Page 88 of Where I Found You
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
If God could give Noah a moment during an old hymn, of all things, He could surely give them the next note card they needed in the hunt.
The service ended faster than Noah anticipated, even as the words of the hymn looped through his mind on repeat. He felt lighter—more bobber than anchor—and actually hopeful about their search.
“You okay?” From beside him on the pew, Elisa touched Noah’s arm as boisterous piano music signaled the end of the service. They stood at the same time.
“I am.” He took a deep breath, cracking his neck to the side, and released a short breath. “More so than I have been in a while, I think.”
“I’d love to hear about it later.” She tilted her head as she hitched her purse strap on her shoulder, and a wave of nostalgia mixed with longing swept over him. He might have figured out a few things today, but he had yet to figure out the puzzle that was Elisa Bergeron.
And there wasn’t a single clue for that search.
“Sure. Later.” He stepped back as the congregation filed out of the church in pockets. Zoey waved at them from across the center aisle, her dark bangs clipped back on one side. Then before he knew it, she had scooped Elisa into a big hug complete with hushed whispers that he could only assume was girl talk.
He gave them space, lingering in the back row, and paused to run his fingers over the family Bible he’d taken from Grandpa’s closet. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to go home and crack the cover. Learn more about the name that mattered.
Maybe learn how to let go of his own.
“Noah Hebert.” The creak of a wheelchair punctuated Delia’s firm voice.
He looked up. “Hey, Mama D.” She’d fluffed her gray hair that morning higher than usual. Her red lips matched her nails. He sat back down at the end of the pew so he could be eye level with her. “How you feeling?”
“Are you truly sitting in front of me right now, or did I get my med dosage wrong?” A teasing smirk lit Delia’s face and she reached out and clasped his hand with her own. Her grip was strong, but a hint of pain hovered in her eyes as she shifted in her wheelchair.
He squeezed back, carefully. “I’m here.”
“Well, glory be!” She gestured with her free hand to the worn Bible in her lap. “Answered prayers abound.”
“Am I that much of a heathen?” Noah chuckled. “Apparently Pastor Dubois has been praying for me, too.”
“Not that much of a heathen.” Delia squeezed back, tighter. Her gaze captured his and held. “That much loved.”
Love lifted me.A knot formed in Noah’s throat as the remnants of the hymn continued to play in his head. His earlier wondering of what he’d missed all those years being away from the church had been answered, right there in the frail grip of bony knuckles and the gentle resonance of a song.
“Thank you.” He wanted to say more, but the words wouldn’t come. They wouldn’t be enough, anyway.
Mama D seemed to understand, offering a smile and a final pat of his hand before she let go.
Elisa came up behind Delia, pausing to rub the older woman’s shoulders. “There you are. I didn’t see you before the service.”
“I figured you were avoiding me, seeing how you’re keeping secrets again.” Delia lifted her chin and sniffed. But the teasing sparkle in her eyes gave her away.
Elisa plopped on the pew in front of Noah, wincing. “Sheriff Rubart called you?”
“He did. Wanted to know if I wanted to file official charges.”
Elisa winced. “Did you?”
“I did. Hated to, but there was no way around it. And I filed the insurance claim.” Delia reached up to fiddle with her gold necklace. “Sad part is, I would have given that young man that cookware if he’d asked.”
“He doesn’t know you like we do.” Elisa rubbed Delia’s arm.
“Which is his loss.” Noah cleared his throat. “Is there anything else we can help with?”
“I heard you were bussing tables yesterday.” Delia pursed her lips at him, pink lipstick slightly smeared. “You’ve done plenty.”
