"You are an amazing woman, Sarah. And yes..." Michael set his prosthetic leg on the seat of a kitchen chair. "Have a look at this baby. It's the only one of its kind."
Sarah wasn't hesitant at all about touching and looking at, and even through, the various components of the leg. There were several moving parts, but the whole prosthesis was created one micro-thin layer at a time and already assembled in a specialized printer that creates solid objects out of polymer dust. The unusual construction could only have been completed that way. It gave Michael the ability to walk with a much more natural and comfortable gait.
"I'll have to say, Michael, I'll never ceased to be amazed at how technology progresses. I'm glad you were able to get this. I told you before that if you hadn't told me about your injury I never would have guessed."
They both sat down at the table. While they ate, Michael told the story about how he and his friend pioneered some of the elements in his prototype. A lot of trial and error, mostly error, went into creating a comfortable foot with a natural stride. He felt happy to have it, but even better that what they learned may help hundreds of veterans in the future. Sarah enjoyed every detail.
As they cleaned the dishes, Michael revealed the topic on his mind tonight. "Sarah, one of the reasons why I wanted to be with you tonight is that... I really missed you. I wanted to be with you after what happened Sunday. The other reason why... you've already reassured me. Honestly, I didn't know how you would react when you saw me... the way I am. You knew of course, but I want you to be here, where I live and see what it's like for me to get around the house, I mean. I don't and can't always wear my prosthesis.
"You had the unfortunate circumstance because of what Brian did to you to be in a situation where you were left vulnerable and embarrassed with me. I want to be completely vulnerable and open with you. Sarah, I don't know what God has in store for us in the future, but if we have a future, you need to know what you're getting into. Come with me."
Sarah felt a warm thrill pass through her at the thought of a future with Michael.
He took Sarah by the hand and led her into the downstairs bedroom. Michael sat down on a chair near the bed. "Would you be okay if I took my prosthesis off?"
"Sure, Michael. Would you mind if I did it for you?"
Michael looked at her in awe. "Uh, sure. Just hold the front of the ankle with one hand and put your other hand on the top backside and I'll pull."
Sarah knelt down and did just as Michael said without hesitation or reservation.
Michael was the one to hesitate slightly, being amazed at how Sarah responded so easily and gracefully. He lifted his leg out of the prosthesis.
Sarah's eyes followed his leg, completely unaffected at the sight of his amputation.
Michael stood up on one foot and retrieved his crutches from behind the chair. "I have to use crutches when my leg gets too sore, when I take a shower or change clothes."
"The hospice social worker in me has already scanned your house for fall risks, and that was the last time I was here. I know about that, Michael. This isn't my first rodeo."
"Not with patients, but you haven't thought about what it would be like to live with one of them."
"If you're trying to scare me away, it isn't working." She gave him a playful smile. "You can't get rid of me that easily."
"Not that I would ever want to." He put his arms around her and surprised her with a kiss.
Regaining her composure, Sarah responded, "Not that I would ever want to either."
Michael smiled and started toward the living area using his crutches. Sarah followed. She had to admit to herself that it was different watching Michael walk like that. It bothered her only in that she hurt for him, not for herself. They sat down on the sofa.
"Thank you for making me feel like a whole man again, Sarah. I haven't really felt that way in a long time. I want you to know that I will do anything I can to make you feel better about what happened Sunday night and help you through what Brian has done to you. I don't want you to be embarrassed about how I saw you in those pictures any more than you want me to be embarrassed about my leg."
"I think I'm getting past the embarrassment and shock, especially when I saw the Bible reading for today. It's from Daniel twelve about Michael the archangel protecting God's people. I realized that God sent me two guardian angels in my life, Gabe, and now you. I couldn't turn away from you after realizing that."
"Two archangels between you and Brian. How could you be harmed? ... I like that. I'm an archangel here to protect you."
Sarah held Michael's hand and stared at it. She still had several feelings and questions swirling around inside her. "I'm curious about something Michael, and I believe that you only saw the first few pictures... I guess this is my insecurity coming out, but… what did you think about when you saw them? How did you feel?"
Michael thought for a minute. He'd been married before and knew when a woman asked a "no-win" question. However a man answered, he lost. This sounded just like one of those. As he did out on patrols in the Army, he stepped cautiously. "I'm not sure what you mean, Sarah. I was in shock that someone would dare do something like that to you. I was angry at Brian for violating your privacy like that."
Sarah smiled at his answer, but it wasn't what she needed. "Thanks, but... after that... how did you feel... about me? Did it bother you that you saw me that way? ... I guess what I'm asking, Michael, is, am I any less beautiful to you now?"
Michael knew he was walking in a mine field with neither a map nor a detector. This was new territory and it terrified him. "Sarah, you were and still are the most beautiful woman in the world to me. What I accidentally saw of you in those pictures I will not see again unless and until God puts us together as a married couple. Let's just say we both have a preview of what life will be like for us if that happens, but I got a much, much prettier preview."
