Page 22 of Wish You Faith (Christmas Sweethearts #1)
She texted Evan to tell him the good news. It was mid afternoon in Savannah, but around lunch time in Seattle.
Rosie
Can you believe it? A full scholarship. Is that a miracle from God or what!
Evan
Sounds like a miracle, for sure.
Rosie
We’ll have to write a thank-you note. I’m still stunned.
Rosie wasn’t sure whether she should be surprised that Evan didn’t ask her about the name of the scholarship or any details related to it. Instead he jumped to the next question.
Evan
When do you move?
Rosie
We can’t. There’s no apartment available. We’ll use the activity part of the scholarship now and worry about the housing part later.
Evan
You mean she can now participate in all of SSLR activities all week long?
Rosie
Yes. Not just two afternoons a week.
Evan
That’s progress.
Rosie
I have to run now. Got to ask Lorenzo to fill in for me tomorrow morning so that I can take Mom to see Roger about the scholarship.
Evan
I’ll pray for everything to work out.
Rosie
Thank you.
Evan
Keep me posted.
Rosie
Will do.
Rosie realized too late that she hadn’t asked Evan how his day had gone. She had been so preoccupied with this surprise scholarship that it was all she could think of. She felt a bit selfish and decided that tonight she would call Evan and spend time listening to him talk about his day.
Rosie wasn’t sure if she was not missing Evan anymore, but getting Mom settled at SSLR had been a major project for her in the last year since Mom’s remission.
Some day the cancer might return. SSLR would be able to provide the best assisted living, nursing home, and hospice care for Mom when that time came.
No time to cry.
She found Lorenzo among the Christmas trees. The tree farm was now an extra special place for Rosie because it was here, a week ago, that Evan had declared himself to be her boyfriend.
“Hey, just the person I wanted to see.” Lorenzo was pushing a wheelbarrow filled with clippings.
“You go first.” Rosie knew that Lorenzo would be at work Tuesday, so she could wait a few minutes to ask him about filling in for her tomorrow.
“HR told me that the deputy director is leaving us, and they’re going to look for a new one to assist Rasheed after Christmas.”
“That’s news to me.” Rosie could guess where Lorenzo was heading.
When Cyrus Theroux took over Christmastown from Mrs. Untermeter, Rasheed had been his assistant and warehouse manager.
A year later, Cyrus looked to expand Christmastown to the region, and he made Rasheed the Savannah director to free himself up to be the overall president of the company.
“It’s a pay raise,” Lorenzo said. “I’m thinking of applying for the position.”
“You should. You’re destined for bigger things than being my assistant.”
“You mean it? You won’t be upset?”
“Why would I be? If God wants you to have the job, you shouldn’t miss the window of opportunity. I’ll write you a glowing letter of recommendation.”
“You’ll have to find a new assistant manager.”
“Does your wife want a change of pace from her retail manager position? She could apply for your job here and see if she gets it. Tell her we play with dirt all day, but then she already knows.”
Rosie knew that Lorenzo’s wife was trustworthy and reliable. She worked hard. Even though she knew very little about gardening, she had years of managerial experience working at the mall. She could be an asset to Rosie in managing the tree farm employees and volunteers.
“I will ask her.” Lorenzo looked happy. “Did you have something to talk to me about too?”
“Yes.” Rosie almost forgot. “Mom won a full scholarship to SSLR!”
“That’s awesome. Praise the Lord! What an answer to prayer.”
“Thank you for praying. Please tell Tabitha too.”
“For sure.”
“Tomorrow morning, I have to take Mom to see Roger Patel at SSLR. We’ll sign some forms.”
“When does she move?” Lorenzo asked.
“Good question. There’s no housing available. However, while she’s on the waiting list, she can participate in all of SSLR’s activities as an off-campus non-resident.”
“You drop her off in the morning and pick her up after work?”
Rosie nodded. “Best they can do for her now.”
“We’ll keep praying that God will provide.” Lorenzo’s faith was strong. In fact, all five brothers in the Flores family—including Pastor Diego Flores, their only ordained sibling—had strong faith, a testimony to their upbringing.
Someday, when Rosie had kids of her own, she would want to teach them God’s Word and God’s ways. She prayed that her future children would grow up like the Flores family, with their strong and enduring faith in the Lord.
“How long will you be out of the office?” Lorenzo asked.
“Half a day, no more. I’ll eat lunch with Mom at SSLR and leave her there for her afternoon activities. I’ll return maybe by one o’clock.”
“Sure. No problem.” Lorenzo paused, then asked, “Tabitha wants to know if you’re okay. I told her it’s none of her business, but she wanted me to ask you.”
“Am I okay with what?”
“Tabitha said you can call her anytime if you miss Evan.”
“Oh, I see. Please thank her for me. I might call her but not right away. I’ve been keeping busy focusing on the Christ of Christmas.”
“Good focus.” Lorenzo looked relieved that he had delivered the message from his wife. “Tabitha and I have never been apart for more than one day.”
“Good for you. I didn’t expect Evan to leave so soon, but life goes on.”
“You two talk on the phone?”
Rosie nodded. “On video, audio, text.”
“It’s like he’s still here.”
Rosie rolled her eyes. “I wish.”
“Is he coming back for Christmas?”
“Maybe not. I think his family has plans. I’ll see him on New Year’s Day.” Rosie smiled. “I have to get back to work. Thanks for covering for me tomorrow morning.”
“Sure thing.”
As Rosie walked back to the greenhouse, she held back tears.
I miss you so much, Evan.