Worth a Thousand Words by Stacy Adams Read Free Book Online Page A

agencies to drop off her portfolio.”
    Indigo and Rachelle laughed.
    “You never know, though, Indigo.” Rachelle, who had settled on the red sofa in place of Yasmin, shrugged. “Yasmin is a beautiful girl, and she does have the bone structure to be a model. She just needs to stay focused—like I’m always urging Taryn and Tate, and even you, to do.”
    Indigo shook her head. “You’re twenty-one years older than me, so I guess you’re old enough to be my mother, but I don’t like lectures from you, you know. I just want you to be my favorite cousin.”
    Rachelle walked over to the reception desk. She sat on the edge of it and looked Indigo in the eyes.
    “I love being your favorite cousin. Sorry if I’m beginning to sound preachy. It’s just that I want you to be your best.”
    “And you don’t think that includes Brian?” Indigo was almost afraid to hear her answer.
    Rachelle shook her head. “I’m not saying that it doesn’t, Indigo. Brian is a nice young man with a good heart and a great future. But sometimes rushing things can alter plans and hinder goals and get everybody involved off track. I hope that you and Brian do make it, and that you’ll have a wonderful life together. I just want to make sure that before you settle into being someone’s wife, you know who you are and exactly what you want to accomplish as an individual first.
    “I was wrong for not congratulating you after Brian’s announcement last night.” Rachelle leaned toward Indigo and covered Indigo’s hand with her own. “But last night took both Gabe and me back to the days when we made choices so we could fit in with our social circle or meet our families’ expectations, rather than because they made us whole individually and as a couple.
    “We talked about that with Tate and Taryn on the way home. Not because we wanted to put them in the middle of their parents’ relationship drama, but because we want them to understand how complicated life can get. The key is to keep prayer at the forefront of every decision. If God gives you a peace about the choices you’re making, then it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, especially me.”
    Indigo sat back in the chair and folded her arms. “I guess I do need to pray about this. That’s the one thing I haven’t done.”
    Rachelle frowned. “You know better than to skip that,” she gently scolded. “Let me tell you this—don’t pray for God to make your marriage work or to change Brian’s heart about getting married right away or any of the things I already know you’re wrestling with. Pray that he sends you the husband he wants you to have, in the season you’re supposed to marry him, and that he gives you clarity about when to say ‘I do.’ Pray that he’ll give you peace when you’re making right choices and make you very uncomfortable inside when you’re headed down a dangerous path. If you ask him to do that, he will.
    “Sometimes the feelings will be subtle, but if you’re tuned in enough to God, you’ll know it’s him speaking through your circumstances.”
    Indigo frowned and held up her ring finger. “See this beautiful diamond? My heart leapt when Brian slid it on a few weeks ago. I felt excited and terrified. I felt special, but also . . . obligated? Do you know what I mean?”
    Rachelle nodded. She appeared lost in thought before she replied. “I know you’re tired of hearing my story, but I’ve been there,” she said. “Listen to your feelings. Honor how God is trying to speak to you.”
    Indigo sat back in the chair and closed her eyes.
    She retreated in her mind to the night before and how she felt when Brian persuaded her to set a date for their wedding in August. First the dread, then the need to please by appearing exuberant, then the fear of saying “not right now.”
    His angular, deep brown face and megawatt smiled filled her mental picture box. She dwelled on how safe and happy she felt whenever she was wrapped in his