Love in the WINGS (12 page)

“With all the busyness surrounding Uncle Andy's passing, and this spiritual warfare stealing the next weeks afterward, I was so busy mourning my uncle's absence in the gardens at Heart's Haven that I overlooked the lily God was planting in my own garden.”

He grinned, and looked down to wink at Pia. “But I see it now, and I stand in awe, as always, of God's impeccable timing. I have an Easter announcement for The Falls Tabernacle saints, and of course, our very welcome visitors. It is our joy and great pleasure—Pia's and mine—to announce that God has blessed us with new life, even as He removed a life from our midst. I hope you'll all join with us in praising God for the child my Pia now carries in her womb. We are—”

He was interrupted by a rousing blast of applause, and a roar of whoops and hollers from within the crowd. Shocked, Corbin whipped his gaze back to the glass window, and slowly relaxed. Scattered praises rang out in the large room—”Praise the Lord,” “Awesome God,” “Glory,” “Hallelujah.”

Tears streamed down a number of faces, including Viv's. She was on her feet, both hands raised, and a light of glory in her eyes. Corbin cleared his own throat and swallowed hard. He'd never seen such a vocal display of emotion and praise during a church service, but no one seemed put off by it…and he had to admit, it warmed him clear through. He'd have to tell his lovely, small-town songbird that there was something to be said for smaller congregations and less “big, fancy” behaviors than he'd been accustomed to in what Aria called his “big, fancy Austin super-church.”

Because what he felt right now, he'd never felt before…but he'd have no objection whatsoever to feeling it again.

“I'm going to let my wife return to her seat,” David went on when the praises died down. “You all probably don't hear it, but she's silently screaming at me to get her out of the limelight. But before I do, I want to tell you that we have agreed already on names for our little burst of sunshine into a world that seemed mighty dark. In honor of Andrew Hart, my uncle, my friend, and a friend and brother to all of you, we will call our son—if this child is a boy—Andrew. If our son is a girl—”

Pia poked him hard in the ribs and sent him a playful glare, to the audience's delight.

David spoke over the laughter. “I apologize. If we have a daughter, she will be called Andrea.”

One last time, the crowd rose to their feet and treated their pastor and his wife to heartfelt applause, during which David allowed Pia to escape back into her comfort zone.

“I don't plan to be lengthy this morning,” the pastor said as he picked up his Bible, which had lain open on the lectern throughout his testimony and announcement. “But this is Easter Sunday, and I think it's important to recognize the significance of this day, wherein we celebrate our Lord's victorious rise from the grave.”

He launched into a beautiful sermon, and Corbin found himself riveted by the pastor's voice, and the message of hope and new life. He'd heard the resurrection story for years, but never saw it so clearly as he did that morning, never been so grateful for the miracle that came to pass when the stone rolled away from the entrance to a tomb that held the no-longer dead body of Jesus Christ.

As David wound his message to a close and extended an invitation to the audience, Corbin finally found himself able to look away from the pastor. He turned to peer out over the crowd again, and tears flowed when he saw a line of several people making their way to the altars. Tears. Again. What had this place done to his mask of indifference? No matter…he rather enjoyed the freedom that came with not wearing the thing.

He moved from his place behind the dark glass to work with David as he prayed with the newcomers, leading them to salvation and new life.

Later, he used the handkerchief someone had tucked into his hand to wipe tears and sweat from his face. Exhaustion pulled at him with powerful hands, but one more man stood in line. One more sinner he could help welcome home.

He'd rest another day.

“Corbin.” A broken voice. A voice he'd never forget.

A wave of something akin to terror hit him squarely in the solar plexus, and Corbin's gag reflex kicked into gear. His hand dropped away from his face and the handkerchief dropped from his fingers and drifted to the floor as a trembling hand touched his arm.

“Corbin, can you ever forgive me? Please…I want to be right with you, and right with God.”

From out of nowhere, Aria appeared at his side and slipped a hand through his arm, delivering a gentle squeeze and a burst of strength. He cast her a grateful look and squared his shoulders before turning to face the stooped and bent old man that was Kirby Bishop.

How he ended up with his father in his arms while they both cried and prayed, he would never remember. Eventually, David joined them, but only long enough to make sure Corbin was handling the situation with something akin to grace.

He and his father were still standing with their arms around each other when David dismissed the service, and within moments, they were alone, save for David, Pia, and Aria. The three remained nearby, but left Corbin and Kirby until Corbin took a step backward. He beckoned them closer, and then placed his hands on his father's shoulders, turning him to face the trio of smiling people who stepped uncertainly toward them.

“I want you to meet someone.” Corbin realized that this introduction was the first real confirmation they'd had as to the identity of the visitor who had monopolized Corbin's attention. And yet, he hadn't a doubt that they knew. Aria, at the very least, would have put together the pieces and filled them in as much as possible.

Love for the three of them flowed over him in a warm, soothing wave that injected his tired muscles with new energy. He stood a little taller and tried to transmit that love into his voice and his expression for them to see.

Because they should see. They had a right to know how much they meant to him.

“This is Kirby Bishop. He's my father.” He broke off, and then reached for Aria's hand. Pulling her close to his side, he slipped one arm around her waist, while shining a smile on David and Pia.

He turned then to his father, who through some miracle he had yet to understand, stood at his side with no bottle in sight. The old man of his nightmares who had, this Easter morning, become a new creature in Christ. “Dad, you're going to love our new family.”

David pulled the trembling older man into a hearty hug. “Welcome, Mr. Bishop. I'm thrilled to finally meet you.”

Kirby nodded, but seemed incapable of speaking. His gaze flitted from Corbin to Aria and back again, a question simmering in their depths, but he didn't ask.

“This is Aria Robbins.” Corbin smiled into her eyes, and then looked again at his father. “She's my best friend, and the love of my life.”

His father's faded eyes brightened, and his mouth quirked at the corners. Corbin held his breath, desperately longing to see a smile on the lips that, until now, had only hurled insults and curses…rarely kind words, and never a smile.

But Kirby dropped his gaze to his feet and nodded instead. Corbin sighed, but discovered his heart had no room for unhappiness today. His father would learn to smile. He'd help him.

Aria patted his hand where it rested on her waist, and then stepped away to slip an arm through Kirby's. She brushed his lined and weathered cheek with a light kiss, and then guided him toward the door. “Come with me, Mr. Bishop. We've got a special Easter feast out at Heart's Haven, and it looks like you're our guest of honor.”

Standing with David and Pia, Corbin watched in utter fascination. The man, whose hands had swung the strap that scarred his back forever, now gazed at Aria with hopeful adoration in his faded eyes. No one moved except Aria and Kirby. Apparently, Corbin wasn't the only person in the sanctuary who had fallen under the spell cast by the beautiful songbird's gentle spirit.

Aria stopped and turned to send a questioning glance back at the three of them. A tiny frown pulled at her eyebrows, and she shrugged, completely unaware of the effect of her actions on the others.

“Come on, you three. Heart's Haven and a hot meal await.” She turned and led Kirby down the aisle toward the door. “Let's go home.”

 

 

Thank you for purchasing this White Rose Publishing title. For other inspirational stories, please visit our on-line bookstore at
www.pelicanbookgroup.com
.

 

For questions or more information, contact us at [email protected].

 

White Rose Publishing

Where Faith is the Cornerstone of Love™

www.WhiteRosePublishing.com

an imprint of Pelican Ventures Book Group

www.PelicanBookGroup.com

 

May God's glory shine through

this inspirational work of fiction.

 

AMDG