Paige sat with her mother on their garden bench for one last time before they said good-bye.
Her mother leaned her head over onto Paige’s shoulder. “What’s the pharmacy like? In Shoal Creek, I mean?”
“I haven’t seen it yet, but I gather it’s a little independent set right on the square inside the renovated old movie theater.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about that. Some construction company from Nashville bought up most of the square—restoring it into something beautiful, I hear.”
“That’s right. You know, it’s pretty close to my dream come true. A quaint pharmacy in a small town, where I know my customers by name.”
“ ‘Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.’ That’s from Psalms—somewhere. I wish I could remember references better. Anyway, point is, we trusted God through all this and He has provided.”
“I wish I had your faith, Mom. And your memory for Bible verses.” Paige smiled, realizing how true it was. God had provided yet another job just when she needed it. She could count on Him to make everything else work out, too. Right?
Her father called from the back door. “Okay, Doris, we’re ready to go.”
Paige helped her mother to her feet, and the two of them made their way toward the car. “Make sure to walk Dusty twice a day. He’ll pretend he’s too old and crippled to go, but once you let him know you’re not falling for it, he’ll go a pretty good distance. Let him roam around the backyard, too.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. And yes, I’ll keep an eye on the roses if they need watering. Now, get in that car and go to Houston. I don’t want to see you around here again until you are all better. Understand me?”
Her mother sank into the passenger seat, too weak to continue the pretense of resistance anymore. “I’ll do my best.”
Paige gave her father an extra-long hug. “Take good care of her.”
“Course I will.” He kissed Paige on the top of her head. “See you in July.”
July. How could four months sound like such a long time?
Her mother rolled down her window. “Keep praying.”
“I will.” Paige wondered how her mother never seemed to lose faith. She hoped she would possess that kind of strength someday. In fact, she hoped for some of it before she started her new job. She had no idea what she would be facing when she got there.
She watched her parents pull out of the driveway and suddenly felt very alone.