In the Shadow of Evil (38 page)

"They are a touchy subject." Maddox took a sip of his coffee. Strong and black, the way Pop always drank his. Maddox welcomed its briskness.

Pop ran his finger around the lip of his mug. Not prying. Not asking. Letting Maddox gather his thoughts.

"We've never really talked about you and Mom, before I was born, I mean."

Pop smiled. "Ah, how I fell in love with her. Or rather, how she fell in love with someone like me."

"No, not that at all. Just wondering how you knew. How you knew she was the one for you."

"I first met Abigail in the spring. I was new to Louisiana, Dad having just transferred to the state. Starting a new school midyear wasn't fun, but my first day I saw Abigail. She was beautiful. Took my breath away." Pop's eyes took on a misty, faraway appearance.

"She was a senior, same as me, and I saw her that first time in the courtyard during lunch. Man, that woman's smile could bring a man to his knees something quick."

Maddox smiled.

Pop looked at him. "You have her smile, you know."

His knees weakened. He slipped into the bar stool next to the counter.

"Anyway, there she was with George, laughing and sharing a piece of cake."

"Wait a minute—Uncle George?"

"Yeah." Pop grinned. "Didn't realize we'd been friends so long, did you?"

"I always assumed you and Uncle George were friends, not Mom and him."

"Oh, they were more than friends. They dated. Nothing serious, they both assured me later, but they were going out that first day I saw her."

"Wow. What happened?"

Pop took another sip of coffee. "Well, I caught her eye from across the courtyard. I was a goner as soon as she turned those baby blues on me." He smiled again. "You have her eyes too."

He knew that. Had always been proud of his eyes. His mother's eyes.

"The way she told it, she knew the moment she saw me that I was trouble, but she couldn't resist." Pop chuckled. "I think it was the other way around."

Now Maddox laughed. "Mom? Trouble?"

"Son, you have no idea. Your mother was quite the independent woman. Wasn't gonna take any suggestions from any man, much less an order." Pop ran a hand down his face, grinning as he waded through memories. "She'd light into me if I so much as told her what movie I wanted to go see."

"Not Mom."

"Oh, yeah. She'd tell me where I was taking her for dinner, what movie we were gonna see, and where we were gonna go park." Pop shook his head. "That woman knew her own mind, that's for sure."

He'd never seen that side of Mom.

"So that first day, after I looked at her and could tell she was interested, I marched right across the courtyard, introduced myself, and asked her out right on the spot."

"What happened?"

"She smiled, nearly knocking me over, turned, and told George she was going out with me, then accepted." Pop lifted his cup. "We were inseparable from that moment on."

"What about Uncle George?"

"I think he knew me and Abigail were meant to be together. Everyone said it was obvious. He and I became best friends, and Abigail couldn't have been happier. We were the Three Musketeers, you know."

Maddox thought of Layla. "So, it was basically love at first sight for you and Mom?"

"No, more like infatuated at first sight. Love comes later." Pop set down his cup and stared at him. Hard. "She turned me inside out from the get-go, don't get me wrong, but love is something that grows over time. Deepens as you experience life together."

He could see himself with Layla. Building a life together. Having a family. Growing old together.

"If you think you've met the woman who will love you for the rest of your life, don't wait. Don't put off until later what needs to be done today." Moisture glistened in Pop's eyes. "We both know how precious life is. Don't waste a minute of it."

His insides tightened. "Pop, she's a really strong Christian. I know you're a new one and all . . ."

"If her faith is real, then she'll be looking for a man who'll share her faith with her." Pop stared at him with the focus of a sniper. "Is that man honestly you?"

His tongue expanded. "I-I think so."

"Son, accepting the free gift of salvation isn't something you think. You either do or you don't. God doesn't want you halfway." He pointed at Maddox, brows lowered almost into a straight line. "And you don't claim salvation just to get a woman. Salvation's between you and God."

And that's what he needed to make sure of. That if he chose to follow God, it was for him, not for Layla. He thought of the peace he'd seen in his father . . . the kindness and acceptance of Mrs. Page . . . the strength in disaster of Alana and Layla—all things he wanted. He'd gotten a glimpse of mercy and strength when he'd begged God to help him.

