In His Dreams Read Online Free Page B

swept her with a bittersweet feeling.
    They walked in silence except for the sound of the gentle waves lapping against the shore and the occasional caw of a seagull.
    “You’re quiet,” Jeff said after they’d traveled a distance.
    “Enjoying the walk. It’s nice to have someone to spend time with.”
    “You have Barb.”
    A stab of guilt shot through her. “Yes, that’s true. I meant someone different.” She managed a grin while another thought struck her. “Did I tell you Barb is living with me?”
    He gave her a questioning look. “You mean—”
    “At home in Sterling Heights.”
    Surprise registered on his face. “Really? How did that happen?”
    How did that happen? “I don’t know exactly. I suggested it. She was living in an apartment, and I had the big house. No kids. Alone. Double expenses for both of us. It seemed like a good idea.” I was lonely. The truth smacked her in the chest.
    Jeff slowed, then stopped. “And now?”
    She paused beside him and dug her feet into the sand, then watched it spread across her arch and between her toes. It took her a moment to remember his question. “We’re working on it.”
    He rested his hand on her shoulder. “Problems?”
    “It’s an adjustment.”
    His hand dropped and he began walking again. “You’re not going to change Barb.”
    “Why do you say that?” She heard an edge in her voice.
    “I sense you’re unhappy with her. It’s not what you say, but your tone of voice. A look on your face.”
    “I’m not trying to change her. I only wish she’d be more—”
    “I realize I haven’t seen you in a couple of years, but I know your traits…your character. I can sense you want to take care of Barb, and I don’t think she wants to be taken care of.”
    Marsha flinched with his comment. “I—”
    He captured her arm and stopped her. “I watched you with Don all those years. I know you’re a tremendous caregiver.”
    “Thanks. I got a lot of practice.”
    “I meant that as a compliment.” His hand slipped from her arm, and he looked across the water.
    “I know you did,” she said, sorry that she’d been sarcastic.
    He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the sand. “It was a long time to practice. I know it was awful, Marsha.”
    “I don’t regret it. Not one minute. Don was a wonderful husband. You and Marilou helped so much. I only wish I could have done more for him.”
    Jeff slid his arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle hug. “You did all you could. I can never thank you enough for sticking by him during those years.”
    “For better or worse, Jeff. I made that vow to Don and to God. You got the short end of the stick, too, with Marilou. You’re raising a daughter alone. That’s not easy.”
    He leaned over and picked up a stone, slid his finger back and forth over the flat surface, then gave it a fling into the lake. The pebble skipped four times, leaving a row of concentric circles—neat and precise—as life should be, but wasn’t.
    “I manage,” he said finally, then found another flat stone and skipped it across the water. He nodded toward the precise circular pattern on the ripples. “Wouldn’t life be great if it was that perfect?”
    Her heart skipped hearing him say the words that had just filled her mind.
    “Let me ask you a question,” he said, tucking his hands back into his pockets and striding on again. “How did you keep your faith so strong during all that time?”
    His question surprised her and she found herself fumbling through her thoughts for an answer. Finally, she shook her head. “I guess I trusted God. I know each of us has a purpose, and God can see the big picture, so I had to accept that the Lord knew what He was doing.”
    “That takes powerful faith, Marsha. I give you credit.”
    “Don’t give me credit. I probably can’t remember the precise verse, but the Bible says something like hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God has filled our hearts with His love