Read Online Never Say Goodbye by Irene Hannon - Free Book Online Page B

harassment theory, she thought wryly.
    â€œSo what brings you home at lunchtime?” he repeated.
    â€œI forgot a report that I need this afternoon.”
    A slow smile spread over Scott’s face. “The Lord really does work in mysterious ways,” he said softly.
    She frowned again. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œI’ve been praying for our paths to cross again, Jess.”
    â€œThis is just a coincidence,” she scoffed.
    â€œOh ye of little faith.”
    The truth of the remark, said partly in jest, stung. “Since when have you gotten so holy?” she lashed out. “I seem to recall having to drag you to church when we were…” She stopped abruptly. “Well, a long time ago.”
    Suddenly his face grew serious. “I’ve changed,Jess. My faith is the main reason I survived the last few years.”
    She stared at him. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”
    â€œIt’s the truth,” he said simply. “You of all people should understand that. Your faith was always important to you. Now I know why.”
    But I don’t, she thought silently. Not anymore . Her spoken words, however, were different. “Look, I don’t have time for philosophical discussions,” she said irritably. “I’m running late. You can believe whatever you want about these two meetings. I call it chance. Bad luck. Whatever. And I think it’s highly unlikely to happen again. In fact, I hope with all my heart that it doesn’t. Goodbye, Scott.”
    She lifted her chin and headed toward her condo. Though she purposely didn’t look at him again, the title of the book he held somehow seemed to jump out at her as she passed. And for a moment her step faltered. It was the Holy Bible, she realized in astonishment.
    As she picked up her pace once again, she suddenly—and much to her surprise—realized that she was envious. Because Scott had clearly found in his faith what she’d always claimed to have in hers. Trust in the Lord. A belief that no matter what happened, He was always with us. And a deep conviction that if we turned to Him for help, if we admitted our faults and asked for forgiveness, He would stand with us and welcome us home.
    When she’d first seen Scott, she’d been struck bythe deep inner peace in his eyes. Now she knew the source.
    It was ironic, she thought with a bittersweet pang. In Scott’s adversity, when he’d felt most abandoned, the Lord had taken him in. Just the opposite had happened with her. In her adversity, she had walked away from her faith. Because she believed the Lord had abandoned her.
    For the first time since Elizabeth’s death, Jess acknowledged that the loss of her faith had made her the poorer. But she had no idea how to rebuild it. Or even if she wanted to. Because that would mean once more putting her trust in the Lord. And at this point in her life, she had very little trust to give.
    To anyone.
    Â 
    â€œThe garden’s coming along beautifully, Scott.”
    Scott wiped his forehead on his sleeve as he gazed with satisfaction at the plantings that were transforming the area around the just-finished gazebo into a meditation garden. Dogwoods, Japanese maples, azaleas, boxwoods, lilies, hydrangeas, irises and banks of perennials now framed the slightly elevated natural wood structure. The layout was pleasing to the eye, and the plants had been chosen to provide a season-long display of color. “Thanks. I’m happy with the way it turned out,” Scott concurred. “In a year or two, when everything is really established, this will be a lovely spot.”
    â€œIt looks pretty good to me right now. And the board agrees. I’m sure they’ll thank you officially, butin the meantime they wanted me to pass on their compliments.”
    â€œIt was no big deal,” Scott replied with a shrug. “I had the time, and it was a good