A Very Special Delivery

small groups. A man in one group, Jesse Slater, called out to him.
    “Ethan. Over here.”
    He liked Jesse Slater and his sweet wife, Lindsey, who ran the Christmas tree farm outside of town. They’d been one of the first couples to welcome him when he’d joined the church at Winding Stair.
    Approaching the group, he said, “Hey, Jesse. Lindsey. What’s up?”
    The silver-eyed Jesse hooked an arm around his pregnant wife. “Lindsey’s making a brunch at our house after service on Easter. Wanna come?”
    He hesitated. Until Molly made up her mind, he didn’t want to make other plans. “I appreciate the invitation. Can I get back to you with an answer after I talk to Molly?”
    “Molly?” Lindsey’s face lit up. “Do you think there’s a chance she might come, too?”
    “I’m working on her.”
    “I didn’t know the two of you were dating.” She turned to her husband. “Isn’t that cool, Jesse? Don’t you think they’re perfect together?”
    Jesse rolled his eyes, though his voice was warm with affection for his wife. “Sorry, Ethan. The woman’s a hopeless romantic.”
    “Don’t tease, Jesse,” Lindsey said. “Molly’s had a rough time. I think it’s wonderful that she’s starting to date again.” She looked toward Ethan. “Tell her that I’d love to have her come to brunch. We’ll catch up on old times and I’ll try to talk her into making some Christmas crafts for my shop.”
    “I’ll do that.” He exchanged nods with Jesse. “Y’all take care.”
    Hoisting Laney, who grew heavier every day, he headed toward the exit.
    Seemingly from out of nowhere, Molly’s sister appeared at his side to pluck at his jacket sleeve. Since the confrontation in the diner, Ethan had kept his distance, not wanting to rub salt in the wound. This time he hadn’t spotted her in time.
    Dressed in black that accentuated her pallor and skinniness, she asked, “Did I hear you say you’re still seeing my sister?”
    Her tone was incredulous.
    “Yes,” he said as kindly as he could manage. “As often as she allows.”
    “If you care anything at all for your baby, you’ll stay away from her. She’s dangerous.”
    Given the grief she’d caused Molly, the old Ethan wanted to blast her with his temper. The new Ethan resisted. Anger would only exacerbate the problem.
    Taking a deep breath, he prayed inwardly.
    Lord, don’t let me blow this. It might be my one shot at helping Molly.
    “She told me about your son. I’m sorry.”
    “Really? She told you?” Bitterness dripped from her, stronger than acid. “And you still allow her near your child?”
    A tall blond man whom Ethan recognized as Chloe’s husband pushed through the crowd and grabbed his wife’s arm. “Chloe, don’t. Honey, please,” he said gently. “Let’s go.”
    She yanked away and stalked off, shoving the glass door open hard enough to attract the stares of other stragglers.
    James turned to Ethan, hands spread in a gesture of helplessness. “I hope you won’t hold that against her. She’s gone through a lot.”
    “Molly told me. You haven’t had it easy either.” As a dad he could sympathize as readily with James as with Chloe.
    “It’s been a trial for the entire family, but Chloe hasn’t even begun to heal. Zack’s nursery is exactly like it was the day he died. She refuses to let me change a thing.” He raked a hand through his thick hair. “She tortures herself with memories and pictures and by teaching the toddler class. I think if we were able to have another child…”
    Ethan clapped a sympathetic hand on the man’s shoulder. He wanted to say something. Wanted to have the answer to the man’s heartache and felt helpless because he didn’t. Only God could fix this.
    “I wish I knew what to do,” he said. “The situation is killing Molly, too. Except for her aunt, she’s lost her whole family.”
    “I know. She loved Zack. Chloe knows it, too, but she needs someone to blame. Her mother doesn’t help any. She’s always doted on Chloe too much, even before Zack’s death. Now she tiptoes around Chloe, babying her, and making everything worse instead of better. I can’t get either of them to see reason. If her dad was still alive, he’d never have stood for any of this.”
    “Molly told me she was really close to her dad.” Ethan stared out toward the parking lot where the bitter woman sat like a stone statue in the front seat of an SUV. “Losing him. And now this. I don’t know how she