A Love This True (Jasper Lake Book 2)

by Leah Atwood

  He wouldn’t—couldn’t—lose her. God brought them together as surely as He’d created the earth and heavens. Contrary to what she believed, she wouldn’t come between him and his calling. He would attend seminary, and he would preach, but not at First Coastal Church. Sometimes God closed doors to protect His children. He had to believe this was one such time.

  Holding his phone, he started to call his dad but stopped. From Pastor McCann’s statement it appeared they supported the marriage to Trixie, but why didn’t they call him to warn trouble brewed? He’d deal with them later.

  He needed advice from someone he trusted. Pastor McCann was out of the question. Maybe one day that relationship could be restored, but not any time soon. Mr. Graff? No, he’d be biased on his daughter’s behalf. As her brother-in-law, so would Landon, and Elijah already had that bias covered with his own anger. He needed someone who would listen and advise objectively.

  Pastor Gray.

  That’s it. He usually spent Saturday afternoons at the church preparing for Sunday. Elijah gave him a call to confirm, relieved when the pastor said he was available for a talk. He filled a travel mug with the now-stale coffee and drove to the church. By the time he arrived, he’d calmed down enough to relay the story without letting his anger seep through.

  Or so he thought.

  After Elijah finished telling about Pastor McCann’s visit, Pastor Gray clenched his fists and breathed a long breath. “I don’t blame you for being angry. I’ve only spoken with the man on the phone, and I’m angry for you.”

  “You think he’s wrong?”

  “Without a doubt.” Pastor Gray loosened his fists. “I’m proud of you for not decking him right then and there.”

  Elijah gasped. “Pastor Gray!”

  “I’m a man of the cloth, but I’m human too. If anyone talked about my Susan like that, especially with her right there, I’d be hard-pressed to show self-control.” He winked. “At least in my thoughts.”

  “What should I do?”

  Pastor Gray locked eyes with him. “You love her, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you pray and go after her.”

  “You didn’t see her face. I’m not sure I’ll convince her I don’t want the job if it means losing her. At this point, I don’t want it, regardless.” He stretched his arms over his head and leaned over in the seat, releasing tension.

  “What if you can prove to her God meant for you to walk through another door?”

  “Our wedding is in two weeks. How am I supposed to find another opportunity in that time frame?”

  The pastor’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, ye of little faith.”

  “I’m trying, but I’m a little beat up right now.”

  “That’s when you need faith the most. You know this.” A serene smile curved the corners of Pastor Gray’s mouth.

  “You’re right. I’ll go home and start searching and give Trixie a few hours to calm down. Maybe she’ll realize the truth in that time.”

  Pastor Gray chuckled. “I wouldn’t count on that. I imagine she’s hurting bad right now. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend waiting long to go to her.”

  A scream stormed from his gut to his throat, but Elijah cut it off before it left his mouth. “I’m supposed to present her with another opportunity, but I’m also supposed to go straight to her. Is God going to throw this new job directly in front of me?”

  “Perhaps.” Pastor Gray’s smile widened. “I want to tell you something I’ve only spoken about with the board.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I plan to retire in the next few years. Susan and I have prayed about a new ministry traveling the country, and we believe God has said go.”

  “That’s great, but the church will miss you.”

  “We’re not leaving yet, but even once we do, we’ll be around on and off.” Pastor Gray leaned forward. “I’d like to bring an idea to the table. The board approved of it, but we never got the chance to ask because you accepted the position at First Coastal.”

  Elijah’s ears perked. “Yes?”

  “Stay on as our youth pastor. As a permanent employee, we can pay you slightly more. We can’t match First Coastal’s offer or pay for seminary, but you can remain at the house rent-free which should help. You’ll likely have to take many of your classes online, but I believe that’s workable.” Pastor Gray sat upright, stood, then walked to the front of his desk. “While you’re here, I’d like to mentor you and prepare you for taking over my position when I leave. If you’re interested.”

