Page 57 of Rescued Heart

Apparently, that wasn’t the right response.

Their mother blinked at Bianca, just like their grandmother had only moments ago. This time, Naomi slapped her leg, and a cackle as booming as a diesel engine filled the room. “Oh, you must be with Eddie all right. He always liked a girl who could make him laugh.”

For some reason, that info didn’t lessen the tightness in Bianca’s stomach.

She curled her toes on her flip-flops. “Yes, well, I wanted to see if I could pay for Scout’s hospital bills since you never agreed for him to go down the slide.”

Their mother’s laughter stopped, and she adjusted the collar on her button-down shirt. “I don’t need charity. I can handle my family’s bills.” She pressed a peck on Naomi’s cheek. “I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up. I’ll bring home some leftovers from catering for tomorrow. Love you, kids. Behave.”

After a few pounding footsteps, the slamming of the front door rattled the windows in the living room.

Bianca tightened her grip on her wallet. Well, that hadn’t gone as planned.

Naomi smiled at Bianca. “Coffee?”

Bianca adjusted her purse strap. “I best be going. Thank you, though. Glad you’re feeling okay, Scout. I’ll see you later, kids.”

Would she still be welcome at their next practice?

Before Bianca could trace her steps back to the entryway, Naomi hooked her hand onto Bianca’s elbow. “My legs aren’t as young as they once were. Help me walk you to the door.”

Ten silent shuffles later, they arrived not only to the front door but to a framed painting on the wall, which she’d missed beside the door. A painting of a rocky beach shore during twilight. A boat floated in the waves, while a lighthouse stood bright and tall.

Then, along the bottom of the framed piece, was a quote.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Frances had sent her that verse the day Bianca had to testify. Wasn’t that what Bianca had tried to do with Scout’s mom? Provide a good deed in place of a bad one? Except it’d gone horribly.

Naomi straightened the frame that was already lined up horizontally. “Was a wedding gift from my momma. Wish I had more of her paintings. Her words of wisdom. Though these weren’t her words but God’s.”

Bianca backed up and bumped into a short bookcase. She caught a picture of Scout and Scarlette before it fell. “I’m sorry. I should have just left the cookies and money on the doorstep. I didn’t mean to make your daughter upset.”

She should have called Frances and asked for advice instead of listening to Grace. But then Frances would have asked if she’d been in the Word, and she hadn’t. For two straight days.

Naomi placed her hands on Bianca’s shoulders as if to straighten her posture. But instead, she lifted a sad smile. “My Jade has her own issues of the heart, I’m afraid. Her ex did a number on her worth, and sometimes accepting help is the first step in surrendering her worries, and sometimes it’s the last.”

Bianca placed her hand over the woman’s. “I understand about exes. Which you may or may not have heard about in the news. Please tell Jade I didn’t mean to offend. But also, if she changes her mind…”

She’d figure out a way to pay for it if it was before the completed contract timeline.

Naomi’s glance returned to the painting. “Sometimes our good works are overlooked. But they’re never about us anyway but the One who created all things. As long as we’re shining brightly for Him, that matters more.”

Bianca stared at the lighthouse. Why did people refuse gifts? Was it because of pride or something else? Or did she not have the right heart about giving this time?

The lighthouse’s beam shined along the jagged rocks as if announcing where the boat’s troubles rested ahead. Was she shining brightly enough for God? Could others in her life see Him through her? Once she’d announced in an interview that she followed Christ, the media had twisted her words. Said she was only trying to make her image better after she’d supposedly lied under oath.

Frances had reminded Bianca that she only had to fear the Lord, not man. However, some days it was hard to block out the world’s voices.

Naomi touched Bianca’s fingers. “An accidental broken pinkie isn’t the fault of the one who bought the gift to begin with. So you come back and check up on us anytime. I may not have the gift of painting like Momma did, but I’m not shy around a piece of pork steak.”

Naomi reminded her of an older Frances. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your kindness.” Bianca said goodbye and headed down the porch steps, but before she reached the sidewalk, a familiar black truck pulled up behind her car.

Eddie.

He shut his truck door harder than seemed necessary. Eddie, dressed in jeans and T-shirt, walked up the sidewalk. Purpose laced his expression, but his mouth remained in a tight line. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Bianca pulled her purse strap higher on her shoulder and walked down the steps. “Whatever you do, don’t ask to cover Scout’s medical bills.”

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