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“You better believe it, Blue,” Joe said from the door. “All the girls would say on the way there was ‘We’re gonna see elephants like Aunty Sar!’ Then when we were there, it was ‘Can I ride on it? My Aunty Sar has ridden on elephants.’”
Sarah laughed at her brother-in-law’s comical expression. “So, you enjoyed the zoo?”
Rebekah appeared with a yawn. “Some of us enjoyed it a little too much. Mum and Dad have collapsed on the couch downstairs, and I won’t be far behind.”
Rebekah and Joe had hastily arranged this visit a few weeks ago. They’d taken the girls out of school a few days earlier than their Easter break and were leaving just after the coming Easter weekend. Sarah gave the wriggling bundles on her knees another squeeze. Yep, after the last few days, she totally understood Bek and Joe’s need for rest. She loved her little nieces, but two weeks of peace and quiet?
Priceless.
* * *
Two minutes to go.Dan glanced at the Jumbotron as the seconds ticked down. This, the last game of the season, his last chance to impress before closing out his eighty-second game. So far he remained goalless, but at least tonight was tracking to a win. Tomorrow was locker clear-out and media interviews, but now required the last dregs of his focus.
Montreal turned the puck over, and Matt Reynolds scooped it up and headed to Montreal’s net. Beau Nash stretched wide, and the puck hit his chest armor and was snatched up as the siren blared.
Dan joined his team in celebrating the win, something for the awesome Toronto fans who loved this game as much as he did. He nodded to Beau—he’d catch up with him later—and joined his teammates in lifting his stick to salute the fans as the lights flashed and the music boomed through the arena. He skated to the side and tossed his gloves to one small glasses-wearing girl wearing his number, then pointed to another kid before carefully passing his stick over the glass to the beaming boy. He loved the fans, loved their passion for this sport. Was anything better than this game?
Well, something—someone—was. He bit back a smile, thanking the equipment staff as he headed down the tunnel for the last time this season.
The next two hours with his teammates in the locker room held a mix of celebration and commiseration that they’d left it too late to find their form, but hey, it was done, and they’d shake it off and prepare for the next season. And he’d cheer on Mike, Brent, Chris, and Luc, all of whom were in teams in the playoffs. That was okay. Dan had other plans.
Thoughts of those plans lit his chest with warmth during the drive home as he remembered Sarah’s latest email. She wanted to see him? She sounded as keen as he. He’d been surprised at the lengths she was going to to prove it, though. Getting up at 4 a.m. just so she could watch his games? When she’d told him that, he’d been lost for words. He’d told Boyd, who’d just smiled and mumbled something about “must be true love.” Well, yeah, it certainly seemed like it. It was nice to see how interested she’d been in each game, even if some of it was concern over potential injuries he may receive. No, God really was working things out for good.
Even with his family. Maybe his father was never going to show him much affection, but since news of his past had leaked to Luke, his older brother had become far more considerate. He’d even flown over a week or two ago for a quick visit, ostensibly to watch a game but really to talk with him afterward about how Dan was feeling about the upcoming birth. They’d had the first real, open, honest discussion of their adult lives, and although things had gotten a little tense at times, it had been really good. Luke had even asked him to be the baby’s godfather. The fact they even wanted a godfather still blew him away. Who’d have ever thought Luke could be that sensitive?
Luke’s visit had reignited a desire to finally talk to Lana. He’d mentioned it to Sarah, who’d been hugely supportive, so he’d tracked Lana down, spoken to her, and learned she was now married with two kids and most definitely not mired in regret.
“I can’t believe you called me,” she’d said.
Dan could scarcely believe it either. But he was glad he had. A tiny crack in his heart that had splintered open after New Year’s Eve now felt wholly healed.
And then there was Sam. He still hadn’t taken that final step, but he was so close to faith now. His brother’s interest in God and occasional attendance at church had spurred Dan on to investigate other ways to get him involved. When Mike had mentioned something a few weeks back about a team heading to the Philippines, Sam had leaped at the opportunity to “go help the kids,” as he’d put it. Dan smiled. Helping others usually had a way of rebounding to help the helper.God, help Sam.
Yeah, God was definitely working things out for good. And tomorrow, once his final team and media obligations were done, all his energies could be devoted to his international adventures. It was going to be awesome. Joy lit his chest. He couldn’t wait.
* * *
“Attention everyone:Sleeping Beauty has finally awoken.”
Sarah made a face at her sister before yawning hellos to everyone else sprawled around the open-plan living area and dining room.
“Well, it sure wasn’t Prince Charming this time.” She cast a significant look at her early-bird nieces on her way to boil the kettle for that very necessary first cup of tea of the day.
“This time?” Her sister raised an eyebrow.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I’m entitled to some extra shut-eye. This past week has been full on.” She’d been so busy with assessment tasks and papers to grade and preparation for next term that, coupled with the extra entertaining their houseguests required, meant the days had seemed extra long. And yesterday’s early morning Good Friday service hadn’t helped the lack of sleep factor either.
At least the rest of the day had been quiet. With everything apart from churches shut, there’d been little to do apart from eat hot cross buns and enjoy time with her family. And with Rebekah, Joe, and the girls headed back to South Australia in a couple of days, it was nice to spend time with them instead of being limited to the usual early morning and evening rush of school days.
“Blue, we’ll get out of your hair and take the munchkins to the park,” Joe promised before escorting all his girls out the front door.
God bless Joe—best brother-in-law ever.
Sarah ate her breakfast whilst reading the paper at the dining table, idly noting her mother seemed to be planning an extra nice dinner for tonight, complete with pavlova. Mmm, pavlova. “Do you want some help, Mum?”
“No, sweetie. Bek can help when they all get back.”
Her father folded up his paper. “Sarah, if you’re offering, I could do with a hand.”
