Ronnie grinned. “Then that means you can come home.”
Home. That really was the word, wasn’t it? And a family. Now life could be worth living again. Drake instantly looked to Andrew, who, by this time, was smiling too. “Can I?”
“Is that what you want?”
Drake’s voice trembled as he said, “I can’t imagine anything I’ve ever wanted more.”
Andrew put the car in reverse and stole a glimpse at the sky. “Me either.”
“Oh, wait,” Drake said, taking off his shoe. He lifted the flap of his heel and pulled out the six one-hundred dollars bills hidden beneath. “Just one more thing I gotta take care of first.”
Andrew looked at the money curiously. “What are you going to do with that?”
Drake nodded his head toward Ronnie. “Saw a pound about two miles back. Think maybe they have a spare box we can take a beagle home in?”
“A beagle!” Ronnie squealed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“I never knew you wanted a beagle, Ronnie,” Andrew said. “I don’t mind buying you one.”
Drake put his hand on Andrew’s arm. “Please. Let me do this.”
Andrew smiled and pulled out of the parking lot without another word. Ronnie, on the other hand, couldn’t stop talking.
And for once, neither could Drake.
Epilogue
So that’s my story, and even if you had told me the ending ahead of time, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Life seemed to drift back to the way it was when I first came here, only now I have to occasionally brush puppy hair off my pillow. But I don’t care. It’s just great to have a real home.
Exactly one month after I came back, Andrew got a brilliant idea and took us all to a picture studio to have our “family” picture taken. He had always called me family. Now, for the first time, I actually believe it.
To this day, I’ve kept that old angel bear Ronnie gave me on my dresser, and the picture he drew is still on the wall. It serves as a constant reminder that God can still do whatever God wants to do. My leg healed just as the doctor said it would, and now I can finally walk without a limp. I never forgot that car salesman either. He couldn’t stop grinning when I told him about how I had asked Jesus into my heart. I even offered to repay the money he had lost on the truck, but he waved off my statement with, “Be blessed.” Amazing guy. I never thought I’d see the day when I felt so complete in all my life. It’s great.
Still more surprises came my way when the church asked me if I would join the praise team and play the piano. Apparently, Andrew had spilled to them behind my back that I played, but I don’t mind. It makes me glad to know I’m able to take something I love and do it for the glory of my Savior. I’ve written two worship songs already—not bragging, but they’re pretty good. Oh yeah, I decided to start giving Ronnie lessons after he came incredibly close to dropping to his knees and begging me to teach him every day. He’s learning fast. In a month, I’ll bet he passes me up.
“Hey, everybody!” Andrew hollered from downstairs. “Come look!”
I caught Ronnie staring back at me as I ran out into the hallway. It was a race to see who could get down the stairs the fastest.
“Well, what do you think?” Andrew said, taking a seat on the couch as he stared up at something.
I looked up above the fireplace and saw our picture mounted. “You finally found a frame that fit,” I said, sitting down beside him.
“Yeah, and the perfect spot too!” Ronnie said.
I smiled as I looked at the picture. “Now that’s a picture.”
Andrew put one arm around me and the other around Ronnie. “No, Drake. That right there…” He paused and admired the picture before saying, “That’s family.”
About Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams, always a devoted reader to a fast-paced novel, began her path toward becoming a Christian novelist at age fifteen. More than just wanting to create characters that lived on in her reader’s minds, Ashley desired to write fiction that unashamedly glorified the name of Jesus and brought readers to a deeper understanding of who God is. She then enrolled in Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild, determined to deliver a solid, well-crafted message to her readers. In 2009, she published her first Christian book titled A Father’s Betrayal: Condemned to Die--a story about persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
Born in Texas, Ashley now lives in Tennessee with her parents, two brothers, and little sister who are a constant encouragement to her dreams. Ashley had been homeschooled since the first grade and is now in college continuing to pursue her love of writing. She stays very involved in her parents’ ministry alongside of her siblings, and finds happiness in reading God’s Word, spending time with her family, and writing.
If you enjoyed this book, let Ashley know at ashleyfiction@hotmail. com or check out her Website at www.ashleywilliamsbooks.com.
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