha were climbing up the low branches of a tree.

  “We’re rescuing a kitten!” Chloe called back.

  “That cat’ll come down when it’s good and ready,” Jacob said, lifting first Chloe, and then Keneisha out of the tree.

  “But it’s just a little kitten,” Chloe argued. “What if it can’t get down?”

  “I’ll keep an eye on her,” Judith assured.

  “Time for us to go,” Jacob said. “Say goodbye to Beverly and thank her for letting you play.”

  “OK,” Chloe answered as she grabbed Keneisha’s hand and ran into Beverly’s house.

  Jacob slid one arm around Judith’s shoulders. “I have to go out of town tomorrow. Can I see you when I get back?”

  “Of course.”

  He brushed his lips across her forehead. “I’m going to miss you while I’m gone.”

  “I can live with that.”

  “Think you’ll miss me?”

  “Nope. I’ll be too busy dating all the other men who want to court me.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  Judith slipped her arms around his neck. “You’re the first, Jacob. Don’t you know that?”

  “Doesn’t matter if I’m the first, as long as I’m the last.”

  Judith saw affection and warmth when she looked into Jacob’s cobalt eyes. She laid her lips on his, delighted to feel his arms slip around her back and press her body close. She never would have met Jacob if she hadn’t decided to conquer her fears. Answering the Lord’s call to move out of her sterile cocoon had definitely been the right choice.

  11

  “You in there, Miss Judith?” Keneisha called.

  Judith saw the girl’s smiling face pressed against the screen door. “Come on in.”

  “What you doing?”

  “Come see.”

  Keneisha skipped into the small living room where Judith had set up her workspace. One glance at the canvas had her eyes round with wonder. “Is that who I think it is?” she whispered.

  “That depends,” Judith whispered back. “Do you think it’s Rev. Washington?”

  Keneisha nodded, her pigtails bouncing with the movement.

  “Then you’re right.”

  “Sometimes, when Brother Henry looks like that, he scares me.”

  “Why?”

  “See his eyes? How they get all bright like that? It makes me think that God is speaking.”

  “And that scares you?”

  “Heck yeah, that scares me. Doesn’t it scare you?”

  “Not really. But he definitely made an impression on me.”

  Keneisha stepped back from the easel. “You’re not gonna give this picture to my momma, are you?”

  “Think she’d like to have it?”

  “I don’t know, but I sure don’t want it in my house. Every time I’d look at it, I’d have to say the forgiveness prayer.”

  “The forgiveness prayer? What’s that?”

  Keneisha folded her hands in prayer and cast her dark eyes towards the ceiling. “Dear Lord, please forgive me for all the sins I committed today. I’m really sorry. Amen.”

  “Covering all your bases, huh?”

  “Yep. My momma said I was supposed to list all the sins I could think of, but there was so many, I decided to just lump them all together.”

  Judith covered her mouth to hide her smile. “But what does this picture have to do with the forgiveness prayer?”

  “If that picture was in my house, it’d be like Brother Henry was preaching to me every day. And Miss Judith, nobody needs that.”

  Judith turned away and bit back her giggle. “So what do you think I should do with it?”

  “You could give it to Brother Henry,” Keneisha answered seriously. “He could take photos of it and pass them out to all the sinners.”

  Judith’s sides ached from trying not to laugh at Keneisha’s nine-year-old theology. If she didn’t change the subject, the dam would burst. “What brings you over today? Did you come to play with Pumpkin?”

  “No. My momma sent me. She says if you’re gonna go into town, can she have a ride to the grocery store ‘cause our car won’t start.”

  “Of course. Just give me a few minutes to clean up this mess.”

  ****

  “Are you ever going to get your car pulled out of that mud puddle?” Beverly asked as they bounced past Judith’s BMW.

  “As a matter of fact, the tow truck’s coming tomorrow.”

  “Why’d you wait so long?”

  “To teach myself a lesson.”

  Keneisha frowned. “What kind of lesson?”

  “To remind myself that being stubborn can lead to some uncomfortable situations.”

  “Oh, my,” Beverly said. “I bet there’s a story in there somewhere.”

  “Tell me the story,” Keneisha demanded.

  “Let’s just say that on that particular day, I ended up wet and muddy because I was too stubborn to accept help when it was offered.”

  “Is that all you’re going to tell?” Beverly asked.

  “For now. What’s wrong with your car?” Judith asked in an artful change of subject.

  “Dead battery. My son’s coming tomorrow to put in a new one, but I needed to get to the store tonight. I promised a banana pudding for a potluck lunch we’re having tomorrow at Brother Henry’s house. You ought to come.”

  As Judith headed west into town, she held up one palm to ward off the invitation. “No thanks. That much attention makes me nervous.”

  “Is that why you snuck into church last Sunday? Like a scared rabbit afraid the fox was around the corner?”

  “You saw me?”

  “Of course I saw you. What were you so scared of, anyway? Didn’t you know you’d be welcome? We would’ve given you the place of honor.”

  Lending her grandfather’s church had been easy, but accepting all of the gratitude that followed was turning out to be much more difficult.

