For the second time that morning, Kelsey’s mind drifted to Wade as she fiddled with the silver heart-shaped necklace he gave her for Christmas.  She prayed his grandma would make it through the heart bypass surgery without any problems.  Wade had called her early that morning to say his grandma had been in good spirits before the doctors took her in the O.R.  Kelsey noted some irritation in his voice.  She assumed it was because of his father.

                   Leaning against the counter of her bakery, she sighed.  Kelsey recalled when he had called home on Christmas a couple of weeks before.

                   Kelsey and Wade went into her childhood bedroom, away from her family and friends’ boisterous holiday cheers.

                    They sat on the bed and he dialed his parents’ number.  “Hey, Mom, Merry Christmas!”  He smiled.  “How are things?  Did y’all get my presents?”

                    Wade listened and said, “Great.  Yeah, she’s right here.  I’ll put it on speaker.”

                    After he pressed the button, he bumped her shoulder with his and nodded toward his cell.  Kelsey cleared her throat, hoping she wouldn’t say anything foolish.  “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Ramsey.  I hope y’all are having a good one.”

                    “Thanks, dear.  Please, call me Eve.  I’ve heard a lot about you.”

                     Wade's mom’s gentle and sweet voice put Kelsey at ease.  “All good I hope.”

                     Eve chuckled.  “Of course, dear.  I can’t wait to meet you.  You’ve changed my son for the better, and I’m grateful for that.”

                      Kelsey felt her face heat up.  “Oh, I didn’t do anything.”

                      Wade gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled.  “Yes, you did.  Just by being you.”

                      “Then I’m glad.”  Kelsey returned the smile, feeling her cheeks heating up.  “He has changed my life, too.  I’m much happier.”   Her eyes locked his, and then kissed him.

                       “Hello?  Are y’all still there?”

                        Breaking the kiss, Kelsey hid her face in Wade's chest, embarrassed they’d forgotten his mother.

                        Wade chuckled.  “Yes, Mom.  Sorry.  We, um-."

                        “No need to explain.  I remember how young love feels like.”

                         Recovered a little, Kelsey said, “Ah, Wade told me you’re having your side of your family over today.”

                         “Yes, twenty-five of them.”  Eve sighed.  “Some of my nephews are having Christmas with their wives and their families, and Wade-.”

                         “Maybe I’ll come home for Christmas next year.”

                          Kelsey heard a beep.

                          “Wade, I have to see to the turkey, but your dad just came in.”

                           Wade tightened his jaw.  “Mom, I don’t think-."

                           “Here he is.  Merry Christmas, honey.  I love you.”

                            “I love you, too.”

                             Wade’s dad took the phone.  “Hello, Wade.”

                             “Dad.”  He rubbed his palm on his jeans and exhaled.  “Merry Christmas.”

                              “Thanks.  You, too.”

                              As disappointed as Kelsey was at Wade’s dad’s distant reply, she knew he had grown used to it.  She scooted closer and rubbed his back, which seemed to calm him.

                              Wade scratched his eyebrow.  “Well, Mom is getting ready for the Schroeder Christmas, I hear.”

                              His dad moaned.  “Yes.  They will be arriving soon.”

                              “I’m celebrating Christmas with the Meyers today.”

                              “Is that your new girlfriend’s family?”

                              “Yes, sir.”  Wade gave Kelsey a small smile. 

                               “Oh, good for you,” he said.  “I’d better help your mom with the food.  Bye.”

                                The phone clicked off.

                                “I wonder when he’ll stop being distant with me.”  After what seemed like an eternity, he pulled back with a determined look on his face.  “I’m not going to let my father ruin our Christmas.”  He stroked her hair.  “Let’s rejoin your family and friends.”

                                Kelsey rested her forehead against his.  “Okay.  Let’s have fun.  I think we are going to sing some carols soon.”

                                “Singing Christmas songs will do me good.”  Wade chuckled as he glanced around her old room.  “You were a Backstreet Boys fan.”

                                “Yes, as the four posters prove”  She smiled.

                                “Let me guess.  You loved Nick Carter.”

                               “Wrong, Brian Littrell.”  She kissed Wade’s cheek.  “I love sensitive men like you.”

                               “Hmm. Good.”  Wade kissed her on the mouth. 

                               One of Kelsey’s new assistants’, Amber’s voice brought her back to the present.  “Kelsey?”

                               Kelsey glanced around the kitchen and then turned to Amber.  “What is it?”

                               “Rose Werner is here to see you. 

