Page 37 of Muskoka Miracle (Muskoka Shores #7)

T wo days of personal leave allowed for time to return to their apartment, where time to reconnect could occur.

Sarah had explained about wishing to see Dr. Feldman and apologised about keeping him in the dark.

Dan had met Dr. Feldman yesterday when she’d dropped by Sarah’s room, and was impressed by her optimism, and that Sarah seemed far more relaxed and willing to listen to her advice.

It gave him more confidence knowing that he had another lengthy road trip coming up, and he was relieved when he received a call saying the most important part of his plans was ready.

“Okay, hon. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Another one?” Sarah gestured to the bouquets decorating their living room. “I don’t think we have room for any more.”

“It’s not flowers. Come here.” He drew Sarah to the apartment’s hallway. “Now close your eyes.”

She obeyed.

“Now, I want you to hold your hands out.”

She did, squinting a little.

“No peeking.”

She laughed, and squeezed her eyes shut.

“That’s better. Now, on the count of three, you can open your eyes.”

He opened the front door, and pointed to Sarah.

“What’s going on?” Sarah asked.

“Keep them closed until I get to three.” Dan counted, “One… two… three.”

She opened her eyes. Gasped. “Mum?” She threw her hands over her mouth. “Bek?”

“Surprise!” they chorused.

Dan looked on in satisfaction as Sarah hugged the two women she loved most in the world.

He might’ve gotten a few things wrong over the past few months, but this, this had right written all over it.

Their huddle of love contained as much laughter as it did tears, and he realized afresh how much she’d missed her family.

“It’s so good to see you,” Sarah wailed.

He smiled at his wife’s emotion. He hoped her emotional outbursts would be limited to ones more like this, and no more of those angry frustrated ones like before.

“Your father wanted to come,” Lindy said to her daughter, “but he had a cold, and knew he could be here later when the baby comes.”

“Okay.” Sarah sniffed.

“I told Joe I had to see you, and wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

He bit back a smile. He’d often thought Bek was as strong-minded as her sister.

“And now I’m here.” Bek shot a smile his direction. “Thanks to Dan.”

“Thanks to Dan,” Lindy said, gazing at him fondly.

Sarah finally released them then moved to him. “Oh, Dan.” Sarah hugged him. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome, Princess,” he murmured.

“How did you manage this?”

“You needed them, so we made it happen, didn’t we Lindy?”

His mother-in-law nodded and gave him a hug too. “Thank you.” Her eyes, so like Sarah’s, shimmered with unshed tears. “It’s so wonderful to see her. And to see you both doing so much better than before.”

He dipped his chin. There was still a way to go, but he felt that too, that they were finally on the right path.

“Oh, there’s way too many tears today. Honestly, what is it with you all?” Bek teased. “Now, let me say hello to my niece or nephew.” She bent down and murmured a hello to Sarah’s stomach, then her mother took a turn too.

Bek ran a hand over Sarah’s bump. “You’re so beautiful.”

“No, I’m not. I’m so fat.”

“You’re not fat. There’s barely a bump, is there?”

“I’ve been throwing up so much.”

“But the baby’s weight is okay?”

“The doctor is happy enough,” Dan said.

He glanced at Sarah, caught her wince. Knew she felt bad for going behind his back about switching doctors. He’d forgiven her, but needed to make it plain. With all the emotions flying around these days, things needed to be made very plain.

“We have a new obstetrician,” he explained. “Dr. Feldman. She seems a lot more positive than the last one.”

“Oh, I must say I’m relieved to hear that,” Lindy said.

Relief pinged. So Sarah hadn’t talked it over with her family instead of him.

“That other one seemed to be sending you off for tests all the time,” Lindy continued. “I don’t think people realize just how stressful this can be. Especially considering, well, what’s happened in the past.”

All that had happened in the past. Sarah’s accident.

His pre-Christian history, where he’d got a woman pregnant then selfishly prayed for the baby to die.

Which it had. He knew now that God had forgiven him, knew this was why Sarah had warned him away, considering her own medical challenges regarding fertility, thanks to the accident which had scarred her reproductive organs.

All of that coupled with the toll of three miscarriages, it was no wonder that Sarah had struggled.

The mood had sobered, and he knew it needed to be salvaged. He gestured for them to sit in the living room. “Now who’s ready for a cup of tea?”

“Oh my gosh. It’s so cold outside, and I thought you’d never offer,” Bek teased.