  “You should see the picture Miss Judith’s painting,” Keneisha said.

  “Is that right?” Beverly asked. “What’s she painting now?”

  “I’m not gonna tell you,” Keneisha answered with a mischievous grin. “It’s a surprise. Right, Judith?”

  “If you want it to be a surprise, I won’t tell.”

  Keneisha slipped her arm through her mother’s and giggled. “When it’s finished, Judith might give it to Brother Henry. For the new church.”

  “Any idea when the new church will be ready?” Judith asked.

  “That’s why we’re meeting tomorrow,” Beverly replied. “The donations have started coming in and we need to draw up some plans. If everything goes all right, we’ll be holding the harvest festival in a brand new church.”

  Keneisha and her mother talked about the new church and whether or not there would be any banana pudding left over.

  Judith noticed an old, rusty pickup pull off the road, wait for her to pass, and then come up behind her. The speed at which the truck approached her rear bumper shot a barb of fear straight through Judith’s heart. She took a quick glance at her passengers.

  Keneisha and Beverly were laughing, unaware of the oncoming menace.

  Perhaps it was simply someone in a hurry. Judith took her foot off the accelerator and gradually slowed down so the guy behind her could pass.

  But he didn’t.

  Judith’s apprehension reached new heights. The vehicle was riding her bumper, only inches from ramming her. She squinted into the rear view mirror, trying to see the driver’s face, but with the sun visor tipped down, she could only see a bearded chin and a hard-set mouth. Another man sat in the passenger’s seat, his face similarly blocked from view.

  There was no shoulder on this stretch of road and the truck was still too close
for her to brake. She pushed the accelerator to the floor. They were at least five miles from the highway. Five miles of a little-traveled country road bordered by forest on both sides. What in the world did the other driver want?

  “Beverly,” Judith said in the most casual voice she could muster. “Will you check in my purse for my cell phone?”

  “Sure,” Beverly answered, pulling Judith’s bag from the floorboard. “Want me to dial it for you?”

  “Good idea.” Judith continued to let the truck slow, her gaze darting from the rear view mirror to the curving road.

  “OK,” Beverly said, holding up the phone for Judith to see. “What’s the number?”

  Judith tightened her hands on the steering wheel. “Nine, one, one.”

  “What’s the matter?” Keneisha looked at Judith.

  “I think I might be having a little car trouble, that’s all.” Then Judith caught Beverly’s attention. She gestured with her head towards the back window.

  Beverly dialed the phone, and then glanced through the back window. “Oh, Lord. What in the world does that fellow think he’s doing?”

  “Trying to scare us?”

  “You’d best speed up, Judith. Don’t let him get so close.”

  “I’m already over the speed limit.”

  “You need to get on the main highway. There’s nobody around here for miles.”

  Judith took Beverly’s advice. She shifted into high gear and pulled away from her pursuer. But only for an instant.

  Within seconds, the other truck slammed into the rear of her pickup.

  Judith’s body jolted, straining against the seatbelt. Adrenaline laced with fear shook her. Struggling to maintain control, she shot a worried glance at Beverly as the truck veered towards the edge of the narrow road

  Beverly spoke into the phone, giving their location to the operator.

  Judith righted the vehicle and pushed the old pickup for every ounce of speed it had. It was only two miles to the two-lane highway with the nice wide shoulders. If she could keep control that far, she and her passengers would be safe.

  She spared a quick glance at Keneisha.

  Beverly had one arm wrapped tightly around her daughter’s small body.

  The road straightened. It was a beeline to the highway from that point on. Almost there.

  Beverly continued to talk into the phone, her voice calm despite the situation. “No, I can’t see any license plate. It’s too close to us. You’d better send a police car.”

  Judith glanced into the rearview mirror again. The rusty pickup was gone. But before she could take a breath, she saw it shooting out of her blind spot.

  The other vehicle swerved, barreling into their side. The next second, Judith’s truck vaulted over the edge of the road and headed straight for the forest.

  Beverly screamed and wrapped both arms around Keneisha.

  Judith pushed on the brake with both feet as they bounced past the tree line, branches slapping at the windshield as she fought with the steering wheel.

  Judith’s head knocked against the window and a sharp pain shot through her left shoulder as the pickup finally came to rest, wedged between two sturdy pines.

  Beverly and Keneisha huddled against the passenger side door, terrified, but intact.

  An eerie silence followed, as if the world was holding its breath.

  Judith pried her fingers from the steering wheel and looked at her passengers. “Are you all right?”

  Beverly inspected Keneisha. “You OK? Does anything hurt?”

  “I’m OK. Are you OK, Momma?”

  “I’m OK. How about you, Judith? Are you hurt?”

  A sharp pain pierced her left shoulder and her head ached. “I’m fine,” Judith lied through a tremulous smile. “Just need to catch my breath.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Beverly’s voice ripened with concern.

  “Just a headache,” Judith answered. But she could not deny the blackness at the edge of her consciousness that lured her towards oblivion. “I’m going to close my eyes and rest for a few minutes.”

  “Judith!” Beverly shouted, and then shook her shoulder. “You wake up right now!”

