by Nancy Mehl
“I know you’ll change her life,” I said, smiling at my dearest friend in the world. “You know, like you did with me.”
The tears Lizzie had been holding back fell down her cheeks, and she hugged me again.
Levi and I spent the rest of the evening eating pie, drinking coffee, and talking to the people we loved the most.
The next day, after Sunday service and the second announcement of our plans, we finished packing. I’d left my dresses and my prayer covering hanging in the closet, choosing to wear the jeans and sweater Lizzie had already given me, along with quite a few other clothes she insisted I take along. But at the last second, before going down the stairs to meet Levi, I turned back and took my prayer covering from the closet. I opened my suitcase, and laid it on top of my other clothes. My fingers lingered on it for several seconds. I couldn’t be sure I would ever wear it again. But then again, I wasn’t certain I wouldn’t. Time would tell.
I quickly checked my image in the mirror over the dresser. I liked my new shorter hairstyle. Cutting my long hair until it barely touched my shoulders helped me feel like a different person. The woman who stared back at me was a stranger, but with God’s help, I would finally get to know her. I smiled at her and went downstairs to meet Levi.
The restaurant was closed and no one waited to tell us good-bye. This was what we’d requested, having already said everything we could.
“I love you,” Levi said.
“I know,” I replied with a smile. “It took me some time, but I have no doubts anymore.”
“Good.” He leaned down and gently kissed my lips. Then he picked up my suitcase and carried it out to Noah’s extra truck. He’d given it to us as a gift, and we were grateful to get it.
I took a moment and stood alone inside the restaurant, looking around. So much had happened here. Good and bad. It seemed surreal to be leaving.
Prince and Dora sat near the kitchen door, as if they knew I was going away. Lizzie had promised to bring them to Newton after Levi and I were married, so my departure from them was only temporary. For a moment, the realization that I was really leaving Kingdom hit me, and I took a deep breath. But I had a profound peace about my decision. God had a path for me, and I was determined to find it.
“Good-bye,” I whispered into the silence.
With that, I walked out the door of the old restaurant, took the hand of the man I loved, and together we took our first steps toward the brand-new life God had waiting for us.
Acknowledgments
To my incredible family. Thank you for your constant encouragement and support. My husband, Norman, who still makes me laugh after all these years. To my son, Danny, my daughter-in-love, Shaen, and the smartest, cutest, and most amazing baby ever born: Aidan Jackson Mehl. I love you all more than tongue can tell.
Thanks to Judy Unruh, Alexanderwohl Church Historian in Goessel, Kansas, for fielding all my dumb questions with grace and understanding. Don’t know what I’d do without you!
To Doctor Andy (Dr. Andrea McCarty) for teaching me what happens when you break a rib. Glad our conversation was about a fictional situation! LOL!
To Raela Schoenherr and Sharon Asmus: Thank you for helping me through this process. You always make it better.
To the rest of the staff at Bethany House: Noelle and Debra, the wonderful design department, and all the folks at Baker, thank you. I love being a part of this incredible publishing company.
An important shout-out to all my awesome readers. Throughout the years, many of you have become dear friends. Thank you for taking me into your hearts. You encourage me, lift me up, and make me smile. And a special thank you to my “Inner Circle.” You know who you are.
As always, I want to thank the most important Person in my life. Thank you, Father. I will always believe.
Nancy Mehl is the author of fifteen books and received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW. She writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson.
Books by Nancy Mehl
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Inescapable
Unbreakable
Unforeseeable
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
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