Brush of Wings

  Sami smiled as she thought of how involved Marcus was in Mary Catherine’s recovery. Her parents planned to stay another week, and the two of them had been available around the clock. But Marcus was there to help her move from the hospital to the apartment, and he bought groceries whenever she ran out.

  Once every hour as long as she was awake, Mary Catherine needed to get up and walk—something she loved. And always it was Marcus leading her around the apartment, making sure she was steady—especially when she tried to push herself a little too hard.

  “All we need is lemon water.” Sami found two pitchers from one of the cupboards and Rhonda pulled a lemon from the refrigerator. Colton Dixon’s “Through All of It” was playing over the speakers. Tyler finished sweeping, put the broom away, and came up behind Sami at the sink.

  “This song says it all.” Tyler slipped his arms around Sami’s waist. “It’s my anthem.”

  “Mmmm.” She turned around and put her hands on his shoulders. He was right. The lyrics were perfect. “ ‘I have won . . . I have lost . . .’ ” Singing wasn’t her gift, but with him she wasn’t afraid to miss a note.

  “ ‘I got it right sometimes, and sometimes I did not.’ ” Tyler sang the next line and then their voices joined together. He chuckled. “We make a good team.”

  “We do.”

  “I second that.” Coach Wayne chuckled. “No doubt.”

  Rhonda smiled as she sliced the lemon. “Definitely a great team.”

  Lexy came into the kitchen and grabbed a few paper towels. “Relationship goals.” She paused, and her smile fell off a little. “You two and Marcus and Mary Catherine. That’s what I want one day. A long time from now.”

  Sami shifted to Tyler’s side, her arm around his waist, his arm around her shoulders. She reached for Lexy’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Remember what we talked about?”

  “Yes.” Lexy’s eyes warmed up again. “ ‘Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness . . .’ ”

  Tyler looked straight at Sami. “ ‘And all these things will be given to you.’ ”

  “Yes.” Sami smiled at him. “Exactly.”

  Lexy used paper towels to wipe up the water drops from the fresh flowers. “There. The table looks perfect.”

  “Everything does.” Tyler raised his fist in the air. “Home run!”

  Ten minutes later Sami heard a key in the front door, then the voices of Marcus and Mary Catherine and her parents. It took just a few seconds for them to reach the back of the house, where the party was set up.

  As soon as they were in view, Sami and Tyler, the Waynes, and Lexy all shouted, “Surprise!”

  Sami watched Mary Catherine stop, hands flying to her mouth. “What’s this?” She looked at Marcus and her parents, and then back to the group. “I had no idea!” Mary Catherine seemed genuinely surprised. “This is amazing! Thank you! Y’all are the best!”

  Lexy ran to Mary Catherine first. Then each of them took turns giving her a hug. Sami held Mary Catherine tight.

  Mary Catherine blinked back tears. “You had this all planned?”

  Sami laughed. “We did. You’re engaged . . . and you’re healthy. Two great reasons to celebrate!”

  Marcus put his arm around Mary Catherine and kissed her cheek. “Your parents were in on it, too.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Mary Catherine grinned at her mom and dad. “Now you’re keeping things from me, is that it?”

  Everyone laughed.

  Sami had only dreamed the surprise would go this well. She watched Mary Catherine lean against Marcus and whisper, “Really, though. This is the best surprise ever.”

  “Everything’s ready.” Sami reached for Tyler’s hand on one side and Lexy’s on the other. “Let’s pray.”

  They formed a circle near the food and this time Lexy spoke up. “Can I say it?”

  “Absolutely.” Mary Catherine looked like she was proud of the girl.

  Sami’s heart swelled within her. Lexy’s bond with Mary Catherine was as strong as ever.

  Lexy closed her eyes. “Father, thank You for the food. Thank You for Mary Catherine being healthy enough to join us today. And thank You for this family. We love You, amen.”

