by Leah Atwood
The question took him by surprise. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve enjoyed it and feel I’ve done well, but I can’t say that I’ve felt a strong call to be a youth minister.”
“Would you be willing to pray about it?”
“I can.” He narrowed his eyes, curious as to what was going on.
“Pastor Ben handed in his resignation last month, but has agreed to stay on until we find a replacement.” Pastor McCann’s eyes bore into his. “We’ve interviewed half a dozen candidates, but we haven’t felt God’s leading on any of them. After much praying, your name came into the mix. We’ve spoken with Pastor Gray who wholeheartedly endorsed you, and the board unanimously agreed to offer you the position if you’ll have it.”
“Wow.” He breathed out slowly, giving his brain time to process the offer. “Pastor Ben was my youth pastor. Those are big shoes to fill.”
“They are, but we believe you are capable of it.” Pastor McCann smiled. “There’s more. I know you are scheduled to begin seminary this fall, and as part of your compensation package, the church will pay your tuition.”
Elijah’s mind went into overdrive. It seemed too good to be true. His parents had paid for undergrad schooling, but with five children in the family, he’d be responsible for any education after that. But was youth ministry God’s call for his life? He didn’t know. “That’s an amazing offer, and I’m truly honored, but I have to pray about it.”
Pastor McCann’s eyes twinkled. “I wouldn’t expect less.”
“When do you need an answer by?”
“As soon as you have one.” The pastor gave him an encouraging smile. “It’s important that you feel the call to this. While we have all prayed about it, ultimately you’re the one who needs to know this is where God wants you.”
“I promise I’ll pray about it and seek His direction.”
“That’s all I ask.” Pastor McCann rose to his feet. “I won’t keep you any longer. I know your family wants all the time possible with you, but thanks for stopping by. And whatever you decide, you always have a home here.”
“Thank you, sir.” He left the church with his mind spinning. The position would be an answer to prayer in one sense. Either way, he’d have to work while attending school, but this offer would allow him a job he loved and decent money. Would it be prudent to turn it down?
“Where do You want me, Lord?” he prayed as he drove to his parents. The ten minute drive didn’t yield any answers, not that he expected it would. Although it would have been nice, he’d learned God’s answer came in His time, not anyone else’s.
Chapter Twelve
Trixie checked her bank account, and for once, it made her smile. Six months after coming home, she had enough money to start looking for her own place to live. The prospect filled her with conflicting emotions. It was an enormous milestone, one that gave her a sense of redemption and pride.
At the same time, she enjoyed the closeness with her family and making up for lost time. Mom’s help with childcare had been pivotal, and Dad’s encouragement kept her going when she hit rough spots. She knew she couldn’t stay with them forever, but she wouldn’t rush to move out either—as long as her parents didn’t mind her there.
She logged out and set her new phone aside. No more prepaid flip phone. Her parents added her to their plan, and she’d gotten a great deal on a new smartphone. She’d also insisted she’d give her parents money each month for the line. At twenty-three, she had to take responsibility for herself, and though it was a baby step, it was progress.
Alice sat on the floor, watching a cartoon. Trixie didn’t know how much she understood of it, but something in the show made her laugh often. Sitting next to Alice, she watched the show also but received more entertainment from watching her daughter’s reactions than the show itself.
When the cartoon ended, she turned off the television and went to the kitchen to make lunch. Alice loved feeding herself now, and Trixie made her an egg and cut it into pieces. She toasted a piece of bread and sliced a banana. It was breakfast for lunch, but what Alice loved. She set the food on the high chair tray and went to grab Alice, but the doorbell interrupted her.
She peeked on Alice before answering the door. Alice saw her and toddled after her to the door. Trixie peeked through the peephole, surprised to see Elijah. She hadn’t spoken to him in two months, had carefully avoided him at church and around town.
Curious but nervous, she answered the door. “Hi there.”