"Let me loan you my Bible and make a couple of suggestions of Scriptures to read. They're ones that helped me." His father left the room.

Maddox followed Pop into the living room. His father lifted his Bible and handed it to him. "If you're serious about salvation, you should read what is called the Roman Road to Salvation."

Maddox took the Bible from his father and ran his hand over the leather cover. "The what?"

"The Roman Road to Salvation. It lays out why and how to become saved. Romans 3:23 explains how we're all sinners. Romans 5:8 tells you how Christ died for all of us. Romans 6:23 explains how we can all have eternal life through Christ. And Romans 10:9–13 shows how we are saved through our belief in Jesus Christ." Pop grinned. "Don't worry, you don't have to remember them all. There's a bookmarker in the book of Romans that has it listed, and all those Scriptures are highlighted in my Bible."

Maddox held the Bible against his chest, not even able to explain the myriad emotions swirling inside of him. "Thanks, Pop."

His father pulled him into a hug. He could feel Pop trembling. Pop kissed his cheek and let him go with a clap on the back. "I'll be praying for you, son. Call me if you have any questions while you're reading."

No way could any words get past the lump in his throat. He nodded, then ducked out of the house. He held the Bible tight as he tromped back to the Mustang.

His heart bammed so hard, and he didn't know why. What he did know was that he was going home to read.

And see if God spoke to him through his father's Bible.

THIRTY-EIGHT

"No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief."

—JOHN CALVIN

"THAT'S WONDERFUL ABOUT CAMERON, Alana. I'll let everyone at church know this morning." Layla dug in her closet for her black flats. Hadn't she worn them last Sunday?

"I talked to Fred yesterday. They've got all the residents situated. He said you'd sent a crew over yesterday to start cleanup. Thanks."

"No problem. Once it's cleaned, I can get in to see where we stand for rebuilding." Had she stuffed the shoes under her bed again? Wedging the phone between her chin and shoulder, Layla dropped on a knee and reached for the bed skirt.

"I'll head back home sometime this week. Once Cameron's moved out of the burn unit's ICU." Alana sounded more hopeful than even the last time they'd spoken.

Yes! One shoe found. "Don't rush. We'll handle everything here that needs attention." The other shoe was farther under the bed. Layla lay on her stomach and stretched. "Oh, and I'm visiting Mom this afternoon after church. I'll give her your love."

Sniffles sounded over the connection. "You and Mom . . . it's such an answer to my prayers."

Layla sat and slipped on her flats. "I know. And thank you for being understanding all these years."

"Wasn't easy, I'll tell you that." Alana snickered.

"Yeah, I guess not." Layla grinned as she stood. "Mr. James's funeral is going to be Thursday, Ms. Betty said, and Ms. Ethel's grandson left a voice message yesterday. Ms. Ethel's funeral will be Wednesday evening."

"I'll definitely be back to attend those." Alana coughed into the phone. "So, are you going to give me the scoop on you and Detective Bishop?"

The blood rushed to her face. Layla sat on the edge of her bed. "Maddy? There's not really anything to tell."

"Really? You go from Detective Bishop to Maddox and now to Maddy? And there's nothing to tell? Come on."

Layla smiled into the phone. "I'm working it out."

"Come on, Layla. I'm your sister. Who else are you gonna tell your deep, dark secrets to?"

"I have feelings for him—strong ones, but it's complicated."

"What, he doesn't have feelings for you? Get serious. I've seen the way the man looks at you. Well, when he isn't furious with you." Alana giggled.

"He's not a Christian."

"Oh." Alana sobered. "Well, I'll be praying."

"Thanks." She worried her bottom lip. "Alana, do you think it's selfish for me to want his salvation so I can let myself fall in love with him?"

"Yes. But that doesn't mean it's wrong. I think it's totally understandable."

"How do you think God sees it?"

There was a pause. "You know what, Layla? I think God sometimes puts people in our paths to help us get a message from Him."

