Page 62 of Beside the Rolling Waves
“I bet it won’t though. That’s why I’m having her sign release papers. I bet she goes through that in a year, maybe less.”
“You’re probably right,” Becky said, figuring he knew.
“All right. Let’s go do this. Let’s go meet our son,” Rodney said.
Becky nodded. There was a little boy in there who needed them and a woman who was struggling, who needed the Lord. Becky didn’t know if she would have any words to say to her, but she would have a testimony to act out in front of her. And maybe, just maybe, Stella would see a little bit of Jesus in her. And it would change her life.
Twenty-Five
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Becky slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she reveled in the quiet that filled the bedroom—a peace made all the more valuable for its scarcity. With three kids under five in their home, life was hectic.
Rodney's arm was draped over her waist, his breathing steady against her neck. Being married to her best friend was better than she could have ever imagined. She smiled, still amazed at how quickly they had fallen into a comfortable rhythm as husband and wife. The road hadn't been entirely smooth, but each storm they weathered together had brought them even closer.
A small sound from the baby monitor drew her attention. Marley was stirring, though not yet demanding attention with her characteristic determination. Becky carefully extricated herself from Rodney's embrace and padded across the hardwood floor.
"I've got her," Rodney mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"Go back to sleep," she whispered. "I want to check on the horses anyway."
Rodney smiled without opening his eyes. "Tell Jasper good morning for me."
Jasper was his favorite, although Becky was not sure why. Still, she leaned down to kiss his forehead before slipping out of the room. The hallway was lined with three doors—two nurseries and one bedroom for Theo, Stella's son, whose legal adoption they had finalized just last month.
She peeked into Theo's room first. At nearly four years old, he had adjusted to his new life with remarkable resilience. There had been difficult nights, tantrums, and tearful questions about his mother, but he had slowly begun to trust them. Now he slept peacefully, clutching the stuffed horse Becky had given him when he first arrived.
In the nursery, Marley was awake but content, gnawing on her fist and kicking her legs. Kevin, predictably, remained asleep in his crib across the room.
"Good morning, sweet girl," Becky whispered, lifting Marley into her arms. "Want to come see the horses with me?"
After a quick diaper change and bundling Marley in a warm outfit suitable for the cool of early morning, Becky headed downstairs. She left a note for Rodney on the kitchen counter, though she’d already told him she was going to check the horses and she knew he wouldn’t need a note to know where she’d gone.
Outside, the air was crisp but held the promise of warming into a beautiful Michigan summer day.
"Look, Marley," Becky pointed to the barn. "Where are we going?"
Marley babbled in response, her eyes wide as she took in the big building ahead of them. At seven months old, the twins were becoming more aware of their surroundings daily. It was fun to see their curiosity and enjoyment of the world around them.
As they approached the stable, familiar welcoming nickers reached her ears. The sound still brought tears to her eyessometimes. When Rodney had surprised her by bringing her Clydesdales back, she had been overwhelmed with emotion. It had taken weeks to really believe they were hers again—that she could keep them without the constant worry of how to afford their care. She would always be grateful to Rodney for knowing her heart and wanting to give her everything, even though the longer she lived, the more she only wanted her family.
"Good morning, beautiful friends," she called as she entered the stable. Jasper's head immediately appeared over his stall door, his ears pricked forward in greeting.
"See the horsie, Marley?" Becky held her daughter up to see better, keeping a safe distance. Marley squealed and reached out her chubby hands.
"She's going to be just like her aunt," a deep voice said from behind her.
Becky turned to see Rodney standing in the doorway, Kevin in his arms.
"I thought I'd let you sleep," she said.
"And miss morning chores? Not a chance." He crossed to her side and kissed her softly. "Besides, this little guy decided he didn't want to miss out on the adventure."
Kevin gurgled happily, his eyes fixed on the massive horses.
"Where's Theo?" Becky asked.
"Still sleeping. I set up the monitor in the stable office so we'll hear when he wakes up."
This had become their morning routine when weather permitted—caring for the horses together while the children either joined them or stayed safely monitored in the house. It was different from the solitary mornings Becky had spent in her previous life, but so, so much better.
