Kate decided to go ahead and sing with the choir after Frank Miller returned and invited Emily to sit with his family during the service.
During the announcements that took place before the start of the worship experience, Paul shared the most recent information about his upcoming 10K race with the congregation. Explaining that the race would occur in just three more weeks, he talked briefly about the struggle his training had been, about how his twisted ankle had temporarily derailed his progress and how a positive attitude was his greatest strength. He invited the congregation to attend the race and cheer him on.
After the service, Kate joined Paul in greeting the members of the congregation as they left the sanctuary. When the Miller family came through, Anna squealed and lunged for Kate again, and they all laughed.
“I think she’d go home with you,” Frank said.
“It would be nice to have them visit again one day soon,” Kate told him. And she meant it. She was going to miss seeing the lively children on a regular basis.
Just then, the children saw Emily, who already had passed and was waiting for them in the sunshine just outside the door. Adam made a mad scramble for her, and Frank said, “Whoa! I’ll talk to you later, Pastor, Mrs. Hanlon,” as he hurried after the child.
Renee Lambert was one of the last to come through the line, her Chihuahua Kisses under her arm. She greeted Paul and then turned to Kate. “Are you aware that there is a rumor going around about you, Kate?” Renee said.
Kate was dumbfounded. “A rumor? About what?”
“A rumor that you’re ill,” Renee said.
“I feel fine.” Kate looked at her in confusion.
“Well. I’m not naming names,” Renee said. “But you were caught talking to the oncology specialist.”
“Caught talking to...” Kate was mystified. “I never saw an oncology specialist.”
“At the hospital,” Renee said, her heavily made-up eyes narrow and suspicious.
And then the lightbulb came on, bright and shining. Kate began to laugh as she remembered the conversation she’d had with Dr. Sue Velden.
“I did talk to an oncologist!” she said. “But it wasn’t about my health. She purchased one of my stained-glass pieces, and she wanted to commission a companion piece.”
Memories from the past few weeks began to roll through Kate’s head. As she recalled the offers of help she’d mistakenly assumed were for the Millers, she began to laugh harder, tears coming to her eyes.
Then she realized that Renee wore a hurt look on her face.
“Oh, Renee,” she said, taking the woman’s hand. “I appreciate your concern.” She dropped Renee’s hand and reached for her, hugging her friend tightly.
After a few more moments of conversation, Renee said good-bye and moved away. Paul laughed as he held out Kate’s light jacket. “This little town is never without its drama, is it?”
“No, but I wouldn’t change a bit of it.”
As she slipped her arms into the sleeves, he tugged her hair from beneath the collar in a sweetly familiar gesture.
“You’re right,” he said. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
They saw the Miller family leave, then Emily stuck her head in through the front door. “Kate? Paul?”
“Yes?” Paul escorted Kate to the door, and they moved outside with Emily. “Did you need us for something?”
“I am still struggling with forgiving myself,” Emily said. “My behavior was inexcusable, and the embarrassment and upset I caused my sister and her family is a hard memory to overcome.”
“It will take time,” Paul told her, “but with God’s help, the best thing you can do for yourself is forgive, no matter how hard the task. A lack of self-acceptance can be one of the biggest stumbling blocks in a person’s faith journey. We can learn to accept ourselves by remembering that God loves and accepts us as we are, and we can forgive ourselves because he’s forgiven us in Christ.”
“I suppose it could be considered arrogance,” Emily said thoughtfully, “to assume I know better than God how I should be treated. If he’s willing to forgive me, I need to forgive myself.”
“Exactly!” Paul beamed. “I’m glad you joined us for worship today, Emily. Please consider Faith Briar as your church home while you’re living in our community.”
“Thank you. Thank you for everything.” She included them both and then turned to Kate. “I’m going to see Livvy and then Renee. I’m going to ask them to forgive my deception too.”
