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“I expect there’s truth in that.” Mrs. Hathaway motioned to her car. “Do you mind walking an old woman over? My feet don’t like to listen to my head the way they used to.”
Corrie walked her over as Heath crossed the churchyard for Zeke. “I’ve never seen Gilda Hathaway in church. Or talking to people.”
“She thought Corrie was our cleaning woman, Heath.”
He winced. “Sean used to call Gilda an old bat. She didn’t have a kind word to say about anything or anyone and holed herself up in that great old house and let it dissolve around her. He offered to buy some of her land and she offered to call the sheriff, so he wasn’t too pleased with her. Having her come down to the service is about as out of character as you can get. Call me if you need help in the horse barn.”
“You’re cutting hay today.”
“All this week. Watching the forecast and hoping nothing breaks down.” He walked her to her SUV. “It was nice to have the reverend bless the farmers and ranchers. To hear him talk about the everyday people. The simple folk.”
“Jesus didn’t recruit prominent men to do his work, Heath.” She leaned back against the car and gazed up at him. “Fishermen. Tradesmen. A tax collector, a repugnant profession even then.” She smiled at his expression of agreement. “His father was a carpenter. His friends and followers worked with their hands. When you talk about not being a community leader, you’re wrong. You’re exactly the type of leader Shepherd’s Crossing needs. I’m just hoping you’ll turn out to be one of many.”
“It’s not a one-man job, that’s for sure.”
“Which is why we reach out to others.” She opened her car door. “It’s a start.”
“It is.” He glanced around at the number of people still there, saying their goodbyes to the pastor. “Because I’ve never seen this many people darken the doors of this church. Not even on Christmas and Easter.”
“Sometimes the greatest good comes out of the worst circumstance. See you at home.”
* * *
At home.
He watched her pull away and realized what he wanted. What he needed.
He needed her. He needed her by his side, keeping him focused, keeping him grounded.
He’d loved her as a young man. Watching her car pull away, he realized he loved her now, too.
The aged pastor was still shaking hands.
His gentle words of blessing had touched Heath’s heart.
He thought about that as Zeke scrambled into his car seat in the truck and fastened his seat belt.
Was there a God for real? Did He exist? Did He have a heart for humankind, the way the pastor said? Or was it all silly feel-good talk to keep people in line, like the easygoing sheep, one plodding after the other, rarely thinking for themselves?
He didn’t know, but seeing the light of faith in Lizzie’s eyes and Corrie’s bearing, for the first time in a long time, he wanted to know.
“Dad. I’m so ’cited about today, I’m so ’cited to be a kitchen helper with Miss Corrie and my Lizzie!” Tangible joy lit Zeke’s face. “And then I get to march with my plaque thing tomorrow! I will be the best marcher, ever, Dad. The best!”
“I know you will, son.” He aimed a smile at his beautiful boy through the rearview mirror. “And I can’t wait to see it.”
“Me, either!” The boy wriggled with all the anticipation of youth. “And my Lizzie will be so proud of me.” He grinned again, and Heath saw what was missing. What had been missing, for so long.
He’d grown up without a mother, and that emptiness had left a gaping hole in so much of what he did. Zeke had no memories of a mother, of that softer side of encouragement. The warmth. The glee.
And Lizzie had grown up the same way, her mother gone far too soon. But she’d had Corrie’s love and devotion. The strength and wisdom of a good woman, guiding all three girls along the way.
Better than anyone, Lizzie would be able to lovingly accept his son as her own.
His thumb went to his empty ring finger, and this time it didn’t feel naked. It felt right, like it was supposed to be that way.
Anna would want him to move on. He knew that. She’d want what was best for their son and for him, and what was best for them was Lizzie. Now he needed to do whatever it took to convince the lady in question.
She wanted faith, hope and love. His job was to make sure she got all three.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A small army of vehicles snaked their way up the Pine Ridge Ranch drive Memorial Day morning. Car after car worked their way toward the barnyard, then parked along the barn’s edges as if finding a spot along a small-town street. As the minutes ticked closer to ten o’clock, the yard and the graveled drive filled with people. More people than Heath thought lived in a five-mile radius.
