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“What are you talking about?”
“Well, I wanted to see if you’d come to my baptism. I told Pastor Henry that I decided to get baptized, and he’s going to do it tomorrow.”
Excitement pulsed through her. “Really?”
“You totally don’t have to come or anything.”
Lucy could sense that this was important to him. She squeezed him and said, “Of course I’ll come.”
Chapter 22
Raine walked toward the beach where he’d first come to South Port and sat on the rock by the pier and watched the ocean for hours. Not far from Pastor Henry’s church. He could say that he was shocked at the little group of people who had gathered, but that would be an understatement. He turned to Pastor Henry. “I didn’t know this many people would be coming.”
The pastor gently placed his hand on Raine’s shoulder. “Don’t you know, Raine, that every life affects another life? That one man’s faith, when it is renewed and kindled, affects every man’s faith? They heard, and they wanted to come. I hope that’s okay.”
Raine was touched and even more surprised to see that the gathering was complete with a little white tent and a table that provided various food and cups of water. Lucy waved to him; no doubt this was her doing. She wore a flowing pink-and-white dress and looked perfect standing next to the decorations.
Trey and Ava were there, and they’d brought their children. Brooks, who he’d only met once, had shown up, along with his wife Serenity. Hunter and Cheryse were there too, along with Trent and Liberty. Of course, Dawn and Trevor attended also.
Trevor stepped forward and put a hand on Raine’s shoulder. “We hadn’t left on our honeymoon yet, and though I’ll be Catholic forever, I love the idea of getting baptized and washing all your sins away as an adult. Especially in our cases. We can leave behind the people we were and become better.”
This made Raine chuckle. He considered telling Trevor that his sins were way worse, but he’d learned that it wasn’t a competition. It was personal with God. Warmth stirred his soul as he thought about God, this day, and a fresh start.
Lily popped into view, wearing a dress and holding a Bible. She moved toward him and opened her arms. “Raine! What a beautiful day to come to the Lord.”
Raine hugged her and stared out at the sparkling ocean water. “Yes, it is.”
The only thing that would make this day better was if he could share it with Truman. After all, Truman was the one person who knew him best. But Truman had told him the night before that he didn’t believe any of it. They didn’t need anyone to tell them if they were good or bad. They didn’t need a father figure who had never been there for them.
Everything Truman had said weighed down Raine’s heart. But he knew what he knew, and he felt what he felt.
Raine studied everyone’s faces and smiled at them. “Thanks for coming.”
“Wait for us.” Kensi, Tim, and their kids were coming toward them. Kensi got to him and pulled him into a hug. “This will be a great day.”
Tim put an arm around him and pulled him close. “You’re making my dad pretty happy. I like that.” He winked at him. “Did I mention that you’re welcome here in South Port and welcome in the family?”
Tears filled Raine’s eyes. “You have no idea what that means to me.”
“Wait,” Lucy said, moving toward him, holding a huge, wrapped package.
Raine’s heart raced.
She grinned at him, then quickly undid the wrapping. “My Versaille painting. And now it’s yours.”
He rushed to her, taking her into his arms. “Thank you.” He pulled back and studied it. “I love it.”
Lucy beamed at him. “Guess what?”
“What?”
“I love it, too. Because all my bad programing is gone.”
Tears blinked down his cheeks and he held her again. “Mine is too. God is good!”
Chapter 23
Matt couldn’t believe the change in Charlene. It was like the prospect of getting married again had brought back what he’d wanted for so long: a shared partnership. She was constantly texting or calling him. She made dinner if he got off late. She coordinated their schedules to juggle activities for Tatum. Heck, she even had lunch with some moms of Tatum’s friends. It was everything Matt wanted, everything he’d thought they’d be doing from the get-go in Raleigh, and Matt should have been happy about it.