Knowing her friends as she did, Kate was certain Emily’s efforts would meet with success, even if Renee put her through an inquisition beforehand.
“I think that’s a fine idea,” she said.
THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY, Kate was about to enter Betty’s Beauty Parlor for an appointment to trim her hair when she heard someone calling her name. She turned.
Coming down the street from the direction of the Mercantile was Emily Nash.
“Hello, Emily,” Kate said. “How are you?”
“Terrific.” Emily beamed as she drew close. “I’ve spoken with both Livvy and Renee. They were very gracious.” She shook her head in wonder. “People in Copper Mill seem different from the rest of the world, Kate. It’s easier to believe in second chances here.”
“Are you planning to stay?”
Emily shook her head. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I wrote a letter to Jonathan and Francie asking for their forgiveness, and we spoke on the phone yesterday. They were very kind,” she said.
“Oh, Emily, that’s wonderful.” Kate was so happy for her friend.
I’m going back to Chestnut Hill in two months. We’ll sell Grandmother’s home here, and I’m going to find a place of my own,” Emily said.
“Your sister loves you,” Kate said gently. “She’ll be so glad to have you close again.”
“Yes.” Emily nodded. “More than I realized.”
Kate smiled and then glanced at her watch. “I have to go now. I’ll be late for my hair appointment if I don’t get moving.”
“I’ll go in with you,” Emily said, and Kate instinctively tensed. Emily noticed and said, “No, it’s okay. I just have to ask you something.”
Kate noticed that Emily’s tone seemed happier and more confident than it had since Kate had met her, so she pushed her residual discomfort aside. “Oh?”
As the two women started into the shop, the bell over the door jangled merrily. Kate watched Emily’s face, hoping to catch her reaction to the salmon, white, and aqua color scheme and the vintage decor. She wasn’t disappointed.
“Oh my,” Emily said in a faint voice.
Kate chuckled. “It’s a bit dated, I know—”
“A bit!”
“But all three of the stylists do a great job keeping up with modern trends and color techniques.”
“That’s good to know. Very good.” Emily exchanged a glance with Kate, and they both chuckled.
“Good morning, Kate,” sang out Betty Anderson, the owner of the shop. “I’m running a little behind. Just have a seat on the bench, and I’ll be ready soon.” She turned her smile on Emily. “Can I help you, honey?” With an expert eye, Betty assessed Emily’s short brown hair which had a significant amount of silver threaded through it. “Oh, you do need help, don’t you? I can cover up that gray for you in a jiffy. Just let me finish here and trim Kate.”
“Thank you, but I’m not here to have my hair done,” Emily said with a smile.
“Oh.” Disappointment was clear in Betty’s tone. Kate knew it wasn’t about the money; Betty just couldn’t resist the chance to get her hands on a new head of hair.
Kate settled on the bench inside the door and patted the space beside her. “So, you wanted to ask me something?”
Emily nodded as she sat. “I’ve been thinking about how to atone for my behavior when we met.”
“Oh, Emily, God has already—”
“Just hear me out. I think I would feel better about settling into the community if I felt t
hat I had given something back.”
The explanation made sense, and Emily’s tone rang with sincerity.
Kate’s eyes sparkled as a new thought came to her. “Well, if you’re serious, I have one idea...”
“Good! Let’s hear it.” Emily leaned closer as Kate began to speak.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Three weeks later, on a chilly Saturday morning, the American Heart Association 10K Appalachian Ramble was about to begin.
Paul lowered himself to the ground and wrapped the ankle he had twisted. Then he began to stretch.
Kate watched him proudly. Paul had raised several hundred dollars with the help of the congregation.
“Are you nervous for him?” Livvy spoke in her ear. Kate’s friend had come along to cheer on Paul and Eli.
“No.” Kate shook her head. “He’s prepared, I believe, and the ankle is fine, according to the doctor. Wrapping it before he runs and icing it afterward has helped.”
