Tend the Light by Susannah Hayden

Author:Susannah Hayden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

❧

The breeze stirred and the clouds morphed into new configurations. “Lord, You make such beautiful things,” Lacey prayed aloud. “Why is Travis’s heart not as clear to me as this day? And what do You really want me to do for TJ? I’m listening. Help me to hear Your voice above the others.”

A sneeze made Lacey start and she scrambled to her knees and looked around. Another sneeze came and she asked, “Who’s there?”

“It’s me,” a voice answered.

But, as timid as the voice was, Lacey recognized it. “TJ, where are you?”

The bushes behind her parted and TJ crawled out. Instinc-tively, Lacey scanned his face and arms for new marks. His forearms were bright red. “Are you all right?” she asked.

He nodded. “Who were you talking to?”

Lacey responded with a puzzled look. “No one. I’m alone, just out for a walk on a fine day.”

“But I heard you say something.”

“Oh, I was praying. I didn’t realize I had spoken aloud.”

“Praying?”

“Talking to God about some of the things I’m concerned about.”

“Who’s Travis?”

“A friend,” Lacey said firmly. She could not ignore the fresh marks any longer. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

He nodded again and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his overalls. “It’s not as bad as usual. My mama told me to get out and stay away for a few hours. By the time I get back, he’ll be sleeping it off.”

“Oh, TJ, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I should be able to come to school tomorrow.”

“Of course I’m glad you’re not hurt more seriously, but he shouldn’t be doing this to you.”

“He don’t mean no harm. He just gets mad about stupid things when he drinks.”

“But he seems to be drinking all the time now.”

TJ sat down next to Lacey. “You were praying about me, weren’t you?”

“Yes, I was. I believe God wants me to help you, but I’m just not sure how.”

“Ain’t nothin’ you can do. Excuse me, there isn’t nothin’ you can do.”

“You mean ‘There isn’t anything you can do,’ ” Lacey said, finishing the correction that TJ had begun. “But I can’t accept that.”

TJ shrugged. “Other folks do. They say you have trouble mindin’ your own business.”

“Yes, I know they say that.”

“Seems true, don’t it?”

“Doesn’t it. No, I don’t think so. I just have a different idea of what’s my business than other people do.”

“Am I your business?” TJ asked, looking up at Lacey.

“I think you are,” Lacey said softly.

“Did God send you to me?”

“I think maybe He did.”

“Am I God’s business, too?”

Lacey’s heart filled her chest. “Of course, you are.”

“Then why did He wait so long to send you?”

The question cut through Lacey. How could she possibly think about abandoning TJ?

“TJ,” she said, “how would you like it if you didn’t go home?”

“You mean today?”

“Yes, for today, maybe a few days.”

“Maybe not ever?” he asked.

Lacey nodded. “Maybe until your father gets better.”

“Where would I go?”

“Well, to begin with, you could come home with me.”

“Miss Johnson won’t like that.”

“No, I don’t suppose she will. But you let me worry about Miss Johnson.

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