Free A Bride Worth Waiting For by Jeanie Smith Cash

proceeded to tell Cole what had taken place with her father and how her mother had interceded. “I’ve never seen my father like that and I couldn’t believe my mother raised her voice, Cole. In all of my twenty-three years I’ve never heard her raise her voice. But my father stopped and listened to her. They were talking when I left the room. I pray she can get through to him.”
    “I’m sorry I caused a problem between you and your father, Darlin. There is no one who feels worse about your grandfather being in that wheelchair than I do and about the way your father feels about me and my family. Believe me if there was any way I could go back and change that night, I certainly would. ”
    “I know that, Cole and I love my father, but he’s the one in the wrong here. My mother’s right about him needing to forgive. He raised me in a Christian home and always taught me to be forgiving. I’ve even heard my grandfather try to talk to him about this and he wouldn’t listen. Granddad doesn’t hold any animosity against you and your family.”
    “I’m glad to hear that and I will continue to pray for your father. I know the Lord has a plan, Darlin. We just have to trust Him.”
    “I know you’re right, it’s just that I’ve never seen my father lose his temper like that.”
    “He wouldn’t hurt you, would he?”
    Bethany heard the concern in Cole’s voice. “No, he loves us. He isn’t violent, just angry.”
    “I would imagine some of that anger is the hurt he feels for your grandfather and the limitations put on him by his condition. I can understand how he feels, Bethany.”
    “I can too, Cole. But as Christians we can’t hold a grudge, it hurts us more than anyone else.”
    “You’re certainly right about that. We need to continue to pray.”
    “Yes, we do. Can you come for supper tomorrow evening?”
    “I’d love to come, but are you sure it won’t make things worse for you?”
    “I want you to come and I believe the Lord will work it out.”
    “Okay, what time?”
    “How about six o’clock?”
    “I’ll be there. I love you, Darlin. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
    “Thank you. I love you too, Cole. Goodnight.” Bethany closed her cell phone.

 
    Chapter Ten
     
    Bethany was about to get ready for bed when there was a knock on her door. She opened it to find her mother there.
    “Would you please come down stairs, Honey? You’re father wants to talk to you.”
    Bethany followed her mother back down stairs. She took a seat at the table where she’d been sitting earlier across from her father. Please, Lord. Work this out; You know how much I love Cole.
    “ You can ask your young man to dinner tomorrow night. I’ll be polite, that’s as far as I can go right now.” Her father got up and walked out of the room.
    “Give him some time, Honey. I believe with prayer he’ll come around.” Her mother hugged her.
    “Thank you, Mom. I appreciate your help in this. I love Cole so much, but I love Dad too and Cole is adamant that I won’t be made to choose between them.”
    “Well, that says a lot about your young man, Honey. He obviously loves you.”
    “Yes, he does, Mom and I know you’re going to love him. Dad would too if he’d just give him a chance. Cole and his family are wonderful people. His parents and brother picked us up at the airport earlier and I immediately felt comfortable with them. The Lord just shines through them.”
    “Why don’t you ask them to come tomorrow evening with Cole. Maybe he’ll feel more comfortable having his parents and his brother along for support and we can get to know them too.”
    “I think that’s a great idea, Mom.” Bethany hugged her mother. “I love you.”
    “I love you too, Honey. Now you’d better go to bed you look tired and stop worrying, everything is going to be alright.”
    “Okay, goodnight.” Bethany kissed her mother and went up to her apartment to get ready for bed.
    The next evening when Cole and his family