Like a Love Song

by Camille Eide

  But no one knew that except her and God.

  Think, Sooz, think.

  Buying the ranch for a dollar depended on giving up the sign. A sign anyone could duplicate for fifty bucks. The deal was a no-brainer, of course. Give up the sign and the property would be hers. Debt-free.

  But why did the deal depend on the sign?

  And what kind of investor buys property for more than it’s worth and then sells it for a dollar?

  Sue paced the kitchen. There was a reason, and she was going to figure it out. This wasn’t profitable or sound. It meant an enormous loss.

  So what did the owner really hope to accomplish? Charity?

  No, they would have said that up front.

  She needed answers. She squinted at the scrawled phone number and began entering it on the keypad. Either the owner was a total crackpot or a cruel jokester. Or testing her maybe, to see if the sign had any special—

  Sue stopped, phone in hand.

  No way.

  There was perhaps one person who might want to know if there was anything significant about that sign hanging above her home.

  What if …?

  No. No way. Joe couldn’t be the owner. He had the Jacobs family to support. He couldn’t have bought this property too.

  Could he?

  Sue leaned elbows on the island and mentally tallied the puzzle pieces.

  Montgomery Enterprises. Because Chaz’s last name was Montgomery.

  Ninety extra days to stay with the kids. Rent-free.

  Paying thousands more than the property was worth.

  Grinning for days at Christmas.

  And now handing over the property for a dollar.

  But if Joe was behind this, why give it to her now, after all that had happened, after the terrible things she’d said and done?

  Her thoughts a confused jumble, she sank, face first, into her folded arms.

  If she was right about Joe being the owner, why had he bought the property in the first place? What had been his original intention? Had he been making other plans for the property? Plans she ruined when she betrayed him?

  Tears stung her eyes.

  It was obvious. Joe was giving her back the property and walking away. Washing his hands of her.

  Shame and sorrow twisted the pit of her stomach. Phone in hand, she walked outside and read the sign. If Joe was behind this, what did he mean by asking for the sign? Why make it a condition of the sale?

  Then, with a chilling certainty, she knew. The offer was a message. A message telling her she couldn’t run a home like My Father’s House. He was telling her she could do whatever she wanted with the place—just as long as she didn’t call it that.

  Sue stood alone in the yard.

  Joe was right. She had no clue about God’s way of doing things like raising kids or running a successful group home. Or anything else for that matter. She was no Sunday-schooled, choir-singing, glory-hallelujah-shouting Christian. She didn’t know the lingo or what the Bible said or how to say a proper prayer.

  All she knew was that God had answered when she called and had touched her heart in an undeniable way. He’d wrapped loving-Father arms around her and she was okay with it.

  But if she really could keep her home and her kids, then she would do things differently. She didn’t know how, but she’d figure it out with God’s help.

  Sue keyed in the lawyer’s number again, hands trembling. “Mr. Weston? This is Sue Quinn.” Her voice shook. “I’ve made a decision.”

  “Yes?”

  She looked up at the sign and the snow on the roof beyond it, then closed her eyes. I’m flying totally blind here, God. All I know is that I’ve given my home and my heart to You and I’m hoping You’ll help me do what’s best. For these kids.

  “Ms. Quinn?”

  She cleared her throat. “That sign is just wood, but it’s very important to me. It says something that I didn’t know how to say. But even though it’s important to me, I can’t pass up the chance to keep my home and these kids. So if your client really wants my sign, I’ll let it go.”

  “Are you sure?” the man said.

  “Yes. I accept the offer.” Father, I know it was like a promise from me to You, but I can’t pass this up. I’m sorry. She closed her eyes. Sorry—“Wait, Mr. Weston?” she said in a rush. “Can you please give your client a message for me?”

  A hesitation. “That’s a bit unconventional. What’s the message?”

  “Would you please tell your client …” Eyes closed, she gathered her nerve. “Please tell him I believe in him. And tell him …”

  I wish with all my heart that I could take back every hurtful thing I’ve ever said and done.