  Her words spoke straight to Sami’s heart. They were a family, indeed. Bloodlines and titles weren’t the only way people became a family. Faith could do that, too. The fact that Lexy felt so much a part of them even after the life she’d been living . . . well, that was a miracle, too.

  As much as Mary Catherine’s recovery.

  They ate on the back patio, where the sun was still warm even on this late October evening. It wouldn’t get chilly until after the sun went down in an hour or so. Marcus and Mary Catherine and her parents sat across from Sami, Tyler, the Waynes, and Lexy. The setting was serene and beautiful—exactly what Mary Catherine seemed to need.

  Sami noticed today even more than yesterday how much better Mary Catherine’s complexion looked. Her cheeks were pink again, her eyes bright and full of life. The mechanical heart was working brilliantly from everything her doctors had told her. Seeing her so alive was the answer they had all prayed for.

  Over dinner Lexy talked about the baby. “I don’t know about other moms, but my morning sickness is all day.” She rolled up a slice of turkey and a piece of cheese and dipped it into mustard. “This is the only thing that doesn’t make me feel sick.” She’d been off the streets for a month and definitely the way she talked now was different. Less slang, more communicative. Four weeks ago, Sami had wondered about her decision to take the girl in. It was Lexy’s only option, of course. The only way to keep her from having an abortion.

  But it had turned out to be so much more than that.

  “Have you heard from your mom since you saw her a few weeks ago?” Marcus directed the question to Lexy.

  “A few times.” Lexy looked at Sami and then Mary Catherine before turning back to Marcus. “She’s still trying to arrange something with her brother in Texas. She wants him to take me in after the baby.”

  “So far Lexy’s uncle hasn’t contacted her mother. So that’s not a strong possibility at this point.” Rhonda Wayne put her arm around Lexy and gave her a brief hug. “We’ve got her, though. Until God shows her what’s next.”

  Whatever the future held for Lexy, none of them were willing to resign her to a life on the streets. She needed this change—that much was obvious. Sami smiled now as Lexy talked about learning how to cook, and loving the Bible. She really was like an entirely new person, with her past fading a little more every day.

  Not only that, but Sami thought Lexy looked younger. Maybe because her eyes were softer, her voice kinder. She had no one to be tough around, nothing to prove. She wondered whether Lexy struggled to forget her life on the streets. Sometimes she seemed to slip into a quieter mood and Sami would find her staring out the window.

  “I think about Ramon,” she’d told Sami and Rhonda a few days ago at the Waynes’ house. “He did love me.” She looked at Sami, confusion darkening her eyes. “Don’t you think?”

  And again Sami had to remind the girl exactly how Ramon had treated her. The bruises and verbal abuse, the threats that he’d kill her. And the way he hadn’t respected her.

  Lexy had nodded, looking distant. “You’re right. I just . . . I wonder, that’s all.”

  Other times, Rhonda had confided that Lexy would wake up in the middle of the night screaming. The first time it happened, Rhonda had been certain someone had broken into the house. Coach Wayne had grabbed a baseball bat and run toward the screaming. But Lexy was alone, tossing and turning, rolling about in the bed. “No!” She’d screamed again. “I don’t want to die!”

  Gently the Waynes had woken her up and helped her to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. “You were screaming, honey. What were you dreaming about?”

  Sami felt sick about the story. Lexy had been out of breath, shaking, her forehead sweaty. She told the Waynes that in her dream Ramon was going t
o kill her. Sometimes she worried that he might know where to find her.

  It had taken the Waynes an hour to calm the girl down. Sami was glad for Lexy’s fear of Ramon. Maybe it would keep her from finding a way back to her old life on the days when she was tempted.

  The meal was winding down, and Sami looked at Tyler. The two of them exchanged a knowing smile. “Time?” she whispered.

  “Definitely.” Tyler reached under the table and took her hand in his. “This is going to be fun.”

  Mary Catherine had been in a conversation with Lexy and Marcus and her parents, but now she turned and gave Sami a questioning look. “What’s the whispering about?”

