Page 29 of Chance

Chance suddenly felt emotional and … grateful for the Stone family. For Trey. “Yes, please.” He bowed his head.

Trey cleared his throat. “Dear Lord, we would tell you how grateful we are for this day. We are so grateful for Your goodness and mercy. Lord, we ask for a blessing on Kelly Hamilton. And…her baby. We ask that Your will be done in this situation and that Kelly can feel Your love for her. And we would ask that Chance can feel of Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

“Amen,” Chance said quickly, feeling warm chills and instant peace.

Trey let out a breath and put a hand on Chance’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s going to be okay.”

Chance began moving out of the water. “Thank you. Truly.”

Trey followed. “This can’t get in the way of stuff that we need to pay attention to. Not that it’s not important. Just make sure you’re keeping tabs on everything else too.”

“I’ve got it handled.” Chance would’ve been slightly offended if he didn’t have an older brother who was just as severe as Trey.

“Okay.” Trey nodded. “My brother Trent has agreed to take you scuba diving out to Bird Island. We were all talking earlier, and we think the broken arrow, the treasure chest, and the cross are symbols that we might’ve overlooked out there. You know that’s where my father found one piece of gold.” He let out a sardonic laugh.

Chance already knew the stories about the gold. “Okay. I’d like a chance to look over the information in your library first.”

“Perfect.”

Chance picked up his shirt and his cell phone, noting there was a text. It was from Kelly.

He stared in shock as he read it.

Pick me up tomorrow. I’m coming with you.

Trey paused. “Everything okay?”

Chance let out a light laugh. “Well, I guess God heard your prayer because Kelly just said she wants to come tomorrow.”

Trey sighed. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I don’t mind you having a second-chance romance, but I have a rule: no one in my family gets hurt on my watch.” He turned as he stepped onto the beach. “Now that’s your watch, too.”

Chapter 16

Kelly stared at the door long after Chance had left. How dare he challenge her to pray about it?

No. Heck no.

Ugh. She stomped her foot, feeling like a child. She couldn’t believe she’d told him the whole truth.

No, she reminded herself. It made sense that she’d open up to him. He’d been her friend since she was eight years old. He’d been her confidante, and it wasn’t until she’d run into him yesterday that she’d realized how much she missed him. Just like she missed her grandparents and so many people in Cross Creek who she’d taken for granted.

Kelly turned and walked out onto her patio. The moon was up, and the waves soothed her. She never would have guessed that coming to South Port would bring her back to Chance. Was it orchestrated by God? Maybe it was just her emotions getting the best of her, but suddenly she felt this overwhelming warmth inside her. Like her grandmother was there, holding her.

For the first time in as long as she could remember, she folded her arms and bowed her head in prayer. She poured her heart out to God and told Him she was afraid. She told Him about Brian, even though God already knew. It felt good to talk to Him again. She told Him about Chance and about the pregnancy and everything, all while tears streamed down her face. She wasn’t sure how long she talked to God, but when she said, “Amen,” and opened her eyes, she knew she would keep this baby.

She put her hands to her stomach. “I’m sorry for ever doubting, God. I love this baby already. How could I not?”

Another surge of warmth blossomed in her chest. Her grandmother had always taught her that the Holy Spirit would comfort her when she needed him.

“Thank you. Thank you, God.”

Then she texted Chance that she would go with him in the morning.

* * *

The next day, Chance picked Kelly up around nine and drove her to the Stone family inn. On the way, he told her they would be diving at Bird Island to check out the hieroglyphs on the walls. He also told her a story about how some of the Stone brothers found a piece of gold out there—a piece of gold that their father had hidden.

The whole thing felt fantastical. Chance was right; it was a huge distraction from her life. She’d thought it might be awkward this morning, but Chance acted perfectly normal, as if no time had been lost between them and they were best friends.

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