Page 21 of Gideon

“And how’s that going?”

“About as good as I expected. Which is to say, it’s going poorly. But I’m being obedient.”

“Do you think maybe God brought you back for more than that?”

She sounded like she was choosing her words carefully, but he couldn’t imagine why. “Was there something specific you had in mind?”

She shrugged. “This town’s in trouble. Maybe you could…I don’t know. Pray. Or something.”

“I could. I will. Even after I go, I promise I’ll keep praying.”

“After you go.”

“Was that the wrong answer?”

“No, of course not. I know praying is powerful.”

“I never came back intending to stay long.”

“I know. I just haven’t had anyone to talk to about this stuff for a while, and it’s been a long couple of years. I have to keep reminding myself to not grow weary in doing good.”

“For in due time you shall reap a harvest. I don’t have a lot of verses memorized, but I do know that one. But what if God doesn’t do what you want?”

“What do you think I want?”

“It sounds to me like you want this town to get better. But what if you were right about God turningaway? What if He’s going to let this town run itself into the ground?”

“That doesn’t mean there aren’t people here worth saving.”

“That’s not what I meant, although after everything you told me, I’m surprised to hear you say that.” He straightened. “I just had an idea.”

She mirrored his posture. “Yeah?”

“What if I talked to your mom? Maybe someone outside of her family encouraging her to get away would convince her to leave—you don’t look convinced.”

“Maybe you could, but it’s not only my mom. She’s just the easiest way to explain it without too many questions being asked.”

“What other reason could there be for you staying?”

“It’s not because I don’t want to go, but every time I look for a way out, God keeps telling me to stay put.”

“You’re sure about that?”

She laughed but didn’t say anything, then her face fell. He hated seeing her down. There had to be a way to fix it.

“I really think you should try again,” he said. “You can’t stay here. It’s not good for you or for your mom.”

Nikki stood abruptly. “Don’t. Don’t do that to me.”

She walked back out into the garden, and Gideon followed, keeping a safe distance.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m not trying to make things worse. I’m just trying to be practical.”

When she turned, her cheeks were wet with tears. “Don’t you think I want to take her away from here morethan anything else? It breaks my heart to stay, but I have to be obedient—like you were in coming here. And no matter what these people did to my dad, God doesn’t want them to suffer. He wants them to return to him. And every time I argue with God about it and tell Him they aren’t worth it, He reminds me of Jesus on the cross saying ‘Forgive them. They know not what they do.’ And my heart breaks into a thousand pieces.” She pressed her hands against her face as she cried. “I’m sorry.” She sniffed. “I didn’t mean to fall apart. I’ve been holding it together for so long.”

Gideon wanted to go to her and comfort her, but they were still mostly strangers. “Then tell me what I can do in a practical sense while I’m here. There has to be something more than praying. Whether it’s their fault or not, this town is struggling. How can I help you, or anyone else?”

“You want to do something practical?” She used her sleeve to clean her face.

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