Sarah looked in his eyes and put her hand on the side of his face "You are just so darn cute." She kissed him sweetly and for a long time.
Michael knew from her reaction he just walked through that minefield unscathed.
Chapter 15
With her personal barrier removed, she felt free to talk to Michael about how to proceed with what he called "the Brian problem." They agreed to meet at the Diner over lunch on Wednesday to discuss the plan.
"Michael, I have to tell you, it terrifies me to think about a bunch of people pawing over my computer looking at those pictures even if they are investigating a crime. Probably more than what Brian did to me."
"I understand, Sarah, but there won't be a lot of people looking at everything. Only one female investigator will look at your laptop and pick out a couple of pictures of you, fully clothed and identifiable, to use as evidence. You will know which ones they are."
"So, no one should see as much as you saw?" Sarah actually smiled when she said it.
Michael smiled back, only turning a light shade of pink. "Right."
"I guess that helps some. Who else is going to be involved in this? I mean, who handles cases like this?"
"Well, it all happened in the state, so it's Waller County, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Bexar County since Brian lives in San Antonio."
"I thought the DPS only did the state trooper thing and pulled people over for speeding."
"No, you'd be surprised what all they do. The Computer Information Technology and Electronic Crime Unit, or CITEC, handles network intrusions and identity theft."
"Wow. A lot of people involved."
"This is a serious crime. Brian could go away for a long time."
That caused Sarah to shudder. She certainly resented Brian for a number of things and felt hurt for what he did to her, but did she want to see him go to prison? Her deep compassion extended even to Brian.
"Sarah, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I never thought about this sending Brian to prison, that's all."
"He deserves any and all consequences for what he did to you. Fo
rtunately, he didn't try to steal your bank account information or he could have wiped out your savings."
"I don't have much there, Michael. Brian and his family are loaded."
"So, he thinks he can get by with stuff like this?"
"I don't know if that's it, or if he's just messed up... Anyway, what do we do next?"
"Well, you will get a number of calls and visits from investigators. When they have everything they need, the DA call for a meeting to assess where we are so you can have some peace knowing how this will proceed."
Sarah said a quick silent prayer and took a deep breath. "Okay, let's do this."
True to Michael's word, over the next week Sarah received a number of calls and a few visits at the office from investigators from the various law enforcement agencies and departments involved in the case. Sarah kept a meticulous log of every visitor, question and answer. Not only was it the social worker in her, but her nervousness and insecurity required it.
"No, I didn't know my computer had a program instructing it to take pictures without my knowledge."
"No, I didn't commonly put a lens cover on my camera because it's built into the monitor and doesn't have one."
"Yes, I know Brian Travers. We had a relationship at one time. That ended over eight years ago."
"Yes, I accepted emails from him and opened more than one picture from him."
"No, I did not know one or more pictures contained hidden viruses, they were hidden. Sorry, that was inappropriate. I'm tired."
"Yes... had I known the pictures were being taken I would have done anything I could to stop it earlier, but I didn't know."
The questions were draining Sarah's strength and patience. She just wanted this to be over when it seemed it had only begun. She spent some time with her ultimate source of strength.
Father, I thank you for bringing me Michael to brighten my life so much. He is a rock and a shield to me in this difficult time. He is my angel and protector, my love. I never knew what love could be like until I met him. You truly do answer me when I call on you. For that I give you thanks.
You know my needs and you know how tired and weak I feel with all that is going on with the Brian thing. Give me the strength to face whatever happens. Give Michael and Jen the patience and wisdom to be my support. Let the investigators be your instruments of justice. I even ask that you work in Brian's life to bring about your will for him whatever it may be.
I know you go before me answering my need even before I ask. Give me a supernatural sense of your presence in resolving this problem. I trust you and love you.
On Friday morning, Michael called with what would hopefully be good news. "Good morning, beautiful. We're making progress on the case."
"Really? What's happening?"
"Well, the Waller County DA and DPS investigator want to meet next week here. They don't do that unless there's something really important to discuss. They usually need to explain the details of their investigation so you can make a decision as to how you want to proceed."
"How I want to proceed? What does that mean?"
"I don't really know. We won't know 'til we get there."
"Oh, wow... Do you know when?"
"Not yet. They're trying to coordinate schedules and wanted to know what works for you."
"Any time except Thursday morning. We have a big meeting then that I really don't want to miss. Jen and Jake are getting engaged. Isn't that exciting?"
"Yeah. You can't miss that. I'll coordinate something and get back with you."
After Sarah got off the phone she sat in her car in a fog. Was this really going to proceed? What was going to happen? There were too many questions left even after all the questions they asked. This was too much, but she had prayed for something to happen and it did. She quickly made a call of her own.
"Jen, this is Sarah."
"Hey, Sarah... are you alright?"
"Oh, yeah. Michael just called. The DA and investigator want to meet with me next week here in Sunset to discuss the case. He says this usually means something big. I told him we can't meet on Thursday. Do you think you can go with me?"
