“That can't be so. I've made such a mess of things all around.”
Nella slid down in the chair next to Kizzie and took her hand, the action the most affection the woman had ever shown her. “I could tell you everything's gonna be easy, but you know that ain't so. But if you press into the Lord, you'll get through it, and better than you were before, I'd reckon.”
How could that be true? If her own daddy didn't want her, why would God help her? “The Lord don't want nothing to do with the likes of me, Nella.”
“Well, that just goes to show how little you know about the Lord.
The broken kind's who He's been after from the start.” Nella squeezed Kizzie's hand, drawing Kizzie's attention back to the woman's face. “God ain't got no use for them folks who think they're all right. He came for the ones who know they need more than their own wits or hearts or strength to be able to live right.” Her brow pitched northward again. “And, the secret is, ain't none of us good enough to live life without Him, so just remember that, Kizzie McAdams. Church ain't for the healthy and well. It's for the sick and helpless.”
Kizzie's gaze paused in hers for just a moment before she turned away to meet Isaac's. His big brown eyes asked questions for which Kizzie didn't have answers.
Or didn't want to answer.
“Just think about it.” Nella patted Kizzie's hand and stood. “You got an open invitation anytime you want to come.”
“Thank you.”
“And, girl, the world is gonna call you a whole lot of things.” Nella returned to her work, but her words came strong. “Lotsof things. Believe me, I've heard a whole lot.” She peered over her shoulder. “But you get to decide what and who you're gonna believe. What you're gonna stand on. Ain't nobody else can make that decision but you.”
Kizzie swallowed through her tightening throat and moved back to help Isaac just as Charlie started making wakeful noises from his place in a small crate in the corner. Kizzie welcomed the distraction, the closeness of cuddling up with her little one.
A shelter against the loneliness.
She sat in the rocking chair by the fire and cooed over Charlie's little fingers and his perfect lips and the way those blue eyes stared at her with such wonder and interest.
She looked back toward the kitchen where Nella sat next to Isaac, teasing him with a cookie and glancing over his work.
Church is for the sick and helpless? The broken?
But what if some people, some situations, weretoobroken?
“Is that one of your new dresses?”
Charles sat at the little table holding Charlie as Kizzie worked to get supper set up for them. Their first meal together in the house, just the three of them.
He'd shown up two hours ago, as the sky started waning into dusk, and announced his plans to stay the night to ensure the house kept warm enough for his liking. His arms were ladened with a crate of hearty options. A readied chicken which just needed piecing and coating to fry, some jams, and a loaf of fresh bread. Kizzie already had potatoes and some canned beans.
Kizzie smiled as she readied the plates with the largest supper she'd eaten in the house yet. Feeding one didn't require as much fanfare. Some eggs or beef jerky, or something from Nella's leftovers.
But Charles had brought a few chickens too and housed them safely in a portion of the barn fitted for that purpose, so now Kizzie wouldn't have to wait on his deliveries but manage more herself, something she was beginning to understand as her future.
She nudged the unsettling thought away and embraced the present.
“It is.” She carried their plates to the table, feeling Charles’ gaze on her the whole way. Her body warmed from the missed appreciation. “Do you like it?”
He stood and walked over to her, little Charlie perched on his shoulder. The baby's bright eyes surveyed the room, happy noises bubbling from his cupid mouth. Did he like the idea of his parents eating under the same roof too? As a family?
“Blue is always a nice color on you.” His gaze trailed over her, heating her skin. “I don't recall seeing such simple dresses in Sally Hanes’ window.”
The heat died in her face. “I didn't go to Sally's.” She plucked Charlie out of Charles’ arms, and the baby nuzzled against her neck, rubbing his button nose in a sleepy fashion. “It was easier to just get everything I needed at one place.”
Which wasn't a lie.
Charles nodded, taking the seat across from where she stood. “I hadn't thought about trying to manage the shopping while caring for Charlie.”
Kizzie smiled, swaying a little as the baby's movements started to calm. “The Berrys were real good to help me with Charlie while I shopped.” She looked down at her frock. “And I thank you, kindly, for the clothes. I don't think I've ever had such fine ones before.”
“And these are the simple ones.” Charles shook his head as if her gratitude didn't make sense. “Sometime you'll have to purchase some of the nicer things at Sally's.”
