Hold for Release, page 20
“Yeah, He did.” Jake put the ring on Carlotta’s finger and kissed her. Short, but still very sweet. Then he grabbed her hand and continued to walk along the conservatory path. “So, we haven’t talked about the number of kids. I was thinking five boys. You know, like our own basketball team.”
Carlotta’s eyes widened. “What? No girls?”
“I guess we need a cheerleader. Wow. Six kids. I better get a second job.” He chuckled.
~*~
Jake admired the dome-shaped roof of the Cincinnati Observatory. His toe cramped, and his gaze shifted to the dress shoes he’d found at the back of his closet. Good thing he didn’t have a reason to wear them more often. Still, what a reason. A good one. And another occasion for which to be thankful. Presently, he didn’t find himself to be as nervous as the last time he’d worn them. The florist had arranged white flowers inside white vases strategically placed in front of the posts at the bottom of the stairs leading to the observatory. As usual, Carlotta was right. Mount Lookout was the perfect place to host the event. Thank You, God, for the warmer weather today.
He stole a glance at the guests. Both completely off-duty, Detective Hadley wore a plaid shirt and sat next to Detective Krouse. Good thing Stu and his wife were seated in the opposite aisle. Randy relaxed next to Becca and snorted. Probably sharing notes about conspiracy theories, ghost stories, or comic heroes.
Pablo tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, best man. What’s up?”
His brother-in-law handed him a jar.
Jake examined it. Tomato-red chunky salsa. “Is this what I think it is?”
Pablo nodded. “A prototype I’m taking to a friend, Todd Woodward.”
Why did that name sound familiar? Oh, yeah. “The guy who opened the trendy new grocery store in Oakley?”
“Yep. He’s thinking of featuring P and R salsa in his stores.”
“P and R?” Jake chuckled. “Oh, I get it. Pablo and Rosie. Nice.”
“Not only that, I’ve been working on a hot sauce formula. Todd wants to market it to restaurants. Said they might have to use special packaging, though. That stuff is so spicy.”
Jake stared at nothing in particular.
“What is it?”
Jake shook his head and set the salsa on the ground. He shook Pablo’s hand. “Thanks for the salsa.”
“You’re welcome. Are you sure everything is OK? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
“Nope. Just thinking about what you said. About the hot sauce. So spicy you have to contain it just right. Otherwise, it can really mess things up. Just like grudges and unforgiving attitudes. Boy, am I glad Carlotta has forgiven me.”
“And that Jesus forgave us?”
Jake nodded. Geoffrey was bitter, but he’d chosen revenge. Carlotta, instead, had chosen love and forgiveness.
The processional played. Antonio skipped down the center aisle, carrying rings tied on a pillow. Rosario followed behind.
Jake pulled at his collar and then glanced at his bride as she strode toward him. That smile. So much for any nervousness.
Antonio and his mom stood off to the left, Pablo to the right.
Carlotta approached and stood by his side.
“Dearly beloved,” Pastor Clyde began.
Something else was different about this ceremony. Not quite as long as the first.
Pastor Clyde cleared his throat. “You may kiss the bride.”
A beaming expression overtook Carlotta. Jake moved in closer and gazed at her. His pulse raced, his lips parted, and he embraced his wife. Carlotta moistened her lips and wrapped her arms around him. As their lips touched, an electrical jolt traveled the length of his body. He didn’t want the moment to end.
Carlotta pulled away. Her cheeks glowed.
Jake and Carlotta turned to face the guests. He took her hand in his and lightly clasped it. “Thank you for this rewrite, this do-over.”
She returned the squeeze. “I couldn’t think of a better man for the job.”
Epilogue
Carlotta smiled. Pink tubular blossoms covered Elizabeth, the Christmas cactus. The plant set equidistant between the sink and the window. Not too much light. Not too little light. Just enough. Carlotta touched her throat. The form of another Christmas cactus, one with purple flowers, peeked out from behind Elizabeth. Who was this? Bending closer, Carlotta studied the plant. A note had been taped to the side of the flower pot. Jake’s handwriting adorned the side. Carlotta chuckled. Mr. Darcy. Who else, right?
As Carlotta walked away from the plants, she shifted her gaze to the puppy calendar. A year? How could it have already been that long? Then again, it added up: six months for her and Jake to complete foster care training and the daunting tasks involved in an adoption home study for the county, and six months since five-year-old Marta had been placed in their home. But it was worth it. All the time and effort, all the measures the county required, ensuring safe homes for the foster children.
She grabbed her hunter green, down winter coat and headed toward the front door. A red and green festive holiday doorknob hanger with jingle bells garnished the drab brass knob. Carlotta opened the door and stooped down to retrieve the newspaper from the front porch. After scanning the thin layer of snow covering the ground, which rapidly expanded, she re-opened the door and stepped inside. She took one last glance out the window. Though clouds spanned the sky, a faint glimmer of the sun shone through.