The two women watched as all the participants lined up in a large unruly pack at the starting line. Moments later, the starter’s pistol cracked, and the runners surged forward. Some, like Paul and Eli, were serious runners, and they quickly outdistanced the bulk of the crowd, who were walking.
Kate and Livvy clapped and cheered until Paul was out of sight.
“Now what?” Livvy asked. “Shall we wait?”
Kate shook her head. “We can walk to the first checkpoint and see them come through if you like. The route is a big loop, so we can cut across without going nearly as far as the ‘ramblers.’”
“Makes me think of a car my family had when I was a little girl. A pretty copper-colored Rambler. Daddy bought it new, and we all thought it was the greatest car in the world.” Livvy grinned. “Of course, a dozen years later when I was starting to drive, I wasn’t nearly so pleased to be seen around town in that old car.”
Kate chuckled.
The two women walked to each of the checkpoints along the route, waving and cheering as Paul and Eli came through. Kate was pleased to see that Paul looked fit and comfortable, running strongly. She had supervised the wrapping of his ankle earlier and felt confident that the joint was supported as much as it needed to be. He grinned and blew her a kiss as he saw her at one of the spots.
Kate and Livvy linked arms and then strolled to the area where the finish line was located. They found a place near the tape, and Kate got out her camera. Just then, she heard her name called. She turned and waved at the couple walking toward her.
“Who’s that?” Livvy asked.
Kate smiled mysteriously, arching her eyebrows. “I’ll introduce you.”
Livvy eyed her friend. “Why do I get the feeling that I’m about to be surprised?”
The couple reached them, and Kate hugged the woman. “Hello, Francie, it’s good to see you again.”
“You too.” Francie turned. “Kate, this is my husband Jonathan. This is Em’s friend Kate,” she said to the tall man at her side.
“And this is my friend Livvy Jenner.” As the newcomers shook Livvy’s hand, Kate said to Livvy, “This is Emily Nash’s sister.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Livvy told the couple, shaking hands with each of them.
“Emily told us she’ll be returning to Philadelphia soon,” Kate added. “We’re going to miss her when she moves back to your area.”
“I can’t wait,” Francie said. She had tears in her eyes, and Kate reached out and gave her a hug.
“She’s doing well,” Kate said softly. “She has joined a widows’ support group, and she’s been attending our church. She also helps out a young mother in the congregation once a week. The three children in the family adore her.”
“I’m so thankful,” Francie said, her voice trembling. “You can’t imagine how worried we were. The past couple of years have been an absolute nightmare.”
“And we hope the nightmare has ended,” Kate said.
“Kate, heads-up!” Livvy said. “Here come Paul and Eli.”
Kate lifted her camera and snapped pictures, pausing to blow a kiss to Paul as he approached the finish line. She got a marvelous shot of him as he crossed it. She couldn’t wait to send it to the kids.
Livvy, Francie and Jonathan were clapping.
“Way to go, Paul!” Livvy called.
He flashed them all a grin before he went on to cool down. They watched more runners cross the line.
“Well, that was fun,” Livvy said.
“We can’t leave yet,” Kate told her.
“Huh? Why not?”
“Patience,” Kate counseled. “Let’s just watch the rest of the folks come in.”
Livvy sighed. “All right.” She turned to Francie. “So you’re visiting Emily? How long are you staying?” A funny look crossed her face. “And where is Emily, anyhow?”
“Hello, there.” The Miller family, Frank, Stephanie and the two little girls, joined them. Adam was the only one missing.
Kate beamed as Anna came readily into her arms. “Hello, Frank. Hi, Stephanie. And how are these girls today?” She introduced the Millers to Emily’s family.
“How are you doing?” Kate asked Stephanie.
“I’m great,” came the reply. “Almost back to normal.”
Paul and Eli joined them a moment later, and more introductions were made. They were quite a bunch by now, which suited Kate just fine. Unobtrusively, she kept an eye on the incoming group. The person she sought appeared in the distance, and she began to smile.
