Page 55 of Echoes of Eternity

“Put her on the phone.”

“She’s asleep right now in your old bedroom.”

“I do not care if she’s asleep! I said put my daughter on the phone!”

As the sleepy, but alive, Elizabeth came onto the phone, Emily wanted to cry and then hug and punch her at the same time. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good. What were you thinking, Elizabeth? Are you nuts? Your father and I thought you were dead. You didn’t leave a note, didn’t send a text, nothing. Just vanished!”

“It was stupid. I’ll admit that.”

“Stupid doesn’t begin to describe it. Why didn’t you talk to us?”

She was quiet for a moment, then cleared her throat. “Would you have let me leave?”

“Well, no. But we could help talk you through what you’re struggling with.”

“That’s just it, Mom. I’m not struggling, really. I know I belong in California, and this is what I want.”

Ryan stood, anger seeping into his facial expression. He mouthed, “She’s a child and she’s coming home.”

A wave of exhaustion from being on high alert and mostly awake for practically three days straight came over Emily.

“We’ll figure this out later. I haven’t slept consistently in days. I love you.”

Hanging up the phone, she tossed her phone and lay on the bed. She had never felt so tired in her life.

Ryan helped her into the bed and kissed her. Lingering for a moment, he told her, “We’re buying her a plane ticket home tonight.”

A root of bitterness began to blossom in Ryan’s heart toward his in-laws. He thought their meddling in his family and life had ceased when he left California, just an added benefit with leaving, but no, it had followed him to Cedarwood Creek. He sat down behind the desk in his study. Folding his hands, he bowed his head and prayed. “God, let me not be angry with them. You have forgiven me of so much, and I need to extend that same grace, love, and forgiveness to them. You know I’ve struggled with this for a long time, but I’m asking You to help me.”

Pausing, he thought about his daughter being safe and his eyes welled with hot tears. “How could I be so ungrateful? I should be thanking You, praising You, and here I am, bitter and angry at my in-laws.”

Slipping off his office chair, he planted his knees on the floor and prostrated himself. “You are good, God. My daughter is safe. It’s a miracle. Let my heart rejoice in that!”

A knock sounded on the door, drawing him out of prayer and to his feet as the door opened.

It was Jason, he looked upset.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have some bad news about Bill . . .”

Lifting himself up off the floor, Ryan stood upright. “What?”

Jason continued into the study. Walking over to a shelf, he looked at a picture of their father. “He’s figured something out. Right now, he’s down at the church talking to the pastor.”

“Why do you think he knows something?”

“He came by City Hall this morning and told me to say hi to Linda and Tiffany for him.”

Ryan raked a hand through his hair. “I have to go down there and figure out what he’s doing.”

His brother offered to stay with the boys while Emily continued her nap.

“Thanks.”

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