  Her voice was about to break. She whispered, “Just tell him I’m very sorry.”

  Stunned silence on the other end.

  Sue winced, realizing too late she was probably completely wrong in her theory about the owner. The lawyer thought he was dealing with a nutcase.

  “I will deliver your message, Ms. Quinn.”

  “Thank you.” Desperation quickened her pulse. “Can you please tell me how he’s doing? Is he okay?”

  Several beats of silence ticked across the line, or perhaps it was just her pulse. “My client is fine, ma’am. I’ll relay your answer and your message. I’ll be in touch. Thanks for your time.”

  Sue prayed she hadn’t just made another foolish mistake.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  In the quiet before dawn, Sue reached for the office phone she’d kept beside her during the night. Joe was the owner behind Montgomery Enterprises, LLC, she had no doubt. She stared at the phone’s empty display screen.

  Two days and still no calls.

  She pulled out her cell.

  No missed calls, no texts.

  Why would he call? The lawyer was handling all the details of the sale. Joe was now free of all his ties here. His silence proved her hunch correct—he wanted nothing to do with her.

  She leaned against the wall, heart throbbing.

  Would the peace she had sometimes felt when talking to God come back?

  “Please tell me I did the right thing,” she whispered into the dark. “Please help Joe somehow get past the terrible hurt I’ve caused him. Give him peace like You’ve given me.”

  A warm sense of that peace surged through her.

  Thank You.

  Sue asked God to help Brandi, who was still missing, and prayed for the rest of the kids. Then she prayed for Joe again. She used the recurring pain in her heart as a reminder to keep asking God to help him.

  How long will it hurt? And will the longing ever go away?

  Sue went downstairs to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee, then headed into her office and replaced the phone. She checked the office fax and her email.

  Nothing.

  Back in the kitchen, she poured a mug of coffee and turned at the sound of stomping on the back step.

  Bertie came in shivering, nose red. “Cold morning, boss. Hope that coffee’s extra hot and extra strong.”

  Sue handed Bertie her mug and took down another from the cupboard. “Bertie, do you ever think about God?”

  Bertie blew on her coffee, ignoring the way it steamed up her glasses. “Didn’t we have this conversation yesterday?”

  “Yeah, but I just wonder if—”

  The office phone rang.

  Sue’s breath caught. She set her cup down, ran to the office and answered before the third ring. “My Father’s House, this is Sue.”

  “Ms. Quinn? Amy Parker, Child Protective Services. Brandi Poe has been found.”

  “Oh, thank God. Is she hurt? Is she okay?”

  “She’s been on the streets the last few weeks. She’s at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, being treated for a number of issues. Nothing serious. She needs rehab. After that, she’ll be placed at the Corvallis facility until a permanent home is available.”

  “Can she have calls or visitors?”

  “Event
ually, but for now, no. Not until we complete our investigation.”

  “I understand.” Sue closed her eyes. “Has she said anything more about the incident? Has she changed her story at all?”

  “I am not at liberty to share information we receive from a minor.”

  “Oh, right. Of course.” Too much to hope for.

  “But I can tell you that the allegations made against your employee have been dropped.”

  Sue’s heart soared. “Thank you,” she said, barely more than a whisper. “And thank you for calling and letting me know she’s safe.” Sue rushed to the kitchen and met the question in Bertie’s eyes. “Brandi’s been found. She’s a little rough and needs rehab, but she’s alive.”

  “I’m glad she’s safe. I was fearing the worst.” Bertie cocked her head. “And …?”

  Sue ran a dishcloth over the counter in slow, even swipes. “The charges against Joe were dropped. I assume that means Brandi admitted she lied.”

  And if so, thank God she had, for Joe’s sake.

  If Brandi had the courage to tell the truth, then Sue was very proud of her and hoped to get a chance to tell the girl someday.

  “So Joe’s cleared?”

