“Yes.”

  Elizabeth grabbed her purse off the couch. Bruce walked her out his door and over to her own. All total she was inside her home in less than five minutes. She stood in the open doorway.

  “Do you want me to come and look around? Just in case.”

  “No, I’ll be fine. But thanks. I’m just going to go to bed for a few hours.” As she spoke, Elizabeth looked hesitant. Was she afraid he didn’t really want to go with her?

  “Elizabeth, I’ve been reading my Bible. And I’m really interested in going to the Sunday school class. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  “Good. I’ll be here at nine.”

  Bruce turned around and skipped down the stairs. He waited at the bottom until he heard her door close before returning to his own townhouse for a few hours of sleep.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Elizabeth’s night had been rife with the unusual. Brothers trying to date her. Bosses losing their minds. Wives doing odd things. She didn’t know what to think about people anymore.

  Looking at her answering machine, she groaned. It appeared she had about twenty messages. They were probably all from her siblings and her parents. Why did they worry so much? Okay she knew why, and still it was making her crazy.

  Elizabeth slipped into a pair of silken pajamas. Snuggling down under the covers, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. As she lay there looking at the lights twinkling across her ceiling, she sighed. Her muscles were in knots. There was no way she could relax and sleep. Tossing and turning, plumping her pillow numerous times, she settled on her side. As her eyelids met her cheek, she could see a vision of Bruce.

  He was in Tennessee. He was surrounded by her family. Handshakes and slaps on the back were going around the room. In his arms was a blue blanket. Elizabeth walked up behind him. She looked over his shoulder, and he gave her a knowing smile. Leaning down and pulling back the cover in his arms, revealed the face of a beautiful, sleeping baby. Its tiny lips stuck out in a pout as it pretended to suckle. The last thing Elizabeth remembered before she completely drifted into a deep sleep was Bruce kissing her and telling her thank you.

  ****

  The alarm blared two hours later. Elizabeth had set it for eight. She would need to rush to be ready in time. Struggling to right herself in the bed, she looked around her room. The dream of sharing a family with Bruce had been just that—a dream. She wasn’t in Tennessee with her family. She wasn’t holding Bruce’s child in her arms. Why had she dreamed such a thing?

  As she’d told Cole, a relationship between Bruce and herself was out of the question. There would always be an argument over religion. He wouldn’t want to go to church with her. He wouldn’t want to share the words of the Lord with her. Elizabeth had seen too many women marry men outside their denomination and live to regret it. Even Baptist and Church of God members had problems co-existing. One couple of those two churches had married, and because they couldn’t decide on which church to attend, they had stopped going all together. No, Elizabeth wasn’t going to do that to herself.

  The Lord would provide a husband for her, if He willed it. God would give her a husband that would love Him as much as she loved Him. Elizabeth would just wait until that day.

  Bruce arrived promptly at nine. A small white paper bag was in his hands. “Are you hungry?”

  Elizabeth started to say no, until her belly growled giving her away. “I guess I am.”

  Bruce laughed. A rich, musical laugh that Elizabeth felt all the way to her toes. He was such a thoughtful man. And he was interested in her. He’d even called dibs against his brother. What a ludicrous thought!

  They went into the kitchen. Bruce retrieved plates and silverware, while Elizabeth fixed the coffee. Sitting across from each other at the kitchen table, Bruce steepled his hands. “Should I say grace?”

  “Yes,” Elizabeth answered.

  “Holy Father, we thank You for this meal we are to receive. We pray for all the people that will be at Your house today. May the pastor have the courage and strength to speak Your words. May the Sunday school teachers be encouraged to stand up for you. And may we find favor in Your sight. Give us the strength to follow Your will for our lives. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.”

  “Amen.” Elizabeth repeated.

  Bruce picked up his fork and began to eat. Even after a few hours’ sleep, he looked refreshed. His hair was still damp from an early morning shower, and little drops of water clung to the black strands. One tiny bead of water ran down the side of his face and toward his collar. Elizabeth’s hand shot forward and caught it, her fingers rubbed it into his skin. Bruce swallowed quickly, food getting caught in his throat, causing him to make a choking noise.

