Susan turned to Alix, her expression unreadable.
“It isn’t just street kids, either. It’s everyone. I couldn’t have chosen a woman with a kinder heart. She cares about people and they see that and love her back.” He paused. “I see the way kids gravitate toward her. She doesn’t judge them, she listens with love and understanding and tells them there’s a better way.”
Once more Susan’s eyes locked with Alix’s.
“Jordan, would you bring me the plate?” his father called out from his position at the barbecue. “These ribs are done to perfection.”
“Sure thing!” Jordan disappeared into the kitchen.
Susan hung her head. “I feel like such a fool, Alix.”
“Why?” she asked. After his little speech about forgiveness, Alix couldn’t possibly be angry. It hurt, what his mother had said, and it would take a while for that pain to go away; nevertheless, this was an important relationship to both her and Jordan. “You love your son and you want the best wife for him. I can’t be upset about that.”
“It’s just…Oh, I feel so foolish. Jordan’s right. You’re going to make him a wonderful wife, and you’re going to be a good pastor’s wife, too.”
She shrugged. “I plan to try.”
“Please,” Susan whispered and her voice cracked as tears filled her eyes. “Don’t hate me.”
Alix took the other woman’s hand. “I don’t.”
“I’ve given you every reason to dislike me and despite that you’ve been nothing but kind. I’m so sorry. Can we put this behind us?”
“Isn’t that what the Lord’s Prayer is all about?” Alix asked. “Asking God to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others’?”
Susan smiled through her tears. “I’ve been married to Larry for thirty-eight years and been a pastor’s wife all that time, yet it seems I have much to learn from you.” She stood, and came around the table.
Alix met her halfway and they held each other fiercely.
This was a new beginning—the beginning Alix had been hoping for.
CHAPTER 34
Colette Blake
Colette couldn’t sleep. It might as well be noon instead of three o’clock in the middle of a moonless night.
Every time she closed her eyes, all Colette could think about was Christian. The scenarios that ran through her tortured mind were so terrifying, she had to force herself not to scream or cry. Every day without news intensified her fear that Christian would never be found. China was a huge country and no one seemed to have any idea where Christian might be. No one was saying anything, at any rate.
Elizabeth had asked Colette to stay with her until this was resolved, one way or another. But how much longer should they continue to hold out hope?
Elliott Dempsey had landed in Beijing and phoned to tell them he’d spoken to the U.S. embassy. He’d hired an investigative team and was awaiting word. He phoned at least once a day with an update. So far every lead had come to an abrupt dead end. Christian had never arrived in Zhongshan—but this was information Colette already had. His trail began and ended in Beijing.
Climbing silently out of bed, Colette crept down the stairs. A glass of milk might help relax her enough to sleep.
When she came into the kitchen, Colette was surprised to find Elizabeth sitting at the table, dressed in a long robe. Her white hair hung down around her shoulders.
Elizabeth gave her a tired smile. “You couldn’t sleep, either?” she asked.
Colette shook her head. “I came down for a glass of milk.”
“I did, too, but it hasn’t done me any good,” the old woman said. “I doubt it’ll help you, either.”
“Give it time.” It wasn’t like Elizabeth to be so negative.
“Time! I’ve been sitting here for an hour and I don’t feel the slightest bit tired yet.”
“You haven’t slept in days.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Neither have you.”
That was true. Ever since she’d gotten word, Colette hadn’t been able to rest for more than an hour or two. She couldn’t release the tension—and the fear—that held her in its grip.
“Sit down,” Elizabeth said. “We should talk.”
Colette poured the milk, then sat at the wooden table, wondering what Elizabeth could possibly say that hadn’t already been said a hundred times.
“Christian and I spoke the night before he left,” the old woman began. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but I think now…now that it’s been nearly ten days without word…Well, I’ve decided you have a right to know.” She paused and Colette waited for her to go on, hardly daring to breathe.
“He came to me after I tried to play matchmaker.” She revealed a hint of a smile and motioned with her hands, as if to say that entire scheme had been a failure. “I’m no good at subterfuge.”
“It was sweet of you to try.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a compliment compared to what Christian had to say on the subject.”
“I can imagine.” As long as she’d worked for him, Christian had never refrained from expressing his feelings.
“He told me it was better for both of you if he stayed away.” Elizabeth scowled in disapproval. “I argued with him but it got me nowhere. Men! I never met one with a lick of sense. Even Charles…” Sighing, she lifted her shoulders in a resigned shrug. “Never mind, this is about Christian and not Charles, although they’re more alike than I realized.”
She sighed again. “Christian also said there were things he couldn’t discuss. Why he’d say that to me, I have no idea. I tried to get him to talk but he refused. He said it was safer if I didn’t know.” Elizabeth seemed perturbed at his reticence. “He did tell me something significant, though. Perhaps he had a premonition that he wouldn’t return, but…”