  “Yes.” Frowning, Sue bent low and scrubbed at a mark on the counter, mentally scolding herself again for not seeing the truth from the start. For being so quick to act on damaged instincts. God, help me. I don’t want to do that to anyone ever again.

  The older woman set down her cup and shuffled closer to Sue. “You did the best you could, Sue. You’re only human. Don’t forget that.”

  “I’m not likely to forget.” Sue kept scrubbing. “We both know I made a lot of mistakes, Bert. I wish I could go back and undo them.”

  Because not a day passes that I don’t relive every one of them.

  She could keep wishing and keep trying to forget the things she’d done. Or she could forgive herself, learn from her mistakes, and move on.

  “Sue, you know there’s no point looking back.”

  She sighed. “I know. Focus my energy on avoiding future mistakes.”

  Bertie took off her glasses and rubbed the lenses on the hem of her new rainbow tie-dyed shirt. “Well, I’m not holding my breath. But I’ll still be your sidekick anytime.”

  Sue shot her a faint smile. “Careful. Praise like that will go straight to my head.”

  Bertie winked. “Hey, I know what side my bread is buttered on. Speaking of which, time to wake the boys for breakfast.” She headed to the back door with her coffee.

  After breakfast, as the kids prepared for room checks, Sue discovered Chaz was missing. After a few minutes of hunting, she found him in the utility room.

  He’d already dismantled an electric can opener and a heavy-duty flashlight and was working on the only handheld mixer that still worked.

  While she was having a talk with him, Ringo galloped into the room with a bark, his shaggy coat glistening with melting snow.

  “Hey! Who let the dog in like that?” Sue hollered.

  Ringo shook his fur, sending droplets of water and chunks of snow flying.

  “Yu-u-ck! Ringo, outside! Jasmine?” Sue shouted.

  Ringo ran out, then raced back in to Sue, prancing. With another bark, he disappeared.

  Goofball. Sue followed him. In the dining hall, a blast of icy air hit. The front door stood wide open, sending in more frigid gusts. She went to close the door but came to a halt at the sight of a large man standing in the middle of her front lawn.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Joe’s heart thudded when Sue appeared in the doorway.

  She didn’t move. Just stood there staring at him, eyes wide.

  Maybe he was wrong about her message. Maybe she didn’t know the charges had been dropped and was afraid he was criminally trespassing.

  But Sue wasn’t looking at him with fear. In fact, the way she was looking at him wiped away his assertion that he had no more feelings for her.

  Wagging like crazy, Ringo bumped Joe’s hand.

  Absently, he petted the dog. His gaze traveled to the sign, My Father’s House, hanging slightly askew above the entrance. He had no idea why he was here—he had no plan. All he knew was her message needled at him until he grabbed the next flight to Portland and then drove for hours in the dark—for no other reason than to see the sign for himself.

  A roar of voices brought Sonja, Deeg, and Edgar bursting out of the house, followed by Vince and Cori. They tumbled down the steps, yelling.

  “J-man!”

  “You came back!”

  He smiled, filled with a rush of pure joy.

  Chaz burst out of the house and flew down the steps, passing the others. Not slowing, he rammed Joe in the stomach with a fierce head-butt, knocking Joe back a step.

  “Whoa,” he said, reaching out to steady the boy. “Easy there, buddy.”

  Chaz jerked away and backed out of reach. He straightened his glasses, face mottled shades of pink, and glared at Joe’s knees. “You didn’t even say good-bye.”

  Crud.

  “I’m sorry about that, Chaz.”

  Cori patted him on the back while the others came out and gathered around, high-fiving him.

  Chaz stood off to one side, complexion still splotchy, arms banded across his chest.

  Sue descended the steps. Behind her, a bandaged Jasmine crossed the porch on crutches.

  “Papa Joe!”

  What had happened to Jas?

  “Hey, Joe!” Linda hollered from the doorway. “Come inside. You wanna freeze?”

  Joe stole a glance at Sue, then examined each of the kids. “Chaz is right, guys. I should’ve said good-bye. I’m sorry about that.”

