Love's Healing Touch (25 page)

"You love me because I'm pushy?" she asked again.

"Well, not always, but most of the time. Sometimes it drives me crazy."

"Then you must really love me to put up with that."

"Yeah, I do. Without your encouragement, I won't know that you love me."

"Oh, you'll know." She put her head against his chest and basked in the knowledge that they were together and sharing, both of them. "You'll always know that."

"It's too soon to ask you to marry me, but I will. I want to be with you for the rest of my life." He held her, his embrace showing her the depth of his love.

Outside, she could hear the chime of the elevators, the sound of people passing and their worried voices, the echo of footsteps getting closer. She figured the latter probably belonged to Hugo who wanted to get his towels.

But here, inside this most ordinary of places, she felt the presence of the spirit. She heard the beat of Mike's heart and felt his loving touch. This was everything she needed.

As she heard the doorknob turn, Ana allowed joy to fill her. In Mike's arms, in a linen closet at Austin University Hospital with the aroma of disinfectants tickling her nose was exactly where she wanted to be.

M
ike looked down the pew. On the other end, Francie sat next to Brandon, who held their two-month-old son. As Mike watched, Francie put her hand on her husband's and smiled into his eyes.

Next to Brandon were Tessie and Antonio, the newlyweds. Closer to him were Julie, Quique and Raúl. Of course, Ana sat next to Mike. On her finger she wore a ring with a tiny diamond, the only one he could afford. Ana loved it. When she placed her hand on Mike's arm, he smiled down at her.
Thank You, God, for bringing me this woman who loves me enough to break down my barriers.

On Mike's left, Tim looked handsome with his short military buzz. One more thing to be thankful for. Tim was growing up and becoming more responsible although Mike doubted if he'd ever be conventional. His own man— that was who Tim was.

Sitting with him on that pew were the greatest gifts anyone could ever receive, his family in Christ. They were all here because a few years earlier, her feet hurting and tired after a long day of work, Francie had entered a church and allowed God to transform her.

Life was truly like a pond, its ripples reaching out to touch others. When she'd entered a church and found faith, God hadn't stopped with Francie. That experience had touched and brought this group together. As crowded as they were into this pew, soon they were going to expand to another as family brought more family and witnessed to their friends.

They were truly blessed.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-0607-0

LOVE'S HEALING TOUCH

Copyright © 2007 by Jane Myers Perrine

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