by Carrie Daws
“When is the last time you read Ephesians?”
David thought. “Apparently, too long ago.”
Matthew stayed quiet, watching David’s movements.
“Okay,” said David. “Maybe I’ve never read the book in its entirety.”
“It’s time,” said Matthew.
David nodded, and in the blink of an eye, Matthew was gone. The cat meowed at David, flicked its tail, and gracefully trotted down the porch steps.
David stepped inside and saw Melody sitting on the couch reading Patricia’s Bible, while Patricia sat on the other end of the couch working in her crossword puzzle book. The women glanced up at him.
He looked at Patricia. “Do you have another Bible around here I can borrow?”
Chapter 23
MELODY GRIPPED THE PHONE RECEIVER tighter. “Why aren’t they coming home today? I thought the phototherapy was going well and that he would be released this morning.”
“When we stopped by yesterday after church,” said Brittany, “the plan was to release Daniel this morning. But now they want to run some more tests. Amber said the doctor had some concerns about his hearing.”
“What kind of concerns?”
“Not sure. The tests were supposed to be run today, so I’m hoping to hear more tonight.”
“We were planning to return to my mom’s on Wednesday. Will you let me know how things are going?”
“Absolutely. How are you doing?”
“Better than when I got here, that’s for sure.”
“Good. Want to do lunch tomorrow before you leave?”
Melody chuckled. “Lunch never seems to work out well for us.”
Brittany laughed. “Well, maybe tomorrow will go better.”
Melody hung up and sought out her aunt. “Something’s up with Daniel’s hearing. They’re keeping him another day or two to run some more tests.”
“God knows what He’s doing,” said Patricia.
Melody smiled. “Yes, I believe He does.”
Patricia looked at her and just nodded.
The next day, Melody rushed in the diner door and saw Brittany sitting in a corner booth. “Sorry! I was trying to get some laundry done before I pack.”
“That’s okay. Are you ready to go home?”
“Kinda, I guess. I miss having my own space, but I will miss all of you guys too.”
“Have you made any friends there?”
“Not really.”
“Time to fix that, girl.”
“I know. The church we’ve been going to has a military group. I think I’ll start there.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
A waitress in a brown-colored apron with little orange pumpkins placed a glass of water in front of Melody and asked if the pair knew what they wanted.
Melody grabbed a menu from behind the napkin container. “Go ahead and order, Brittany. I need just a minute.”
“Chef salad today, please.”
“Extra turkey?” said the waitress.
“Yeah, thanks.”
The waitress turned to Melody.
“I think I’ll have the hot turkey sandwich.”
“Do you want a pickle and chips?”
“No pickle. Chips are fine.”
The waitress hurried away, and Melody asked the question that had consumed her prayers since yesterday.
“Did you hear anything from Peter or Amber?”
“Yes.” Brittany leaned back against seat. “Doctors say Daniel has conductive hearing loss.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Conductive simply refers to the outer or middle ear. They say he definitely has some hearing loss, but they’re not sure how much. The doctor ordered some blood work and an MRI.”
“An MRI is one of the things that takes pictures, right?”
“Right. It uses radio waves to take pictures of internal organs. Daniel’s MRI showed the bones in his middle ear aren’t set up quite right. Those are the ones that connect the vibrations of the ear drum to the cells that send the information to the brain.”
“Can they do anything to help him? I can’t imagine life without sound.”
“Well, I’m not sure. I know they do have some artificial replacements that can be effective in patients that are missing bones, but I don’t know what the recommendations will be if things just aren’t sitting right. The hospital is referring them to a specialist, but otherwise, they should get to come home tomorrow.”
Memories of Cole responding to her voice flooded Melody’s mind. She could only imagine what Amber must be going through. “I will keep them in my prayers.”
“How about you?” said Brittany, leaning back against the seat.
“I’m doing okay, I guess,” said Melody.
“What does that mean?”
Melody shifted in her seat as the waitress brought their drinks and both women thanked her. “Aunt Patty said something the other day that stuck with me, something that I had to investigate more. Have you ever thought about the word romance?”
“You mean like dates and falling in love?”
“That’s all I really thought it was. David would bring me flowers, and we’d go out to a nice dinner and maybe a movie. But when I looked it up in the dictionary, I found out that it means to court the favor of someone.”
“That makes sense. David was courting your favor with a nice meal or by spending time and attention on you.”
“True. But think deeper than that. David always has an ulterior motive—he courts my favor so that I will love him. That’s what God does. He courts our favor so that we will love Him.”
Brittany took a drink, pausing before she spoke again. “I can see all that, Melody, but David does things that makes it easy for you to love him. What difference does all this make when you consider what you’ve been through the last few months?”
Melody twisted the paper wrapper from her straw around her fingers, shaking her head. “I’m not sure I have a good answer to that. A couple times while I was with your mom, she mentioned the book of Job, so I decided to read it.”