“Hi.” His taut features showed he was uncomfortable as well. “I tried calling before I came, but the number’s disconnected.”
“I got a new number last week. I thought I had included you on the mass text I sent out.” Liar. You spent an hour agonizing whether to, before deciding not to include him.
“Oh.”
The hurt expression on her face planted guilt in her gut. “Have your phone with you? I can give you the number now.”
“Yes.” He pulled it from his pocket and held it up.
She took the phone from him and programmed her number. “Now you have it.”
“Thanks.”
Alice tried to escape outside, and Trixie swept her up. “Would you like to come in?”
“If it’s okay with you.”
“It’s fine.” Goodness, she hated this polite formality that had come between them. She led them to the dining room table and put Alice in the high chair. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’m good, but thanks.”
She sat in the chair closest to Alice and motioned for him to sit. “How have you been?”
“Busy, but good. You?”
“Same. How was your trip home?”
His features relaxed. “Amazing. Sara’s graduation went great, and I had lots of fun hanging out with old friends.”
“Good. I’m glad you got a break finally.”
“Me too. I needed it.” He rubbed one finger against another. “Can we talk?”
“About that night at church?”
He nodded. “I miss our friendship.”
“So do I.”
“Do we keep acting like nothing happened or move forward?”
She sighed, a mix of confusion and longing. “It did happen, but I don’t know if I’m ready for anything more than friendship. I’m only now starting to feel like myself again.”
“I understand.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” A wave of genuine understanding softened his face. “I like you, and I think you like me too, but you went through a lot. If friendship is what we’re meant to have right now, I’m okay with that.”
Could the talk really be that easy? Somehow she didn’t think so and suspected they’d have to deal with their feelings eventually, but this agreement worked for her. For now. “Friends are good. Between work and Alice, I don’t have too many of them.”
His smiled turned downward.
Had she said something wrong? “Why the frown?”
“I came to ask a favor, but I just realized it wouldn’t be fair.”
“I should be the judge of that. What is it?”
“I need another female chaperone for the youth’s out-of-school camp bash next week. If I don’t find one, we’ll have to cancel it.”
“Why?”
“Camp stipulations say we have to have one adult chaperone for every eight kids. Landon and Jessa are going, plus Mike Redman, but I need one more female.”
“Jessa mentioned that to me. She and Landon can’t wait to go.”
“Do you know anyone who might be able to go?” He grazed his bottom lip with his teeth.
“It’s only one night, right?” She’d never left Alice overnight, but Phoebe had offered to take her. Could she leave her little girl for a full twenty-four hours?
“Yes. We’ll leave church at noon on Friday and come back around six on Saturday evening.” He must have read her mind because he sent her a sympathetic smile. “Don’t stress it. I couldn’t ask you to le
ave Alice overnight, and I know you’re probably working.”
“Actually, I have off. During the summer, the diner is busiest during the week for lunch and that’s when I’m scheduled. On the weekends and evenings, tourists often go to the fancy restaurants scattered in the mountains with the picturesque views.”
“What about Alice?”
She hesitated, still unsure of that aspect. “I have to think about it. Phoebe’s offered to take her for a night and give me a break, but I’ve never taken her up on it. I know I can trust her, but it’s a matter of convincing myself that I can leave her for a night.”
Elijah reached over and patted her hand, then jerked it away at the first sensation of touch. “It’s okay. You were the first one to come to mind, but I’m sure I can find someone.”
“Can you give me a day to think about it?”
He grimaced. “I don’t want you pressured, but I need an answer tonight. If I have to cancel, nine a.m. tomorrow is the latest I can cancel and still get the deposit back.”
“Let me call Phoebe and ask if she’d like Alice for the night. If she’s good with that, I’ll do it.”
Visible relief covered his face. “You are awesome.”
“Can you keep any eye on Alice while I grab my phone from the living room? She never has problems, but I don’t leave her unattended while she’s eating—even for a minute.”
“No problem.”