  His jaw dropped. Could the solution really be that simple? He’d have to give up the seminary school he’d dreamt of attending, but that was a small sacrifice in the scheme of life. He’d have everything he wanted, and Trixie wouldn’t have to leave her family. “You don’t have a problem with Trixie’s past and her being a pastor’s wife?”

  Pastor Gray shook his head. “Many of our best leaders have a blemished past. A look in almost any book of the Bible will show you that.”

  “But you gave me that warning in the spring, and you were hesitant to let her be Mary in the Christmas play?”

  “Trixie had just come home when her mom asked, and there were many factors to consider. Solutions aren’t always cut and dry, but if you recall, I allowed her in and welcomed her back.” He laid a hand on Elijah’s shoulder. “As far as that warning, that wasn’t to stay away from Trixie as you assumed, but rather not to hurt her. I saw how you looked at her, but she needed time.”

  “All this time, I’ve thought you wouldn’t approve.”

  “Au contraire.” Pastor Gray removed his hand. “I’ve watched both of you mature tremendously in the last eight months to a year, and grow into strong, confident leaders. Each of you is an asset to this church and I’d hate to lose you.”

  “I believe this is God opening the door He wanted me in, but is it okay if I talk to Trixie first about it and pray?”

  “Absolutely. I wouldn’t want a definite answer until you’ve prayed.”

  He jumped to his feet, eager to find Trixie and tell her. He shook hands with Pastor Gray. “Thank you. For everything.”

  He left the church in total awe at God’s beautiful intervention. Excited to tell Trixie, he called her unable to wait for a face-to-face conversation. Her phone rang once, then went to voicemail—a sign she’d hit ignore to his call.

  Growling under his breath, he jumped in his car, prayed he’d find her soon. He sped out of town and down the roads leading to her parent’s house. Her car sat in the driveway, but she could have gone somewhere with her mom or sisters.

  He knocked on the door. “Trixie, if you’re in there, please open the door. I need to talk to you.”

  A minute passed, and he heard nothing. He pulled his phone and tried calling again, but it went straight to voicemail this time.

  Dejected, he turned on his heel, but he wouldn’t give up. He took a step toward his truck and heard the door open. Turning around, he saw Trixie standing at the door with tear-streaked cheeks.

  He ran to her, stood in front of her, hesitant to reach out and touch her. “I choose you, Trixie, and I choose God. He gave us each other.”

  She crossed her arms and leaned against the door. “You say that now, but one day you’ll resent me for losing that position.”

  “Never.” He laid his hands on her arms. “Because of you, I now have something better.”

  Her breath caught on her words. “What do you mean?”

  “How would you like to stay here, in Jasper Lake and serve at First Community? Together?”

  Hope burst alive in her tentative smile. “How?”

  He explained the proposal Pastor Gray had detailed. “What do you think?”

  “Have the best of all worlds? You, my family, and my church? How can I say no?” Her eyes narrowed. “What will your family think?”

  “I’ll break the news later, but they’ll accept it. They love me and want me happy.” He pulled her into his arms. “You m
ake me so happy. Please, say the wedding’s back on?”

  She nodded, and he interrupted her yes with a thorough kiss.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Trixie woke up before the sun rose. Wide awake, she swung her legs over the bed and grabbed her Bible off the nightstand. Today, of all days, she needed that quiet time in the morning. Carrying the monitor with her, she tiptoed downstairs, turned on the outdoor deck light and pulled a patio chair near the light.

  She didn’t search for the traditional marriage passages that she’d studied for the last month. Instead, she read through verses on restoration and stopped on 1 Peter 5:10.

  Now the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.

  More than ever, the truth of this scripture seeped into her soul and her heart sang a song of praise. Thank You, Lord, for the work You’ve done in my life. All I have, and all I’ve accomplished can only be credited to Your grace. You’ve restored my relationships with my family, established my very-soon-to-be marriage to Elijah, strengthened my faith, and supported me through the difficult times. Bless my marriage and let the ministry work Elijah and I do bring glory and honor to You. Amen.

