Page 54 of Before the Night Falls
“Somehow, I doubt it.” Olivia leaned forward. “I thought this nightmare was over. I should have known better.”
Even Mr. Positivity didn’t have a response to her statement.
That meant her situation truly was dire.
* * *
The kettle whistled, and Tyson poured the hot liquid into the mugs. He set one in front of Olivia, along with a bottle of honey and a spoon.
She and Tyson drank a few minutes in silence.
A question had been floating around in Olivia’s mind. She contemplated whether or not to voice it. With hesitation, she finally spoke.
“Tyson, I thought when you became a Christian that God would bless you, that life would be easier because He was watching out for you. Am I doing something wrong? Because I don’t feel any blessings.”
Tyson put down his tea, his full attention on her. “I think the blessings He gives us are things like peace and joy. He never promises to protect us from the hard times in life. He just promises to be there with us when they happen.”
Olivia stared at the remaining orange tea in her mug. “I have so much to learn.”
He smiled. “We all do. Our relationship with God is a journey. We’ll never arrive at the place where we have all the answers.”
“How’d you get so smart?” Olivia tried to break the serious mood she’d created.
It wasn’t easy for her to open up about spiritual issues. She was too afraid people would judge her. The quicker she could change the subject again, the better.
“It’s like a baby, Olivia. When they’re first born, they can’t eat solid food. It takes time to build up to that. As a baby, they have to be nurtured and loved and taught. As they get older, they take with them what they’ve learned and gradually mature enough to be able to discern things.”
“So our Christian walk is like that, because when we’re new Christians we haven’t had time to mature in Christ yet?” she clarified.
“Exactly. The important thing is that you want to grow.”
Detective Scarborough stuck his head in the kitchen. “Ms. Montgomery, we have a few more questions for you.”
Olivia downed the last sip of her tea and stood. She turned toward Tyson when she reached the doorway. “Thanks for the talk. You have a way of making me feel better.”
His eyes were warm. “Anytime, Olivia. Anytime.”
If only his words could somehow make this situation better instead of just her feelings.
But that wasn’t possible.
This nightmare was just beginning . . . and it would only get worse unless the police stopped this guy.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
Nightmares assaulted Olivia all night.
Nightmares about being back in that root cellar. Of seeing the man in the Casanova mask. Of being certain she would die in that underground prison.
Even the scent had been strong in her dream—earth, sweat, and roses.
When she awoke, bags hung beneath her eyes. Anyone who saw her would know she’d had trouble sleeping.
She repressed a sigh.
Keeping up appearances was exhausting.
But so was being vulnerable.
