“I can’t. At least, not now. I need more time.”

Shad studied her face for a few seconds before speaking in a calm and quiet voice. “I’m not leaving here without you. We need to talk. We need to work this out. We can’t do this each on our own any more. I know I’m the one in the wrong but we need to start now on patching things up.”

Dulsie’s gaze slid down to the hand she had pulled away ... the one with her plain gold wedding band. Shad was saying all the right things, but she still wasn’t able to shake off or subdue the repulsion that lingered despite everything else she knew and felt.

“I know you’re right.” Dulsie looked back up. “But I’m just not ready. I need more time. I am trying to come to terms with this, but ... it’s not easy.”

They both heard the front door open abruptly. Dulsie could immediately tell that wouldn’t be her dad.

Mom, grasping a few plastic bags filled with various supplies, strode into the kitchen with a scowl on her face that anybody could interpret. She locked her gaze on Shad the instant he came into her line of sight, but for a split second looked startled by his appearance.

“You’re not welcome here,” Mom stated matter-of-factly.

“I know,” Shad replied calmly.

If the situation were only better, Dulsie could have rejoiced that her mother finally spoke to Shad. But there was something else that was different.

“Then why aren’t you leaving?” Mom set the bags on a counter top while never removing her gaze from Shad.

“I’m not leaving without Dulsie.”

Dulsie stared at him. Shad was completely calm and rational. This wasn’t the emotional suppression she had grown used to. There was something almost professional in his attitude, as though he were arguing a case in court.

Mom’s attention snapped to Dulsie. “What’s he talking about?”

Dulsie stammered a bit. “He’s here ... he wants me to go back with him.”

“To what?” Mom’s gaze returned to Shad. “Have you actually changed anything?”

The back door of the kitchen opened abruptly. Dad, breathing just a little hard, glanced around the room as he stepped inside and shut the door. Apparently he really had been out at the barns, and had sprinted to the house when he realized Mom was home.

Mom shot a glare at him. “And what are you doing in leaving him alone with Dulsie?”

Dad’s expression was his usual What? Little ol’ me? response. “They had some things to talk about.”

Mom’s attention returned to Dulsie. “I hope you’re thinking good and hard about this.”

Shad spoke up. “You were right, Jill. You always are.” Mom frowned at him, and Shad continued. “I wound up hurting Dulsie despite my best efforts not to. And I’m very, very sorry. But everybody was wrong about who your warning was aimed at. It wasn’t meant for Dulsie. It was meant for me.”

Maybe it was because Mom still wasn’t used to speaking to him that she remained silent. But her expression became a bit inquisitive.

Shad continued. “You were right that I was hiding something, but at the time I really didn’t realize that was what I was doing. It wasn’t until recently that I realized I was hiding it from myself as well. That was what your warning was. If I had told Dulsie then instead of now I wouldn’t have hurt her like this.” Shad’s gaze moved to Dulsie. “She would have had more time to make a decision about it.”

Dulsie stared at him.

Shad’s gaze remained steady with hers. “God knows I don’t want to hurt her.”

Dulsie felt the proverbial chill go down her spine. God knew. In the tale that Shad recently told her, he had been the right person in the right place at the right time. What often appeared as a bad event had been turned to good fortune because Shad had a part in it. It was true he was flawed, that some of his imperfections were atrocious, but he was able to work miracles and therefore was still a son of God. And if the Almighty could love him without reservation, then who was she to judge what Shad was so ashamed of?

And Dulsie also had to accept that Shad was still in the right place at the right time. Just because she didn’t feel ready yet was no reason to put off what Dulsie knew needed to be done. The road ahead would not be easy, but she had faith it would be rewarding.

Shad turned his attention back to Jill. His heart had started hammering again when she came into the house, but he had already prepared this revelation in expectation of seeing her. He just wasn’t sure if he was getting through to either of the women in the room.

Jill regarded him for a few seconds before returning her gaze to Dulsie. “And what do you have to say about all this?”

Shad realized that Dulsie was looking at him instead of her mom when she said, “I’m going with him.”

Shad’s heart soared.

Jill’s gaze locked on Shad. “Don’t think I’ve let you off the hook yet.”

Shad realized he was smiling. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“We’d better get going now,” Dulsie stated.

Shad’s heart fell slightly. She still seemed a bit distant, but he of all people should understand her reaction. What mattered now was they were making that first step.

He helped with gathering up a few things for Dulsie to take, and Jill was cordial even if she still wasn’t chatty with him. When Shad grasped Dulsie by her good arm he felt her stiffen, but it was only for a second. He helped her with walking out to the car. Karl seemed to convince Jill to stay in the house.

When they reached the Buick Shad opened the passenger side door for Dulsie and helped her to slip into the seat. He took the seat belt and gently guided it under her injured arm to buckle it in place, and then stopped where he was and gazed into her eyes.

Dulsie gazed back at him, and Shad could detect a flicker in her eyes that had been evading him for too long.

“I love you,” he murmured.

Dulsie’s smile was slight but at least it was for him. “I love you too.”

Shad slowly leaned closer and very gently touched his upper lip, which wasn’t split, to her mouth. He was ready to draw back if Dulsie turned away, but to his relief her own lips pressed softly against his.

Shad stepped back to shut the car door. Next he strode around the front of the Buick, and hopped into the driver’s seat.

There was light in his life again. Dulsie was restored to Shad, back in her role not only as his best friend and wife, but now fulfilled as the mother of his child. In spite of his shortcomings, Shad was the lucky one that Dulsie had selected, and that made her the sacred vessel through whom God worked to bring out the best in him.

###

Thank you for reading this book. If you enjoyed it, would you please take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer?

Thank you so much!

A. E. Branson

About the author:

A. E. Branson is a native Missourian and farm girl who married a wonderful man and they had two lovable children. Her next story will have a more science fiction slant and it is part one of a four-part series.

Please feel free to visit my blog page at http://truetoone.blogspot.com