The waitress reappeared and placed their food on the table. “Do you ladies need anything else?”
Brittany shook her head. “I think we’re good. Thanks.” The waitress walked away, and Brittany looked at Melody. “Want me to pray over this before you continue so we can eat while we talk?”
Melody nodded, and after Brittany spoke a short prayer, Melody crunched a chip before getting back to Job.
“As I read, I had to admit that I couldn’t quite stand before God as boldly as Job did. I saw where I had put my trust in things like money, family, and David. They were my security. But I still wanted to cry out like Job did when he demanded God answer him.”
“That’s understandable,” said Brittany. “It’s natural to ask why when something happens like what you’ve been through.”
“I must have read God’s reply to Job a hundred times, but one verse stuck with me more than the rest. In chapter 40, God says, ‘Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?’ (Job 40:2, NLT)”
Brittany played with the straw in her drink. “Wow. So where does that leave you now?”
Melody shrugged. “Trusting that God has the best in mind. At least, I think my head is wrapped around that.” Melody looked into Brittany’s eyes, tears beginning to form on her lashes. “My heart is still trying to get it.”
Brittany covered Melody’s hand with her own. “You’ll get there.”
One week later, David pulled into their driveway at home. Melody sighed deeply. “I’m so glad we’re done traveling,” she said.
Both paused and looked at the front door. David reached for her hand. “Ready to go inside?”
She smiled at him. “Yes.”
David opened the front door, and Melody walked in, setting the bag she carried down near the couch. She looked about, her eyes resting on the countertop between the living room and kitchen. A
small pot of yellow and purple pansies sat surrounded by cards.
Melody walked over and fingered the quiet flowers. The card attached read, “Please call if you need anything. Lisa.” A house key sat on the counter by the pot.
“Lisa?” said David.
“Your team leader’s wife. I think we should have them over for dinner. After all she did for us—contacting the chaplain, organizing meals, taking care of the house while we were gone—it’s the least we could do.”
David wrapped her in a hug. “I like the idea.”
While David carried suitcases back to the bedroom, Melody stopped in Cole’s doorway. She looked at the room, her heart filled with loss but not overwhelmed. She walked to the crib and let herself remember him peacefully sleeping or quietly cooing.
She looked at the glider where she had last held him before receiving the call to get him to the hospital. Tears crept down her cheeks.
“I miss him, God, but I thank you for the time I had with him.”
She heard David enter the room. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back against him, laying her arms on top of his.
He sighed. “So, now what?”
“We unpack and go to bed. Tomorrow we get up.”
“And then?”
“And then I plan to do what God told me to do. Go forth, find my purpose, and fulfill it.”
He turned her around and looked into her eyes. “Do you know what that is?”
She shook her head. “Not exactly. But what I saw in Crossing—I want that.”
“As long as I stay in the Army, family may never live close.”
Melody wrapped her arms around David and leaned into his chest. “That’s not quite what I mean.”
She held on for a moment, and David waited patiently, just holding her as they stood by their baby’s crib. Finally she continued. “Faye was able to find peace after losing her daughter. More than that, she found happiness.”
She stood up straighter so she could look into David’s eyes. “I don’t like a lot about the Army, but I’ve watched you grow and excel at what you do. I believe God made you to do exactly what you are doing. And if I believe God made you to be a warrior, then He made me to be a warrior’s bride. Part of my purpose is accepting that and learning how to thrive as an Army wife.”
David didn’t say a word for a moment. His eyes seemed to be asking how deeply she meant what she’d just said. Melody held his gaze, waiting for his response.
“I love you, Melody Podell.”
She smiled at him. “I know. I love you too.”
David leaned in and kissed her forehead. Melody hesitated but decided to ask. “Do you know what Matthew meant when he told you not to forget your place?”
“I’ve probably read Ephesians twenty times in the last week, and there’s so much good stuff!”
Melody could feel the excitement growing in him. He leaned away from her slightly as he talked.
“I love the whole part about spiritual armor to protect ourselves from the enemy’s attacks. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit. So much of it relates to the same gear I wear in the field that those words just come alive for me.”
“But so much of Ephesians is saying that while I’ve been saved by faith, I must cooperate in my heart’s cleaning process. God chose me, and there are great blessings for me, but I still must follow the directions of my Commander-in-Chief.” David shrugged. “I’m explaining this badly.”
“So reading Ephesians confirms that your place is in the Army?”
“Yeah, but God’s Army. Not the United States Army.” David released her for a moment and walked towards Cole’s crib. He gripped the rails as his gaze fell on the empty bed. “Mel, if it hadn’t been for Ryan and his family, how easy would it have been to walk away from God forever?”
She didn’t have to think long for her answer. “Very easy.”
He turned his head to her. “Exactly. But Faye and Brittany and Amber and all those people in Crossing were on the battlefield, whether they knew it or not, joining forces with your Aunt Patricia and . . . and God. They fought for us. We need to honor that. We need to worship God because He sought us out. And we need to find our place on the battlefield to help others who need what we have to offer.”
