had been hard, especially because it caused him to think even more about Kelli and what they didn’t have. He’d felt defeated all the way back to St. Louis, thinking he’d never have the one woman he cared deeply about, due to his own failures.
Somewhere on that road back, though, a radical notion came to him—unplug for several hours Saturday and pray. Pray about Kelli. Pray about the album. First he thought he’d gone mad. He’d been planning to call Kelli first thing and spend the day in the studio. How could he afford to give up a Saturday, given his deadline? But the urge was insistent, so he went with it, thinking by the end of the day—as a nice bonus—the divine quiet would bring a flood of musical inspiration.
He didn’t get that flood, but he got some hope, if only a little. Focusing on God all that time and diving deep into Scripture, reminded him that he didn’t need to feel defeated. Nothing was impossible with God, not even the seeming miracle of knitting his and Kelli’s hearts back together.
But he sure hadn’t expected movement the next morning— sitting with Kelli and her family, making plans to spend the rest of the day at Six Flags. He was almost afraid to get excited, but how could he not? He couldn’t wait to go home, get changed, and meet up with her again.
KELLI HADN’T RIDDEN A ROLLER COASTER IN YEARS. IT felt like part of her was reawakening, the carefree side that enjoyed life and made the most of it. She couldn’t remember when she’d laughed this hard.
“Heather, seriously, let’s ride in the first car this time.” They were at the point in line where they had to choose a lane.
“Uh-uh. Girl, I told you . . . I love roller coasters, but something about the very front makes me nervous. I feel like I’ll fall out.”
“I’ll sit in front with you.”
Kelli looked at Brian. They’d been at the park two hours, and thus far the pairing on the rides had been Kelli and Heather, Brian and Logan. Heather had even told Kelli she was glad they came, so it wouldn’t seem too much like a “couple thing” between her and Logan.
But Kelli had to sit in front at least once. “Let’s do it.”
The roller coaster lurched upward with Kelli and Brian in the lead car, pumping their fists and yelling.
Heather and Logan were right behind.
“Truth be told,” Heather yelled, “I’m not crazy about the second car either. I like the comfortable middle.”
Kelli turned around, smiling. “You’ll love the thrill. And don’t close your eyes.”
At the very top, Kelli and Brian stuck their hands in the air. Kelli laughed when she glanced behind to see that Logan was doing the same, but Heather was holding the bar, eyes shut tight.
Kelli screamed at the top of her lungs when they tipped downward. She and Brian bumped into one another as the car jerked this way and that, taking tight curves and zipping down more hills. It sped through the tunnel and screeched to a stop.
They unbuckled their belts and got out. Kelli goaded Heather. “Totally different experience, right? Admit it.”
“I did get a rush.” She laughed. “I might be up for trying the first car. After a break. Whew. Was that eight times straight?”
They talked as they strolled to another section of the park, Kelli and Brian now side by side, Heather and Logan just behind. She looked back at Heather. “So I want to hear more about the conversation with your brother. Did you talk about getting together soon?”
“We didn’t talk long. When I called, they’d just gotten home from church and were on their way to a barbecue or something. He was so shocked to hear from me, he mostly kept saying, ‘I can’t believe this.’” Heather was smiling. “We caught up on the past some and said we’d talk again this week. I’m really excited about getting to know him and his family. I’ve got two nieces and a nephew!”
“It’ll be nothing for you to go see them,” Logan said. “Normal is only two hours away.”
“I love that they’re so close,” Heather said. “I might pop over there so often I make a pest of myself.”
“I doubt that,” Kelli said. “Sounds like he was as excited as you were.”
“Lemonade!” Logan’s shout startled them.
Heather laughed. “Hey, Logan, how would you like some lemonade?”
He wiped his forehead. “I need a bucket. The sun ain’t playing today.”
The four got in