                               “Thanks.  Please tell her I’ll be out in a minute.”   Kelsey turned to her other assistant, Brooke, who had just taken four loaves of bread out of the oven.  “Brooke, please, make some more cherry crumb cakes.  The recipe is on there.”  Kelsey pointed to the laptop in the corner of the counter.”

                               The young woman bobbed her head and smiled.  “Sure thing.”

                                Kelsey carried the loaves of warm bread from the kitchen, giving them to Amber so that she could put them in the display case.

                                Rose sat in a booth and Kelsey joined her.  “Hi.  What a surprise.”  She chuckled.  “Are you here to get more cranberry walnut muffins?”

                               Rose shook her head.  “I just wanted to talk to you.  We haven’t talked since Christmas, two weeks ago.  I hope I’m not holding you up.”

                               “No, the breakfast crowd is pretty much gone.   People won’t buy any more pastries or bread until they come in for lunch.”  She glanced at the display case.  “We have just made more of the bulk of what I sell.  Do you want some coffee? ”

                               “No, thank you.”  Rose cleared her throat.  “I heard you finally hired some people to help you.  Good.”

                               Kelsey moaned and propped her chin against her palm.  “Yeah, but I’m still getting used to them.  I’d ran my bakery by myself for years.”

                               “But more people who are passing through are finding you and telling their friends.”  She covered Kelsey’s hand with hers.  “You can’t keep up with the demands of the locals and tourists on your own.”

                               “I know.”  Kelsey brushed her hair back.  “The Christmas season wore me out.  The girls will be a great help, especially on days like today.”

                               “You’re worrying about Wade, huh?  Your mom told me when I came in that you weren’t yourself today.”

                               Kelsey nodded.  “He loves his grandma so much.  I know that from the way he talks about her.  I pray she makes it through the surgery, and-“

                               “And what?”  Rose tilted her head.

                               “That Wade’s dad will be civil.”

                               Rose blew out a breath.  “Me, too.”

                               “You know him.  Why does he still blame Wade for Christina’s death?  It was an accident.  Nobody knew the balcony railing would give away, causing her to fall.”

                               “Well-.”  Rose lowered her eyes to her hands.  “That’s not entirely true.”

                               Kelsey’s eyebrows shot up.  “What?”

                               “I’m guessing Wade didn’t tell you because he didn’t want to blame his dad.”  Rose smiled a little.  “That’s just like Wade.”

                               “You mean his dad knew it was loose?”

                               “Yes.”  Rose bit her bottom lip.  “Two months before Christina’s death, Eve noticed the rusty bolts and how the railing wobbled.  The balcony was one of Christina’s favorite places to play, so she kept the French doors locked.”

                               Kelsey frowned, not liking Christina played on the balcony.

                               As if reading her thoughts, Rose said, “Christina never played there unless someone was there.  Well, except the night she died.”

                               “And Wade blamed himself for years.”

                               “Well, on that awful evening, Jordan thought he had time to fix it, but he was called away and forgot to lock the doors.”

                               “Oh, man.”  Kelsey leaned back.  “Do you think Wade's dad is taking all his guilt and regret out on Wade?   And why he’s distant with him.”

                               “That’s what Eve, John, and I believe.  Also, by being distant, Jordan thinks he won’t fail Wade like he did with Christina.”   

                               “That’s crazy.  Wade’s his only child now.  I would love and cherish him even more.”

                               Rose shook her head.  “Jordan is different.  Eve wants him to get help, but he refuses.  Wade had the same attitude until he met you and wanted to move forward.  Maybe something big needs to happen to Jordan for him to see reason.  I don’t know how much longer Eve can endure this much longer.”  Rose let out a sad chuckle.  “For fifteen years, Eve has been patiently praying for Jordan to stop pushing Wade away, and to finally forgive himself, but recently during our weekly chats, she sounds like she’s becoming annoyed and impatient.  Eve knows you and Wade are getting serious and she wants to be a part of y’all’s lives, but doing that would rub Jordan the wrong way.”

                               “She feels stuck.”  Kelsey’s stomach roiled, wondering what she would do if she found herself in a similar situation.  But, then Kelsey knew she couldn’t stand not being in Hannah’s or any other of her future children’s lives no matter how much she loved Wade.

                               Kelsey’s forehead furrowed.  “Why is she feeling-anxious for lack of a better word, now?  I know you said it’s because we are together, but-.”

                               “Well, until last year, Wade lived in Dallas and she could visit him without Jordan finding out, but now phone calls and Facebook aren’t enough for her.” 

