Page 14 of SEAL of Valor

I take another step closer to the front of the sanctuary, my gaze landing on the broken chains at the base of the cross. I understand now what they mean. Having faith doesn’t mean we’ll never suffer; it just means we don’t have to go through it alone.

It was the Lord who healed me.

The Lord who restored what broke in me that night.

Even though at that moment, I’d turned my back on Him, furious that He didn’t spare me the pain of loss. I’d questioned His love for me and the plan He had for a future I didn’t want if it meant losing everything.

A door off to the side of the sanctuary opens, and a grey-haired man steps out. He lifts his gaze from a paper in his hand and stares at me a moment before a wide smile spreads across his face.

“Reese Faye! Is that you?”

I can’t help but smile. “Hi, Pastor Reeves.”

The man hasn’t aged a day since the last time I saw him. Like the fall decorations, he remains unchanged. And I find so much comfort in that.

He comes toward me, pulling me in for a quick hug. “It is wonderful to see you. What brings you to town?”

I got fired by my cheating ex-boyfriend.

“I just really needed a change,” I say, keeping the full reason to myself.

“Well, I am so glad you’re here. It’s good to see you, Reese.”

“Thanks. You, too.” I glance around the sanctuary. “I thought I might catch my mom here and surprise her.”

“Ahh, she left pretty quick after service.”

“Probably expected me at home. I’d better go catch up. It was good to see you.”

“You, too.” He smiles again. “You doing okay, Reese?”

How does he always know?

“Yeah. Just been a while.” I force a smile of my own.

“How long are you staying for?”

“Not sure. I know that Mom’s been managing the ranch alone since Dad died, so I figured I’d hang around for a while and help.”

Pastor Reeves’ smile fades, and he narrows his gaze slightly, looking almost confused. “Alone?”

“Yeah. She’s been refusing to hire any permanent help. I’m honestly hoping I can change her mind on that.” I laugh softly, knowing it’s a venture I will absolutely fail. Going head-to-head with my stubborn mother is just not something I’ve ever been successful with. When I notice the way he’s watching me, though, my amusement fades instantly. “What?”

He runs a hand over the back of his neck. “Uh, well, I think you and your mom have a lot to talk about, Reese.” His tone is off. There’s a surprise to it, sure, but something else. Honestly, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he seems slightly guarded now, as if he’s working hard not to say something.

Which makes my unease grow. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong. You just need to talk to your mom,” he says.

“Okay.” The way he says it raises a whole slew of questions, but Pastor Reeves isn’t one to continue speaking on something once he’s decided not to. If he says I need to talk to my mom, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

I yawn, the early morning drive over here catching up to me.

After coffee.

“Come find me when you need to talk.”

When. Not if. “What do you know?”