Page 77 of To the Moon and Back
Well, with Brady it’s too late. I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone. But he won’t believe. He can’t. He still blames God for what happened on April 19, more than twenty years ago.
I understand that, really. But that means we’re too different. I can’t consider having a relationship with him. All of which is destroying me. I’m devastated. We both are.
Tears stung the corners of Ashley’s eyes. Oh, no. Brady didn’t understand what he was walking away from, how complete his healing would be if only he’d turn his heart over to God. Dear Lord, this is terrible. Ashley found her place and finished reading the text.
I don’t know, I just thought I would tell you. Could you please pray for Brady? Pray that something happens to get his attention, to show him about God. Pray that he’ll change his mind and choose to believe. The way his mom believed before she died.
Otherwise, this summer has been beautiful. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. But I can’t let things continue. Not unless he changes.
I guess I’m asking you to pray for a miracle. I know this isn’t your problem, but I appreciate all you did to get us together, and I just thought . . . I knew . . . that you would pray. I’ll call you soon. Thanks again. Jenna.
Ashley sighed as she lowered her phone. Dear Lord, please speak to Brady. Let him hear Your voice. Give him a miracle, Father, please. Ashley lifted her eyes to the action on the field.
Devin was walking up to bat.
“You got this, Devin . . . nice and easy!” Landon’s tone was positive. Devin had struck out twice already this afternoon. But Landon’s encouragement was endless. Another reason Ashley loved him so much.
With the count two and one, he connected with a fastball. Devin hit it over the shortstop into left field, right in the gap.
Ashley and Landon were both on their feet as Devin tore off toward first base. He beat the throw by a mile, prompting the entire fan section to clap and cheer. Ashley high-fived Landon and then sat down. “Yes! He needed that.” She looked up. “Thank You, God.”
As Landon sat, too, Ashley remembered the conversation they’d had this morning over breakfast. God probably doesn’t care about hits and strikeouts. But He’s absolutely concerned with His children.
When they finally got home, Ashley and Landon poured glasses of iced tea and went out onto the front porch. The sun was setting, and the summer breeze was cooler than before. The humidity less intense.
They had just leaned back in the porch swing when Ashley gasped. How could she forget? “Jenna’s text!”
“What?” Landon glanced at her, clearly concerned. “Jenna who?”
“Jenna.” Ashley sat up straighter. “The young teacher from Ohio.”
Landon seemed to process that for a moment. Then it gradually hit him. “The firefighter’s girl. From the Oklahoma City memorial?”
“Yes.” Ashley smiled and put her hand on Landon’s knee. “I love how you keep track of my craziness.”
“I’m good at it.” He grinned. “Okay, so what’s this text?”
“I’ll be right back.” She handed her iced tea to Landon and ran into the house. Once she found her phone, she returned and took her spot beside Landon again. “Listen to this. It’s from Jenna. About Brady.”
“The firefighter.” Landon looked slightly unsure. He set their glasses down on the table next to the swing.
“Yes. The firefighter.” Ashley couldn’t wait to read the text. She started at the beginning. “Okay, here’s what she said: ‘ I’m sorry to bother you, Ashley. I would’ve called but I can’t stop crying, and I had to talk to you . . .’ ”
Landon put one knee up on the swing like he wanted to be completely focused as she read. When she finished, Ashley set her phone on the porch railing. Then she turned to Landon. “Isn’t that terrible?”
“Yes.” Her husband was serious now. “It’s very sad. After they had such a great summer.” He looked at her for a few seconds, his brow raised a little. “You’re not going to Oklahoma tonight, are you?”
The hint of a smile tugged at her mouth. She leaned close and kissed his lips. “No, Landon . . . I’m not going to Oklahoma.”
He was quiet for a minute. “I have an idea.”
“Uh-oh.” She felt the sparkle in her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re going to Oklahoma.”
“No.” He smiled. “What if you text him? Tell him you’ve been praying for him.” Landon leaned forward. “Just see where it goes. Maybe God will open a door so you can talk to him about faith.”
Ashley felt her heart soar. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because”—Landon kissed her again—“we’re a team.”
