Groom in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin Page B

Hal. She shrugged. “Then eat out. There’s Franco’s up the road in a strip mall. Great Italian. Or try Zoup! Wonderful sandwiches and soup. Just south of Wattles, or you probably passed the Ram’s Horn.”
    He didn’t look happy, but then neither did she.
    Fred barked outside the patio door, and she slid it open. He bounded in and headed for Hal again. Hal opened his mouth, then thought better and wrapped his tongue around no. Fred skidded to a halt.
    Steph grabbed her purse, then halted and opened a drawer. “Here’s an extra key to the front. Make sure you lock up when you go.” She took another step, then stopped again. “And keep Fred inside. I have a cranky neighbor.”
    Hal gave her a quick nod. “Fine.”
    “I’ll see you later.” She left the kitchen, then rolled hershoulders backward to relax them. Nick’s talk about how God wanted Christians to behave came back to haunt her. Her action and attitude weren’t charitable, and she knew treating her brother badly wasn’t godly. She slipped into her car and pulled away, struggling with the emotion—negative emotion based on nothing but the past. People could change. She’d worked through problems in her life, and she’d changed for the better. She certainly hadn’t transformed to glory as the Bible verses had talked about when she read to Julia, but she’d become more outgoing again and more confident. At least most of the time.
    Julia. Guilt spiraled through her. She’d thought about visiting Julia today, and now Hal had motivated her to act on her thought. Part of her wanted to put her feet up and relax. She’d eat cereal or an egg and toast. The last thing she wanted to do was cook a meal.
    The rehabilitation center sign appeared ahead, and Steph moved into the right lane, then into to the parking lot. Nick said Julia had made progress, and she’d neglected to go back even though she’d planned to. Julia would want her to read the Bible. She knew it, but she didn’t think that was what kept her from returning. In fact, the Bible had made her curious, and she wanted to know why.
    She headed inside and made her way to Julia’s room. At the doorway, she paused in case she was asleep, but Julia turned her head and gave her a crooked smile. Steph entered the room and stood beside her bed. “You look chipper today. How are you?”
    “Bettah.”
    “Better. That’s great.” She looked around the room and noticed a walker. “Are you getting up?”
    Her shoulder lifted in a faint shrug. “Little.”
    “A little is better than being in bed all the time.”
    “Yes.” Julia grinned.
    Steph shifted to the chair she’d occupied the first time she came and sat. Another bouquet had replaced the other. She couldn’t see the card, and the books she’d purchased were still on the table. So was the Bible.
    Thinking of things to talk about with someone she barely knew caused her to falter. What topics were appropriate? She couldn’t tell her about her faith issues or her struggle not to fall in love with Nick. There was always Fred. She paused. Hal hardly seemed like an appropriate topic. She really didn’t want to talk about him. She leaned back and released a sigh.
    Julia noticed. “Okay?” She pointed to her.
    Uncomfortable that she’d been so obvious, Steph leaned forward, managed a smile and changed her mind. “I’m fine. Just a busy day. I have the doggie day care, and when I arrived home, my brother was waiting for me. He came for a visit.”
    Julia nodded. “Nice.”
    The word was much clearer today, sending a natural smile to Steph’s face. “I’m so glad to hear you talking so much better. I know you’ll be happier when you can talk again.”
    “Yes.” Her eyes searched Steph’s. “Motha?”
    Mother. Steph controlled her emotions. “My mom died a couple years ago. Her heart. Very quickly.”
    “Oh. Sorry.”
    “Thank you. She was a wonderful mother.” And so was Julia. She could tell. Steph would have been more relaxed,