Page 64 of Love on the Brain
“Yes.” Jane narrowed her eyes as his face scrunched up in thought.
“But he’s not my real uncle ’cause he’s not Daddy’s brother.”
“Right. But he was like a brother to your dad.”
“Is Molly like a sister to you? Like Auntie Shelby?”
“Of course. I sure love her like a sister.”
“Can I call her Auntie Molly then?”
Molly snorted as Jane’s mouth dropped open. “Kiddo, you can call me anything you want. Just Molly is fine, too.” She winked at Jane.
“Don’t forget to say your prayers,” Jane reminded Noah as she shuffled to the doorway. Whyhadn’tthey decided on Auntie Molly from the get-go?
“I won’t.”
“Okay.” She blew him a kiss, then met Ryan’s gaze. He nodded as if to sayI got this,and she backed out of the room.
In the hall, Molly whispered to her. “I’m going to go take a shower and scrub off the airplane crud. Why don’t you make some tea and sit by the fire? It always calms you. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“Good idea.”
Jane was standing at the bay window with the lights off, staring into the dark night and sipping her tea when she sensed Ryan approaching. She welcomed his hand on her shoulder, and it had its usual effect.
“Why do you suppose your healing hand on my shoulder has such a profound effect on my inner peace?” she asked. “It’s always been that way. I don’t understand it, but I’m grateful for your steady hand.”
Ryan didn’t answer for a minute, but she felt his warm breath by her ear. It was comforting and tingly at the same time. “I suppose it’s because we have a special connection. When you lean your head on my shoulder, all is right with my world. It’s always been that way. I don’t understand it, but I’m grateful for it,” he echoed.
She set her tea on the sill and turned to him, tilting her chin up to connect their gazes. “Maybe it’s like what Sunny said. That we’re some kind of soulmates.”
“I’d like to believe that,” Ryan whispered huskily.
“Me too,” Jane breathed. “Will you pray with me?”
“Of course.” He took her hands in his and placed them over his heart. “Want me to start?”
“Please.”
“God, we thank you for bringing us all together to help Noah fight the enemy within him. We ask that you will be present tomorrow, every step of the way, and that the team is able to complete the task successfully and completely. We ask that you bring peace to our hearts and let them not be troubled as we find rest in You.”
Ryan lifted their hands to his lips and kissed Jane’s knuckles lightly. She took a deep breath and let the Spirit fill her and help her form the right words.
“Lord, thank you for bringing Ryan back into our lives.” She paused to swallow back the lump in her throat and closed her eyes. “We pray for a miracle tomorrow, from You, through him and his team. I ask for peace, for all of us, so that we can support Noah and each other through the coming uncertain times as he heals. I ask for no side effects or lingering symptoms. With You, all things are possible. With You, healing after loss is possible. With You, finding love again—” She sniffed, and Ryan squeezed her hands, encouraging her to continue. “Finding love again is possible. Thank you for restoring our friendship.” Jane opened her eyes and looked up, surprised to find Ryan’s piercing stare waiting to meet hers. She continued, her voice wavering, “And for opening our hearts to each other. We’ll follow your lead, wherever it may take us. Amen.”
“Amen,” Ryan echoed, letting go of her hands and wrapping his arms around her. She felt secure in his embrace, sure of everything and capable of anything. Together, she knew they could defeat any enemy.
Jane laid her head against his chest. She’d meant every word. If His lead pointed her to Texas, she’d go. Her shoulders relaxed as she pondered the wonderment of that last thought. Texas had never been an option with Casey. She’d wanted to stay in Maine, and so they had. So why was she open to moving now?
God, please be clear in your intentions and grant me the strength and resolve to follow my heart wherever it leads me.
It was time to put her faith to the test—faith in his team—and leave the rest to God.
CHAPTER18
Ryan was with Jane from the moment they entered the hospital until the moment Noah was wheeled away from them to go to the operating room. He walked her back to the waiting area where their families were and held her in his arms on a sofa until Dr. Moreira entered the waiting room to report.
The tension was palpable and readable on everyone’s faces, fraught with worry.
