Read Online Rocky Point Reunion by Barbara McMahon - Free Book Online Page B

bridesmaiduntil her best friend Jody had married five years ago. She couldn’t hold off against her friend’s blandishments.
    It was hard now that Zack was back to ignore the memories of her excitement at getting married, the planning and work that had gone into the wedding. How her dad had sent all the reception food to a soup kitchen in Portland so it wouldn’t go to waste after the event had been so unexpectedly canceled.
    Sinking on her sofa, she leaned her head back. Lord, I’m praying for some wisdom here. What should I do about Zack? Forgive and move on? Try to be friends? I thought I had gotten over the pain of his leaving, but that ache is in my heart. Lord, I need You more than ever. Speak to me, I pray. Give me Your guidance and love.
    Marcie remained on the sofa for several minutes, then rose and went to get her Bible. She’d read where it opened and hoped the Lord was telling her what to do.
    The Bible fell open to Isaiah and she read, Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. That verse didn’t just apply to her. It applied to all God’s children, including Zack. She didn’t agree with how Zack had backed out of their marriage, but God still loved them both. It was up to her to find forgiveness in her heart for him. It didn’t mean she had to put herself in a similar situation again. She didn’t have to plan a life with Zack, just forgive the mistake of the past and draw closer to the Lord.
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    Zack and Jenny stood on the edge of the bluff overlooking the tiny beach below. The setting sun was behind them, the sky darker on the horizon before them. The sea was growing gray and dark.
    â€œWhen it gets warmer, Daddy will take me down to the beach to play in the water. I can’t swim too good yet,though sometimes Melissa and Sally Anne and I go to the pool at the high school. When Sally Anne’s mom can take us.”
    â€œDon’t go down to the beach alone,” Zack said, echoing what his parents had drummed into his head. He hadn’t thought about them in a long while. It was hard to believe they’d been gone so long. He missed them still. Probably always would.
    â€œI won’t. Did you and Daddy play there when you were little boys?”
    â€œOh, yeah, and our folks made sure we always had a grown-up with us.” He felt an awesome responsibility for this little girl while her dad was gone. It made him feel more connected to his parents—sharing the same admonitions they’d given. Watching the future generation of Kincaids grow. Would he and Marcie have had kids? By now they could have had a houseful.
    Jenny looked out to the horizon. The sun slipped away and before long it would be dark. There were lights on in the house behind them to guide them back.
    â€œOver there is Europe,” she said, pointing east.
    â€œRight you are.”
    â€œMy daddy and I came out here a lot to pray for you.”
    That surprised Zack. “Well, thank you.”
    â€œDaddy prayed you would find your way home. Were you lost, Uncle Zack?”
    â€œMaybe a bit,” he said.
    â€œAnd we prayed you’d always be safe. And God kept you safe and helped you find your way back home.” She sounded pleased with her conclusion.
    Zack wondered if God had listened to his brother’s prayers and kept him safe. His friend Jacques could have used some prayers. Maybe he wouldn’t have died in that crash. Zack rubbed his hand over his face, wishing hecould erase the memory of the fiery collision, the sick certainty the instant he knew that his friend was dead.
    â€œDid you pray for us?” Jenny asked, looking up at him. “We aren’t lost but we always need God.”
    The shrill ring of the old phone in the house echoed in the night air.
    â€œI bet that’s Daddy,” Jenny said, turning to run to the house. Zack followed, glad he hadn’t had to answer that innocent question. He should have been