Free Operation Breathless by Marianne Evans Page B

Ryne stood. “For the record, if you decide to stay permanently, just say the word. I’ll be glad to work a few connections and entice the top brass to recruit you to the Angel Falls PD.”
    Quite an endorsement—and one Gabe appreciated. But permanence—in Angel Falls? That would require a lot of soul searching.
    “I’ll think it over. Thanks for the support.”
    “No problem. I think you could be really happy here.” Ryne clapped a hand against Gabe’s shoulder as they walked out of the conference room. “Say hey to Sus for me.”
    “I will.”
    While Gabe made the drive to Heart’s Haven, he forced himself to go still, turning within as he prayed in earnest.
    What comes next, God? Not just with Susanna, but with my life.
    Find the new and better pathway, Gabriel. Find Me once again in all that you do, and all that you feel.
    God spoke, quiet but sure; the words swirled through his spirit. Susanna’s image dawned, fast and clear.
    “Susanna. Wellsprings.”
    The two words drifted into a silence interrupted only by the hum of his car. Could God’s plan, His will, be that simple—and that fulfilling?
     
     
     
     

8
     
    “I really do feel different! This is so cool!” A brief shadow crossed Layla Thompson’s features. “I only wish I hadn’t wasted so much time being stupid.”
    Kaitlyn O’Dell linked arms with Layla, and Susanna followed the pair from The Falls Tabernacle, watching and listening.
    “You weren’t stupid,” Kaitlyn assured. “You were confused. Remember what Pastor David said. Keep moving forward. You’re forgiven. Jesus isn’t keeping a record of what you did before. Why should you?”
    Layla beamed at her friend. “Katie, you rock .”
    Susanna felt a lump form in her throat. She blinked hard a few times to clear her eyes of tears. Layla was radiant. She bubbled over with the kind of joy that could only stem from one place: the love of Christ. At services this morning, Layla had responded quickly when associate pastor David Myers had prompted parishioners to give up worldly battles and accept, instead, the unwavering and unchangeable love of the Lord. Joining others at the altar, she knelt, prayed, and surrendered herself to the God who loved her unconditionally.
    Layla had been cleared of all charges in the park vandalism case. GPS on her phone had verified she was miles away from the scene of the crime. Gabe and the police had even lucked out when interviewing the clerk who sold Layla that fateful bottle of pop. She recognized and remembered Layla, placing her firmly at the convenience store. God’s hand had rested on the youngster, and by now she was smart enough, and mature enough, to recognize His merciful grace.
    Ever since the police incident, even Chelsea had taken notice of the changes taking place around her, and begun to temper her behavior. Of course, facing the cops, and spending a night in jail, had helped solidify that attitude alignment.
    Present circumstances should have launched her heart to the heavens. Instead, Susanna felt desolate. Gabe was leaving for Detroit tomorrow morning.
    She’d always known he would leave, but that didn’t make matters any easier to tolerate. He more than lived up to his end of their deal. He had become one of the best things to ever happen at Wellsprings of Grace. His efforts reaped tremendous rewards, despite being short lived. She needed to remain grateful for that fact, despite a looming emptiness that colored her entire world.
    Kaitlyn and Layla climbed into Susanna’s car, laughing and joking and chattering. With considerably less enthusiasm, Susanna joined them and drove the short distance to her apartment where they would hang out for a few hours before the folks at Heart’s Haven bid Gabe farewell at a send-off barbeque later in the day.
    There was no way she’d survive the event—but there was no way to gracefully back out of it either. While Susanna drove, the girls sang along with the radio, and she plotted