Page 21 of The Gunnery Sergeant's Ready-Made Family

“She isn’t very subtle, is she?” Chase smiled affectionately at Nikki’s retreating back.

“She never has been,” Stevie confirmed. “What do you think Chase? Should I apply for this job?”

“It isn’t a case of whether I think you should or not, what do you think? Do you think you would enjoy doing the job? Do you think it would give you a sense of satisfaction, of fulfilment? Do you think you would benefit the church if they employed you?”

“Yes,” Stevie thought about Chase’s questions carefully, “I think I would enjoy the work, very much so. It would be a nice challenge for me, something different from what I am used to, and a way for me to help others. I just wonder if it is the right time to be going back to work, even if it is only two days a week.”

“You know that we will all be fine here,” Chase reminded her gently, “Ranger would miss you terribly the first week you started, but with Nikki and Finn here during the day and you and I both here with him as well in the evenings, he would soon adjust.”

“Do you really think so?” Stevie worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

“I do. You have given up so much already Stevie, to take on this family, I would hate to see you give up an opportunity that would bring you a sense of achievement, especially on the off chance that someone might miss you. If you want this opportunity, I want you to have it, everything else will work itself out.”

“Thank you, Chase, I think I’ll spend some time in prayer before I make a decision.”

“Would you like us to pray together about this?” At Stevie’s nod, Chase bowed his head, his deep voice resonating around them both. “Dear Lord, please be with Stevie as she contemplates this next chapter in her life, help her to see the path for her that You have chosen, and give her the skills and strength to follow that path. Help her to see the beauty and contentment in the life that You have crafted for her and help her to find joy and delight in every aspect of her day. Amen.” Feeling refreshed, Stevie bid goodnight to Chase and retired to her bedroom, where she once again bowed her head and prayed, this time for the safety of Chase as he worked so hard to provide for everyone, for Ranger and Finn, that they might grow to know the Lord, and for her grandmother, that she might continue to thrive and grow in her new surroundings.

The following morning Stevie rose before anyone else stirred, and armed with a cup of hot coffee, she settled in front of her computer housed in the nook on the landing and updated her resume. Once she was satisfied, she pulled out her church bulletin and sent her updated resume and job application to the email address indicated. Once sent, she closed down the computer and put the entire thing out of her mind. It wasn’t until after lunch on Tuesday when Finn and Ranger were napping that Stevie had an opportunity to check her emails, discovering that she already had a reply from the church in regards to her application. Taking a deep breath, Stevie opened the email and scanned it quickly, her heart skipping a beat as she read the words.

“Gran?” Stevie called out, walking through the house.

“Out the front Stevie.” Stevie followed the sound of her gran’s voice and found her with a book in her hand, swinging slowly on the porch swing that Chase had brought home last week, declaring that the front porch needed something where they could sit and watch the sunset.

“I had an email from the church,” Stevie started, “they have asked me to attend an interview tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, Stevie, that’s wonderful!” Her grandmother laid her book aside, hers sparkling with excitement.

“Do you think that you could please watch Finn and Ranger for me?”

“Of course, I can, it won’t be an issue.”

“I confess I feel rather nervous, I can’t tell you when the last time I interviewed for a job was, I’ve been in this same position for so long.”

“You’ll be fine, we’ll say a prayer before you leave, and I know that Chase will be praying for you while he’s at work. Just remember, if it is meant to be, it will be. God won’t put you where you are meant to be. If something doesn’t feel right, then it isn’t God’s work.”

“I know Gran.” Stevie smiled up at her gran. Stevie’s gran had been telling her the same words for years, every time Stevie needed advice, her gran reminded her who was in charge, and Stevie never tired of being reminded. She imagined that in years to come it would be her, reminding Finn and Chase. Stevie spent the rest of the day organising her outfit for the interview and playing outside with the boys. While Ranger was content to play shops in his cubby house, Finn wanted to explore, and Stevie merely followed him around, brushing random objects out of his hands before they made it into his mouth. Chase surprised them all by bringing home pizza for dinner and they sat outside having an impromptu picnic dinner until the mosquitoes forced them back inside.

The following morning passed in a rush, and Stevie soon found herself parked outside the church, ready for her interview. Stevie wasn’t sure why she had been so nervous, both the chaplain and his receptionist put her at ease before the interview started, and she felt relaxed and comfortable. The interview went well, the chaplain confessing that he had been surprised when he had seen her application and pleased to have been able to invite her to interview. The chaplain and receptionist asked Stevie a number of questions, some she was expecting, others she wasn’t.

“Thank you so much for coming in to meet with us today, Stevie, I just have one more question,” the chaplain spoke. “Why do you want this job?”

“My entire world was turned upside eight weeks ago with the death of my brother. Overnight I became a mother of two, and shortly afterwards, a wife. I’m still working out where I fit in this new life, but one thing I do know for sure is that serving others gives me a sense of purpose. I want to help in whatever way I can, for as long as I can.”

“That is exactly what we are looking for,” the receptionist smiled.

“Stevie, we would love to offer you the position,” Chaplain Brown addressed her, “if you are happy to work here?”

“Seriously?” Stevie couldn’t believe her luck. “That would be amazing!”

“As the ad said, it is for two days a week, but as far as the days go, we are flexible, we are happy for you to choose your days around your nephews, even if those days change from week to week.”

“Thank you so much, I really appreciate this opportunity.” After a few more minutes hashing out details, Stevie left the church employed. On a whim, she swung past Chase’s office and surprised him with her news, wanting to tell him first, before anyone else found out.

“Stevie? is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine, I just wanted to let you know first that I got the job,” Stevie smiled at Chase seated at his desk from his office doorway.

“That’s fantastic,” Chase was on his feet and across the room to her in three strides, pulling her into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.” When Stevie got home and told her grandmother, she received similar congratulations, even Ranger, who didn’t understand what was going on, excitedly jumped around the room hollering.

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