didn’t answer at first. “It might depend on what’s wrong with it, but it can’t hurt.”
“Then can I have some more?” He downed the contents of his cup and pushed it forward for a refill.
“Son, remember your manners.” Caleb spoke softly, not wanting to spoil Teddy’s enjoyment of this family meal, but needing him to be polite.
“Please,” Teddy said. As Mrs. Bell filled his cup again, he added, “Thank you so much.” He drawled the words to make sure Mrs. Bell understood he was terribly, terribly grateful.
Lilly and her sister glanced at each other and ducked their heads to hide their amusement.
Mr. Bell smiled at Teddy. “A young boy with a healthy appetite is a good thing to see.”
Caleb murmured his thanks. He had no objection to the kindness and attention this family seemed prepared to heap on his son.
Mrs. Bell patted Teddy’s hand. “You’ll go far.”
Lilly watched Teddy. She swiped at her eyes and glanced at Caleb. Then she ducked, as if uncomfortable that Caleb had seen her tears. Rose also swiped tears from her eyes.
The tenderness of this family’s behavior toward his son stirred Caleb’s heart. Perhaps the boy would find something here he hadn’t had since his mother’s death—the loving care of a mother figure. Only in this case, two mother figures, a grandma figure and a grandpa-type man.
Too bad he could only spend a day with them. No. He didn’t want more time. He clanged shut the doors guarding his heart, doors he’d built with steel and sealed with rock. His future did not include a loving family and a warm home. He had Teddy. That was enough.
When the meal ended, Mr. Bell spoke. “We’ll have our Bible reading now.” He lifted the Bible from a nearby shelf and opened it.
“Papa,” Teddy said, “you used to read the Bible every night. How come you quit?”
Caleb shrugged. “Things change.” It hadn’t been intentional. At first he’d been in shock. Then his energies had been bound up in caring for Teddy. Then the two of them had been on the move, going from one doctor to another.
Mr. Bell turned pages. “God changes not.”
Caleb nodded. “For which I am grateful.”
“Tonight’s reading is from Job, chapter thirteen.” He glanced about the table, giving each person a moment’s attention. “May we each be blessed by the hearing of God’s word.” He read the chapter until he reached a verse that he emphasized. “‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.’ We’ll stop there. Job, a man like us, faced troubles and trials most of us will never know, thank God, yet he chose to trust God through them all. Shall we pray?” He again reached out for the hands on either side of him and prayed that each be blessed, and each have a good night’s sleep. “May we honor You in all we say and do. Amen.”
Teddy clung to Caleb’s hand even when the others started to push back from the table. He pulled at Caleb to draw his attention. Caleb leaned toward the child. “What is it?”
Tears flooded Teddy’s eyes.
Caleb groaned inwardly. What had upset the boy so much? “Do you miss Mama?”
He nodded. “But that’s not why I’m sad.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
The room had grown quiet. Caleb glanced up and met Lilly’s gaze. Her lips lifted at the corner—it was not quite a smile, but there was no mistaking that she meant to encourage him. He nodded and turned back to Teddy.
“What is it?”
“He asked God to bless me.”
“Yes. Mr. Bell asked God to bless each of us.” He didn’t understand why that had made Teddy cry.
“Can God make my leg better?”
Lilly hurried around the table and knelt beside Teddy. She touched his head and looked at Caleb. He felt her concern clear through to the bottom of his heart.
“Can He, Papa?”
Caleb pushed his chair back and pulled the boy to his lap. “God made you. I expect He can fix you.”
Lilly hovered close. “God can do anything. Do you want my pa to pray for you?”
Teddy sniffed. “Would he?”
Mr. Bell had already moved to Lilly’s side and placed his hand on Teddy’s head. Rose scurried around to stand behind Teddy’s chair and Mrs. Bell stood behind Caleb, her hand warm on his shoulder.
Mr. Bell prayed. “God of all mercies and love, look upon this little child of Yours and make his leg strong and well again that he might run and play like other little boys, and most of all, that he might love and adore You all his life. Amen.”
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
