The Gift of Empathy (The Gifts Book 3)

by Jen Gentry

  This concept did not escape Ethan. “Jewel, Perry House is your home now. Why would you ever think you need to leave it? Just because I want to marry your sister doesn’t mean I don’t want you with us. Can you understand that? I meant it when I said we’re a family now. Your home is here with Emily, Aunt Gemma, and me.”

  Jewel’s face slowly lit up as the realization hit her that Ethan wanted her to stay. He really didn’t want her to leave Perry House, not even after he and Emily were married. She couldn’t contain her joy as she jumped into Ethan’s arms and cried.

  “There, there. You know I’ve always wanted a little sister.” Ethan crooned as he held Jewel.

  “Really?” Jewel said between sniffles.

  “Well… no, but I do now, anyway.” They both laughed. This was a beginning step in the right direction for both of them.

  Unseen in a corner of the library Samuel and Liam clasped arms. This was just what the Holy Spirit had in mind. The carefully laid plans of the Lord were coming to pass just as they should.

  The Gift of Empathy

  Chapter Eleven

  Deuteronomy 28:8

  The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

  In the next few weeks before Christmas, Jewel worked hard to catch up on her studies. She and Emily began the search for a good university, a whole new world of options were now available for Jewel. Emily told Jewel her grades were good enough to get her into any college she wanted to go to. But with the pressure to leave Perry House gone, Jewel hoped to find a school closer to home. Oh, how she loved that word, Home. She could stay at Perry House forever and never regret it.

  These days Jewel was spending most of her free time in the afternoons with Aunt Gemma. Gemma gave Jewel her very first bible and Jewel read it to Gemma using her quickly improving sign language skills. One afternoon Gemma told Jewel to read a specific passage regarding the armor of God.

  Ephesians 6:10-18 The Armor of God

  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

  Jewel finished reading the scriptures out loud and in sign language. Gemma asked her what the scriptures meant to her. Jewel didn’t hesitate. “This is the protective armor all Christians must have in order to escape the devil. The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Before we can fight such evil we must have the armor of God on at all times. This is how I can get past the pain and sickness so that I can help God’s children be healed. I must first learn to protect myself.”

  Gemma nodded her head. Yes, this child was strong in the Lord. Her gift was going to be a powerful weapon against the dark ones. It was imperative for Jewel to learn to protect herself with the armor of God.

  “Jewel, you will need to read these scriptures out loud every day—sometimes more than once a day as many times as it takes for you to burn them into your soul. This is the most important thing you can do to take care of yourself so that you can in turn help the lost and the hurting. You understand that what you have is so very important to so many of God’s children. To them you will be the hand that leads them to Christ. That makes the dark ones want to hinder you in any way they can. They will strike at you, be vigilant because the attacks will come. With the armor of God you can prevail against the armies of the dark ones.”

  “What you say is true, Aunt Gemma, I know it is in here.” Jewel pointed to her chest.

  Samuel stood at Jewel’s side unseen by Jewel but very clear and present to Gemma. Samuel placed his hands on Jewel’s shoulders to give her peace and understanding of the Lord’s plan for her. Jewel felt that peace and understanding flow through her heart and mind to take root in her soul.

  “Yes, thank you, Lord, and thank you Aunt Gemma, for everything. I’m going to go upstairs now and look up these passages on my laptop.”

  Gemma placed her hands on Jewel’s head and prayed over Jewel and thanked the Lord for bringing her to Perry House. It did not escape Gemma that Jewel had brought a precious light into the house and had become a real blessing to them all. Gemma prayed for her protection. It was clear there would be a battle to come for Jewel. The girl was just too important for the enemy not to want her out of the way. Yes, the attack would come, but the Lord would deliver them all. As He always did.

  ****

  Jewel continued to study hard and prayed even harder. She felt as Gemma did, a great battle was coming one that would pave the way to her future.

  There was a great evil that wanted to either possess Jewel or kill her. Yet Jewel was no longer afraid. Let them come for me. This time I’ll be ready and in full armor. My God is stronger and I trust Him and His plan for me fully.

  The week of Christmas everyone prepared to make the trip to New York to spend the remainder of the holiday season with Marta. Jewel was having a marvelous time at Perry House with all the Christmas decorations and the tree was almost buried in gifts. It was a unanimous decision to open the gifts they had for each other on Christmas Eve, and on that morning everyone gathered around the tree in their warm fuzzy pajamas and opened gifts with so much enthusiasm that Jewel couldn’t contain her joy.

  Emily loved her yellow scarf and Jewel was amazed by the stunning emerald pendant and matching earrings that Ethan and Emily picked out for her to represent her birthstone. Gemma gave Jewel a gold bracelet with an etched gold cross chain. In turn, Gemma loved her colorful spatulas, but the real excitement came from Ethan as he opened his gift from Jewel. He lifted Jewel up in the air and spun her around.

