Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

Noah

I felt like the first man to ever fall in love. I wanted to get a bunch of balloons and set them off into the sky. I wanted to tap-dance under a full moon, even though I didn't know how.

Yeah, I felt like a fool. Because I was in love.

We drove back to Ella's house, where McCrae met us. He had hired an electrician to get the power back on. Carefully, we checked the house, and everything seemed fine.

"Damon said you guys could give me your official statements here if you want," McCrae told us.

We both gave our statements. McCrae had each of us walk him through the events of last night.

Then he said, "I'm going to take off and get everything situated at the station before church and dinner." He paused, looking between us, then down at our interlinked hands.

I hesitated, then gave Ella what she used to call my patent puppy-dog eyes. She grunted out a laugh.

McCrae scoffed. "Wow, bro. That was pathetic."

I elbowed my brother, making him laugh harder. I turned to Ella. "Well … what do you say?"

She scowled at me. "I told you we should wait."

"To come to church and Sunday dinner?" McCrae asked with a snort. "Why?"

Ella raised her eyebrows.

"What? You don't think all of us could call this?" He wagged his finger between us. "Well, we hoped, anyway."

I didn't know how Ella would react, but she seemed to relax. "Really?"

He casually put his arm around her. "Are you kidding? This guy needs you. He's been out of sorts without you."

I frowned at him.

She frowned too, not seeming convinced. "I'm the one who's been out of sorts. I'm the one to blame."

"No one's to blame." I flashed a smile at her. "To my brother's point, why not just come to church and family dinner?"

She cringed, then laughed. "Fine."

I felt like I'd won a prize. "Great."

McCrae laughed. "I'll get out of your hair and see you both later."

We walked him to the door, but Ella suddenly stopped, staring at the bookcase. Hesitantly, she stepped toward it and picked up a photo on display. "This picture wasn't here before." It was another picture of her whole family: Ella, her brother, her mom and dad, and her grandparents.

"Really?" It seemed so strange that another picture would appear.

She shook her head, clearly upset. "I don't know if it was here last night too, or if someone put both of them here." She looked around, like someone would jump out at us.

"We can search the place again," I said, immediately heading back into the rooms.

"Yes," McCrae said, moving to the door. "I'll check outside."

After a couple minutes of searching, we reconvened back in the living room. She was holding the picture, staring out at the lake.

"No one's here," I said, sitting on the couch beside her.

McCrae nodded. "No sign of anyone."

"I bet they put both pictures up last night." She scrunched her forehead. "Who would do this?"

McCrae kicked the floor. "It's ridiculous. That's what it is." His eyes narrowed as he looked out the window. "I think you should rethink your stance on cameras."

She pulled back. "Me too. Noah, would you mind helping me with that?"

I nodded, warmth filling me. "Of course."

She gave me a half smile. "You're not at all unhappy about that, either."

"Hey, I want you safe."

"Okay, well, I'll be going." McCrae looked uncomfortable being the third wheel. "See you two in a bit."

I nodded at him. "Thank you for all of your help. Truly."

"Yes, McCrae. Thank you," Ella said.

McCrae gave me a knowing look, then slapped me on the back. "No biggie." He left the house and shut the door behind him.

I wasn't sure what to do. "Do you want me to stay here while you get ready? I can wait on the porch."

She shook her head. "No. You need to go get ready. Then you can come pick me up and we'll go together."

It was a simple statement, but it felt huge to me. "Okay."

She hugged me and pressed her head to my chest. "You go. Just hurry."

An hour later, we drove to the little church parking lot. We were twenty minutes early, so we waited in the Jeep.

She turned to me. "Should we go say hi to my brother?"

I was a bit shocked by her request but nodded. "Of course." I got out of the Jeep and went to her side to open her door for her.

She was already getting out. "It's okay."

I looped my arm around her waist and pulled her into me, relishing the smell of strawberry. "We're dating. And I like to open doors for you."

Her grin widened. "I forgot what a gentleman you are."

That made me feel good. I took her hand, and we started walking toward the cemetery. I couldn't help but think about all the years we had lost together because of one horrible accident. Her brother had asked me to make the choice to save her life, but this was hard.

We got to his grave, and she stayed beside me, leaning into me. "Good morning, bro. Guess who I brought today?"

I didn't know if I should say anything. Even if I should, I couldn't think of the words.

She proceeded to tell her brother about what had happened in the last several days. I was interested to hear about her week and the patients she'd had. She told him about Jason and Trent and their antics. She told him about the dance and the break-ins, the pictures and the night she'd spent at my house.