She nudged Francie. “There,” she murmured.
Francie slipped to the front of the group and peered down the street. “Oh, I see her!” She began to wave her hand wildly in the air. “Em! Em, here we are!”
Livvy and Paul both looked at Kate. “Em?” they said in unison.
Kate began to laugh. “Surprise,” she said. “Look.”
Everyone turned their attention to the incoming race participants.
Emily was right in the midst of a group coming at a fast walk, pushing a lightweight stroller in which Adam Miller sat.
“Adam! Hey, buddy,” his father called. “Great job!”
The two crossed the finish line and then came over to join the assembled company.
“I runned a lot, Daddy,” Adam said in his childish treble.
Everyone laughed, and Emily nodded. “He really did.” She leaned over and held out her hand for a high five, which Adam provided gleefully.
Paul was beaming. “This is a surprise,” he said.
“A big surprise,” Livvy added. “Kate, you’re a devious, devious person.”
Emily grinned. “Kate would have told you, but I thought you might enjoy the surprise.” She hugged her sister and Jonathan, as well as the Millers, to whom she said, “Thank you for letting me borrow your son.”
“It was our pleasure,” Stephanie said. “He has been so excited! This was all he talked about for a week before the race.” She smiled at Francie. “Adam adores your sister.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Emily said.
Just then, the announcer spoke over the sound system. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. All the race participants have come in, and we are delighted to announce that we have raised a grand total of seven thousand, three hundred dollars for the American Heart Association.”
Everyone whistled, clapped and cheered.
“That’s a huge amount for a community of this size,” Livvy noted.
The announcer continued. “Now it is time to announce the top fund-raisers among the racers.” The third and second place fund-raisers were called, and then the announcer said, “And in first place, we have...Paul Hanlon!”
Their little group shouted and whistled as Paul, grinning and bowing, returned to the finish line to receive a certificate of recognition.
Then Emily came to Kate’s side, reaching out for an enthusiastic hug. “If it wasn’t for you, who knows where I might be now.”
Kate returned t
he hug. “The only ones responsible for the changes in your life are you and our Creator,” she told her friend. “Welcoming him into your life has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for you, Emily.”
Emily smiled. “Just the same, thank you. He might be responsible, but there is no denying that you’re a formidable instrument of his will.”
Kate laughed. And silently, she thanked God for Emily’s transformation.
About the Author
A BEST-SELLING AUTHOR with multiple awards to her credit, Anne Marie Rodgers has more than three dozen novels of inspirational and romance fiction in print. She has been honored by Washington Romance Writers with the chapter’s highest volunteer award for outstanding chapter service. Anne Marie enjoys needlework, singing with her church choir and Nittany Lions’ sporting events at her home in State College, Pennsylvania. She and her family have raised guide dog puppies, and she has worked in animal rescue for many years. After Hurricane Katrina, she volunteered at the Humane Society of Louisiana. Anne Marie currently volunteers at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
A Note from the Editors
WE HOPE YOU enjoy Mystery and the Minister’s Wife, created by the Books and Inspirational Media Division of Guideposts, a nonprofit organization that touches millions of lives every day through products and services that inspire, encourage, help you grow in your faith, and celebrate God’s love in every aspect of your daily life.
Thank you for making a difference with your purchase of this book, which helps fund our many outreach programs to military personnel, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, and educational institutions. To learn more, visit GuidepostsFoundation.org.
We also maintain many useful and uplifting online resources. Visit Guideposts.org to read true stories of hope and inspiration, access OurPrayer network, sign up for free newsletters, download free e-books, join our Facebook community, and follow our stimulating blogs.
To learn about other Guideposts publications, including the best-selling devotional Daily Guideposts, go to ShopGuideposts.org, call (800) 932-2145, or write to Guideposts, PO Box 5815, Harlan, Iowa 51593.
How the Heart Runs Page 21