  She closed her Bible and watched the sun rise over the mountain. A perfect, cloudless day emerged. Inhaling a breath of morning air, she smiled. By today’s end, she’d be a married woman and Alice would have a daddy. They’d already spoken with a lawyer and taken the first steps toward an official adoption. Within months, Alice’s last name would legally change to Brewer, and Elijah would have full parental rights.

  Once inside, she fought the urge to wake up her family. She wasn’t a child, and it wasn’t Christmas, but her excitement matched that of a child on Christmas morning. She snuck upstairs and laid out her dress and the flower girl dress for Alice. Her mom had questioned the wisdom of Alice acting as a flower girl, but Trixie had found a perfect solution.

  She didn’t want a large wedding party, but wanted Elijah’s sisters involved, so they would walk with Alice down the aisle and keep her from meandering wherever she pleased. She giggled to herself. His sisters might have more on their hands than they realized—Alice had learned how to run last week and practiced the skill often.

  Forcing herself to eat something to keep her energy up, she sat in the kitchen nibbling on a piece of toast with peanut butter. Now that she didn’t have to eat peanut butter out of necessity, she was able to enjoy it again.

  Dad joined her with a cup of coffee in his hands. “A year ago, I never would have dreamed this day was possible, but I want you to know how proud I am of you. It’s never easy to bounce back, but you did and flew high.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.” She set her toast down and gave her dad a hug. “I can’t thank you enough, but I appreciate everything you and mom have done. I love you more than words can say.”

  “I love you too, and I’ll tell you the same thing I told Jessa and Elijah. This home will always be yours. You and Elijah are welcome anytime without knocking like a guest.” He pulled an object from his pocket. “This is a spare key for Elijah, a small symbol of welcoming him into our family. I’ll give it to him personally this afternoon, but I wanted you to know.”

  She kissed his cheek. “You are an amazing dad, but more so, a wonderful person with a big heart.”

  Her dad winked. “That’s your mom rubbing off on me.”

  Trixie laughed, then went upstairs to get Alice out of bed. The morning passed in a flash, and soon Trixie stood at the back of Jasper Lake First Community Church with her arm through her dad’s. Following tradition, she hadn’t seen Elijah yet today, but he’d called her earlier and they’d prayed together over the phone.

  Alice, in her knee-length Persian blue dress walked down the aisle with Sara and Leah on her side, and Lydia directly behind her. Elijah’s sisters wore dresses in the same shade, but a different style than that of Jessa and Phoebe, her bridesmaids, who followed the girls.

  Her turn came, and she was grateful for her dad’s physical support. Her knees trembled from the level of emotions running through her—all positive. She had every confidence in her decision to marry Elijah.

  She saw the groomsmen first—Hunter and Elijah’s brother Noah—before she laid eyes on her groom. He’d trimmed his beard and was handsome in his cream-colored linen suit. An urge to throw aside her bouquet and run to him crossed her mind, but she kept pace, stopping when she and Dad reached the front row of pews.

  A baby cried. Recognizing the cry, Trixie turned with her veil lifted. A red-faced Lara rocked Holden in her arms, and Trixie gave a reassuring smile from where she stood. She extended that smile to Aiden by Lara’s side, equally embarrassed. Babies were welcome at this celebration, silent or crying, especially this one. The teen mom had taken a place in Trixie’s heart as a little sister, and she wouldn’t let Lara miss the wedding because of a few squeaks from her infant.

  She turned back to Elijah. In a daze, she barely heard the first words spoken by Pastor Gray, but when her mom stepped to the microphone, she snapped out of it. Half in awe at her mom’s beautiful voice and half mesmerized by how well the lyrics fit her relationship with Elijah, she listened to her mom sing A Love This True.

