The Truth Seeker (28 page)

“Yes, Lizzy, I do. This world was not designed to die; sin did that.

But Jesus has beaten sin, and it gave Him the right to put on the imperishable as those verses describe. I believe the Resurrection is true. Jesus is alive. That’s what Kate has been trying to convince you of, Marcus and Jennifer also.”

She folded the note but didn’t hand it back. “I’ll think about it.”

“Please—think hard.” He hesitated, then said what his heart demanded. “Lizzy, even if you don’t believe, I will still be your friend.

Nothing is going to change that. I’m loyal to my friends for a lifetime.

There are no qualifications.”

She just looked at him for a long time, and then the smile that could make his heart roll over appeared. She got to her feet and lightly tapped his arm with the sombrero. “You’re forgiven for asking me out fourth.”

She would have passed him but he snagged her hand. “Lizzy.”

She stopped.

“I saved the best for last.”

Nineteen

She was going to have to tell him about Andy. Lisa rolled over on her bed with a groan, stared at the ceiling. It was : A.M. She was so tired it was making her punchy. She’d slept an hour only to have a horrible nightmare and wake shivering.

She turned on the bedside light, admitting sleep wasn’t going to return soon. Quinn’s Bible was on the side table. He’d handed it to her tonight and suggested she borrow it for a few days. She picked it up.

It showed its age. Quinn had carried it with him for years and it was falling apart. There were notes in the margins and verses underlined, some of them dated with cryptic notes beside them. In the front of the book were tucked a couple letters, a faded newspaper clipping—

it was like glancing through a guy’s version of a diary.

She was familiar with the book. She turned to the passage Marcus had noted and read it again.

She had prayed that Andy would breathe again and he hadn’t. It had convinced her that Jesus could not work a miracle and bring back the dead as the Bible claimed. She’d dismissed the Resurrection.

And over the years she found it easier to ignore the subject entirely than rethink it. She’d learned at Trevor House that the only way to deal with the turmoil of the past—religion being just one issue of many—

was to draw a line in time and leave the past behind.

It helped to know the Bible did try to argue that the body of dust returned to life. Not much, but it helped.

“They recognized His words, His actions, His appearance.”

If Jesus was alive as Quinn and her family claimed, then His actions now should still be consistent with His behavior recorded in the Bible.

He’d been a hands-on man, teaching, healing the sick.

Again she felt the same disquieting realization as when the pain had eased during her hospital stay because of Quinn’s prayer. It had not been a case of her belief changing the situation for the better; it had been a case of Quinn’s belief changing the situation. That required there to be someone else acting. And Quinn said it was Jesus.

Ignoring the time, she picked up the phone and punched in a room number.

“Quinn?”

“Lizzy? Hi.”

“Can you meet me for a walk or something?”

“Sure.” She heard the concern, and he didn’t even comment on the time. “Five minutes? I’ll tap on your door.”

“Thanks.”

She staggered to her feet, moved across the room to her suitcase, and unzipped it. She pulled on a white shirt and jeans, not really caring what it was her hand found first in her suitcase; she just wanted to get out of the room for a while. She cavatying her shoelaces when he tapped on her door. She slipped her room key in her pocket and went to slide open the lock. His gaze swept across her, concerned. “Bad dream?”

She nodded.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“I need a walk.”

“We can take care of that,” he assured. She pulled her room door closed. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and turned her toward the elevators. Lisa reached up to grasp his wrist, appreciating

He stopped walking. “Yes.”

“I dream about Andy.”

He turned her to face him, his hands settling on her shoulders. “Do

the company. She would have normally gone for a walk alone. This was so much better.

They walked through the lobby and outside to the gardens that landscaped the open area between the hotel and the conference center complex.

“You’re going to need a jacket. I should have thought of it upstairs.”

It was kind of chilly out, but she shook her head. “I’ll be fine for now.”

She’d never been good about sharing secrets. She didn’t want to talk about Andy. She needed to, but she didn’t want to see the pity that would come into Quinn’s eyes. It was better all around that she not say anything.

“Has Dave forgiven me yet?”

