When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker

flashed. Karen was glowing.
    Roald approached them, smiling wide as the rounds of congratulations died down. “I couldn’t offer more joy, my friends.” He put a hand on each of their shoulders. “It’s a perfect day for the perfect couple.”
    â€œThank you, Roald,” Karen said, dipping her head. She glanced at Jan with a twinkle in her eye. “I couldn’t imagine more myself.”
    Roald chuckled. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind entertaining the guests for a few minutes, Karen, the leaders would like to speak with Jan. We won’t take him for long, I promise.”
    â€œDon’t leave me stranded too long.”
    â€œYou? Stranded? The cameras are still here, Karen. I’m sure you’ll find a way to make use of them.”
    â€œI’ll be right with you, Roald,” Jan said.
    The man hesitated and then stepped back. “Take your time.” He walked from them.
    â€œSo we’re really doing this, are we?” Karen asked.
    Jan faced her, grinning. “Evidently. How does it feel?”
    â€œIt feels like it should, I think. Having the cameras here was a perfect touch. Your idea?”
    â€œRoald’s.”
    â€œI thought so. Good man.”
    â€œYes.” He glanced around and saw that the company was mostly engaged. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Congratulations,” he said.
    For a moment they stood in silence. She reached up and straightened his tie, a small habit she performed too routinely. “You’re such a handsome man. I’m so proud of you.”
    â€œI meant what I said, you know? Every word.”
    She kissed him on the cheek. “Yes, I do know, Mr. Jovic. And I meant what I said.”
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œI said yes.”
    He smiled and nodded. “Yes you did. Now if you’ll excuse me for a few minutes while I take care of Roald and his friends.”
    â€œTake your time,” she said.
    He left her and angled for the meeting room across the hall. Roald intercepted him. They walked past a dozen guests, nodding graciously. “They’re waiting already,” Roald said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt the moment but Barney has a flight in two hours and Bob promised his grandson a trip to the theater tonight.”
    â€œIvena?”
    â€œShe’s waiting as well,” Roald said with grin.
    â€œGood,” Jan said. They entered the meeting room and closed the door on the noisy hall.
    IVENA SAT adjacent to Janjic, listening to the scene unfold with a hubbub of monotony before her. They sat around the oval table, seven gray-haired evangelical icons from all corners of the country, sober yet delighted at once, staring at Janjic, their prize, who sat awkwardly at the head. They’d spent the first round congratulating him on the engagement and were getting down to the real meat. At least that was how Ivena saw the setting.
    Janjic held himself in a distinguished manner—he could slip into the perfect professional sheen when the occasion demanded it. But beneath his new American skin the Serbian she had known could hardly hide. At least not from her. She saw the way he nonchalantly smoothed his right eyebrow when he was impatient, as he did now. And the way his mouth curved in a gentle but set grin when he politely disagreed. As it did now.
    He’d filled out over the years and he’d always stood much taller than her, but under the commanding facade he was still a young man, looking for escape. His face was well aged for thirty-eight years—the war and five years in prison were mostly responsible. It didn’t matter, he was still strikingly handsome. Crow’s-feet already wrinkled the skin around his eyes from his constant smiling. His dark blond hair swept back, graying above his ears and curled at his collar. The white American shirts with their ties always looked a little silly on him, she thought. For all her