  Sami looked at Marcus and Tyler, and then at the other faces around the table. All of them were silent for a moment. Mary Catherine looked at each of them and then back to Marcus. “Someone please tell me what’s happening.”

  “Okay.” Sami took the lead. “Tyler and I wanted to ask you something.”

  Mary Catherine allowed a nervous laugh. “I’m listening.”

  “So you know that Tyler and I are getting married December third . . . and that we’re getting married at the beach.”

  “Yes.” Mary Catherine’s expression turned dreamy. “The most beautiful spot for a wedding, ever. Laguna Niguel.” She looked at Sami. “Dr. Cohen says I’ll be there. Standing at your side.”

  Sami could hardly contain herself. They had wanted to wait a few weeks to see how Mary Catherine was feeling. And now that she was making such an amazing recovery, there was no reason to wait. “We want you and Marcus to think about having a double wedding with us.”

  Marcus put his arm around Mary Catherine’s shoulders. “Actually . . . it was my idea. These two were great with it. We have the same friends . . . we can share the cost. Plus . . . the beach means so much to us all.”

  Mary Catherine’s eyes filled with tears. “I was thinking it could be months before we got married.” She put her hand on Marcus’s face. “You’re okay with that? So soon?”

  “Mary Catherine.” Marcus seemed to search her face, her eyes. “I would marry you right now, right here on this back deck if I could.”

  And like that the plan was set. Mary Catherine thanked Sami and Tyler for sharing their day and in a rush of excitement the group began planning the wedding. Who would attend, what colors they’d use, the dinner menu, and flowers. All the details. Invitations would have to go out at the end of this week, but already Sami had found a company who could rush them.

  Good thing. They had only six weeks until the wedding.

  No one talked about the obvious, the fact that Mary Catherine was still on the heart transplant list, after all. A mechanical heart could only buy her so much time. The sooner the two of them could be married and sharing their lives together, the better.

  The four of them had so much joy and happiness ahead, so many reasons to look forward to the days in front of them. Sami was thrilled for her friend. Mary Catherine’s energy seemed particularly high tonight, her eyes as bright as the setting sun.

  The fact that they were marrying the men of their dreams, that all of it had worked out, was overwhelming. Moments like this, Sami would catch herself just watching and listening and thanking God. Letting the reality sink into her overflowing heart. She had a feeling when December 3 finally got here, it wouldn’t only be their family and friends celebrating with them.

  But all of heaven.

  MARY CATHERINE LOVED EVERYTHING about this new plan, the one that had unfolded over the most amazing dinner she’d had in a year at least. The conversation was full of hope and promise and arrangements they all easily agreed upon. It was more than Mary Catherine could imagine, more than she had prayed for.

  Before the meal was over, Coach Wayne—who was also an ordained minister—even offered to officiate both weddings. Which brought all of them to happy tears.

  A few hours later, after everyone else had left, Marcus took Mary Catherine out onto his back deck. She still moved more slowly than she wanted and usually by now she was tired, but not tonight.

  They leaned against the railing, facing each other. Marcus took her hands in his and stared into her eyes. “Familiar.” He looked at the distant lights of the city and breathed in the sweet autumn air. His eyes reflected the night sky. “Even the stars. Just like our first night here.”

  “Back then . . . I never dreamed.” She shook her head and looked at her engagement ring, the beautiful solitaire diamond surrounded by smaller ones. Marcus had given it to her before they left the hospital. Her eyes felt watery, but only because she was so happy. “I told myself a million times I could never have you, never have the things other people have.”

  He ran his thumb along her forehead and eased his fingers into her long hair. “Look how wrong you were.”

  The truth of his words swirled around her and through her. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his chest. “Sometimes it all feels like a dream.” She looked up at him. “And now the wedding? Getting married at the same time as Sami and Tyler?” She felt like dancing. “How can this be my life?”

  “Because. God is just that good.” Marcus smiled at her. No one knew her as well as he did. He believed that. “Are you okay with it? The double wedding?”