She hurried to the living room and grabbed her phone from the coffee table. Lifting it to call Phoebe, she noticed a missed call from Lara’s mom and a voicemail. She dialed in and listened to the message.
“Hi Trixie, this is Gina, Lara’s mom. She went into labor this morning and we’re on our way to the hospital. She’s asking for you and wants you there. We’ll be at Farthington General if you can meet us there. I’ll have my phone with me as long as they allow, but if I don’t answer, the front desk will have permission to give you any information on her.”
Plans ran through Trixie’s mind. Of course she’d be there, but she couldn’t take Alice. Phoebe and Jessa were at work, and Mom had taken the day to visit her aunt two hours away. She could call one of the ladies from church—any one of them would be happy to watch Alice. Or…
She returned to the dining room and paused in her tracks. Elijah had moved his seat to sit in front of Alice and ran her slice of bread through the air like an airplane. Thoroughly entertained, Alice giggled loudly and asked for more every time Elijah stopped.
Tiny explosions went off in her heart. If she ever did have another relationship, it would be with someone like Elijah who treated her daughter with tenderness and love. Maybe one day she’d have a relationship with him. One day …
Refocusing on the current issue, she cleared her throat to get his attention.
He spun around, a tinge of red on his cheeks and a boyish grin. “Alice and I were playing.”
“So I see.” Her wide smile hurt her cheeks.
“Did you get hold of Phoebe?”
“No, I had a missed call and got distracted. Lara’s mom called and they’re headed to the hospital.”
His smile faded. “She’s not due for another two weeks, is she?”
“No, but thirty-eight weeks is still considered full-term, so there shouldn’t be any complications.”
“That’s good. Are you going?”
“She’s asking for me and I’d like to.” She wrung her hands. “Is there any way you could stay here with Alice? If not, I can call one of the ladies from church, but I’d like to get there as soon as possible.”
“Sure. I’ll call Pastor Gray and tell him I won’t be coming back in. Considering the circumstances, he won’t mind and can add Lara to the prayer chain.”
“Thank you so much.” She popped into the kitchen and grabbed a magnetic notepad from the fridge, scribbled down phone numbers and instructions. “Alice will go down for a nap around one-thirty. She’ll fight it but will fall asleep after several minutes of fussing so don’t let her fool you. When she wakes up, there’s a sippy cup of milk in the fridge for her and I’ll set some of her snacks out on the counter.”
His face tightened with an air of uncertainty. “Is she still in diapers?”
Amused, she suppressed her laughter. “Yes. I’ll change her before I leave, but everything you need is in the nursery and there’s also a basket by the sofa so you don’t have to go upstairs if you’re down here already.”
He sucked in a breath and released it. “It can’t be that hard, can it?”
“It’s pretty easy. You take off the old one, clean her up, then slip a new one on and fasten the tabs.” His obvious discomfort gave her pause. “I can call one of the ladies if you’re unsure.”
“No, I’m good. Alice will be fully taken care of, promise.”
“Thank you.” She removed Alice from the highchair and took her into the living room to change her.
Five minutes later, she was on the road to Farthington. Memories of her labor with Alice flooded her thoughts. Alone and scared, no one in the room to comfort her except for nurses who were strangers. They’d been a huge help though. For the length of her stay, they’d taken her under their wings and whispered encouraging words when the pain became too great and she wanted to give up. After Alice’s arrival, they’d shown her how to care for her newborn, and when she’d left the hospital, they had sent her off with a tote stuffed full of diapers, wipes, and clothes. She’d never forget their kindness during the hardest, loneliest time of her life.
Lara was fortunate to have her family support her during the pregnancy. I could have, also, but I made that decision. She shut off the voices of condemnation in her head. This wasn’t the time. She’d moved on, and she had more important issues to focus on—at the moment, Lara.
She arrived at the hospital and ran inside, spotted Aiden in the lobby. “Any update?”