  “Jewel, this is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever been given, a real compass that can’t be messed up by electrical interference. Where did you find it? Oh, never mind, this is just wonderful. Thank you, Jewel.”

  “You’re welcome, Ethan, could you put me down now?” Laughter erupted as Ethan put Jewel back down on solid ground and started cleaning up the scattered wrapping paper. Ethan and Jewel began throwing the paper in the fireplace and the phone started ringing.

  Emily squealed after she got off the phone. “Hey, guys we have to leave a little earlier than we thought. Marta’s in labor.”

  ****

  With all the bags packed and ready for the drive the women waited outside for Ethan to bring the car around. Jewel took Emily’s hand in hers.

  “Emily, in case I forget to tell you. Thank you. Thank you for bringing me here to Perry House and giving me a home and for helping me know what it feels like to be so loved. I’ve never had a Christmas like this and I am so very glad to call Perry House my forever home.”

  Emily pulled Jewel into a tight embrace. “Yes, Jewel, you’re home now, forever, Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas, Emily.”

  ****

  Samuel was unsettled about Jewel leaving Perry House and he voiced his concern to Liam as they both watched over the estate from the sky.

  “They will know when Jewel returns to New York. The dark ones are searching for her still.” Samuel waited a few seconds for the commanding angel’s response.

  “Yes, an
d find her they shall. This is from the Lord. We cannot interfere. Jewel must be found.”

  “I don’t understand. Why would the Lord have me to protect the girl all this time and then let the enemy come for her? But I trust our Lord without fail. I will carry out his will.”

  Liam placed a reassuring hand on Samuel’s shoulder. “Trust our Father, Samuel, his perfect plan is without flaw.” Liam lifted his sword up into the sky “For the Lamb, who alone is worthy.”

  All the warrior angels of Perry House returned Liam’s salute as those selected to accompany the saints of God to New York formed ranks around Ethan’s now fully loaded Land Rover and left Perry House grounds.

  ****

  All of Marta’s family along with her husband, Bradley, and all of Emily’s crew welcomed Derek Todd Steel into the world just before midnight on Christmas Eve. The bouncing baby boy was a healthy screamer. The standing joke was that he had his mother’s powerhouse lungs and would be fierce competition with his mother and sister for attention. Since Marta and the baby would be spending Christmas Day in the hospital, Ethan and Emily rented rooms for everyone at the hotel across the street. Christmas morning, Bradley had a special breakfast catered in for everyone and Emily and Jewel decorated Marta’s room with a small tree and lights. It wasn’t home, but the company of friends and family made it feel like Christmas.

  Jewel was feeling very tired and after oohing and awing over the new baby she decided to head back to the hotel and get some sleep. The second she stepped out alone onto the street, she felt as if she were being watched. She looked around saw no one. She shook off the odd feeling and ran the rest of the way to the hotel room where she locked herself in promptly, then curled up on one of the beds and went to sleep.

  ****

  Outside the hotel a frenzy of demons wailed and sounded the alarm. The girl empath had been spotted on the streets of New York. The angels including Liam and Samuel listened to the cacophony above the hotel. It would only be a matter of time before the demon Lucius arrived to scoop Jewel up and take her away from the people she’d come to know and love.

  ****

  Jake had been a busy guy chasing after one girl or another with no real hooks. His luck had run out and the Merchandiser Gang had run out of patience with him. Jake was in hiding and on the run from the gang members. He found himself standing on a street corner across from a hospital parking lot when he spotted the holy-grail he’d been searching for the last couple of months. There crossing the street right in front of him was Jewel. She’d cleaned up, cut and dyed her hair, but that was her. The girl who’d nearly gotten him killed and cost him so much since then was suddenly back.

  Maybe his luck was turning, Jake thought, as he tried to follow Jewel into the hotel. But just as he started across the street, a dark SUV cut him off and the back door opened. Too late, Jake recognized the leader of the Merchandisers.

  “Hello, Jake, we’ve been looking for you.” Two muscled men jumped out of the front of the SUV and shoved Jake in. Jake nearly cried out in fear. These same men beat him almost to death a few short weeks ago and Jake wasn’t sure he’d survive another round this time. “Wait, before you do anything, I found the girl. You know the one that got away, Jewel. She’s in that hotel right over there.” Jake pointed the way.

  “I’ve been offered much money for that particular girl.” The Opper, boss, Merchandizer raised his hands to stop his henchmen from pummeling Jake. “If you are lying to me, little spider, I will rip your limbs from you and toss you into the river while your heart is still beating.”

  Jake’s breathing became ragged. “I’m not lying she’s in there. I’ll take you.”

  “Yes, little spider, show us the way.” The Opper put his lit cigarette out on Jake’s neck while the henchmen held him down. Jake screamed.

  “No, I think, little spider, that we will wait for the girl to come to us, much safer that way. We will track her and until we have her in a good place to take her you, little spider, will stay with us.”