                               “All we can do is pray.”  Kelsey tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, knowing she said something like that to Wade, but she believed God would answer their prayers.  However, maybe not in the way they thought, but the prayers would be answered nevertheless.

                               “I guess that’s all we can do.  Jordan needs to want to change and seek help.”  Rose glanced over at the display case and changed the subject.  “I’ve changed my mind.  I think I’ll buy a dozen cranberry walnut muffins and three cheese danishes.”

                               Kelsey smiled and got out of the booth.  “Coming right up.”

***

                               After a long day at the hospital, Wade and his parents finally got home.  He’d wanted to stay at a hotel, but his mom insisted he stay in his old room, and stood her ground when he tried to argue.  Wade noticed his mom had become more forceful in what she wanted to happen.  He had agreed, reminding himself his parents’ house was big, so he could avoid his dad easily for a couple of days.  His dad’s icy demeanor made him regret he had agreed.  For most of the day, Wade talked to his aunts, uncles, cousins, and his nana's pastor.

                               One more day.

                               Wade yawned as he leaned against the wall in the living room.  “I’m relieved Nana made it through the surgery.”

                               His mom nodded.  “Mom has always been strong.”

                               Wade checked his watch.  “I’d better call Kelsey before Hannah’s bedtime.  I know she wants to know how it went, and I want to tell Hannah goodnight.”

                               His dad put his thumbs in his belt loops.  “You’re serious about Ms. Meyer, aren’t you?”

                               “You can call her Kelsey.  And yes, I am.”

                               His mom smiled.  “I’m so happy.  I can’t wait to meet her and Hannah.”

                               “I hope you don’t fail them like you failed Christina,” his dad said, folding his arms.

                               His mom gasped.  “Jordan Andrew Ramsey, that was completely uncalled for!”

                               Wade set his jaw and mentally counted to ten.  After calming down some, he said, “It’s okay.  I’m used to Dad seeing the bad in me, but it won’t get me down any longer.  I’ve forgiven myself for Christina’s death.  I know it wasn’t my fault.  I have forgiven your treatment towards me.  I know you blame yourself, but you take it out on me.  I can take it, although it hurts, but I won’t let you be nasty to Kelsey or Hannah.  You need to forgive yourself.  Maybe talk to the pastor at y’all’s church about counseling.  Until you get help and change, I don’t want you in my life.”

                               His dad’s face reddened and the veins on his forehead popped out.  “I don’t need help!”

                               “Yes, Jordan, you do.”  His mom went in front of him, grabbing his arm.  “If anyone needs a come to Jesus moment in this family, it’s you.  I want our family back.  I want to be able to see Wade without worrying about what you will act when I get home.  He is probably going to give us grandchildren one day.  At least a step-granddaughter and I want to be in their lives. Christina would want that to happen, too.  She wants you to move on and stop blaming Wade and yourself for her death.   And I know you do.  Sometimes I catch you looking at Christina’s picture, asking her to forgive you.”

                               “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Eve Marie.”

                               Stepping back, his mom placed her hands on her hips.  “There’s no shame admitting you made a mistake for not locking the balcony doors.  You’re only human.”

                               “I’m not talking about this anymore.”  His dad strode to his office and slammed the door. 

                               Wade sighed, rubbing his eyebrow.  “That was a good try, Mom, but Dad won’t change.”  After giving her a kiss on the cheek, he went upstairs to his bedroom.

           

***

                               Walking home in the light rain, the smell of wet grass filled his nostrils and saw the bluebonnets swaying in the wind.   Wade couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t driving home from the clinic.  He tried to remember what happened to his Jeep, but his mind had been blocked.

                               Wade heard a crash and crows cawing.  Looking up, he saw one circling a blue minivan that hit a concrete wall.  His heart leaped into his throat.  “Kelsey!  Dear God, no!”

                                Forcing his legs to move, Wade ran to the van.  When he reached it, he peered into the driver’s window and saw                                      Kelsey out cold. Blood ran down from her forehead.  Looking down further, Wade noticed the steering wheel and the dashboard were crushing her legs.  He dialed 911.

                               He pulled on the handle of driver’s door, but it wouldn’t budge.  Picking up a rock, he broke the side door window.  Once in the van, he maneuvered behind Kelsey’s seat and took her pulse.  It was faint. 

                               Tears welled in Wade's eyes as fear gripped him.  He started to pray, and after a minute, Kelsey took her final breath.  He bowed his head and cried.

