Page 98 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

“You mean the fudge shop?”

Declan’s shoulder lifted. “And the feud with the Harts.”

The paster scooped up a rock and sent it sailing. It skipped into the night. “Ah, so they’re not in support of you and Lily?”

“They never were. Surely you remember what happened in high school?”

Arnie palmed another rock, smoothing his thumb along the surface before handing it to Declan. “I know there was a tragic accident. I know that young love wasn’t allowed to bloom. That two young people Tara and I loved went their separate ways, made lives for themselves elsewhere, and despite all odds, were thrust back together in what I don’t believe was a coincidence.”

“You don’t really believe it was a divine moment, do you?” Declan squeezed the rock in his hand. It was calming, cool and solid just like this man of God beside him. “Especially with the way things turned out.”

Arnie studied the lake, and the breeze rustled his hair. “What I believe is that people and their opinions—our own too—can often distract us from hearing what God wants for our lives.”

“And what’s that?”

“Peace. Joy.” Arnie looked at him sideways, smile lines appearing at the corner of his eye. “Love.”

The word twisted Declan’s insides. “I thought maybe this time would be different, you know? That Lily and I would find a way. But then my stupid brother sabotaged Lily’s fudge.”

Arnie turned to face Declan a bit more, eyebrows lifted. “Oh?”

It felt good to admit it out loud to someone. Too bad Arnie couldn’t be the one to go to the town council with the information, but he’d never break a confidence. Declan nodded. “I found out tonight, after the results of the competition were reversed. He’s been sabotaging Lily all along. I had no idea,” he rushed to say. “But when I told my parents, they…”

“Didn’t want to tell the truth?”

“More like didn’t want to admit that she might have won. They convinced themselves that maybe even without Isaac’s sabotage, I would have won.”

“And is that true?”

“I saw the numbers. She was ahead. But it’s true that I still might have sold more fudge than her. There’s just no way to know.”

“And does it really matter?”

Right. “I want Lily to have her fudge shop, but I also know it’s important to my parents. And ultimately, I want to do what’s right. But does that mean outing my family to the whole town, exposing us as cheaters? That might have unintended consequences. People might boycott their businesses, their livelihoods. What if I’m the reason my family sinks or swims?”

“Son, you aren’t God. You don’t have the power of life or of death—real or metaphorical.”

Declan blinked. “Of course not. I didn’t mean that. It’s just, I want to do the smart thing. And I want to keep the peace.” He sighed. “Lily called me weak. And maybe I am.”

“It takes real strength to do what is right, even if it costs you. But it also takes strength to keep the peace. You have to stand up, make sacrifices. This is exactly what Jesus did—he made peace between us and God by doing what was right and making the ultimate sacrifice.” He chuckled, maybe to himself. “Sometimes what the world thinks is the smart thing isn’t the same as the right thing. God could be leading you in a completely different direction than what others—including your family—would say is the right way.”

He looked over at Declan. “You can ask Tara about that one. She had to go against her family’s wishes when she and I fell in love, but this little island was where God was leading her.”

“And her family didn’t disown her?” His thoughts skipped to Uncle Craig.

“Oh, they weren’t happy with her for a while. And there were many painful conversations. Some silent periods. But when her family saw she was respectfully standing her ground, they decided they’d rather have her in their lives than not.” Arnie flashed a wry grin. “Plus, they decided I wasn’t so bad.”

Declan laughed, though there was a hollow echo in it. “I’m glad it worked out for you. Not sure my family would be so forgiving, though.”

Pastor nodded. “We have to do what’s right regardless of what may or may not happen, or how other people might react. The Bible says, ‘There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.’”

Declan’s fist gripped the stone until his hand muscles ached. “If that’s true, then how are we supposed to know what way is right?”

“God will show you, but you’ve got to pray about it. Maybe fast. Ask advice from someone you respect.”

He couldn’t think of anyone he respected more than Arnie. “So what should I do then, Pastor? Tell the town council about Isaac and possibly ruin my family’s reputation? Or stay quiet and ruin the dreams of the woman I love?” Declan stared at the ground. “It seems like an impossible choice.”

Arnie clapped him on the shoulder. “The Bible is full of men and women making impossible choices. But each one had to listen to God as the ultimate authority in their lives. Because as much of a blessing as family is, they are not the ones we will answer to in the end.”

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