Free Loving Care by Gail Gaymer Martin Page B

last time she’d seen Patrick. The name June had dangled in her head the past days, and Christie tried to recall who she was. Patrick had seemed so certain she should know the woman. But she couldn’t put a face to the name. Curious, Christie swiveled her head and spotted Patrick and Sean. Her heart sank when she noticed the same woman beside him. June.
    Having no time to study the woman’s face, hoping for recognition, Christie turned back when she heard the pastor announce a reading from Luke 6. She opened the pew Bible, flipped through the pages until she found the lesson and followed along. Her stomach twisted with the vision of Patrick and June together behind her, until a passage stopped her cold. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
    She sensed the lesson was for her. It had shotthrough the air and landed against her heart, but what had she judged? Who had she condemned? She had been entangled in envy. She knew that was a sin.
    The evidence seemed clear. Patrick and the woman. She’d seen them together twice and had made a judgment about them. She had no right to be jealous. Her mind whirred with puzzling thoughts. Why had he invited Christie for coffee if he had a relationship with June? Why did he persist in wanting to visit Loving Care? Why was he riling her emotions when he had another woman at his side?
    She felt deceived again. He’d walked out on her once before, and today she felt as if he’d knocked on her door and then slammed it shut when she’d answered. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
    The words nudged her, and she closed her eyes, asking God to help her understand the anguish she felt. Why? Why did Patrick come back to town and confuse her life? She would move—go somewhere else if she didn’t have Loving Care. Loving care. That’s what she needed now. Lord, forgive me for my lax faith and keep me in Your loving care.
    She pushed her shoulders back against the pew and took a breath, feeling a calm settle over her. She had to trust God if no one else. Keeping her mind focused on the message and prayers, Christie rose for the final hymn, relieved. She prayed she could make a speedy escape and not have to deal withPatrick, June or anyone. She’d find her sanctuary at home. Alone.
    “Good to see you,” her mother said to her as the service ended.
    Christie spoke with them briefly, then made a quick excuse and turned to slip out the side door.
    “Where you running off to?”
    She stood still as Patrick’s voice surrounded her. Trapped. Garnering courage, she turned to face him. The young woman stood at his side, her face pleasant and genial.
    Christie felt her eyes shifting like a search light from one to the other, unable to speak.
    “This is June,” he said.
    “Hi. We’ve met before.” June stuck out her hand and Christie shook it, numbed with bewilderment.
    June chuckled. “You don’t remember. I was at your wedding.”
    Wedding? So long ago. How could Christie remember anything of that day? She had been so filled with excitement and wonder.
    “I’m Patrick’s cousin from Long Branch.”
    Cousin. Long Branch. Christie looked at June, dazed that she’d forgotten. She’d only met her once—at the wedding. “I’m sorry, June. The wedding was—”
    “No need to apologize. I lived in California for a while after that so I wasn’t around when you and Patrick were…” Her voice faded, and she gave Patrick a helpless look. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”
    “No problem,” Christie said. “I understand.”
    Relief swept across June’s face as it had already whisked over Christie.
    “I’ve been wanting to drive over to see Uncle Joe, but my schedule has been so crazy,” June said. “I’m glad I came.”
    “That’s great you could visit,” Christie said, managing to cover her embarrassment.
    Patrick rested his hand on June’s shoulder. “She’s been good for Dad. He’s having