heart. The one who had been by her side through every day of this journey. And the one who deserved to hear her test results before any more time went by.
Despite the snow it wasn’t cold today. Not really.
Tommy helped her into the car and the minute he was behind the wheel he looked at her. “Can you tell me?”
“Take me to our spot.” Her tone was kind. But she couldn’t tell him here. In his car. “Please, Tommy.”
He didn’t ask again, and she didn’t have to tell him which spot. He began driving to White River Park as if he could read her mind and heart all at the same time.
Annalee leaned back into her seat and closed her eyes. The news swirled in her mind. This would change everything. She turned the radio to K-Love and let the song wash over her. It was one that had played when everyone gathered to cut her hair. A song about the titles God wore: Way maker. Miracle worker. Promise keeper. Light in the darkness… Annalee felt His peace come over her. Yes, Lord, You are all of that. Annalee hugged herself. God was with her. He was with them both.
Now more than ever before.
She could feel His holy presence here in Tommy’s car and in her heart and soul.
Tommy parked at the lot near the swings. The basketball court here had been shoveled so it didn’t require any extra walking. It gave them somewhere to stand. So she could look him in the face and tell him what she knew.
What they’d waited all these months to find out.
Once they were out of the Jeep, he took her to a spot on the asphalt. Near a trio of small evergreen trees. More privacy, which was a good thing today. Tommy’s coach had allowed him to take off practice today. He’d been waiting at home with his phone since 2:30. An hour had passed since then.
Finally Tommy faced her. He took both her gloved hands in his. “No.” She shook her head. “I want to feel your fingers against mine. Would that be okay?”
“Of course.” They took off their gloves and Tommy gently worked his fingers between hers. “Tell me, Annalee. I need to know.”
She wouldn’t make him wait any longer. “Tommy… we prayed so much. But… I didn’t expect this.” No winter cold could dim the love she felt for him. The way she never wanted to leave him. Her eyes got lost in his for a few seconds. And then she did something that tipped him off to the results.
Annalee smiled.
“Wait… Love, tell me.” He started to shake. Even his fingers trembled. “What did the doctor say?”
“The cancer is gone, Tommy.” A quiet laugh took her by surprise. As if the joy inside her had a life of its own. “No Evidence of Disease. NED.”
“What?” He leaned his head back and shouted. “Annalee are you serious?” Tommy searched her eyes. Desperate to know for sure. “Tell me it’s true!”
“It’s true.” She laughed louder this time. Yes, she would have follow-up appointments—probably for the rest of her life. And she still had to take it easy until her strength fully returned. But she was healed. That’s all that mattered. She put her hands on his shoulders. “Can you believe it, Tommy? God did it. He healed me.” She raised both hands. “I beat cancer!”
Tommy stepped back and dropped to his knees. Right there on the frozen ground. “God, thank You. I’ll never have enough words. Thank You for this.” He scrambled back to his feet, then he pulled her close and picked her up. “Annalee Miller!” He shouted her name across the empty park. “You’re cancer-free!”
As he set her down something happened that took Annalee’s breath.
It began to snow.
Big chunky white snowflakes drifted down around them, landing in their hair and on their eyelashes. Annalee had worn her wig with the blond hair down today. It kept her neck warmer. Already a bit of fuzz had grown back on her head. But it would be a while before she had actual hair.
The snow was sticking to Tommy’s cheeks and eyebrows. He had never looked more handsome. She framed his face with her hands. “I missed the winter dance.” She was so close she could feel his breath against her skin. “You know that, right?”
He pressed the side of his face against hers. “Yes…” His voice was soft and marked by the miracle of the moment. “I seem to remember missing that.”
She