“Hello, ladies. How are you this afternoon? Check out the clothing racks. I helped them sort the new stock the other day, and there are some really darling items in there. Miriam couldn’t be here this afternoon, so I’m her stand-in.”
Pearl brought out the coffee and cookie tray and placed the items in the center of the room. This was more than a shopping day that gave financial relief; it was a time to connect and remind these young women they were loved and valued. Respected members of this community.
A few hours later, Pearl closed up shop. On her way back home she caught a glimpse of Thomas’s black car glistening under the front parking lot lighting. As much as she wanted to prop up her aching feet and enjoy a cup of tea, she couldn’t let him get away with hiding up there. Not tonight. His wife was hurting, and it was time he went home.
Pearl reentered through the basement and hobbled up the stairwell. She tapped lightly on Thomas’s office door.
“Come in.” His voice was gravelly.
His hair stood on end and his tie was loosened and off-kilter. He scrubbed a handkerchief over his swollen eyes.
Pearl closed the distance between them and pulled him into her arms. He flinched at first, but then sank into the hug like a child in need of comfort. After a long moment, she stepped back and sat in a vacant chair. “Thomas, why are you still here?”
He averted his eyes and sank into his desk chair. “She’s so angry. She has every right to be.” He tipped his head forward into his palms. “But I didn’t intentionally deceive you.”
“Are you sure?”
“No . . . I . . . well, I don’t think . . . I mean, I was thinking of her, not myself. But I should have clarified when you drew your own conclusions about her absence when I hinted she was unwell. She does have a therapist in California she occasionally calls. We moved because I thought Triune would give her a respite from high-pressure expectations of leading a large congregation, but then she couldn’t even bring herself to come to services. Things got worse instead of better, and I didn’t want to expose her.”
“Or the fact that things weren’t perfect in the pastor’s own home?”
“I—it’s not the thought that’s been in my head. But the Lord knows my own motives better than myself. I’ll ask God to reveal it to me if it’s there.” He gave her a tight smile. “I wish you would have known her before. She was luminous. Fiery like the hair on her head. Joyful.”
“Thomas, the Lord will restore. Now go home to your wife and let her know how much you love her.”
His smile broke as the corners of his mouth pulled downward. “She won’t listen. She won’t believe me. Not after I didn’t correct your assumption.”
She patted his shoulder. “I’ve seen the way you look at her. No matter how hurt and angry she is right now, deep in her heart, she knows you love her. Prove it by opening up the vulnerable places to make room for the Lord to handle what you’ve both been hanging on to.”
He lifted his chin to meet her eyes. “You make a good counselor, Pearl.”
She shrugged. “Occupational hazard. Now, scoot. I’ll leave to let you lock up.” On her way out, she turned. “I’m praying. For you both.”
Harvey stretched out on the living room floor, both he and the baby on their stomachs. He grinned up at her, boyish joy softening his features.
“You’ve had a good afternoon,” Pearl said as she came in.
He laughed. Her heart warmed at the sound.
“Yes, ma’am.” He sobered and stood. “But won’t Pastor Thomas be upset? You know what he said about getting things done and being able to show the board I’m worth hiring—”
“Harvey, I’m so proud of how you’ve cared for the church. It shines from top to bottom. Inside and out. Don’t worry about one workday. Take my word for it, Pastor is dealing with enough. Your task list isn’t his first concern right now.”
“She left him, didn’t she?”
“Miriam went home. People who love each other fight sometimes. It’s the strength of their love and commitment that helps them work their way through it. Coming through this will only make them stronger.”
His brow furrowed like a man working out the mysteries of the universe. “But how do you know love is strong, that it won’t fall apart?”
“Because you build it bit by bit, day by day. But there comes a point when you have to step out and believe it will hold through the storm.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
PRESENT DAY
Tennessee humidity poured over Ivy as Reese showed her out of the house. Thick as hot, sticky molasses.
“So you really like it?”
“It’s amazing. I know you’re not finished yet, but wow.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “I’ve really missed this house. So many good memories.”
He smiled. “Always was one of my favorite places.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know you and your parents have your issues, but . . .” He released a heavy sigh. “They’re good people. The best. And you were really blessed to have them to raise you.”
She studied the porch’s wood grain. “I know.” Her voice a weak whisper. She shrugged. “I need to make things right. Find a way to apologize for being distant and work through this weirdness about my adoption. I’m just trying to find the words . . .”
He brushed the hair off her shoulder. “‘I love you’ is always a good place to start.”
The tips of her ears burned, and she swallowed, looking across the yard at the sheltering limbs of the magnolia tree she once used as a childhood hideaway. “Yeah.” I love you, Reese Wright. I’ve spent my life trying not to love you too much, but I’m not any good at it. She scrubbed her hands on her face to rub out the rogue thought.
Standing on the porch of the house that used to be hers, in the town they grew up in—it was bittersweet. After Reese and Ivy became friends, Ivy’s house became his favorite escape from his chaotic household. She smiled, remembering the skinny boy who used to sit at her family’s dinner table, always shoveling down her mother’s home cooking like it was his last meal. He had almost been more upset than she was when they moved away after their ninth-grade year.
“You want to try the swing out back?”
“Uh . . .” She envisioned rotted boards hanging lopsided from frayed ropes in the old sycamore.
“Don’t worry, it’s new. Come on, Rosie-girl. You gotta see the view.” He wrapped his hand around her forearm and tugged her forward.
Adrenaline surged through her and she yanked her arm back.
He froze, fingers splayed. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
Her heart battered around in her chest. This was Reese. Not Seth. Reese.
He stepped toward her and lifted his hands like he wanted to comfort her, but then he seemed to think better of it and let them fall to his sides.
Ivy’s knees trembled. “Not your fault. I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes, trying to shut off the emotions rising and crashing inside of her.
His voice came out not more than a whisper. “It’s not your fault either. Please know that.”