Dani was afraid.

That was the reason she was acting weird about Jacob's drawing. He'd known something was wrong and had asked her several times before Josh had gotten home. Jacob finally accepted her answer, that she hadn't slept well and needed a good night's rest for the camping trip.

"I'll pray you get the best sleep ever!" Jacob had given her a kiss on the cheek to seal the deal.

She'd told her son the truth. Josh's obligatory proposal hurt. He said he loved them both, but she suspected he considered Meredith the better choice. Dani was only an option because she was Jacob's mother. He only wanted her because it was what he thought Jesus would want.

Dani gasped and jerked back at her thoughts. He only wanted her because it was what he thought Jesus would want. If that's what the Lord wanted, nothing else mattered. She wouldn't allow her pride to get in the way of the Lord's plan.

It would crush her to be his second choice, but Dani would please God above herself. Sinking to her knees, she bowed her head and prayed. Long after she was done, Dani listened.

...love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

The words whispered into the darkest corners of her heart. She repeated them over and over until she fell into a deep, restful sleep.

***

Josh fell to his knees and prayed.

"Forgive me, Lord God, for failing you. I've failed Dani and Jacob. I never meant to hurt them. And Meredith. I've wronged her. I'm so sorry. She's always been there for Jacob and me, and I love her, but...Dani..." He was quiet for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"Dani says you changed her, and I believe it. She's the girl I fell in love with. The mother Jacob needs. I thought you wanted me to marry Meredith. Caleb was right about me not listening. Not hearing. Help me to hear, Lord God. I have faith you will answer."

Afterward, he was still. Listening. Believing God would speak to him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

His phone buzzed with a text. He ignored it.

...and do not lean on your own understanding.

He jerked his chin at the clear words from Proverbs.

Again, his phone buzzed. It stopped a couple of minutes and started up again.

Reaching for his phone, he glanced at the screen and read the text.

Meredith: Are you still awake?

He tapped the screen and called her.

"Hey," she answered, her voice slightly breathless.

Lord, give me the words. "Hey. How are your parents?"

"They're ok, but I don't think they'll make the trip." A pause. A sniffle? "I'm not sure I will either. I've been praying, and I think somethings wrong." Meredith was crying.

He didn't think it was possible to feel any worse but he did.

"Are we ok, Josh?"

This wasn't a conversation he wanted to have on the phone, but he couldn't lie to her. "I don't know, Mer."

She let out a soft, stifled sob. "It's Dani, isn't it?"

"Mer, I am so sorry." It wasn't enough, not even close, but he didn't know what else to say. "You've been there for Jacob and me, and I wanted to marry you, but... We should talk in person."

"Just say it, Josh!" she cried, a note of anger in her voice.

This was all his fault and he felt terrible. "I've praying and I'm not sure that's God's plan for us."

He heard her sharp intake of breath and knew the pain he'd caused her.

"I'm not either," she said after a long pause. She sounded calmer now. "But I'm not sure of God's plan. Are you?"

"Meredith—"

"Please. Don't answer yet," she pleaded, her voice thick with tears. "We should know for sure. If the Lord wants us to move on, that's what we'll do."

"Meredith," he said gently, his heart aching. He didn't want to drag this out. It would only make the pain worse. "I'm really sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"Please, Josh." Her voice broke on his name. "You asked me to marry you, and a week later you want to break up! I love Jacob like my own. This affects him too. How will he feel if I just disappear from his life?"

His gut clenched. She had a point. The pain he was causing everyone was unbearable.

He needed a drink.

It had been a while since the craving was this strong. He remembered the sharp liquid on his tongue, the trail of fire as it went down, and the delicious warmth that spread through his body

Just one drink.

Josh was shaking. A sheen of sweat covered his skin. Bracing both hands on either side of the wash basin, he stared at his reflection in disgust.

You'll feel better. No one will know. It's just a little drink.

"What do you want, Mer?" he asked, ignoring the voice of the evil one.

"Let me come on the camping trip. Dani and I will both be there. Josh will have time to adjust." The words came quickly as if she feared he'd cut her off. "Once we get away, you can figure out what you want to do."

It was her last statement that bothered him. "I don't want to make this harder for you."

"You're not. I've always known Dani was your first choice because of Jacob, but are you sure that's what she wants?"

He wasn't sure of anything, except that he wanted a drink. Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he started to shake. Lord God, what should I do?

"Josh?"

"God has someone else picked out for you, Meredith."

A soft sigh. "You know I will follow God no matter what. One last weekend together isn't going to stop what God has planned."

The liquor store was still open. He could be back before Jacob even stirred. Josh's body went ice cold. No! He'd never leave his son to go get a drink. Lord Jesus, I need strength to resist this temptation.

"Josh?" A soft sigh. "Are you still there?"

Meredith needed an answer. Surely, he could give her this one last trip. It was the least he could do after the way he'd wronged her. "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow."

