Page 37 of Muskoka Miracle

“He mentioned in the latest email the possibility of IVF. But I just don’t know.”

“IVF works for lots of people.”

“Lots of people whose bodies work.” Frustration flared. Sarah tried to hide it with a shrug. “The doctors always said after my surgeries in Sydney that there was a strong possibility that the scarring wouldn’t allow me to fall pregnant.”

“And yet you have.”

Three times. “Or carry a baby to full term.”

“But God does miracles.”

“I know,” she whispered.

Ange held her hand. “And we can continue to pray for one.”

“I’m praying all the time,” she admitted.

Ange squeezed her hand, as a wave of empathy passed between them. See, this was the benefit of family, of being with those who truly understood. Sometimes love could be felt without a word.

A knock came at the front door.

Ange excused herself to answer it, and Sarah relaxed. The view was different here, the beach shared between the two ‘cottages’ more easily accessed here. Her mind flicked back to when she’d lived here in this house for the six months when she’d first escaped Australia, in a last-ditch effort to find hope after depression followed Stephen’s death.

What a special time coming here had been. Escaping the real world, finding her feet again. Her lips tilted. Much like she and Dan were doing now, resting, allowing God to refresh their hearts, and souls, and minds. Muskoka always seemed to have that soothing effect.

“Um, Sarah?”

At the new voice, she turned in her seat, her breath hitching as she recognized their neighbor from Toronto. Was the woman following her?Please God, no.

“Itisyou.” Jackie smiled, hoisting her baby higher.

No. She couldn’t do this. She might be getting better, but she wasn’t completely better yet, and the sight of that baby was like a hot poker in her chest. Being forced to stay and interact would topple her back to heartache.

Sarah pushed back her seat, faked a smile. “Good to see you. Sorry, Ange, I need to go.”

“But Sar—”

“I’m sorry, I have a Heartsong thing to do.” Any excuse, any excuse to get out of here. Now. She kissed Ange’s cheek, heard her, “Sar,” but ignored her. Nope. Asking her to be brave right now was a step too far. She headed to the steps and the path that led next door.

Jackie hefted her baby on her hip. “I hope we’ll see each other soon.”

“Sure,” she lied, before waving at a disappointed-looking Ange.

Well, too bad. If Sarah saw Jackie and her too-sweet baby, then she would be heading the other direction.

* * *

By the timeDan had returned with John to his dock he was feeling more relaxed. He always enjoyed time with John. The man possessed the skill of knowing when to speak and when not to. Dan had learned a lot about patience from him over the years, more so than from his own father.

“Well, thanks again for a great afternoon,” John said now.

“Any time.”

“We’ll be praying for you two.”

Dan’s throat had clamped, forcing him to salute in response, before turning back to the boat and pretend he needed to fix the ties.

God bless John. Dan peered over his shoulder, but John had disappeared along the stone-edged path to the little cottage he and Ange called home. The man might be a pastor, but he was also a saint. He knew when to push and when to leave alone, only asking once how Dan was doing.

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