  “That’s okay,” Cori said, smiling. “You’re here now.”

  Joe winced. “Only for a few minutes.”

  Sonja gasped. “What do you mean? You’re not staying?”

  Jasmine clunked to the edge of the steps, face puckering. “Papa Joe? You leaving us again?” She burst into tears.

  Double crud. He was twenty kinds of rotten for coming here.

  “I knew he wouldn’t stay,” Chaz muttered. “Everyone always leaves.”

  Joe winced. “Not everyone, buddy.” He looked at Sue.

  She stood a few yards away, eyes glistening.

  “Miss Susan is staying. You guys don’t have to worry about going anywhere ever again.”

  A murmur rippled through the crowd.

  Behind Sue, Bertie emerged from the house. “All right, time to move this little reunion inside. Come on, guys, before you all turn into popsicles.”

  The kids filed up the steps and into the house, but Sue crossed the lawn to where Joe stood, eyes filled with confusion. “Why did you give me the property?”

  He’d asked himself the same question a thousand times.

  To finish what I started.

  Joe glanced up at the sign. “Just something I needed to do.”

  Her gaze fell. When she lifted her eyes again, grief like he’d never seen swam in their depths.

  He cleared his throat. “I got your message.”

  Sue nodded but said nothing.

  He wanted to ask his questions and leave, but the misery on her face tore at him and the words wouldn’t come.

  “Joe, I know this doesn’t mean much now,” she said. “But I want to tell you how sorry I am. I can’t imagine how much I hurt you.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I keep remembering how you forgave your family. I know it was really hard, but you did it anyway. I wonder if someday you might find it in your heart to forgive me too.” Tears streaked her cheeks, but she didn’t turn away to hide them. Chin trembling, she wiped her face with shaking hands.

  He swallowed hard. Seeing her broken and asking his forgiveness struck him in a way that made his heart pound.

  Was it that important to her?

  Forgiveness was a gift of grace, a gift he’d received himself. It wasn’t something he could ever withhold from anyon
e who asked for it.

  Joe sighed. “It’s not a matter of someday, Sue.” His voice softened. “I forgive you.”

  Her eyes closed and she wiped her cheeks again. “Thank you,” she whispered. She turned toward the house. “So I guess you’re here for your sign.”

  He frowned. Was he?

  “Look,” she said, voice low. “I know you don’t think it belongs on my home or that I have what it takes to live up to that name, and you’re probably right.” Her words tumbled out in a rush. “This is all new to me. I gave my heart to God, and I hung that sign there because I needed a way to say that.” Shivering, she rubbed her bare arms. “I know hanging those words on the outside won’t automatically change what happens inside my home—or my heart. That will take time. The sign was just … a promise.”

  All of Sue’s previous anger and fear of getting close to God came to mind. Had she really surrendered her heart to Him? Oh, the possibilities for her now were endless.

  “I’m glad to hear that, Sue.” Not only glad, but honored that he’d been the one to tell her about God. Which was what God had wanted from Joe all along—to show her His love.

  Not to fall in love.

  A shadow dampened his joy over her news. He didn’t need any more reminders that he still had feelings she couldn’t reciprocate.

  “You probably think it was crazy to hang that sign,” she said. “And maybe it was. It doesn’t matter now.” She spoke softly. “Your ‘condition’ made me realize there’s no question about keeping my kids and our home.” Her voice snagged on the last word. She shivered again and met his gaze. “If you want the sign, it’s yours.”

  “I’m not going to take your sign, Sue. You keep it.”

  Her brow gathered in confusion. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded, ashamed of himself. Anyone who’d take that sign away from her deserved to be flogged.

  “So if you’re not here for the sign, then why are you here?”

  Good question.

  “Tell him I believe in him.”

  Then it hit him. The evidence must have finally stacked up in Joe’s favor after Brandi’s confession.

  “How long did it take?”

  Sue frowned. “For what?”

  “For Brandi to confess she lied?”