  Elizabeth stood and slapped him on the back as she’d seen her mother do a thousand times. “Are you okay?”

  “No,” slipped past his throat.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just didn’t want your collar to get wet.”

  Bruce grabbed her hand and pulled her back around in front of him, pushing her back toward her chair. When his coughing was under control he said, “Eat.”

  Elizabeth picked at the food. She could still feel the texture of his rough skin upon her fingertips. The dream of the night before came unbidden to her mind. Could they ever be married and have a family? And what of his prayer? Oh Lord, she prayed, can I be allowed to love this man?

  They finished breakfast and headed out to church. The service was wonderful, but Elizabeth had trouble concentrating. She took copious notes, writing down every word that came from the pastor’s mouth. She would have to read them later. Right now, her mind was in such a jumble she couldn’t make heads or tails out of what she’d heard.

  When service was over and her church friends invited her to lunch, Elizabeth declined. She briefly explained that her boss was in the hospital, and she needed to go check on him. They understood and graciously offered to postpone until next week. Elizabeth urged them to go on without her, and the group set off.

  Bruce waited patiently to the side. She’d seen him approach the pastor. They’d spoke privately in hushed tones. Elizabeth was curious, but she didn’t ask Bruce any questions when they left to go home. Walking beside Bruce in the afternoon sunshine felt right. This is where she always wanted to be. She knew she needed to pray for God’s guidance. Part of her couldn’t help and hope it would lead right back to Bruce.

  When they arrived at their row of townhouses, Bruce had visitors. His eyebrows rose in astonishment. For there on his front porch steps sat three smiling individuals—Cole, Julie, and Austin.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Bruce took a step back. Did his eyes deceive him?

  “Cole? What are you guys doing here? And together no less.”

  Julie spoke up. Her animated voice grew louder as she spoke. “You aren’t going to believe it! Cole, he—well, oh, Cole. He is so wonderful.”

  Julie fell into Cole’s laughing arms. Tears were coming out of her eyes so fast she couldn’t keep them wiped away. Austin grinned so broadly his face looked as if it might split down the middle.

  Bruce’s arms folded across his chest; a smile crept upon his face. “Someone please tell me what’s going on here.”

  The three of them laughed. Bruce looked down when he felt a tiny amount of pressure on his arm. Elizabeth was looking at him with a look of happiness on her face. “Isn’t it obvious, Bruce? Cole and Julie have renewed their love for one another. They’re getting back together. And I would dare say your brother went to church and made a commitment to the Lord.”

  Bruce was too shocked to speak.

  Cole was staring lovingly at his family, and Bruce was getting more and more anxious. Why wouldn’t one of them tell him what happened? Finally, Julie spoke out. “You must be Elizabeth.” Julie embraced Elizabeth in a fierce hug, once, twice, three times. When Julie finally leaned back, both ladies were crying.

  Julie swiped tears from her eyes and asked to go inside. All five of them walked inside Bruce’s townhouse and sat down.

  “I guess I’ll do the explaining,” said Julie as she wiped her face clean. “That is I’ll try. First of all, Cole surprised me. He was at our doorstep at nine with breakfast.”

  Bruce felt his pulse beat faster. Wasn’t that the time that he’d showed up at Elizabeth’s door?

  “We all sat down at the table, and Cole—well, he offered grace.”

  Again his pulse grew louder in his ears.

  “Cole came to take us to church, you see. He told me about Elizabeth. This wonderful woman he’d met who was in love, and she wouldn’t commit to that love because she felt unequally yoked with her man. Cole explained how when he started thinking about it, he realized it was the same thing that had happened to us. How he shouldn’t have pushed me away. We went to church, and Cole talked to the pastor, and he has dedicated his life to God. Can you believe it, Bruce? Can you?”