“He thinks it was Kate. She’s denying it, of course, but she doesn’t have much credibility on the subject and Dave doesn’t believe her.”

“I think I’m relieved.”

“You should be. You really did a pretty good job for five minutes.”

“I can’t believe you had me raid the wrong room.”

“Me?”

“I think this means we’re even.”

He smiled. “Just about.”

She leaned her head back to look at the moon. “It’s not full.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I am.”

“It’s only full one day this month.” He tightened his hand. “What was the nightmare about?”

She hesitated about answering him. “Do you dream about when you found your father?”

you?”

She looked up, wondering why he hadn’t asked the more obvious question: who was Andy? He was looking at her with that expression she’d seen once before, compassion so deep she could drown in his gaze. “I don’t like the dream,” she answered awkwardly, pulling back from telling him the truth.

His thumb rubbed against her jaw line. “I’m glad you asked me to join you for your walk,” he answered simply. “It will make it easier to get back to sleep.” He tucked her back under his arm and resumed their walk.

“How’d we end up like this for the weekend? Friends? Paired off?”

“Does there have to be a reason? I can’t just enjoy your company?”

“I don’t understand why.”

“Are you asking something I’m too dense to figure out? It is kind of late, you know. Why do I like you?”

She shrugged.

“What’s not to like?”

“I work with dead people.”

He laughed. “Your job? Lizzy, I don’t mind it. Although I think you do at times. That’s why you didn’t protest to Kevin; you just walked away hurt. Part of you thinks he’s right.”

“I’m getting analyzed at A.M.”

“I’ve been thinking about it a while.”

“Really?”

“Don’t sound so insulted. Figuring you out has been a many years puzzle.”

“Am I harder to figure out than Jennifer or Kate?”

“I don’t compare.”

“The mark of a wise man.”

“You’re an O’Malley. I’ve learned the basics.” He tipped up her chin.

“I’m glad you phoned me, although I admit I’m a little surprised.”

“Why?”

“Kate’s next door to you. I figured you would have woken her up instead.”

“Kate? You’ve got to be kidding. I’d rather wake up a grizzly bear.”

“She’s that bad?”

“Dave doesn’t know what he’s getting into.”

“What about you? Are you a bear of a morning?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Curiosity.”

“You’ll have to come up with a better reason than that.”

“Prickly. It must be bad.”

“I’ve been accused of talking in my sleep.”

“Really?”

“Don’t sound so amused.”

“Well, Lizzy, it all depends on what you say.”

“You’ll forget I said that.”

“I think it’s kind of cute.”

“It’s embarrassing.”

“Tell me about the dream.”

He caught her off guard. “No.”

“Why not?”

“None of your business.”

“Lizzy, your hair’s damp. I don’t think that was a shower.”

“I keep my room warm versus icy like yours.”

“Try again,” he said gently.

“So it’s a bad dream. Talking about it just makes it worse.”

“You’re sure?”

“Very.”

“You’re not exactly relaxing.”

“Sometimes it takes a long walk. You don’t have to stay.”

He ignored that suggestion. “So what do you want to talk about?”

“We don’t have to talk, you know. Silence is pretty nice.”

“I know. But I like to hear your voice. You’re starting to get just a touch of Montana drawl in your speech.”

“You’re serious?”

He laughed at her alarm. “It sounds good, Lizzy.”

“No offense, but everyone who meets you will remember your drawl for years. It’s kind of nice on a guy, but a lady

”

“You mimic people you listen to. Don’t be so bothered by something that’s very unique to you.”

“I wish you wouldn’t have told me.”

He tightened his arm around her. “Actually, your voice is one of the things I like the most about you. I wish you’d call me more often just so we could talk.”

She blinked. “You do?”

“Yes.”

This was embarrassing. “I don’t have anything to say.”

“So call me and tell me to come up with questions. I can probably keep us talking for a few hours.”

“Maybe someday.” When she had a lot more courage than she did tonight. They walked around the garden in silence for a time. “I would have called you even if the other O’Malleys were still awake.”

