Read Online The Healing Place by Leigh Bale - Free Book Online

her breathing became shallow.
    He leaned his elbows on the table. “When we were in high school, you were always the one who believed in God. What happened?”
    “I had no reason to believe anymore.”
    “That’s rather cynical, don’t you think?”
    She squeezed her hot dog. “This world is cold and heartless, and only the strong survive.”
    “That’s your hurt talking.”
    She snorted. “How can you know for sure that there is a God? Nothing makes sense to me anymore.”
    He paused as he considered her words.
    “I know you’ve been hurt, Emmy, but look at all the good things in your life.”
    Clasping her hands together, she refused to meet his eyes. She looked across the crowd of people thronging the store, anxious until she saw Angie’s head bobbing about as she stood on tippy-toe to reach the napkin dispenser. “What if you’re wrong, Mark? What if there isn’t anything else?”
    Part of her wanted Mark to agree with her and part of her wanted him to convince her she was wrong. In many ways, she felt like a rebellious teenager, daring God to prove He really existed.
    “Without God and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our lives would be absolutely hopeless, Emma. I know. ” His words were so intense that she paused.
    “I wish I had your conviction.”
    “I know God led me to you, to heal Angie. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent on my knees praying for help, and then we found you. I don’t believe it was just by chance.”
    Her mouth went dry and tears of frustration burned her eyes. She’d never been the answer to anyone’s prayer before. At least, not that she was aware of. “Don’t say that, Mark. What if I let you down?”
    “You won’t. Let’s just trust our Heavenly Father. He’ll help us do what’s right for Angie.”
    She hadn’t put faith in God since Brian’s death and she had no reason to start trusting Him now. Yet, Mark made it sound like they were a team, planning a strategy to beat the evil tumor. Somehow it felt good to be included. To have someone need her so badly. And yet—
    What if he lost Angie? Would he blame Emma and doubt God then?
    “I hope you always feel that way, Mark. I hope you never lose your faith, no matter what comes along.”
    He reached across the table and covered her hand with his and gave it a squeeze. His eyes were mesmerizing. “I won’t. No matter what.”
    She stared into Mark’s eyes.
    “Emmy?”
    “Yes?”
    “You have ketchup on your face.”
    She blinked as he wiped her chin with his finger and a smile widened his handsome mouth.
    “Oh.” Pulling a tissue from her purse, she scrubbed her chin, embarrassed.
    She felt like a young schoolgirl again, not a mature professional doctor discussing theology with a man she’d had deep feelings for at one time in her life.
    Angie broke the moment when she returned with the napkins. Dropping them beside Emma’s paper plate, she sidled next to Mark on the bench. She leaned her head down as she stared at a splotch of grime on the tabletop.
    “Come here, hon. That doesn’t look too sanitary.” He tucked her against him, resting her head against his side as he rubbed her back.
    Mark was extremely protective of Angie, yet so gentle. Emma couldn’t really blame him, though there were times when he probably shielded her too much. No doubt fear of losing his child was the reason why.
    “Are you tired out?” He tugged on the brim of Angie’s baseball cap and kissed her forehead.
    “Yeah, I don’t feel good. Can we go, Dad? People are staring at me.”
    Emma looked up, noticing several people watched Angie, their eyes filled with sympathy. Even with the hat, it was easy to see Angie’s bald head and know she was sick, but the attention bothered the little girl. Emma remembered how people stared at Brian, his gaunt face and haunted, vacant eyes.
    Mark scowled and the people averted their gazes.
    “Sure, babe.” He smiled at Emma. “You ready to go, Dr. Shields?”
    “Yep.”
    Without