Page 42 of The Christmas Ring
How that girl had wanted to be a teacher.
The Bible was older now, an antique in its own right. She picked it up and ran her fingers over the worn imitation leather. Vanessa blinked back tears. If Sadie wanted to be a photographer, Vanessa would be nothing but proud of her. Happy for the fact. But she would always miss that little girl’s passion for all things classroom.
“Mom!” From down the hall Sadie’s voice pierced the silence. She sounded frantic. “Mom! Quick! Come here!”
Vanessa ran toward her daughter and into her bedroom. Sadie was sitting on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face. Her phone was beside her. She was crying too hard to talk, but she stood and fell into Vanessa’s arms.
Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat.Not Hudson. Please, God, not Hudson.The scene reminded her of the one that played out in their lives four years ago. She didn’t want to ask, but she had no choice. “Honey, what is it?”
“Hudson... He hasn’t called. And I heard one of the units got attacked. I mean... it might not be his, but what if it is?”
“No. Honey.” Vanessa held Sadie closer. “Oh, Sadie.” She stroked her daughter’s back, and after a moment they sat next to each other on the end of her bed. “I’m so sorry. Let’s pray. Right now.”
Vanessa led the prayer, begging God to be with Hudson. When the prayer ended, Sadie turned to her.
“I’m scared, Mom. I don’t know what to do. I can’t reach him.”
In the dark of the room, with the worst possible scenario hanging over them, Vanessa put her arm around Sadie and pulled her near, the way she had when Sadie was a little girl. The way she had when Alan died. “I’m here, Sadie honey. I’m here and God is with us. He’s with Hudson.”
“He is. I know.” Sadie leaned her head on Vanessa’s shoulder. “But I’m still so scared.”
For a quick moment Vanessa stood and got Sadie a tissue. Then she sat beside her again. “Sadie, we’ve been praying for Hudson every day. He’s not alone.”
“I know.” Her sobs subsided a bit. “Mom, please. Can you tell me that Bible verse? The one you used to say over me when I was little?”
Her words were healing to Vanessa’s broken heart. After the night she’d had and after the stops and starts she’d experienced with Sadie since she’d been home from Reinhardt, this was the only place Vanessa wanted to be. Comforting her daughter and reminding her of the truth.
Vanessa closed her eyes. “First Peter 5:7. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. He does care for you, Sadie.”
She nodded. “More. Please, Mom, tell me more.”
“Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition...” Vanessa repeated every Scripture on peace and comfort she knew, and then she ran through them again and again until Sadie was almost asleep.
Vanessa eased her back into bed and pulled the covers over her. She left Sadie’s room without making a sound and hurried to the kitchen. There, she called Peggy, Hudson’s mother.
Peggy answered right away. “Vanessa, he’s okay. He’s fine, honey.” Relief rang in every word.
When the call ended, Vanessa hurried back into Sadie’s room. Her daughter was sound asleep, curled up with her little Mister Bear. Tears filled Vanessa’s eyes and she waited a moment, holding on to the sight of her.
In time, she moved closer and sat on the edge of her bed. “Sadie.” She touched her daughter’s shoulder. “Sadie, honey. Can you hear me?”
Sadie shifted. “Mmm.” She blinked a few times and squinted at Vanessa. “Mom?”
“I talked to Hudson’s mother. It wasn’t his unit. And the guys who were hit are all okay.”
The good news woke Sadie a little more. She sat up, the bear clutched in her hand. Vanessa hugged them both, and then, still holding Mister Bear, Sadie settled back down on her pillow. In a few minutes she was fast asleep again.
Vanessa stood and watched her daughter, sleeping with her bear the way she had when she was little. Whatever had happened with Ben tonight, God was with them. He was with them all. Especially Hudson.Thank You, God. Thank You.
She took a deep breath, and once more she touched Sadie’s shoulder. “There,” she whispered. “You’re going to be okay.”
The early morning air was cool and damp, but Ben didn’t mind. He sat on the bench outside Millers’ Antiques andwaited. Where he’d been for the past hour. Once the doors to the shop were opened, things would get busy and Ben would miss his chance.
Convincing his father would happen now or never.
Finally, he watched his dad walk around the corner. After all this time, he still parked in the back lot. Front spaces were for customers, he’d always said. Now if he could just apply the same kindness to the situation with Vanessa’s ring.
His father saw him and stopped for a beat. Then he shook his head and kept walking. When he reached Ben, he stopped. “Why didn’t you just go inside and see for yourself?”
