"I know that as fact, but I couldn't feel that. I felt like I was the example, and if people knew how terrible I was, I could end up pushing people away from the Lord rather than toward him." She shook her head, irony on her face. "And yet, it never occurred to me that if people found out that I was doing what I was doing, I would be a far worse testimony for Jesus, than showing a little weakness after my husband died, and having money issues."
Roland knew exactly how the old lady felt. There were definitely times where he didn't want to admit his weakness. Even though he still didn't have a whole lot of compassion for her, not like he should, he could totally understand why she did what she did. And he knew, if he were being honest, that he could've done the same thing had he been in that situation. He couldn't imagine being married to someone for fifty or sixty years as Mrs. Tucker had been, and then to try to live life without them. How hard could that be? He had never considered what she might have been going through. He just saw a mean, old lady who was accusing him without any shred of evidence.
"I will make sure to make an announcement in the church tomorrow, during the candlelight program, to let everyone know that you are no longer under suspicion, and apologizing for that to begin with, considering that there was not a shred of evidence for it." Pastor looked back at Mrs. Tucker. "We don't have to tell the entire church what you've done. You can choose to if you'd like to, or you can just keep it to yourself. I... I don't think there's anyone who could judge you for what you did. Anyone could've been in your shoes. As for me, I will not mention your name. I will simply say that we have caught the person who was doing it, they were financially strapped, and had recently lost a close loved one, and haveapologized and will be paying the church back. So no charges will be filed."
At that last, Mrs. Tucker's eyes opened wide. "You mean you're not going to make me go to jail?"
Roland couldn't help it. He snorted. Did the lady really think that the pastor was going to have the police arrest one of the upstanding pillars of their community just because she made a mistake? Even he knew that wasn't going to happen.
He glanced at Nelly, and there might have been a small amount of humor in her eyes, but they were mostly filled with compassion and sadness, although when they met his gaze, she gave him a smile of triumph, just to let him know that she was pleased that he was no longer under suspicion.
He stood with the pastor and Mrs. Tucker and Nelly for a bit more, before Pastor and Mrs. Tucker eventually walked away to talk privately in his office leaving Nelly and him alone together.
"Thank you. That was brilliant."
"You don't know how many nights I lay awake, sleepless, because I knew there had to be a way to catch the thief."
"Did you know it was Mrs. Tucker?"
"I suspected. She just... She pushed the idea that it was you so hard, without any evidence, that I thought there almost had to be something between the two of you. Something that you'd done to offend her, or something. But I couldn't figure out anything, even though I asked around town."
"You were asking about me?" he asked, allowing there to be a little bit of suggestiveness in his voice, and just like he hoped, her cheeks pinked.
"You know what I mean. When there wasn't any kind of animosity between the two of you, and anyone I asked always said something along the lines of, the only person that you didn't get along with was me," she rolled her eyes. "After that, I started to think that maybe it really was Mrs. Tucker. After all, why else would she be pushing the guilt on you?"
"That was absolutely brilliant. I never thought of that for one second. But, I can see the logic that you used, and it makes total sense now."
"Well, thank you. I wasn't sure Pastor would go along with it, because he was incredulous when I suggested that it might be Mrs. Tucker, and I was afraid at first that he was going to go straight to her and tattle on me for even suggesting such a thing."
"I'm glad he didn't."
"Me too," she gave him a soft smile, which warmed him to the depths of his soul.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" she asked, changing the subject and reminding him that he had more to do than just make googly eyes at this woman who he couldn't stop thinking about.
"I think we are. You've done a brilliant job with the kids."
"We. We did it together. You and me."
"I kind of feel like I just followed your lead, and tried to be like you, because you have a natural knack with children."
"I'm a school teacher, so I probably have a few tricks up my sleeve, but you do a pretty good job yourself. Do not sell yourself short."
"I won't sell myself short as long as you give yourself the credit you deserve."
They had walked to the door together, and Roland was about to tell Nelly how he felt, even though he had just convinced himself that he shouldn't, when her phone rang.
"I'm sorry, this is my gram. I better answer it," she said, looking up at him with apology in her eyes.
"Go ahead. We can meet tonight. I think I have some sources that will solve all of Mrs. Tucker's problems."
"Awesome. I'll talk to mine as well."
He jerked his head, and said, "See you later," as she nodded, before she swiped on her phone and said hello.
He needed to stop being so afraid. When was he going to gather up the courage to tell her how he felt? Whether she returned hisfeelings or not, he needed to just be brave and let her know. After all, if Mrs. Tucker had been honest about what was going on with her, her problems could've been solved weeks ago. And no one needed to have stolen anything.
His situation wasn't exactly like Mrs. Tucker's, but... It wouldn't hurt for Nelly to know. And it would make him feel better if he just told her. Maybe there was no future for them, but... maybe there was.