  Judith struggled to answer, but only managed an unintelligible mutter as the pain pulled her into nothingness.

  ****

  Judith became aware slowly. Her head throbbed. A blur of light.

  Keneisha’s dark eyes were intently watching her. “She’s awake,” the girl announced.

  “‘Bout time, Judith.” Beverly hovered over her. “You’ve been out for almost three hours.”

  “Where am I?” Judith mumbled, her voice a hoarse mixture of grogginess and pain.

  “The emergency room. Got yourself a cracked collarbone and a minor concussion.”

  Judith blinked, trying to focus on her surroundings. Pain radiated from her head, down her left shoulder, and on to every joint of her body. She was lying on a hospital bed, her left arm in a sling. “What time is it?”

  “Almost seven o’clock,” Beverly answered, arranging the blanket around Judith’s shoulders. “My son’s here to take me home, but I’m not leaving until I know you’re all right.”

  “I’m so sorry about the wreck.”

  “Sorry? Wasn’t your fault. The way I see it, if you hadn’t been on your toes we could have ended up a lot worse. We could have turned over or something.”

  Judith rubbed her eyes in an attempt to stay awake. “How’d I get here?”

  “The ambulance, of course. The doctor said you’re going to stay here for the night. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.” Beverly left Judith’s side to gather her purse. “And I called your father.”

  “What? How?”

  “I used your cell phone. He said he’d be here as soon as he could.” Beverly laid a hand on her arm and squeezed gently. “I talked to the police. I described that old jalopy the best I could, but told them we couldn’t see who was driving. They’ll be around to talk to you, too.”

  Judith nodded and another sharp pain flashed through her head. She raised her right hand to her forehead.

  “Still in pain, aren’t you?” Beverly asked. But she didn’t wait for an answer. “Is there anyone else I should call for you?”

  “No,” Judith said around a yawn. “I’m going to rest here and wait for my father.” She cupped Keneisha’s worried face in her hand. “I’m sure glad you weren’t hurt. Will you look after Pumpkin while I’m in the hospital?”

  The girl’s face brightened. “Sure I will, Miss Judith. Me and Pumpkin, we get along fine. And when you get home, I’ll come by and help you.”

  “It’s a deal,” Judith replied.

  ****

  The cold hand of panic gripped Jacob’s heart as he darted into the hospital emergency room. Of all the days to be out of town.

  Judith had been in an accident.

  A soft hand on his back caused him to pivot. Beverly slipped one arm around his waist. “Judith’s in room twenty-three, just down the hall.”

  “She’s all right?”

  “She’s a might banged up, but she’ll be fine.”

  “You and Keneisha?”

  “We’re both good.”

  “Thanks for calling me.”

  Beverly smiled like a child with a secret. “I figured you’d want to know. You’re a might sweet on our Judith, aren’t you?”

  “I guess it shows.”

  “Like Rudolph’s red nose.” Beverly chuckled and squeezed Jacob’s waist. “My oldest boy’s waiting outside. You go on and see our friend.”

  Jacob hurried down the short hallway. He entered and peered down at Judith’s sleeping figure. Her pale face was small and fragile in the dimly lit room, like a translucent pearl in the moonlight. A dark bruise shadowed her forehead and her left arm was in a sling. Brushing a curl of dark hair away from her face, he laid his lips gently on her forehead. “Thank you, Lord,” he whispered into her hair.

  Judith’s eyelids fluttered open
. “Jacob?” her voice was a raspy whisper.

  His hand immediately found hers amid the tangle of sheets. “I’m here. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m OK. What are you doing here?”

  “Beverly called me.”

  “Someone ran us off the road.” Judith shifted. “I was so scared Keneisha or Beverly would be hurt.”

  Jacob brushed his lips over her knuckles. “Shh,” he whispered. “It will be all right now. Everyone’s praying for you.”

  “Will you take me home?”

  Jacob gingerly touched the bruise on her forehead and ran his fingers through her hair. “Not until I talk to your doctor. He may want you to stay in the hospital for several days.”

  “I’m not going to stay here.”

  Jacob released some of his anxiety.

  Judith must be feeling better if she was putting up a wall of stubbornness.

  “Well, like it or not, the doctor is the boss. At least, for now.”

  “Will you be back in the morning?” Judith murmured as her eyelids closed.

  Since he hadn’t planned on leaving her side until she was well enough to go home, his answer came easily. “I’ll be here.”

  ****

  Jacob yawned and stretched in the chair. The smell of coffee on the patients’ breakfast trays tempted him. He’d had little sleep the night before and a shot of caffeine would be a perfect antidote to his fuzzy mind. But not even the best coffee on the planet could pry him from Judith’s side.

  Special Agent Mark Grey entered Judith’s room, two cups of coffee in his hands. “Morning, Jacob. I thought you could use this about now.”

  “You’re a mind reader.”

  “Not hardly, but my job would be easier if I were.” Mark reached into his pockets and withdrew packets of sugar and creamer. “How’s Judith this morning?”

  “Still sleeping. Let’s step into the hall so we don’t wake her.”

  “I need to talk to Judith about the accident.”