  Elizabeth is in love? Bruce looked at Elizabeth, but her face was turned away from him. Was she in love with him? Was she not looking at him because she thought they were unequally yoked? That he didn’t love the Lord as she did?

  “Bruce? Are you listening to me? Cole and I are going to get remarried! And I want Elizabeth to be my maid of honor. Will you do it?”

  “I—I, don’t know that…”

  “Of course, she’ll do it. If not for her, I wouldn’t have realized how much I love you. How I should have never let you go,” said Cole. He was sitting as close to Julie as possible. She was snuggled to his one side and Austin was on the other.

  Without warning Austin jumped from his spot and ran to Elizabeth, giving her a hug. “Thank you,” he said.

  Elizabeth looked uncomfortable. Bruce was excited for Cole and Julie, but he needed to be alone with Elizabeth. There were many things they needed to discuss. Before Bruce could suggest they talk about the wedding later, Elizabeth received a call.

  “Oh, I completely forgot. My parents! They’ve been trying to get in touch with me. I have to go. Cole, Julie, I’m very excited for you. I’ll think about being in the wedding. And if you change your mind and think of a friend you would rather have, I would be fine with that. No hard feelings. Thanks, Bruce. I’ll see you later.”

  Elizabeth rushed to the door and left before Bruce or anyone else had a chance to say good-bye.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Elizabeth ignored the vibration coming from the phone in her pocket. Instead she ran home and went inside. Her head fell back against the door at the same moment the phone rang in the townhouse. Ambling forward, she grabbed the phone and placed it to her ear. She expected to hear the concerned voice of her parents on the line and was surprised to hear Janice Hampton’s voice.

  “Elizabeth, would you mind coming back to the hospital?”

  Elizabeth hesitated before asking, “Why?”

  “Why? What a question, dear. I need you to come back for the obvious reasons. I need to return home.”

  “Are George and Henry still gone?”

  Janice sighed. “I’m afraid so, dear. They’re still on holiday. Would you mind coming just for a little while?”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea, Mrs. Hampton. Please excuse me, I have another call coming in.”

  “I understand. I hope you’ll reconsider.”

  Elizabeth used the phone to beep over to the next person, neglecting to tell Janice bye. Elizabeth didn’t feel good about the conversation with Mrs. Hampton. When she ended this next call she was going to call Bruce.

  Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth said, “Hello?”

  “Finally! I thought you would never answer your phone. Do you know how worried Mom is about you? Why she and Dad are at the airport right now.”

  “Thomas?”

  “Yes. It’s me. Mom and Dad have been calling non-stop. They’ve left message after message and you haven’t returned any of their calls. What’s wrong with you? You know how they feel about you being so far away. Is it that guy? Is he forcing you to ignore us?”

  “No, Thomas. I’ve been in the hospital.”

  “The hospital!”

  “Didn’t Dad tell you? I’ve not been in the hospital myself. I was there sitting with a friend. And no, Bruce would never tell me I couldn’t call you.”

  “Oh.”

  “Listen, Thomas. Please do me a favor. Call Mom and Dad. Tell them you spoke with me. Tell them if they’ll call me I’ll be here waiting for it. There’s just so much going on right now. They can’t come.”

  “Elizabeth, is there anything I can do to help you?”

  “Thomas, I would appreciate your prayers.”

  “You got them.”

  “Thanks. And don’t forget to call our parents. I’m fine. I just need some time to rest.”

  “Okay.”

  They hung up, and Elizabeth lay down on the couch. It didn’t take long before she drifted off into a deep sleep. But just as quickly as slumber overtook her, she was awakened by a loud sound. A thump from upstairs startled Elizabeth, causing her to roll off the couch and onto the floor.

  Elizabeth lay motionless next to the coffee table at the rushing sound of feet on her stairs. The body attached to the feet stopped in the living room door way and looked around.

  “I thought I heard something.”

  “You’re just imagining things. Let’s get out of here.”