"I'll move heaven, earth and the babysitter's schedule to do it, sweetie. You just let me know."
"Oh, thank you Jen. I need you if at all possible. I don't know what to expect."
"Whatever happens, God's watching out for you."
"I know. Thank you, Jen."
Sarah drove on to her next appointment with confidence and trepidation.
From the time Michael called back letting her know the appointment time until they walked into the office at the Waller County Courthouse, Sarah's life was a blur. All of her usual activities seemed to be on autopilot.
Michael didn't press her on how she acted. Neither did Jen or her colleagues. They understood that this meeting held a lot of significance for her.
The only poignant moments for Sarah between Friday afternoon and Tuesday morning at ten were the times she spent in prayer and worship. Her continuous prayer kept her strong.
Father, give me the strength and power from your Holy Spirit to face whatever happens in the meeting. Please give them the compassion to deal with this kindly and softly since I don't know how I will react. Don't let me fall apart in front of these people. I want to represent you as a strong witness, not a timid and cowardly believer.
I thank you for all you have done for me to guide me and protect me from harm. You have shown me in so many ways how your supernatural power is at work in my life. You sent your angel Gabriel before me to protect me from Brian. Then you sent your angel Michael to protect me from him again. Help me to see that your protection still goes before me in this problem. Thank you, Father. I love you now more than ever.
Tuesday morning was bright and beautiful in Sunset, Texas. Sarah felt unusually good about the meeting. She knew her Heavenly Father would provide for her needs. Michael picked her up at her apartment. Jen waited at the courthouse steps to walk in with them.
"Thank you guys for being with me for this. I don't think I could face this alone. I've prayed for strength, but I know God sent you two to help me through this."
Michael put his arm around her. "Sarah, you're going to be fine. There's nothing that's going to happen here that you have to worry about, okay?"
"Let's do this, sweetie. I have the feeling that it's all good."
They walked into the courthouse and waited in the conference room for the team of officials to arrive. One person entered a few minutes later.
"I'm Don Elliott, Waller County DA, Ms. Newsome. Please have a seat... Danny, the DPS investigator will join us by video conference."
Sarah looked at Michael. "I thought the investigator was a woman..." She suddenly felt very nervous."
Michael tried to calm her nerves. "It will be okay."
A paralegal came in the conference room and laid down a stack of documents and a pen in front of Sarah.
"If you would, please read through these attestations. They are statements of the facts as we have gathered them and sign them if they are acceptable to you."
She and Michael read through them as they waited for the DPS investigator to call. As Sarah read through what she already knew and said a dozen times she became more anxious.
Suddenly, the phone on the conference table warbled. The paralegal tapped a button and the flat screen TV on the wall lit up showing a too cute and too young woman smiling at them.
"Morning, Don."
"Good morning, Danny. We have Ms. Newsome and her friends with us as well."
"Hello, Sarah. I'm Danielle Malachi, investigator from Texas Department of Public Safety. Sorry I'm late."
Sarah just stared at the screen.
"... No problem, Danny, this is Don again. Let's proceed. Tell us what you know."
"Well, I just got off the phone with..."
"Pardon us, Danny. I think Ms. Newsome may need a break..."
Sarah barely heard a word. Her hand was already on her mouth and te
ars flowed down her face.
Michael became worried. "Sarah, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, guys. I’m sorry. Yes, I'm more than okay. I asked God to show me a sign that He was going to take care of this and he did. He sent the angel Gabriel to protect me from Brian the first time. He sent the angel Michael to protect me the second time. And now, he sent Ms. Malachi. Her name means "my angel." God sent an angel to protect me again."
Sarah stood up. Michael did as well. She put her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I know it’s going to work out. God answered my prayers... All of them."
Books in the Sunset Series:
Novels:
“Sunset’s Dawn” (Sunset Series 1.0)- Can Jake Jennings, a man who suffered unspeakable loss find peace in his new hometown of Sunset, Texas? Or will Jen Lawson, the woman he never hoped to find be the answer to all of his prayers? Available exclusively on Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00GQYIL2I
"Sunset's Hope" (Sunset Series 2.0) Coming in 2014!- Jake and Jen deal with death and dying as a normal part of their careers, but can their love survive a tragic death that hits so close to home that it threatens to tear apart three generations of family...
Sunset Singles:
“Sarah’s Prayer” (Sunset Series 1.1)- Sarah Newsome just experienced the most heartbreaking victory of her life. Can she now find peace and happiness after losing the man she thought she loved? When she faces a crisis that shatters her safe secure world in Sunset will Michael, the man she’s beginning to trust and love, be her savior or her downfall? Available exclusively on Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00KFDVTKM
Thank you for reading Sarah’s Prayer!
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If you would like to know when the next Sunset book will be available, or if you would like to join the discussion about the Sunset Series, go to www.Facebook.com/SunsetSeries and click "Like" on the right side of the page.
Sarah's Prayer: A Sunset Single (Sunset Series 1.1) Page 9