Then she let go of my hand, slipped to her knees, and wiped the dust off the grave. "I still don't know how the pictures got put in the house. It's confusing. One is a picture of me and you. Another is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad, and me and you. We were, like, eight or nine. I remember it was the summer Dad insisted we learn to fish by ourselves, and we kept getting the hook stuck and he would freak out on us." She let out a light laugh.

Growing up as a Christian, I'd been taught that people were still alive. Resurrected. Did I believe that? I wanted to.

She talked a couple more minutes and then turned to me. "Is there anything you want to say?"

I knelt beside her and put my hand softly on his grave. "I am so sorry, bro."

She took my hand, blinking rapidly, and turned to me. "Noah, I was there that day. I know he told you to save me. I didn't like it, but I think he would be happy we are dating."

If it were up to me, I would elope with this woman right now, but she needed time, and I was willing to give it. I already had plans for what to do about my work.

She looked at the church and nodded. "Should we go take a seat? I know your family likes to get there early."

We walked hand in hand into the church. I still couldn't believe all of this was happening.

Church hadn't started yet, and when Jason and Trent saw us, they both ran toward me. "Uncle Noah!"

Trent turned to Ella. "You came to church?" he asked, giving her a hug.

She looked surprised and then hugged him back. "How's your arm?"

He shrugged. "It's fine."

We all headed back to the pew. Damon, my parents, and Kayla were all giving me a look of disbelief.

Damon got up and said, "Glad to see you guys here." He reached for Ella and gave her a little hug, then smacked me on the shoulder.

I grinned and sat next to him, waving at everyone. "Mom, would it be okay if I bring Ella to family dinner?"

She nodded, and her nostrils flared. She looked like she was about to cry. "Of course."

McCrae joined us.

Luckily, Jason and Trent were keeping Ella talking. They had fished some gum out of her purse.

We all fell silent as the pastor began speaking. "Today, I think a fitting topic would be the Apostle Paul."

Even though I didn't attend church all the time, I read my Bible, so I was familiar with the story of Paul. It struck a chord with me today.

"The first thing Paul taught us was that any person could go from being a sinner to a saint. On the road to Damascus, he was struck by Jesus Christ, who told him to quit killing Christians." The pastor looked around the congregation, and then his eyes honed in on me and Ella. "I ask you, do you want to make a change of heart today? I tell you that you can."

Ella leaned into me, and when she turned and met my gaze, her eyes were glazed with tears. I knew she felt guilty that she hadn't forgiven me sooner. I squeezed her gently against my side.

The pastor continued. "I also love Paul because he suffered. It might sound strange for me to say that, but he suffered for others. He made a symbolic gesture of what Christ did for all of us. Paul suffered to bring news of Jesus Christ to all. I ask you today, could you suffer a little more? Or have you suffered enough? Or is it time to think about the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it could change your life? I can't answer this question for you, but you could go to God and find out what He wants for you in your life. I challenge you today to be like Paul, to have a change of heart and then to follow Jesus Christ."

I'd forgotten how amazing our pastor was. His words spoke to my soul, and I thought about the way I'd suffered the past eight years. I would do it again for the moment last night when Ella had told me she forgave me. I would do it for a shot to be with this woman.

The choir sang, and we finished with the prayer.

Afterward, we spent some time walking out and talking to different people in town. My mother hugged me tightly and told me she was so glad Ella and I were coming to family dinner. My father even winked at me and nodded his approval.

Kayla walked over to us and gave me a smug look before putting her arm around Ella. "I'm really sorry about the other day."

I glanced between them. What was she talking about?

Ella laughed. "It's okay. You were just protecting your brother. Not that he needs protecting."

Kayla met my gaze and then grunted. "True."

Damon nudged me and grinned. There was so much being said between us without a word.

I leaned into him. "So have you worked out what happened between the boys?"

He nodded. "Jason admitted he shoved Trent."

"What are you going to do?"

He laughed. "What did Dad and Mom do to you every time you threatened me?"

I winced. It wasn't nice to think about how much pain I'd inflicted on my siblings.

Jason and Trent had Ella by each of her hands, pulling her over to the little koi pond to look at the fish. She was bending and pointing and laughing with them.

Damon put his arm around me. "I guess you guys are good?"

I met his gaze and laughed. "Well, she forgave me. We'll see what that means."

Damon was quiet for a minute. "She never should've had to forgive you. The whole thing was an accident, and …"

I cut him off. "Hey, think of the Apostle Paul. Haven't we all suffered enough?"

Damon shrugged. "When you put it like that, I guess you're right."