  “Of course.” She loved the way she felt. Every breath was slow and clear. The effort that marked her existence before the surgery was completely gone. “It’s not too soon for you?”

  “Are you kidding?” He chuckled softly. “I meant what I said, baby. I’d marry you tonight if I could.”

  Mary Catherine hesitated. For a moment she eased from his embrace and faced the lights off the deck. “Do you remember Dr. Cohen’s warning? About the mechanical heart?” She looked over her shoulder at him. “I can’t have kids as long as I have it.”

  “I remember.” Marcus didn’t blink, didn’t look away. “That doesn’t bother me.”

  They hadn’t talked about this—not in depth, anyway. “Do you want children? One day?”

  Marcus smiled. “I’d love that. We could have kids now or ten years from now.” He leaned on the railing, his eyes locked on hers. “God has a plan even for that. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

  Hope like sunbeams shot through her soul. “I had to ask.”

  “All I want is to marry you and help you get strong and stay healthy. I want to take walks on the beach and watch you work for the studio and I want to make a difference in this world right by your side.” He put his arm around her shoulders, their arms touching, the two of them looking out at the valley. “Yes, one day I want to have children with you. But you know what?”

  “What?” Mary Catherine loved being with him, safe in his arms.

  “I have a feeling children will come along sooner rather than later.” He looked at her.

  She turned toward him again. “Because God’s just that good?”

  “Exactly.”

  24

  JAG WASN’T GOING TO give up.

  He was a window repairman today, working at the large house of a Texas man who had once worshipped and followed God closely. A man whose recent negligence in attending church and serving people and even responding to a certain letter was only because he was busy and distracted.

  Success could do that to a person.

  Jag rang the doorbell and waited. This was a key part of the mission.

  “Hello?” The man answered the door. Tall and well dressed, he looked confused by Jag’s presence. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m the window guy.” Jag held up a business card. “You wanted a quote. You called our firm.”

  “Oh . . . right.” The man stepped aside and welcomed Jag in. He gestured up into his expansive entryway. “The windows start here and run all through the first two floors. It’s been a decade or so. The seal’s broken on several of them.” He smiled, distracted. “My wife must’ve called. We keep meaning to get them replaced.”

  “I’ll work up a bid.” Jag looked around. “Cou
ld take an hour.”

  “That’s fine.” The man pointed to an adjacent office. “I’ll be in there if you need me.”

  “Perfect.” Jag knew exactly what he had to do. He started upstairs, listing windows and casing sizes until he reached the master bedroom. Time to make it happen. Please help me, Father. The letter was tucked beneath a stack of sweats in the man’s walk-in closet. Jag took it and slipped it into his pocket.

  On his way down the stairs he made a detour to the kitchen. He left the letter in the middle of the counter, in plain sight—where it couldn’t possibly be missed. Jag listed the rest of the windows on the form, then he walked to the man’s office and knocked on the glass door. The man pushed back from his desk and came to him.

  “All finished.” Jag held up his clipboard. “Got ’em all. I’ll turn this in to our business office and see what estimate we can get you.”

  “Great.”

  They walked to the front door. On the way Jag stopped at the cross on the wall near the entrance. Jag knew it was there—he had seen it when he came in. “Nice cross.”

  At first the man seemed distracted, anxious for Jag to leave. Then he did a double take and his eyes landed on the cross.

  Jag knew the history. The cross was a gift for the man’s wife a decade ago, when they first moved into this house.

  The man nodded at it. “Bought it in Europe.”

  Jag leaned in, studying the piece. “God likes when His people display reminders of their faith.” He turned to the man. “That’s in the Bible. Deuteronomy.” Jag didn’t blink. “One way to remember what’s important.”

  The man hesitated and gave a slight shrug. “I guess so.”

  “You and your wife believers?” Jag looked straight into the man’s eyes.

  He was listening now. “Uh . . . yes.” He smiled, his eyes kinder. “We believe.”

  “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.” Jag smiled. “That’s what I always say.”