Layla frowned. "So, you think all of this was God's doing so Maddox would become a believer? I find that hard to believe."

"Who's to say? I mean, really. We know we can't understand God's ways. Maybe it was all His master plan. Maybe not, but we know He'll take what was meant for evil and turn it to the good."

That made more sense. Layla smiled. "Thanks, sis." She checked the time. "Now I gotta get or I'll be late for church."

"Give everyone my love."

Layla turned off the cordless, returned it to its base, and grabbed her purse. She stepped onto her porch and lifted her face heavenward. The sun shone brightly, warming Eternal Springs. Even the breeze was gentle, reassuring. The calm after the storm.

She climbed into her truck—not an easy feat in a dress—and drove toward the high school. She planned to check out the church's damage next week. God willing, it wouldn't be too bad.

Layla parked in one of the larger spaces in the school's lot, then made her way to the auditorium. Friends and church family members waved and hollered out greetings. Most inquired about Cameron, and she was thrilled to tell everyone of his recovery progress.

She took a seat next to Ms. Betty as the worship band began playing from the stage. They had plenty of room to set up all their instruments. Nice. Maybe when she rebuilt the sanctuary, she could work in a permanent stage.

Pastor Chaney took center stage. Applause erupted as the congregation stood.

Layla got chill-bumps.

The choir lifted their voices in the first stanza of "Amazing Grace." Layla got all warm inside as she sang the hymn that was like a balm to her spirit. As the last note carried across the room, tears filled her eyes.

Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to save us all. Your grace is amazing.

Pastor read passages of Scripture, his voice booming from the stage. Layla shared her Bible with Ms. Betty, reading together from the book of Romans, one of Layla's favorite books of the New Testament.

"But what does it say? 'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,' that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

The Scripture stayed in Layla's mind as Pastor preached a sermon, led a special prayer for Cameron, and the choir led two more songs. After the benediction and final prayer, Layla led Ms. Betty out into the aisle. She couldn't wait to tell Pastor how much she'd enjoyed the service today.

The walkway to the exit was crowded as members of Eternal Springs Christian Church took their time talking to Pastor on their way out. Everyone was so pleased he'd made such a recovery.

Layla followed the crowd, but her mind was still on the Scripture.
Jesus is Lord.
She smiled as the line inched forward. Yes, He was indeed. Her heart truly believed that.

"Thank you for joining us. Your father tells me you have some questions about faith. Perhaps we could meet tomorrow and talk?" Pastor Chaney spoke to someone two places in front of Layla and Ms. Betty.

"I'd like that."

Her heart stuttered.
Maddox!

Layla stood on tiptoe and leaned to see around the people in front of her. Sure enough, she caught the back of Maddox's head, standing alongside his father. He wanted to meet with Pastor? Her lungs nearly exploded as her insides turned to mush.

"Here's my card, son. Call me tonight, and we'll set up a place and time to meet."

"Thank you. And I really enjoyed the service today." Maddox's voice was clear and strong.

And laced with emotion.

Her own voice caught as the line moved forward and she stood before Pastor.

"I guess we have some rebuilding to do again, Layla."

She smiled and nodded, still not finding her voice.

"I'll call you later this week."

"Okay," she managed to squeak out before she moved out of the auditorium.

The sun's bright beams nearly blinded her. She blinked to focus, determined to find Maddox before he left. She rushed down the stairs.

She needn't have worried. Maddox stood off the sidewalk with his father, obviously waiting. "Layla."

Just the way he said her name made her melt. "Hi, Maddox." She affixed a smile that she hoped wasn't too bright. "Hello, Mr. Bishop. Nice to see you again."

"You too, Ms. Taylor."

"How're you feeling?"

Maddox's father smiled. "Right as rain."

She looked back at Maddox. "Fancy meeting you here."

He turned red. "I'm hoping it'll be a common occurrence."

Her breath hitched. "Really?"

He smiled, and its brightness competed with the sun's rays. "Really. Listen, Pop and I put on a venison roast this morning. We'd really like it if you'd join us. If you don't have plans, that is." Maddox ducked his head and toed a loose rock off the sidewalk.