  The time came to exchange vows, and the battle not to cry ended. She let the tears fall, not caring if her makeup streaked. Marrying Elijah was all that mattered, and when Pastor Gray pronounced them husband and wife, a final weight lifted from her shoulders, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d floated off the ground with joy.

  Epilogue

  June—Ten months later

  Thousands of grains of sand moved under his feet with each step Elijah took closer to the ocean. He breathed in the salty air and let the warm breeze caress him. Along the shoreline, remnants of a crashed wave trickled further up the beach until it kissed his toes.

  The ocean water covered Alice’s feet, and she burst into peals of laughter. When the water receded it cleared a spot of sand to reveal a fully intact seashell. Alice bent over, picked it up, and held it up to display her prize. “I found it.”

  “It’s beautiful.” He exchanged a glance with Trixie and they smiled.

  Their water-shy baby had turned into a toddler delighted by splashing.

  They’d made it to the beach four times during their weeklong vacation to visit his family. Each time, Alice grew more fond of the ocean and yesterday, she’d had a tantrum when it was time to leave. They’d contemplated not coming back today, but ultimately decided the joy and memories of their time at the beach would outweigh the possible tantrum at the end. Plus, it was the only time they had for the three of them. His family had accompanied him the other times, which was great, but he needed this time alone with his own little family.

  Alice tugged on Trixie’s hand. “Mommy, can I make princess house?”

  Trixie giggled at Alice’s name for a sandcastle. “Sure, baby.”

  They walked twenty feet in to the beach where they’d spread a blanket and dropped off their beach bag. He dug out the shovels and pails, then knelt in the sand beside Alice. Trixie sat on the other side. Working together as a family, they built a sandcastle worthy of any beach princess.

  Alice’s short attention span kicked in, and she skipped off to collect more seashells. Trixie watched her carefully, calling her back if she went more than several feet away. She brought each shell she found to them with a toothy grin on her face.

  Elijah leaned back on the blanket, propping himself up with his elbows. Full of gratitude, he counted his many blessings. He had a beautiful wife and a daughter who loved him as he loved them. A fulfilling career living out his calling. A home to raise his family in—which he’d been able to update and bring into the current century.

  His gaze scanned the length of the beach as far as his eyes could see. Did he miss South Carolina and his family? Of course, but with today’s technology, they ke
pt in touch on social media and video-chat so the distance didn’t seem so great.

  He’d make the same choices all over again. Reaching over, he wound his hand with Trixie’s. For everything he’d given up, he’d received double the blessing.

  Love being the greatest of all.

  Dear Reader,

  If ever a book has come from my heart, it would be this one. I pour myself into every story I write, but A Love This True was different. It has a message that’s burned in my soul for over a year. At times I’ve worried that it would be “too preachy” or perhaps step on toes, but after lots of prayers, I’ve told the story on my heart.

  I’ve been blessed to be part of an amazing ministry that brings me into contact with women of all walks and stages in life. I’ve sat in planning meetings and participated in many group and individual conversations. As the months progressed, I saw problems.

  The church offers them a message of hope to those who are hurting, shamed, searching, but so many times it fails to deliver it on a personal level. I’ve seen it firsthand more times than I care to admit. That’s not to say churches are bad, nor are the people in them, but we’re all human and make mistakes and wrong judgements.

  I challenge you to rise above and not settle for anything less than reflecting God’s love. Pointing fingers and condemning a person will only push them away when they need Him the most. Take that pregnant teen under your wing. Mentor her in the ways of a Godly life, but also support her as she brings a precious life into this world. Welcome the women with a rough background into your inner circle even if she doesn’t look or speak like the rest of your group. The list goes on, but again I challenge you to be like Jesus and reach out, touching the untouchable.

  We must speak the truth in love, but we must also love in truth and action—by this they will know we belong to Him. (Eph 4:15, 1 John 3:18-19). This is the cry of my heart.