Free Silent Star by Tracie Peterson Page B

that he wanted very much to believe her. “Andy, Jesus knows the wound others have given you. He knows its depth and width. He knows the pain. But, Andy, He also knows how to mend this wound—how to make your heart whole again.”
    “I want to believe that,” he murmured. “But I can’t. If He felt this way—if He loves us—why would He ever allow us to feel like this?”
    “Oh, Andy, He does love us. There’s no if about it.”
    “I don’t know what to do,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m not good at figuring things out.”
    She smiled and put her hand atop his. “Start by being my friend—and let me be your friend in return.”
    He looked at her for a moment without speaking, then finally nodded. “I’ll always be your friend, Mrs. Nelson.”
    “Thank you, Andy. I needed to hear that.” And in truth, she did. For reasons that were beyond her understanding, she needed him. And without a doubt—he needed her.

SIX
    Estella stood outside Andy’s house and knocked on the door. She knew it was probably a futile attempt, but she intended to invite him to accompany her to the Christmas Eve services at the church that night. She’d already asked him once, but he’d wanted no part of it.
    Mary Beth had encouraged her to try again. They’d seen each other at church earlier that day and Mary Beth had shared her sorrow over the telegram regarding Sammy. Estella offered consolation to both Mary Beth and Sammy’s wife, Kay. Mary Beth’s mother had taken to her bed and refused to even come to church.
    “Mama’s so afraid,” the young woman told Estella when they had a moment alone. “I don’t know how to help her through this because I’m just as afraid.”
    “You must pray for her and love her all the more,” Estella told Mary Beth.
    Now Estella felt the truth of her own words. She needed to pray even more for Andy—and love him.
    Andy opened the door and noted the covered dish in her hands. “Come on in,” he said, reaching out to help Estella inside.
    “I wasn’t sure if you would have anything hot for supper, so I wanted to bring you a big bowl of chicken and dumplings. Just don’t look too hard for the chicken. It’s mostly dumplings.”
    Andy sounded weary as he answered, “If you made it, I know it’s good.” He took the dish and set it on the counter.
    “It’s a bribe,” she said matter-of-factly. “I hoped I could talk you into changing your mind about church. It’s going to be a nice service, I think. A special service for Christmas Eve. There’s a memorial Christmas tree. The folks will hang gold stars on it for those who’ve been lost.”
    “Then they definitely don’t want me there,” Andy said, crossing his arms. “I’ve been the cause of most of those stars.”
    “No you haven’t. That’s been the job of the war.”
    “Even so, they’ll remember me bringing the news.” He turned and walked away. “I’m not going.”
    “Mary Beth was hoping you’d be there. She’s the reason I’m here now. She encouraged me to ask you again.”
    Andy paused and looked back over his shoulder. “Why would she do that?”
    Estella smiled and shrugged. “I guess because she wanted you to be there. She’s a sweet girl, Andy. I think she cares about you and doesn’t want you to be alone tonight.”
    “Going to church isn’t going to help that,” he said, the bitterness heavy in his voice.
    “Are you sure you won’t change your mind? The service won’t last that long, and afterward you could come to my house and have some cookies and coffee.”
    “I appreciate you asking, Mrs. Nelson. Really I do. But I’m not going. There’s too much sadness already. Tonight those folks will remember their lost sons, and to see me still here and alive would break their hearts.”
    “But other young men will be there too. There are other boys who couldn’t go to war. You aren’t alone, Andy. Truly you aren’t.”
    He looked up at her as if to contradict, then softly replied,