Page 24 of Cowboy Falling Hard
God had a purpose for every trial, and of course Daphne, Renée, and Orchid all knew that. Sometimes it was just hard to see what the purpose was when a person was in the middle of their struggle. That’s when faith came in. The belief that everything was going to work out for good. The confidence that God was ordering a person’s life for their benefit and His glory.
If Orchid were in charge, Powell would have a father, Daphne would be home with her daughter, and Renée would not have been laid up for the last several months.
But then, she would have robbed them all of the opportunities to grow. To show God’s peace and joy through trials. To have people look at them and see a little glimpse of Jesus. To encourage other Christians, and to allow those who might not be believers to see something amazing in their life and want what they had—Jesus.
Orchid shook her head at her thoughts. She didn’t feel like she reflected Jesus at all most of the time. She forgot that was the purpose of her life. She lifted herself up, thought about herself, focused on what made her happy. She got so caught up in her wants and desires and the little dramas that went on in her life that she forgot it wasn’t about her.
It was about Jesus. And about others.
“I don’t think you were paying attention, but Coleman came and got Powell. He said they had someone who wanted to choose one of the kittens to take home, and he needed Powell to show him which one she wanted. That’s where they are.”
Orchid whirled around. She had been so lost in her own little world that she hadn’t even noticed that Powell wasn’t there anymore, and she hadn’t realized she was staring off into space, gripping her phone tightly in her hand.
She took it and shoved it in her pocket, taking a breath. “Thanks. I’m sorry I kind of abandoned you with her.”
“You didn’t. I saw what was going on. I...also heard a little of your conversation.” He paused for just a moment. “I didn’t mean to, but I shut the pressure washer off when Coleman came, and I could hear you.”
Orchid looked in the direction of the pressure washer. She hadn’t even noticed he had shut it off.
“No. That’s fine. I know you weren’t eavesdropping.” She wouldn’t think that he would anyway. Why would he be interested in her phone conversation?
“It sounded like you were going to be watching Powell for a few days, and I just figured I would tell you that I’ll give you a hand if you want me to.”
“Oh. Thanks. I... I appreciate that. But I’ve had her a lot, not overnight necessarily, but I’ve pretty much been Daphne’s main babysitter since Powell was born.”
“She seems like a nice little girl.”
“She’s the best.” She almost added that she wanted her children to be just like Powell. But she didn’t. It seemed odd to talk about future children that she didn’t have with Dwight, almost like it was a hint. She didn’t want to be hinting anything.
“I... I was wondering if you had talked to the Piece Makers? Or to Charlene in particular?”
“No. Not lately. Why?” She tilted her head, feeling like the change of subject was rather odd.
“Charlene said that Daphne had told her that she wouldn’t be able to help with the Apple Festival.”
“Oh! I’d forgotten. She and I were supposed to do the apple turnovers together.” She let her voice trail off as she thought about all the things she’d have to do by herself. Powell would be a help, but she would also be in school.
“When I talked to Charlene, I said I would help you.”
It took about five seconds for his words to penetrate into the thoughts that were swirling in her brain. Then her head jerked to him, and her eyes opened wide. “Why were you talking to Charlene?”
He seemed to stumble a little bit, and his eyes dropped. Then, he lifted his head.
“I met Charlene on the street in Sweet Water. We walked to the church together and chatted on the way. I... I hope it’s okay. I know she was going to tell you that Daphne had called her, but she probably just hasn’t had time yet.”
“No. She’s busy organizing everything, I can understand that it might have slipped her mind, especially since she probably figured it was taken care of since she had you lined up to take her place.”
Orchid could not be upset about that at all. She knew spearheading the festival was a lot of work, and the Piece Makers always made this one the very best it could be. Still, there were a lot of moving parts, and it was hard to keep track of everything.
Daphne hadn’t mentioned it, and that was understandable as well. She had her mother she was concerned about, and then her daughter. Obviously, she had taken care of making sure someone would take her place, and she knew Orchid would roll with whatever needed to be done.
“Thanks. I was a little worried that it might be something you weren’t overly excited about.” This statement hung in the air while he seemed to gauge her response.
“I’m sorry.” She tried to articulate what she was sorry for. She wasn’t sorry for refusing a second date. She knew that was the best decision. “Sorry for making you feel like I didn’t like you at all.”
He hadn’t seen Jesus in her. He hadn’t seen anything in her but someone who hurt him. Who was just concerned about herself. Surely she could have been kinder. Friendlier. Less focused on herself, and more focused on the people around her.
Although she believed with every fiber of her being that she had the right to her own opinion and had the right to make decisions based on it, she also hated that decision had hurt him.