  A shiver ran down Jake’s spine at the Opper’s words. “Sure, boss, anything you say.” A quiver in his voice gave his fear away. The Opper laughed and right beside him Lucius laughed the same throaty laugh. Jake was in danger and he hung his head in submission to the masters he had given himself over to serve.

  Lucius laughed at Jake’s pain and prodded the henchmen with their leader to torture Jake even more. An evil smile curled up the edges of his snarled lips. The demon sent the Merchandizers to this exact spot when the other demons in the area sounded the alarm that Jewel had been spotted. It was just a bit of luck that Jake spotted Jewel first. Now Lucius would take matters into his own hands and use the gang of human traffickers to bring Jewel to the Ba al`. There was no way he was going to let the idiot boy screw-up with the girl again, but Jake may prove useful as bait to draw the girl out.

  ****

  Liam watched the scene with Jake play out in the parking lot below him. This whole business left a bad taste in his mouth. It looked like the one thing he really didn’t want to happen was going to happen. The worst and darkest scum of the evil ones would be coming to Perry House for Jewel and there would be nothing he could do about it to stop them. He’d been given his orders.

  On New Year’s Eve, Emily, Ethan, Jewel and Aunt Gemma returned home to Perry House. They’d enjoyed spending the holiday in New York with their friends and in getting to meet the new baby, but all of them were very happy to be heading home. Jewel had a feeling that something was going on between Emily and Ethan. Not that either one of them had said anything— it was just a gut feeling she had. After everyone got settled and unpacked, they gathered around the fire for a late night snack and to ring in the New Year together.

  As the excitement following the countdown and the fire in the fireplace died down Aunt Gemma went back to her little cottage yawning as she did. Jewel got up and began clearing the dishes and left over food.

  “Jewel, Emily and I have some news we wanted to share with you.” Ethan motioned for Jewel to sit back down.

  “Oh, I hope you’ve set a date for the wedding. You know, I think Marta was little disappointed you haven’t done that yet.” Jewel beamed at Emily and Ethan as they both looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “Well, actually we’ve decided to postpone the wedding until at least next summer.” Emily looked Jewel in the eyes. “It has nothing to do with you, Sweetie. It’s just that Ethan will be going to work on an assignment from Bradley in another country for a while.”

  Jewel wasn’t completely convinced and she gave them both a quizzical look. “Are you sure that it has nothing to do with me, because I’m fine with you guys getting married, you know?”

  Ethan took Jewel’s hand in his own. “No, Jewel, this has nothing to do with you and Emily and I are not breaking up. The wedding will happen and it will happen this year. I just need to help Bradley find someone who has information he needs.”

  “How long will you be gone?” A worried look passed Jewel’s delicate features and Ethan held her hand tighter.

  “A couple of months at most.”

  “That’s a long time. Emily, are you OK with this?”

  “Yes, Jewel. Ethan knows how I feel about him and because I love him, I understand his reasons for wanting to go. Bradley wants to find a person who may be a threat to his family and I don’t blame him for asking Ethan to look into it for him. Ethan knows the area he’s heading into well and is very familiar with the people who live there. If anyone can help Bradley, it’s Ethan.”

  “So when are you leaving, Ethan?”

  “The day after tomorrow.”

  “So soon, really? Well, don’t you think we should be praying for your safe return then?”

  Both Ethan and Emily were relieved that Jewel was taking this news so well and they joined hands with Jewel to pray together for Ethan’s safe return.

  The day after New Year’s Day, Emily said a tearful goodbye to Ethan at the local airport. They’d
not been separated for more than a day since they’d met last spring and together they felt as if they’d conquered the world. So much between them now bonded them together.

  Jewel stayed behind with Gemma at Perry House. There were some things that lovers needed to get through alone.

  The Gift of Empathy

  Chapter Twelve

  JEREMIAH 29:11

  FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE.

  After Ethan left Jewel got back to her online studies and Emily helped her when she needed it. Aunt Gemma still worked with Jewel in the afternoons on bible studies and she was teaching Jewel the basics of cooking and housekeeping— two things that had been sadly lacking in Jewel’s experience. Emily also helped Jewel start the process for applying for the different colleges Jewel thought she might like to attend. Things were settling into a nice rhythm, but there was a part of all of them missing, and that was Ethan. Jewel could feel Emily’s acute ache at Ethan’s absence.

  Deep in Jewel’s heart she began to pray for Emily. That her sorrow would be lifted and each day after Ethan called, Jewel noticed that Emily was feeling more and more secure. Emily still missed Ethan but the sorrow slowly lifted and steadily replaced by hope—hope that the day they would be reunited would come very soon.

  One afternoon Gemma was teaching Jewel to braise a pot roast before putting it in the oven and a grease fire erupted on the stove top. Gemma burned her hands trying to put the fire out. From the moment Gemma cried out to the moment Emily got her to a doctor who gave Gemma something for the pain, Jewel felt Gemma’s pain as acutely as Gemma did. The doctor treated the burns and told Emily that they were minor but painful and to take her home and let her rest for a few days.