Page 112 of Gideon

“Well then,” she said, unsure what to do with herself. “That settles that.”

“Settles what?”

“My uncertainty.” It felt so good to be held in his arms, her head was spinning. “I wanted you to come back but didn’t want to waste time hoping for it.”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you while I was away.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I know I didn’t contact you, but I had some stuff to sort out, and I wanted to give you space and time.”

“I know.”

“But you’re probably busy. I should let you get back to work.” He didn’t release her.

“You really think I can concentrate now?”

“Does that mean you’ve got some time to give me?”

“We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“You want to go for a walk in the rain?”

“I’d love to.”

Epilogue

Nikki leanedover and gave Mary a kiss on the cheek.

“Whoa, careful there,” Mary said, patting Nikki’s stomach. “I don’t want to squish her.”

“Or him. Gideon thinks it’s a boy.”

“You going to find out?”

“We’re undecided, but I like being prepared.”

The two women moved to the side as a flood of people filtered past them and out of the church.

“Ty and I found out. We couldn’t stand not knowing.”

“That was a great message he did this morning, by the way.”

“Since officially becoming the pastor, Ty’s been really digging into the Word. This is really stretching him. Stretching us both.”

“It shows.”

“You know, we all thought it would be you to take over the church.”

“I kind of did at the start. When I think back on it, even though I didn’t continue, I know God had me there for a season, and now I’m in a new season. I like this one better.”

“Being a mom is unlike anything else. It will be the best and also the hardest thing you’ve ever done.”

“I don’t know. I’ve been through some tough stuff.”

“Just wait. And I mean that in the most positive way.”

The women laughed.

“Hey, did you hear the good news from Isabel?”

“About her sister coming over? Yeah. She’s so excited.”

---