Free Groom in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin Page A

mother, she longed to hear him say something to give her hope, anything to let her know that his friendship hadn’t been marred by her confession, but he’d talked about his mother’s illness and concerns. The time wasn’t right to probe him on his feelings for her, so Steph remained quiet.
    A shiver ran down her back. She stepped inside, grabbed a jacket and tossed it over her shoulders. She loved watching the dogs play outside. No one bothered them. They could bark without a care in the world. If only she had the freedom, the kind that made a difference to her spirit. Molly had that freedom. Steph had always sensed it, and now she’d seen it demonstrated in Nick. She’d put a name on it.
    Faith.
    The word settled over her, and Steph wished she could wrap her arms around it, but she didn’t know how. She knew it had to do with being saved and eternity. Often she’d wished that when life ended that was it. Nothing. She would just vanish, and all that was “her” would be no more.
    But since meeting Nick, the thought scared her. She asked herself, “Is this all there is?” like the old tune she’d heard years earlier. If that was so, then what was life all about? It seemed rather futile. Sure, she’d enjoyed her work. She loved Fred. Molly. Her friends. But life seemed filled with loneliness. A solitude she didn’t like.
    Nick made her days different. She’d said it before, but now it had deeper meaning. After Doug died, she’d withdrawn like a turtle into her shell as far as men were concerned. But when she met Nick, her spirit lifted. She seemed to have purpose. He made life interesting. Fred hadbeen her fun and still was, but that didn’t fill her loneliness for real companionship.
    Deeper than his good looks, Nick charged with thoughtfulness and confidence tied to his faith, a faith that he lived and not just talked about.
    Molly always said it wasn’t what was on the outside but on the inside, and Steph had begun to understand. Doug had been a great-looking guy, but on the inside, his moods and his nasty temper were troubling and destructive. Why hadn’t she realized it sooner, like before they married? That’s when she had gone wrong.
    Steph bent her head back, taking a deep breath, grateful that she’d overcome some of the guilt and shock of her husband’s suicide. Marrying again seemed as unlikely as climbing Mount Everest. She had no desire to climb anything, and she had little hope of considering a permanent relationship. But friendship. Yes, and she cherished Nick’s.
    Lost in thoughts, Steph jumped when Fred let out his happy bark. She stepped onto the grass and spotted Nick at the fence nuzzling Fred’s head as the dog balanced on his front paws against the chain links. Her other day care dogs jigged beside Fred, wanting attention, and Nick reciprocated as he always did. He reached across and gave each dog a friendly pat.
    Nick had stolen Fred’s heart as he had hers.
    The old fear slammed against her chest. She didn’t know herself anymore. Out of her rut, she stumbled and doubted. Her decision to enjoy Nick’s company without getting involved in romance burst when she saw his smiling eyes. If she could only come to grips with her past, her confidence might return. But even then, the faith issue stood as an even stronger bulwark.
    Nick waved then vanished around the corner of the building.
    Steph stepped inside to greet him, but the battle of head and heart came into play again. Her head screamed friendship while her heart longed to rush into his arms.
    He waved the brochures. “Nick Davis to the rescue.”
    “Again? You’re always rescuing me.” Chills bristled down her spine.
    “Only when you need it.” He strode forward and slipped the brochures into her hand, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders as if nothing had happened between them.
    She clamped her fingers over the glossy paper, confusion wavering in her mind. “Thanks. You’re too thoughtful.”
    “A man can never