“I just got here.” The color on his face had drained, and he paced as he spoke. “I was at work when they called me and I got the message late.”
“Come on. Let’s check in and get up there.” Seeing his nervousness, she took charge and went to the front desk and gave their names.
They were given access and took the elevator to the labor and delivery ward where they had to give their names again and sign in. They were shown to the waiting room, and found Robert Nell, Lara’s father, there.
He stood to greet them. “I’m glad you made it.”
“How is she?” Aiden’s voice shook as he spoke.
“Doing fine as of ten minutes ago, but they said it could take a long time.”
Aiden glanced down the hall. “Can I see her?”
“You’ll have to ask. She said she only wants the women in there with her.” Lara’s dad offered a sympathetic smile.
“But I’m the dad.” Aiden’s lip drooped, upset at the exclusion.
Mr. Nell patted his shoulder. “This is where I waited for all of my children to be born. You’re in good company.”
A nurse entered the room. “Ms. Graff, if you’re ready, I’ll take you to Lara now.”
“Thank you.” She looked at Aiden. “I’ll let her know you want to see her, but I won’t pressure her. She needs to focus on bringing this baby into the world with as little stress as possible.”
Mr. Nell flashed her a grateful look, and Aiden sat down, seeming to understand this was in the best interest of his soon-to-be-born child.
Trixie followed the nurse to the delivery room, fighting the images flashing through her head of the haunting memories. They all faded away when she saw Lara sitting upright in the bed with tears flowing down her young face.
With a helpless gaze, Gina Nell ushered her to a corner. “She is very emotional, as to be expected, and I’ve tried telling her everything will be okay, but nothing I say gets through to her.”
“May I have a few minutes alone with her?”
“Yes. I’ll go and give Robert an update.” Mrs. Nell’s lips moved as she left the room, and Trixie inst
inctively knew she was praying for her daughter and grandchild.
Trixie approached Lara slowly and handed her a tissue. “Hey, this is a happy day.”
“I’m scared, Ms. Trixie. I’m only a child myself. How am I supposed to raise one?” Lara spoke in a rushed and frantic pace between sobs.
“How every other new mom has.” She rubbed soothing circles on Lara’s back. “Fifteen months ago, I faced the same fears but learned that it will all work out. When you lay eyes on your baby for the first time, maternal instincts you didn’t realize you had will tell you what to do.”
“What if they don’t?” Her wide eyes expressed genuine doubt that would happen.
“They will, and you’ll have a team of people to help you. Me, your parents, Aiden, the church.” She took hold of Lara’s hand and squeezed it. “Never forget that you are not alone.”
That assurance calmed Lara, and soon the tears subsided. A contraction hit, and Lara gritted her teeth through the pain. Her mom returned and through the labor, Mrs. Nell and Trixie didn’t leave Lara’s side.
At eleven that night, Lara gave birth to a seven pound, six ounce boy with a head full of hair. Lara cradled her son with awestruck wonder illuminating her eyes. Her dad and Aiden were brought in to meet the newborn.
Lara gently handed the baby to Aiden. “Meet your son.”
Trixie stood back and watched the interaction. She didn’t know what the future held for the teens who were now joined together forever through their son, but as she watched them, she knew they’d be okay.
“What’s his name?” Mr. Nell stood by his wife with an arm around her waist.
Lara glanced to Aiden then at everyone. “Holden Robert Richfield.”
“That’s a fine name.” Mr. Nell blinked. “May I hold him?”
Aiden carefully transferred Holden to Mr. Nell’s arms.
Trixie excused herself, giving the family privacy. It had been a long, emotional day, and she looked forward to going home and crashing in her bed. First she had to drive home, which suddenly felt like a feat comparable to climbing Mt. Everest.
She stopped in the restroom, then at the vending machine for a cup of instant coffee. As tired as she was, it wouldn’t affect her ability to sleep tonight but maybe the caffeine would give her the energy to drive home.