  “What about the phone ringing earlier? It stopped.”

  “Well, duh. The answering machine got it.”

  “But I thought I heard a voice.”

  “Are you stupid? The answering machine has a voice.”

  “Oh. I forgot.”

  “So let’s get out of here already.”

  “But we haven’t found it yet.”

  “That’s probably because she doesn’t have it. George is so stupid. Why did he write that letter? If only he’d kept everything to himself.”

  “It doesn’t matter now, does it? We have to get it back. We don’t want people to find out you were blackmailing him.”

  A woman’s voice said, “Would you shut up? George loves me. He’ll realize it eventually. Besides, there’s more people involved here than just me. Remember you’re part in all this.”

  “Yeah, my part. Let’s get out of here. I’m sure her church service will be over soon. We don’t want to get caught in here.”

  “You could do to her what you did to all the others?”

  Anger exuded from the man’s words. “Tina, I’m warning you.”

  “Yeah. Whatever. Let’s go. We can look for the letter back at the house. Or we could just give it up like I told you. I’m sure George didn’t say anything that could be used in a court of law. He wouldn’t do that. He loves me, remember?”

  “Sure. He loves you. Let’s go.”

  “Why must you be so sarcastic?”

  “Please. Tina, you know he’s only marrying you to save his own skin.”

  The woman was huffy as she headed for the door. Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat, and she was afraid to move.

  The click of the closing door announced the couple had left. Elizabeth struggled to her feet. Trembling from head to toe, she ran to her front door, and secured the locks. She rushed upstairs, stopping short as a gasp escaped her lips. Her belongings were strewn about the room. Drawers were up-ended, curtains were slashed, and her bedspread had been cut in half. The stuffing from her bed was littered around and embedded into the fibers of her carpet.

  Elizabeth leaned back against the door. She needed to call for help. Bruce and Cole were the obvious choices. What would have happened if she hadn’t rolled off the couch? What would happen to her if the people who broke into her house knew that she’d heard their voices? Or if it became public knowledge that she knew who one of them was?

  The trill of the phone ringing caused her to jump. Was that her parents? Was it safe to answer the phone? She sidled to the window and looked out. There were no odd vehicles parked on the street outside, so maybe it was safe. Quickly picking up the phone in the bedroom, she whispered, “Hello?”

  “Elizabeth? Is that you, dear? What’s wrong? What’s going on? Why didn’t you answer quicker? Thomas said you were waiting for us to call. Girl, you better start answering me fast, or I’m getting on the plane.”

  “I wish you would,” Elizabeth muttered.

  “What?” asked her father.

  “I’m fine. I’m sorry. I came upstairs, and it took me a little longer to get to the phone, that’s all. How are you?”

  “Don’t you dare put me off. Your mother is sick with worry. I spent all afternoon convincing her you would be fine, and now you are acting like this. You’re never home. You’re keeping odd hours. Staying out and coming home with strange men. And not even in just your own home. Imagine this. I was awakened early this morning and told you didn’t come home until five a.m. And not with Bruce but with another man. What’s going on up there?”

  “Dad, it’s complicated.”

  “Since I was so upset, I had to call in a substitute to preach for me. I think I have time.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  “Start talking.”

  Elizabeth spilled everything. She even told who had been in her home. When she was finished, her dad was tongue-tied. When he spoke, it was with restrained anger and worry. “Elizabeth, listen to me. I want you to call your friend Bruce and tell him everything you told me. I have a feeling he’ll protect you.”

  “Dad…”

  “Please, let me finish. As I listened to you, I wanted to rush onto a plane and demand they get me to your side as quick as possible. But I know that isn’t God’s plan. God has placed Bruce close to you to take care of you. And I’m going to step aside and let him do it.”

  “What about him being a—”

  “Catholic? I don’t believe it’ll be a problem. He’s already going to your church. And you said he’s studying God’s word. He will find his way. I have every confidence. We will pray for him as well. Okay?”