Three hot tea orders later, he moved to the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Sarah said.

“No, you sit down, spend time with your family.”

She shook her head, retrieved the special cups that got used rarely. “Mum is in the bathroom, and Bek just said you’ve arranged for them to stay here while you have your road trip.”

“Stay here or in Muskoka. Whichever you prefer.”

Her lips twisted, which made her answer plain. “Did you arrange that for me?”

“Of course I did.”

She slid her arms around his waist, her bump protruding into him. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am,” she murmured against the scar on his jaw. “You’re so good to me.”

“Because I love you.”

“I love you too.” She tugged his head down and pressed her lips to his. There was healing in that kiss, hope too, and soon heat. She pulled away with a quiet gasp. “Are they staying here tonight?”

“Not tonight. Not until I go away.”

She smiled at him. “So maybe tonight I can show you how grateful I am?”

“If you’re up for it.”

“Hey, are you two okay in there?” Bek called.

“Very okay.” Sarah’s smile held joy, and a promise.

“Amen,” he agreed.

He and Sarah made a round of hot teas. It was good to be stealing kisses, working in partnership with her, feeling like Team Walton again.

They might each have had their moments of stumbling over the years, but just like Ecclesiastes said, “Two are better than one” because when one fell, the other could pick him up.

And with God at the center of their lives and marriage, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

And later, as they drank tea, and ate the Tim Tams Bek had brought, and Sarah settled on the couch, laughing like the woman he remembered, he knew that whatever still faced them, God would help them find the love and light again.

* * *

Snow fell outside the big picture window at Muskoka. The fire crackled, sending welcome heat, especially for the two non-acclimatized Aussies whose shivers had necessitated buying appropriate winter clothes the day after they arrived.

Sarah settled onto the leather sofa in the Muskoka cottage.

After Dan had left for his latest road trip, she’d lasted two days in the city.

Two days taking Mum and Bek to visit shops and museums like the Bata Shoe Museum, before the call of Muskoka drew her to drive them here in Dan’s sturdy Jeep.

Muskoka always brought a sense of peace.

“This is the life,” Bek declared, glancing over with a smile from where she was lying on the sofa, magazine in hand, hot chocolate in easy reach.

“I’m glad you approve.”

Her sister snorted. “How can I not? I’m here, my kids are being looked after by my husband, while I get to meet famous actors and authors and pretend to look after my little sister. It’s been tough, but I’m managing.”

“Looks like it.” Sarah smiled.

Oh, this was so good. Time here with her mum, and sister, and aunt, was like what she imagined an extended girls’ weekend must be.

They’d met up with Jackie and Lincoln, Staci and James, and some of the other Musko-cheers, for a pot-luck meal where her mum and sister got the chance to learn more about these women.

Mum had gravitated to James once she’d learned about his missionary work, and they’d swapped stories while Bek found herself giggling with Anna and Rachel.

And the time with these women, their hands of friendship extended so freely, reminded her that there were many blessings to be found, even in the midst of challenges.

“So, how are you really doing, Sarah?” her mother asked now.

“I’m doing a lot better.”

“You seem so much better than your birthday.”

That total cringe of a birthday Zoom call, with her embarrassing argument with Dan. “It took time to get my head around a few things.”

“You are okay about missing the Heartsong tour?”

She nodded. “I know now it was the right call to make.” Ugh. How could she have thought to lead people in worship around the world when she couldn’t even do it at home?

“You know Dan was just concerned about you.”

“I know.”

God bless her husband. Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace.

“So things are better between you two now?”

“Yes.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I always tend to fly off the handle like that.”

“Um, I think it has something to do with hair color,” Bek said, waving her ponytail at Sarah.

Her smile twisted. “I don’t know how much longer that excuse is going to wash with Dan.” Or if it ever had.

Her mother laughed. “It’ll be good to have him back.”

She nodded. “I’m glad he got the chance to go to the west coast to see some of his friends.”

“And how about you?” her mother asked. “Have you been keeping in touch with any of your friends?”

“Well, you met most of them the other night.” When she’d hosted her own version of a soiree.

“They’re the ones involved in the Musko-cheers thing?”

Sarah glanced at Bek.

“Hey, I might be your sister, but I still follow you on Instagram.”

“That’s right. I forgot I mentioned about the fundraising for the Muskoka facility on there a while ago.” She plucked a grape and unpeeled it, then popped it in her mouth.

“That’s kind of gross,” Bek said, wrinkling her nose.