Footsteps sounded from the other end of the hallway. Her gaze shifted to her husband. She put her hand to her mouth to suppress a chuckle. “I see you like the Christmas sweater your Aunt Edna sent you.”
Jake winked. “Who doesn’t love fuzzy sweaters with gingerbread men on them?” One hand behind his back, he smooched her and then handed her a bright, colorful bouquet of mixed flowers—red, pink, yellow, and white. “These are for you. Nothing bad. Good news, actually.”
Carlotta located a vase and added the flowers, along with some water.
Jake followed her.
“Did you get a new job?”
“Even better. Our caseworker called. The biological parents have terminated their rights. Carol said we should meet with her on Friday to discuss more details regarding adopting Marta.”
“Can this be happening?” Carlotta swiped a tear.
Jake placed his hands on her shoulders. “Are you OK?”
She nodded and maintained an unfocused stare. “I really hoped the county could reunite Marta with her parents if possible. I wanted them to love Marta as we love her. She deserves to be loved by everyone.”
“We both did. But since that wasn’t possible, I’m so glad we have the chance to welcome her into our family, permanently.”
“Me, too.”
Jake glanced at the grandfather clock. “It’s 8:00 AM. Shouldn’t Marta be up by now?” He and Carlotta jogged upstairs and then down the hall to Marta’s room. Two shades of pink paint and various pretty pony decals adorned the walls of the five-year-old’s bedroom.
Carlotta gently laid a hand on little Marta’s shoulder. The girl lay nestled all snug beneath her pony comforter in her pink bed. Gracie lay at the end of the bed. “Marta, wake up. It’s Christmas morning.”
Marta rolled over. A glum expression washed over the child. No matter what her biological parents had done, they were still a part of Marta’s story.
The social worker had warned them the holidays could be difficult for children who’d grown up in foster care. Had she received presents in the past or even celebrated Christmas at all? Carlotta kneeled down next to the bed and met Marta’s gaze. “Let’s go downstairs.” Carlotta stood.
Marta joined her and stepped into pink fuzzy bunny slippers next to the bed.
Carlotta and Jake each held one of Marta’s tiny hands, led her downstairs, and reclined with her on the couch—Marta nestled in the middle with Jake and Carlotta on either side. Colorful lights twinkled on the Christmas tree. Gracie batted at low-hanging ornaments. Light snow fell outside. The fresh fragrance of pine permeated the air.
Jake belted out Joy to the World in a falsetto voice.
Marta giggled and then hummed along.
A smile spread across Carlotta’s face, and she harmonized with them. Her shoulders relaxed. The happy family she had always hoped for was finally a reality. Not in her way or in her timing, but in God’s. Love filled her home and their lives.
A Devotional Moment
LOOKING DILIGENTLY LEST ANY MAN FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; LEST ANY ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP TROUBLE YOU, AND THEREBY MANY BE DEFILED… HEBREWS 12:15
* * *
Sometimes, it’s hard to forgive someone when they’ve done something that results in feelings of betrayal and anguish. What is done cannot be undone, and there is a hopelessness attached to the betrayal that can make a person bitter and sad. Jesus preaches that we must forgive for the sake of our own souls. We have to find Him within us, ask for His strength, and give the other person compassion and grace for what they’ve done. A hard task, yet still a task our Saviour willingly did for us.
In Hold for Release, the protagonist is seeking answers to the bitterness in her heart. In the midst of her own anguish, the people around her accidentally get involved in a deadly game of deceit and danger that threatens her own life. In the midst of sorrowful brokenness, God works to help all involved and thereby, the protagonist can truly claim beauty for ashes.
Do you find it difficult to let go of feelings of betrayal and anguish, or any other negative emotion attached to things that others have done to you? Forgiving someone isn’t always easy. It often feels unfair. But God commands you to forgive in the same way He’s forgiven you in the past and will do in the future whenever you sincerely ask for forgiveness.
Remember, that when you don’t forgive, the only person you hurt is yourself. Unforgiveness breeds bitterness, and bitterness is the stuff of which bad decisions are made. No matter what someone has done to offend you, hurt you—even if it’s something unforgivable—forgive them. Daily, if that’s what it takes. Forgiveness isn’t a feeling, isn’t an emotion, it’s an act of the will, and you can do it…and when you do it, you’ll be more happy and less stressed than you can ever be by holding on to your bitterness, hurt and anger.
LORD, WHEN I AM WEAK, WHEN I AM BITTER AND ANGRY AT ANOTHER PERSON, HELP ME TO RISE TO YOU, TO GATHER YOUR COMPASSION AND MERCY INTO MY HEART SO THAT I MAY FORGIVE. TAKE THE BROKENNESS FROM ME, AND HELP ME TO BE STRONGER AND EVER FAITHFUL TO YOU. IN JESUS’ NAME I PRAY, AMEN.
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AMDG
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Heidi Glick, Hold for Release