***

Dani was late.

She'd overslept. Changed three times trying to find the right outfit for church, not that the Lord cared what she wore but she wanted to look respectful. Too many people thought she was the woman they'd seen on screen, and now with Julie spreading tales, it was worse.

The snide comments and whispers that followed in town painted her as the other woman that had seduced Josh from Meredith. She pretended not to hear, but she knew she was the most hated woman in town.

Glancing at her watch, she knew she needed to move quickly. She chose a pale blue dress that was fitted at the waist, a gently flared skirt with puffed sleeves and eyelet lace. Her hair was pulled back into a single side braid that was tossed behind her as she hurried to Mrs. Huckabee's house.

The front door opened as she ascended the front porch steps.

"You're pretty as a peach," Bee gushed glancing back at Josh. "Isn't she pretty, Josh?"

Dani blushed.

"She's beautiful," he acknowledged in that rich timbre that sent shivers along her skin. But he wasn't looking at her. His jaw tightened.

Her traitorous heart skipped a beat. She glanced around for Jacob and Meredith.

"He's finishing up the cinnamon toast I made him," Bee told her, guessing one of the two people she was searching for.

"I'm all done and I washed the dishes!" Jacob burst into the room with his usual vibrant energy. "Mama!" He hugged her. It felt incredible to have his little arms around her. "Did you get a good night's sleep?"

"I sure did. Slept like a baby."

"A baby?" he laughed. "I prayed you would sleep so you could have fun on the trip."

"We should get going," Josh said, putting his hand on Jacob's shoulder. He was restless, upset, and she didn't blame him.

She'd come between him and Meredith. Hurting him was the last thing she ever wanted to do.

He avoided her gaze, which considering everything was a solid idea. She'd do the same. By the end of this trip, he and Meredith would be setting a date and picking out registry items. She'd buy them a very nice gift, and maybe they'd let her watch Jacob while they went on their honeymoon. Everything would work out.

"Yes, we should go. You know how much I like to sit in the front row," Bee agreed, rolling her chair with enthusiasm. "Are you ok, Dani?"

She turned to Mrs. Huckabee and forced a smile, nodding. Her eyes slid to Josh and Jacob, and it was suddenly difficult to breathe.

Dani began to pray.

***

She sat in the back row with her open Bible on her lap.

Mrs. Huckabee, Josh, and Jacob sat in the first row. Meredith hadn't shown up and it would have been awkward with her sitting with them. Like she was stealing Meredith's seat. Rachel, Caleb, and Parker were sitting there too, but still Dani felt more comfortable in the back. Kind of like she'd felt at school.

Josh hadn't argued when she'd said she was going to find another seat, but Jacob hadn't liked it. One look from his dad, however, and her son hadn't said another word.

No one would notice her here. She was safe.

Lindy and Charlie were seated in the middle of the sanctuary. Julie and a few other parents she recognized from Jacob's game were there. Tanner came in late, and, not seeing her, sat a row in front of her.

Pastor Wyatt gave a riveting sermon on being not being conformed to this world. He argued, rightly, that worldly distractions pulled us from God and could lead to our destruction.

Dani watched him with rapt fascination. He was a powerful speaker, a true messenger for the Lord. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about what Mrs. Huckabee had said. Was he her grandfather? If only Jennifer would return her calls, she could find out the truth.

"Have you ever asked God something and wondered why he didn't answer?" Pastor Wyatt questioned. "God always answers. It might take time and it might not be what you expect, but the Lord hears his children and answers their prayers."

Dani realized she'd leaned forward in the seat.

"If you're not hearing an answer, consider if the distractions in your life are drowning out the voice of God. The world will try to drown out the voice of the Lord."

Her lips parted. As much as she wanted to focus on the Lord, it seemed like she was always distracted. That was part of the problem years ago. It had happened to Josh too, but he'd managed to escape before she did because he'd realized his need for Jesus. Remembering how she'd scoffed at his talk about salvation and God, Dani was ashamed. If only, she'd known then.

The world said to love yourself and to do what makes you happy. It was all lies. No money, attention, social media success, alcohol, drugs...She could list things forever, but nothing apart from the Lord would ever complete anyone.

Pastor Wyatt had just finished his sermon and was about to deliver announcements when someone whispered, "Is this seat taken?"

Dani turned and her jaw dropped.

"Ty!" she whispered stunned. Leaning over, he gave her a hug, then stepped back and she saw Annie.

Joy burst in Dani's heart when she saw Annie's radiant smile.

She stood, fighting back the happiest tears. "Dani, I'm so happy to see you!" Annie put her arms around her.

"Me too. I've missed both of you."

Pastor Wyatt cleared his throat. "It looks like our new Associate Pastor has arrived home from his honeymoon slash mission trip." There was a smile in his voice.

The congregation turned and all eyes were on them.

"Let's give a warm welcome back in his new position to Pastor Ty and his lovely wife Annie."