                               From out of nowhere, his dad appeared, shaking his head and crying.  “You fool. You darn  fool.”

                               Jolting awake, Wade found himself in a cold sweat, panting hard and tasting salty tears.  He wiped his eyes, taking calming breaths so his heart rate would slow down.  The moonlight shone through the windows, and Wade stared at the ceiling fan, telling himself it was only a nightmare.

                               “I won’t fail Kelsey.” 

***

                               Hannah rolled into the kitchen, smiling.  “Mama, Wade just drove up.”

                               With her hands in dishwater, Kelsey cocked her head, confused.  “Sweetie, are you sure?  He said last night he would be back tomorrow night, not tonight.”

                               “Yes, ma’am.”  Her daughter giggled.  “Maybe he missed us so much that he couldn’t wait to get back.”

                               “You silly goose.”  Kelsey poked Hannah’s nose, leaving soapsuds on it.  “You watch too many romantic movies.”

                               The doorbell chimed and Kelsey grabbed a towel and dried her hands.

                               As soon as she opened the door, Wade pulled her into his strong arms for a long hug before kissing her like a thirsty man.

                               “Boy.”  Kelsey pushed back, blinking several times.  “What was that about?  I liked it; don’t get me wrong, but-.”  She gasped as a terrible thought entered her head.  “Did your grandma pass away?”

                               “What?”  Wade searched her face and then laughed.  “No.  Nana is doing fine.  They took her out of the I.C.U. this afternoon.  I’m sorry I scared you.  I missed you.  There wasn’t much to do there, so I decided to come home early.”

                               “I told you he missed you.”  Hannah grinned.

                               “I’ll never doubt you again.”  Laughing, Kelsey ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair, and then motioned Wade to enter.

                               “Hi, Han.”  He kissed her cheek and hugged her.  “I missed you, too.”

                               “Me, too.”

                               Kelsey folded her arms.  “Now, young lady, go and finish your book report.  It’s due tomorrow.”

                               Hannah sighed.  “Okay.”

                               Wade stood behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist.  “Are you busy tonight?”

                               Shaking her head, Kelsey wondered what had gotten into him.  Wade had been affectionate and attentive since they had become a couple, well, even before that, but something was different in him.  She didn’t know what, although she had a feeling something happened while visiting his family.

​

***

                                Kelsey examined a butter churn at Abby’s aunt Valerie’s antique shop.  When Abby suggested they go and browse the items her aunt bought at a recent estate auction, she jumped at the opportunity to get away from Wade.  Ever since he came back, he had been smothering her.  When Wade was at the clinic, he called her every hour to ask her if she was okay, and when Wade wasn’t working, he was at the restaurant at the bakery area, watching her every move, and then at night, she had to push him out of her house.                                  Kelsey wondered for the hundredth time what happened in Dallas.  She wished he would tell her.  She got Wade’s mother’s cell number from Rose and asked her if Miss Millie had problems during or after the surgery, causing his strange behavior.  She said no, however, she had alluded to a fight between Wade and his father that might be the problem.

                                If that was it, then why wouldn’t he just tell me? 

                                “Whoa, girlfriend,”  Abby said, breaking her reverie. “I’d loosen my grip if I were you.  You don’t want splinters in your palms."

                                Kelsey glanced down and saw her hands were gripping the handle of a butter churn tightly.  She let go and flexed her hands.  “Sorry.  I was lost in my thoughts.”

                              “About Wade?”

                              Kelsey nodded and sighed.  “I wish I knew what happened that scared him.  Wade won’t tell me and his worrying is affecting his sleep.  Have you seen the dark circles under his eyes?”

                              “Yeah.”

                              “I know it has something to do with me because I’m the only one he hovers over.”  She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.  “Abby, I swear if this goes on much longer, I’m going to lose my mind.  I love him.  God knows, but-.”  

                              “You need to talk to Wade and make him tell you what’s he's frightened of.”

                              “You’re right.  He’s coming over tonight.  I’ll ask Mom and Dad if they can keep Hannah for a few hours.”

                              “Sounds like a plan.”  Abby smiled, looked around, then her blue eyes widened.  “I see a hand-painted vase I have to buy.  Kelse, come on.”

***

                              Wade stared at Pastor Kellerman’s office door for a minute, feeling drained.  He hadn’t slept worth a flip for two weeks.  The memory of his nightmare wouldn’t leave him no matter how many times he told himself it was crazy to worry about something that would probably not happen.  Drinking three twenty ounces cups of coffee a day kept him functioning, but knew he couldn’t keep going without sleep.  Kids stared and parents dropped their mouths when they saw his bloodshot eyes and the dark circles.

