Faithful by Kim Cash Tate Read Free Book Online Page B

forever.
    Gretta was the first to move beyond the marble to the hardwood. “You know what, Stacy?” She looked this way and that. “You missed your calling. As stunning as this home is, it wouldn’t have near the impact without your design know-how. And I know you did this yourself ’cause I saw your last house, and it was just as elegant.”
    â€œLook at the walls.” Phyllis was staring upward. “The colors are so dramatic. I would’ve been afraid to paint that one over there so dark, but it’s striking.”
    â€œThank you!” Stacy was beaming. “I do enjoy decorating. It’s kind of a hobby. Wes has to remind me that we don’t have an unlimited budget, and that patience is a virtue.”
    Natalie moved into the sitting room, and Stacy and Gretta followed, but Phyllis was drawn to a wall of artwork. Three ornate frames of antique gold showcased different verses of Scripture in gold lettering on what looked like handmade papyrus. Phyllis couldn’t take her eyes off of them, struck by their beauty but even more by the prominence they’d been given in the home. Once she’d bought a small plaque with the names of the fruit of the Spirit painted whimsically around a bowl of grapes, oranges, berries, and bananas. She perched it on the kitchen windowsill above the sink as a personal reminder to keep a right attitude, but Hayes accused her of trying to preach at him. It was gone by night.
    â€œStacy, where did you get these?” Phyllis called.
    Stacy and the others joined her. “Oh, a local woman makes them. Each one custom. You give her the verses, select the frames and the matting, and she goes to work.”
    â€œYou picked great verses.” Phyllis eyed the middle one: Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord—Joshua 24:15 .
    â€œWes picked them, actually. He said he had dibs on this one wall, and told me what he wanted to do. Of course I was all for it.”
    Phyllis lowered her eyes.
    â€œThese are awesome.” Natalie surveyed each one. “Does she ship out of state? I know Michael would love it—Oh!” She turned to them excitedly. “I don’t think I told you all that he started taking classes part-time at the local seminary. He loves it!”
    â€œNo way!” Gretta hit her arm. “Wait till I tell Vance. That’s his dream, to go to seminary. Just doesn’t know how he’d carve out the time.”
    Phyllis listened to the three of them trade husband stories as Stacy led the way into the kitchen. The guests settled on barstools and watched Stacy, the gourmet among them, toss a salad to go with the shrimp and broccoli frittata she had made.
    At a break in the chatter, Natalie turned and said, “Phyllis, how’s Hayes doing?”
    Phyllis opened her mouth to give a quick answer—an easy answer—but her emotions wouldn’t let her. The well had been filling and began to overflow.
    â€œOh, Phyllis.” Natalie hurried to her side. “What’s wrong?”
    Phyllis lifted a tissue from the box Gretta put before her. “Just something that happened this morning.” She dabbed her eyes.
    â€œWhat happened this morning, Phyl?” Gretta stood with an arm around her.
    Phyllis tried to compose herself. “The short version is Hayes refuses to take the kids to church on Sunday, and the boys and I had really been praying.” Phyllis hadn’t talked to her friends regularly, but they knew Hayes didn’t share her faith. She’d asked them to pray long ago.
    Gretta nodded. “Remember I was praying those same prayers for Vance? Looked like he’d never turn around. But God did it, Phyllis.”
    She squeezed her. “I know He’ll do the same for Hayes. I’m believing with you.”
    â€œSo am I,” Natalie said. “I’m still praying for him. That’s why I