She moved closer and covered his hand that held onto the side of the crib. “I couldn’t agree more.”
That night, Melody slept in her own bed, snuggled against David. In her dreams, she stood at the top of a hill watching three children play in the field below. A woman ran with them, twirling and laughing. Melody longed to join them but held back.
The woman turned and looked to her. She beckoned.
She looked behind her and saw Cole nestled in the arms of Matthew, his focus completely on her child. She called to him.
“Chosen One,” said Matthew, “go forth. Complete the task given to you.”
Melody turned and looked back at the woman playing with the children. They had fallen to the ground, and the woman scooped the children up in a group hug.
The woman looked up at her, and Melody gasped with recognition. “That’s me!” She looked back at Matthew. “Down there. That woman. It’s me.”
“Yes, Chosen One. You were chosen to be a mother to more than just Cole. Go forth and complete the task given to you.”
Melody looked at the baby in Matthew’s arms. “I will always love you, Cole.”
Then Melody looked at Matthew. “Thank you for helping us through this.”
“The glory does not belong to me, but to the One who sent me.”
Melody smiled at him before turning back to the woman and children. Slowly, she proceeded down the hill.
Chapter 24
PATRICIA ROLLED OVER ON HER side. She was soaked in sweat from the pain, and as soon as the episode ended, she would need to change the sheets.
“Oh, Father,” she forced out through clenched teeth. “This one’s a doozie. Give me strength.”
Breathe, child.
Patricia concentrated all her energy on slow breaths in and out. After what seemed like an hour, the pain began to subside. Slowly, her body relaxed.
She carefully sat up in bed. “Thank you, Father.”
She looked at the mess of wet sheets around her. “I think we’ll just worry about these tomorrow, Father, since I no longer have guests taking up the other bed.”
Coming Soon!
Crossing’s Redemption
MANY IN CROSSING, OREGON, WOULD describe longtime resident Patricia Guire as an eclectic force to be reckoned with, one who speaks her mind. Yet something is changing. She seems to be dropping out of her normal activities, becoming scarce around town and less available to her friends.
Amber Yager feels called by God to check in on Patricia. Yet as she spends time with her and discovers Patricia’s hidden past, she is drawn in to a group that brings disquiet to her own soul, ripping open old wounds. Will the love she’s found in Crossing be taken from her? Or could both Amber and Patricia finally find peace as God shines light into the darkest places of their hearts?
Also by Carrie Daws
Crossing Values
Paperback: 160 pages
ISBN: 9781935507925
FOR YEARS, AMBER TRAIPSED AROUND the Northwest avoiding the skeletons in her closet. Job-hopping every few weeks, she refused to let anyone get close to her as she slowly made her way east. As winter plants itself firmly across the Rockies, she decides to take a chance on a job at a logging company with a family different from any she’s ever known before.
Watching the family interact creates more questions than answers for Amber. Feeling like she’s entered the happily-ever-after written at the end of a fairytale, she watches for cracks in the facade. Surely as the days pass, the play-acting will cease and the real family will emerge.
Or could she be wrong? Could they truly be genuine? Could Faye understand the trauma from her past or Peter think of her as more than
just the winter office help? Could this family really hold the key to what she’s seeking?
Purchase books by Carrie Daws at:
Amazon.com
Barnesandnoble.com
Christianbook.com
or other fine retail booksellers.
Also by Carrie Daws
Ryan’s Crossing
Paperback: 176 pages
ISBN: 9781620201022
AFTER TEN YEARS, RYAN’S PARENTS found his runaway sister, Amber. Now, as he drives to meet up with her and his parents before her wedding, his mind fills with the changes coming. Besides figuring out where she will fit into his life, a job change is on the horizon for him. But should he stick with small town life? Or should he move to Portland, Oregon?
Meeting the family his sister is marrying into only brings more questions. Maybe moving to nearby Portland is the better choice. But something about the town of Crossing calls to him. Is it the friendly people who openly accept him as Amber’s brother or the cute brunette who happens to be sister of the groom?
As Ryan weighs the pros and cons, he decides to put God to the test. Will He answer? Will He let him know which choices to make? And what if Ryan doesn’t like the answer?
Purchase books by Carrie Daws at:
Amazon.com
Barnesandnoble.com
Christianbook.com
or other fine retail booksellers.
Romancing MELODY
~ A Crossing Journey ~
Book Club Discussion Sheet
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST in book three of the Crossing series, Romancing Melody: A Crossing Journey! The questions below are simply ideas to get a discussion started. If you have any questions, including information about the other books in the series, Crossing Values or Ryan’s Crossing, go to CarrieDaws.com.
What did you think of starting off on Fort Bragg, and then moving to Crossing? Do you have any experience with the US Military or were some scenes completely strange or unfamiliar to you?