                               Worse of all, Kelsey was pulling away from him because of all of the hovering he was doing.  Wade knew he needed to talk to someone about his nightmare and fears, so he decided to see Pastor Kellerman.

                               Wade cleared his throat and knocked.

                               “Wade, what a surprise!”  The pastor removed his reading glasses and waved him in.

                               Wade sat in the chair across the oak desk and fiddled with his college ring.  “I hope I’m not disrupting you.  I know I should have made an appointment.”

                               “Nonsense.”  Pastor Kellerman sat down and folded his arms on the desk.   “I thought that you knew my door is always open.”

                               “I do.”

                               The pastor eyeballed him and pursed his lips.  “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

                               Wade adjusted in his seat.  “How do you know it isn’t a social call?”

                               “From forty years of being a pastor.”  He drummed his fingers together.  “I can spot a worried person a mile away.”

                                “I should have known.”  Wade lightly chuckled.  “You knew something was bothering me when we met.”

                                Pastor Kellerman nodded.  “What is it this time?”

                                Wade glanced at the ceiling, racking his brain about how to ask the question.

                                “Just tell me,” the pastor coaxed.

                                Glancing back at Pastor Kellerman, he sighed.  “Do you believe now, in this day and age that God shows people what will happen in dreams?  I know He did several times. It’s in the Bible, but-."  Wade rubbed his forehead and groaned.

                                “Yes, I do.”

                                “I thought so.”

                                “Well, God talks to us, but we’re too busy to realize it.   So sometimes He makes us listen.”  Rubbing his chin,                                        Pastor Kellerman asked, “What did you dream?  Whatever it was, I see it has you shaken up.”

                                Wade closed his eyes and swallowed hard.  “I was walking home and saw a crow circling a van-Kelsey’s.  I ran over and saw the steering wheel and the dashboard had her pinned down.  She was bleeding heavily, and I called 911 and prayed, but she died.”

                                “Oh, no wonder you’re worried.”  Pastor Kellerman furrowed his brow.  “When did you have this nightmare?”

                                “When I was staying at my parents’ house.”

                                The pastor pressed his fingers to his lips.  “The last time I checked, you and your dad still had a rocky relationship.”

                                “It’s nonexistent, Pastor.”

                                “Hmm.  Did you speak to him before you went to bed? “

                                “Yes.”  Wade chewed on his bottom lip.  “He said he hoped I wouldn’t fail Kelsey or Hannah like I failed Christina.”

                                “What did you say?”

                                “I told him I wasn’t going to let him get me down any longer, and that I don’t blame myself for Christina’s death anymore.  I said I forgave him for the way he had treated me for fifteen years, and how I hoped he would forgive himself.”  Wade sat straighter.  “I told him until he seeks help; I don’t want him in my life.”

                                Pastor Kellerman arched an eyebrow and then smiled.  “I’m proud you stood up to him.  I know it was hard, but I pray it will make him see the light.”

                                Wade shook his head.   “If it does, then I’ll be surprised.  Do you think I had that nightmare because of what my dad said?”

                                The pastor leaned forward.  “It’s a possibility.  You have finally let yourself live again and opened your heart to two people.  Do you wonder sometimes if things with Kelsey, Hannah, and you are too good to be true?"

                                Wade nodded.

                                “It’s normal after years of blaming yourself for your sister’s death.”

                                “I’m waiting for God to say, ‘It’s just a dream.  You don't deserve Kelsey and Hannah.’”

                                The pastor sighed.  “God doesn’t work like that.  Satan wants people to believe God allows bad things to happen and that He wants them to be unhappy, so they will turn away from Him.  God wants all his children to be happy.  That includes you.”

                                “I know.”  Wade lowered his eyes to his hands.  “I just can’t shake that nightmare.”

                                “Did you only dream it once?”

                                “Yes.”

                                “Then it probably won’t come true.  Trust in God and the nightmare won’t have power over you.”  Pastor Kellerman leaned back in his chair.  “You haven’t told Kelsey about your nightmare and fears, have you?”

                                “No, I haven’t.”  Wade ran a hand through his hair.  “Until now, I didn’t want to tell anyone about it because it might come true.”

                                “Why now?”

                                “Because I’m afraid I’m losing Kelsey.”  Wade shifted himself in the chair.  “I’m smothering her.  I call Kelsey every hour to see if she’s okay, and I watch her intensely after work.  I know it’s not healthy for a relationship.”

