by Leigh Bale
“Do you know what this means?” Mark asked.
Nodding, Emma cleared her throat but still spoke in a tight squeak. “Yes, it means there’s still four months left on the protocol and the tumor should shrink even more before she’s through. Angie will be in a group of less than one percent of children for survivorship with her type of brain tumor. It means that—”
God had not let her down.
Emma’s heart swelled with joy. Her Heavenly Father had worked a miracle for them. He’d been there beside them through everything. How foolish not to recognize His loving presence in her life, even during her darkest hours. She hadn’t seen it, but somehow He had made everything right. For her, and for Mark and Angie.
“How can I ever thank you, Emma?” Mark asked. “I’ll be forever in your debt.”
“I can’t take credit for this, Mark. I asked God for help and He told me what to do. It’s kind of hard to explain, but He did this, not me.”
Emotion played across his face. “What a miracle the Lord has wrought in our lives.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “I—I don’t know what to say.”
Mark went down on one knee, gazing up into her eyes with adoration. “Say you’ll be mine, Emma. Marry me. I can’t promise there won’t be difficult times ahead, but I can promise I’ll stand beside you through it all. I don’t want to be without you anymore. Neither does Angie.”
She stared as he reached into his pants’ pocket and withdrew a diamond ring, holding it up for her inspection. The glittering stone winked at her and she blinked to clear the tears from her eyes. This was a dream come true.
“I haven’t been able to get you off my mind.” His deep voice filled the room, the only sound she heard. “I’m so sorry for hurting you. I thought I was protecting you by sending you away. Now, I realize we’d both be stronger if we’re together. How can we be strong when we’re apart?”
“Protecting me? I’ve been miserable.”
“So have I. Please forgive me. I love you, Emma Shields. I love you more than I can say.”
Adoration shimmered in his eyes, mirroring her own overpowering emotions. Tears ran down her cheeks but she ignored them. What were a few tears when the man you loved made a statement like that?
“Mark—” she croaked, barely able to speak.
“Marry us, Emma! Say yes,” Angie yelled, jumping up and down with excitement.
Christy wiped tears from her cheeks while Sonja joined Angie’s chorus. “Say yes, Emma. Say yes!”
Emma hesitated, just to savor this remarkable moment. Just to cherish the miracle of God’s love.
“Oh, yes! Yes, I’ll marry you. I’d rather go through any pain than go on living without you. I love you and Angie so much.”
She found herself wrapped tight in Mark’s arms. His strength surrounded her, his deep laughter ringing in her ears.
“I thought I’d lost you,” she whispered against his neck.
“Never!”
Angie joined them, clasping Emma’s legs until Mark leaned down and picked her up. They embraced in a huddle and no words were needed. Their laughter and sighs of elation spoke volumes.
Tears of happiness dripped from Emma’s eyes. She had found her place of belonging, a place of healing. It was here, wrapped in the arms of her new family and God’s redeeming love. She had been so lost, but now she was found.
“Come on,” Mark said. “Let’s go home.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1037-4
THE HEALING PLACE
Copyright © 2007 by Lora Lee Bale
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.SteepleHill.com