His thumb slipped into the belt loop of her jeans. “Would you?”

She saw his smile. She’d pleased him with that answer.

“I’m ready to go back.”

“We have to?”

“We’ve got to be up again in a few hours,” she pointed out.

“Want to share breakfast?”

“I was planning to inhale a cup of coffee on the way to church.

Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to get you up before the last minute. You need the sleep even worse than I do.”

“Be kind. I’m not that old.”

“Your bones are creaking in the night air.”

“Now you’re pushing it, Lizzy.”

She laughed softly; it felt good to tease him.

He turned them back toward the hotel.

The lobby and hallways were empty of guests.

It had been an emotional day, church had been

uncomfortable, Lisa had Tom’s wedding ring slipped onto her middle finger so it

“Thanks for the walk,” she said when Quinn stopped at the door to her room.

“It was my pleasure.” He smiled. “I’m tapping on your door in exactly five hours. I want breakfast.”

She pushed him toward his room. “Good night again, Quinn.”

The maid of honor was not supposed to cry. Lisa tried to blink back the tears, feeling her smile quiver. Jennifer, walking down the aisle on Marcus’s arm toward the front of the church, looked absolutely beautiful.

Lisa accepted the wedding bouquet from Jennifer so her sister could turn and hold hands with Tom; Lisa passed the bouquet over to Rachel.

and now this—Lisa tried to sneak her hand up to wipe her eyes and caught a smile from Jack across from her. The day couldn’t be more perfect.

They had timed the wedding to be twenty minutes. Jennifer was radiant, all the fatigue of the last week’s activities pushed aside for this moment. Lisa listened to the song and then the minister begin to speak while she watched Jennifer for any sign of a sway, ready to steady her if needed. It was harder for Jennifer simply to stand than it was to walk, for nerves around her spine would pinch and suddenly flare as shooting pain.

wouldn’t slide off until it was time to hand it to Jennifer. It felt heavy on her hand. Jennifer had bought Tom a beautiful, thick gold band.

Marcus was holding Jennifer’s wedding ring for Tom. He’d simply slipped the ring box in his pocket, being practical about it.

When it came time to get the ring off, Lisa found her hands had swelled under the tight grip she’d had on her own bouquet. She had to twist the ring free, feeling like every person in the packed church was

looking at her. One of the children giggled and Lisa had to smile. Of course it would get stuck. The ring finally slid free and she very carefully passed it to Jennifer, glad to have her one critical point in the service completed. Quinn was to her right standing behind one of the ushers, helping the guests who needed an extra hand. If she turned slightly she’d be looking at him. She was careful not to turn in that direction, afraid to catch his gaze and find him smiling at her.

The wedding ended with a song and a long kiss that had Kate and then Rachel starting to softly laugh when Tom didn’t release Jennifer.

Seeing the real reason and knowing Jennifer would hate to have it common knowledge, Lisa dropped her bouquet, and the children, who were close enough to the front to see Jennifer’s hand now clenched white, turned instead to look at her as Lisa tried to get her dress to turn so she could bend over and pick up the bouquet. It took clenching her teeth to move that way; she intentionally managed to roll the bouquet over to one of the girls Jennifer privately called her sweetheart. With a giggle Amy leaned over in her wheelchair to help. “You drop things like I do.”

She said it loud enough some of the adults in the front row had to laugh. Lisa kissed the little girl and set the bouquet in her lap. “Hold it for me, please?” she whispered.

“Sure.” Amy was missing one of her front teeth, making her s’s whistle.

Jennifer slowly turned with her hand tucked under Tom’s hand.

Lisa shared a smile with her sister as the minister formally introduced the couple to the congregation.

The music began, and Lisa stepped aside as Jennifer and Tom moved to greet their special guests, starting with Amy.

Lisa watched Jennifer and found herself wanting what her sister had. Tom loved her so much. She finally felt it safe to try and wipe her eyes.

“Lizzy,” Quinn’s hand settled firm and warm against her shoulder,

“This way.”

He didn’t try to take them through the crowds now filling the She eased off the wrist corsage. “Rachel.”