Page 85 of Love Everlasting

“Ya think?” One edge of Shan’s mouth inched up. “The man puked on his shoes for heaven’s sake, Mom, and for Sam Cunningham, there’s no greater sacrilege than that.”

Tess chuckled, easing the tension at the back of her neck. “The shoes’ll come clean, Shan, just like Sam’s heart after he sees the truth in the light of day. And when that happens—aided heavily by your forgiveness and prayer, mind you—the man addicted to designer clothes and expensive shoes will suddenly realize nobody’s perfect.” She gave Shannon’s waist a light pinch. “Not even the amazing young woman he’s put on that lofty pedestal.” She shifted to face her daughter. “Because you see, darling, it’s the truth that will set both you and Sam free to be all that God has called you to be, not Sam’s pie-in-the-sky idea that you’re the perfect woman. Trust me, I know.”

It was Tess’s turn to grunt as she plopped back against the headboard. “When your father and I were first married, the poor, deluded man had me on a pedestal much as Sam did you.” The edge of her mouth hooked up. “Until I charred both that pedestal and too many meals to count. Year after year, my humanity kept chipping away at it, and when I put my job before him?” Her smile sobered into regret as her gaze trailed into a distant stare. “It cracked that stupid pedestal all together, tumbling both me and my marriage into an awful abyss.”

Shaking off the malaise that always arose when she thought of Adam, she huffed out a cleansing sigh. “So you see, sweetheart, as I have told you countless times, as people of faith, we have a built-in insurance policy to cover all of our disappointments and pain.”

Saltwater brimmed in her daughter’s eyes again, but Tess suspected these were tears of hope when Shan offered a wobbly smile. “All things work together for good for those who love God,” Shannon whispered, “and have been called according to His purpose.”

Tess beamed. “And what are two of His purposes in a situation like this?”

Shannon’s lips twitched with another smile. “Pray for them which spitefully use you and praise God in all things.”

“Yes!” Tess punched a fist to her palm. “Because—”

“It’s not God Who needs our praise,” Shannon interjected, “it’s us, since praise, prayer, and obedience unleashes the power of heaven.”

“You were listening!” Tess said with a wide grin.

Like the tide coming in, the saltwater dribbled down Shannon’s cheek to pool in the curve of her trembling smile. “Always,” she rasped, flinging herself into her mother’s arms until both of them could do nothing but weep. “I love you Mom.”

“I love you, too, Shan,” Tess whispered, eyes squeezed tightly against the fresh flow of tears. “So very much!” She settled against the headboard again and patted Shannon’s knee. “So … what are you going to do?”

Shannon’s sigh could have ruffled the curtains. “Well, first I’m going to praise God in this situation and ask Him to turn it around for my good and Sam’s. Then I’m going to pray that I can eventually forgive that sorry excuse of a boyfriend.”

“Eventually?” Tess angled a brow.

Shannon huffed out a sigh. “I will forgive him, Mom, I promise, but right now it’s just so raw, you know?”

Yes, she knew. All too well she knew.

“So I think I need some time to just pray and think about all of this, and especially get past the humiliation all over again.” She peeked up, eyes moist. “Sam made me feel so ashamed, Mom, that I don’t have the strength to even face him right now, even though he’s called and texted a dozen times since I left his house.” Her rib cage rose and fell. “And to be honest, I’m still so hurt and angry inside, I thought I’d give him a bit of the cold shoulder, just to let him stew for a while, you know?”

“Stewing’s good …” Tess volunteered.

Shannon stared out the window where the first shimmer of dawn spilled across her sill in subtle shades of pearl and pink “At least till I figure out what I really want. Sam may not want me anymore, but if he does, then I need to decide if I can marry a man who resorts to a bottle whenever he hits an emotional blip in the road.”

“You’re a wise woman, Shannon O’Bryen.”

Shannon peered up. “I have a wise mother,” she said with a misty smile.

Squeezing Shannon’s hand, Tess rose while her stomach emitted a noisy growl. “Hey—you feel like breakfast? Or do you want to sleep in?”

Shannon yawned, shimmying her toes under the covers. “I think I better get some decent sleep or forgiveness will be a lot further away,” she said with a wry smile, “but thanks, Mom, for everything.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart, and I’ll just check on your tea. If you’re asleep when Cat brings it up, I may just drink it myself because the calming effect will do me good. Especially if your sister is on her way to Kroger.”

“Good plan.” Shannon’s grin was sleepy as she curled into a cozy ball. “G’night, Mom.”

“Good night, Shan, and by the way, I like your plan too.” She gave Shannon a wink at the door. “Cold shoulder … warm heart.”

Expelling a weary sigh, Tess closed the door and sagged against it with eyes closed, thinking she was way too keyed up to sleep now. “May as well have some tea too,” she muttered, startling when her eyes opened to see Ben standing at the end of the hall.

“What’s going on, Tess?” he said in a gravelly tone, his morning voice always lower than normal.

Her shock seeped out on a wavering sigh as she put a hand to her chest. “Good night, Ben, you scared me half to death!” she whispered, praying Davey didn’t wake up while she hurried down the hall.

“Why are you up?” he asked, hair tousled as much as his well-muscled T-shirt and pajama bottoms while morning bristle shadowed his face.