Free In His Dreams by Gail Gaymer Martin

Jeff’s elbow with a caulking tube. She couldn’t help but grin at her accidental attack on his arm and even more the coincidence that they were both at the hardware store. “Sorry. A caulking gun in my hands can be a dangerous weapon.”
    He raised his hands over his head and grinned. “I’m unarmed.”
    “You have arms, Daddy,” Bonnie said, hanging on to Marsha’s basket and looking at the items she’d tossed into it. “Are you fixing your house?”
    “Trying,” she said, making a silly face for Bonnie.
    She laughed at Marsha’s goofy look, then eyed Jeff as if to make sure he laughed, too.
    “I have to see this.”
    “Me, too,” Bonnie said.
    Marsha dropped the caulk into the basket. “What are you doing here?”
    “Looking for you.”
    “Looking for me?”
    “I called, and Barb said you were here.” He picked up a package of screws and a light-fixture cover. “Remodeling?” he gave her a wink as he waved the packages at her.
    She couldn’t help but chuckle at his silly expression. “Not quite. I’ve let things go, and I either need to do it myself or hire someone to do it for me.”
    “Good idea. I know just the man.”
    She gazed at the basket as relief flooded her. “Really? Do you have his card?”
    “No, I can do better than that. He’s in the store.”
    “Great. Introduce me.”
    He slipped his hand into hers. “Marsha, I’d like you to meet Jeff Sullivan.” He gave her hand a firm shake.
    “You?” She shook her head that she’d been so naive. “That’s one thing I’ve always loved about you, Jeff.” The word love nudged her consciousness. She managed to ignore the feeling. “You were always playful, while Don was more serious.” Don. Jeff. Why did she keep comparing them? “I was more serious then, too.”
    “You had reason to be.”
    “I suppose, but I loved the laughter you brought into the house.”
    “I figured you needed a little lightheartedness.” He rested his hand against her arm, offering her a gentle smile. “Now, getting back to the home improvement.” His smile turned to a playful grin. “I’d be happy to help if you can give me a hand in return.”
    Curiosity pulled at her face. “Sure, if I can.”
    He clasped his hands on Bonnie’s shoulders and turned her toward Marsha. “Here’s your challenge.”
    Bonnie grinned at her, waving a screwdriver like a magician’s wand over the edge of the basket.
    “No challenge. I’d be happy to accept your offer.”
    “How could I do it without you?”
    “Very well, I’m sure,” she said, going along with the joke.
    He slipped an arm around her shoulder and grasped the handle of the basket with the other hand.
    As they ambled up and down the aisles finding what she needed, her spirits dimmed. She was concerned about Jeff’s attitude toward God. She prayed for him, and since he’d known the Lord once, she asked the Holy Spirit to lead him back to his faith. How could a man so good and so kind not understand that God didn’t always say yes? According to His will and purpose, He sometimes said no, and no one knew that better than Marsha. It shouldn’t change their faith in Him.
    Bonnie tugged at the side of the basket as they walked, making it wiggle. She laughed when he asked her to stop until finally she became bored and grasped Marsha’s hand as they headed to the checkout counter.
    Earlier Marsha had thought about asking Jeff to help with the repairs, but she knew he had his hands full with Bonnie and, to be honest with herself, she felt confused spending so much time with him. It seemed too comfortable and she feared she’d miss his company when she returned home. The city was different than an island. Things happened. Jobs and responsibility got in the way. People drifted.
    His teasing question, How could I do it without you? filled her thoughts. Yet, that wasn’t the real question. What would she do without him?

Chapter Six
    M arsha leaned her shoulder against the bathroom door frame and