                                “No, it isn’t,” the pastor agreed.  “You need to tell Kelsey what has been bothering you.  Let her help you.  Remember, you two are in a relationship and neither one of you doesn’t have to shoulder burdens alone anymore.”

                                Wade nodded.  “I’ll tell her tonight.”

                                “Great.”  Pastor Kellerman rose and walked around the desk.

                                Wade stood.  “Thanks for talking to me.”

                                “It was my pleasure.  Will I see you next week in church?”

                                “Yes, sir.”

                                After Wade left the office, feeling better, he remembered something.  His dad cried in his dream.  Why?  He had never met Kelsey.
                                Wade shook his head.  Dreams don’t make sense a lot of the time.

 

***

 

                                Kelsey rose from the kitchen table and put their plates in the sink. Both Wade and she had eaten in silence.  She told herself not to relent until she had coerced him into telling her what was bothering him.   This needed to end.   Although, tonight Wade wasn’t hovering over her that much and was acting like his old self.
                                Kelsey swallowed and folded her hands.  “Wade, please, come with me into the living room.  We really need to talk.”

                                He nodded.  “I know."

                                Kelsey paced in front of the fireplace, remembering the well-thought-out speech she formed when she came home.  Turning, Kelsey bumped into Wade, causing everything she prepared to say to him to flee from her mind.                       

                               Kelsey took a few steps back.  “I need you to sit there.”  She pointed to the couch.  “I need to have my mind clear.”

                               When Wade obeyed, she let out a sigh.  “Ever since you came back from Dallas, you’ve been hovering over me.  If you’re not calling me every hour, you’re watching me at work.  And at night, I have to practically push you out of my house so that I can go to bed.”  Kelsey sat on the ottoman, a foot away from him. “We can’t go on like this.  I can’t.”

                               “I know.”  Wade reached for her hands.  “Forgive me for my paranoid behavior.”

                               “I will; just tell me what happened in Dallas that scared you.”  She pulled a hand from his grasp and rested it on his stubbled cheek.  ”I don’t want any secrets between us.  We’re a couple now, and we should share our burdens.”

                               Wade chuckled.  “That’s what Pastor Kellerman pretty much told me today.  And you’re right; we shouldn’t have any secrets coming between us.”

                               “You went to see our pastor?”  She smiled.  “So that’s why you seem much like yourself.  He helped you.”

                               “Yes, but he’s right.  I need to tell you what I was afraid of.”  He patted the empty space beside him.

                               When Kelsey sat by him, Wade positioned himself on the couch to see her better.  “You’d probably noticed when I called you the morning of my nana’s surgery I was annoyed.”

                               Kelsey nodded.

                               “Well, my mom insisted I stay with them.”  Wade ran a hand down his face.  “My dad avoided me the night before and while Nana was having surgery, but it all came to blows after we got home. I got into an argument with my dad after he said that he hoped I didn’t fail you and Hannah like I failed Christina.”

                               Kelsey's pulse ticked up as he explained.  Putting both hands on either side of his face, she looked into his eyes.  “You know you didn’t fail your sister, and you won’t fail us.  I don’t care what he says.”

                               “I told my dad his words wouldn’t get me down.  I don’t blame myself anymore, but I guess what he said sank into my subconscious because I had a nightmare.”

                               “What happened in it?”  She began to stroke his upper arm, waiting patiently for him to continue.

                               “I’d rather forget it.”

                               Kelsey narrowed her eyes.   “No secrets, remember?”

                               Wade rubbed his neck.  “You were in a terrible car crash, and I ran to your van, but I couldn’t get you out.  Your legs were pinned down by the dashboard.   I called 911 before breaking the side window to get in and check your pulse.”

                               A gasp escaped her lips, and she felt goosebumps forming on her arms.  “I died, didn’t I?” 

                               “Yes.”

                               “It was only a bad dream.  I know we aren’t promised tomorrow, but I don’t believe God would bring us together just to take one of us away.”

                               “Pastor Kellerman told me God wants me to be happy, but Satan might use a nightmare like the one I had to cast doubts.”   Wade pulled Kelsey into his arms and smelled her hair.  “I was foolish to give a dream power over me.  Our pastor was right.  I need to trust God and stop doubting His wishes.”

                               Pulling back a little, Kelsey looked at him.  “With God’s help, we can face anything.”

                               Wade smiled before pulling her into a long kiss.