Josh grabbed Danny's father by the shoulders and hugged him. Then Beth hugged both of them.

"What did they say?" She asked, brushing back tears.

"Dr. Abrams said it was the most difficult surgery he had ever performed. He said Danny's situation was worse than he had expected once he got inside, but that everything went perfectly." Jim Stevens shook his head. "He said he felt like he had divine assistance with this one. That he couldn't take the credit."

"That's what he said?" Beth's eyes filled with tears.

Jim Stevens took a long breath. "Yes. And he said he thinks Danny will recover completely."

47.

Present Day When Josh visited Danny in his hospital room six days later, he couldn't believe how much progress his friend had made in such a short time.

"You look great, man."

"The good news is I feel better than I look," Danny laughed. "Ouch!" A pained grin spread across his face. "It still hurts to move my head."

"It'll take a while, but you're almost over the hill."

Danny gave him a confused look. "What do you mean? I don't think thirty-five is so old."

Josh chuckled. "That's not what I meant. Don't you remember what you told me on the road awhile back? That we sometimes have to see with faith and not worry about what's over the next hill?"

"I remember," Danny nodded, slowly this time. "I can tell you for sure, I'm ready to coast for a while." A grin spread across his face.

"So when can you go home?"

"Not until next week," Danny's smile faded. "I can't wait to get back on the road and drive that new Van Hool you've got on order."

Josh stared at him, not sure how to break the news. "You mean you were planning to drive again?" He took a deep breath to deliver the bad news. "I've already hired a new driver."

"You have?"

Josh watched Danny's eyebrows knit together. "It's because of the wreck, isn't it? It wasn't my fault . . ." Danny looked sullen.

"It wasn't your fault. In fact, from what I've heard, you probably saved our lives." Josh shook his head. "I just think you'll be too busy to drive."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm hoping you'll agree to be my new road manager."

"Really? You want me?" He poked at his chest. "To be your road manager?"

Josh could see the excitement in his friend's eyes.

After thinking about it, he frowned. "Are you asking me because you don't trust me to drive?"

"No, I'm asking you because I trust you completely."

Danny had no idea about the things that had happened between Josh and Ryan, including the stolen money Josh had found under Danny's mattress.

"So what's Ryan going to do?"

"Play guitar."

"You mean . . . I'll be his boss?" A sly grin emerged with Danny's full understanding.

"Yes. Payback is-"

"Oh, son, I'm sorry. I didn't know you had company. I'll come back later." Jim Stevens turned to leave just as he entered the hospital room.

"Please don't, Mr. Stevens. I was on my way out the door." Josh nodded to the chair beside the bed. "Please have a seat."

"How is everything with you, young man?" The elder Stevens offered his hand to Josh. "Has your wife had her baby yet?"

"No, sir. She's not due for a few weeks."

"Please give her my regards. She's a sweet young woman. Pretty, too." He winked.

"Thank you. I'm on my way home right now. She's cleaning the house. Nesting I think it's called." Josh chuckled.

"Josh and his wife have been through a lot," Danny told his dad.

"We all have," Josh said. An old thundercloud of fear hovered around him when he thought about the last obstacle in the road they were traveling. "Now, if Beth can just deliver a healthy baby."

"We'll be praying for you," Jim Stevens said. "Don't you doubt that. In fact, my entire church is praying."

"One more hill," Danny added.

Josh smiled and nodded.

He had one more hill. But God hadn't brought him this far for him to give up now.

Beth had been contemplating her decision for weeks. Today she would finally do something about it. After Josh left for the hospital, she settled into the rocking chair in the nursery and dialed the phone.

Pamela Morris answered on the second ring.

Beth took a deep breath before introducing herself. "Mrs. Morris, it's Bethany Harrison. I met you at Nell Stevens's funeral."

"Yes, of course, I remember you, young lady. Have you had your baby yet?"

"No, ma'am. I'm due next month. I'm a bit nervous, I must say."

"Don't worry, my dear. I had four of them. You'll forget the pain quickly, but you'll always remember the first time you hold them. They're a blessing."

"That's why I'm calling you." Beth bit her upper lip, uncertain of how much she wanted to relate. "I've thought a lot about our conversation last fall and, after I have the baby, I would like to volunteer with your group. Do you have a need for office help? I'm a bookkeeper's assistant."

"Why, yes. That would be lovely. May I ask why you feel so strongly about our group?"

Beth gathered her thoughts. "I want to do it in Nell Stevens's memory. Not that I could ever replace her, but as a tribute to what she tried to do in my life."

"I seem to remember you said you hadn't met her," the older lady said.

"I didn't think I had at the time you and I spoke. But I realized later, after thinking about it, that I may have."

"Really? How did you know her, honey?"

"I believe she was the woman in front of the abortion clinic who tried to counsel me before I had my abortion many years ago."

Beth set out to clean and organize the baby's room with renewed vigor. For the first time in years, she felt truly free. Things had come full circle, and she was moving beyond the guilt and denial that had haunted the last decade of her life. She would now be able to help others make an informed decision when they had an impossible choice.

Of course, they would have to choose for themselves, just as she had done. But, if she had been more aware of the facts-including the lingering emotional and physical side effects of an abortion-she would have chosen differently. No doubt about that.

She wanted other women to have those facts before they decided. To understand the implications of what they were about to do and to know they had options. She wanted to assure them they were not alone.

Volunteering wouldn't change her past. But it would help her stay focused on the present, where God wanted her to be.

In that present, she was now busy preparing the house for her baby's arrival. There was so much to do in the three remaining weeks of her pregnancy she could keep herself occupied night and day. Thankfully, Josh was home to remind her not to wear herself out.

She sang a favorite childhood lullaby while she folded and stored linens, dusted furniture, and made notes in her pregnancy journal. When she glanced at the clock, it was twelve thirty. Past time for lunch by the baby's schedule.

On her way to the kitchen, Beth detoured to open the living room draperies. A brilliant rush of color greeted her when she pushed the fabric aside. What had been muted yellow and brown bushes only yesterday were now vibrant sheaves of gold Forsythia blooms. The massive, nine-foot stems that represented little more than overgrown hedges fifty weeks of the year, had come into their own. The warm, spring weather had transformed them into beads of liquid sunshine.

As Bethany stared in awe, the child inside punched her back into the moment. "Settle down," she said, rubbing her tummy. "Ouch! Hey, stop it," Beth playfully chastised.

Without warning, she had the feeling of losing her stomach, like that of dropping inside a speeding elevator. That sensation was followed by a stream of water trickling down her legs.

Her water had broken, and it wasn't time.

After calling Josh, Beth phoned Dr. Myers's office.

Alisha put her on hold while she spoke briefly to the doctor. "According to our records your pregnancy is a week short of term. Dr. Myers wants you to check into the hospital immediately."

"Okay." Beth took a seat on the kitchen bench to digest the news. "Is my baby in trouble?"

"We don't know that." The nurse reassured her. "But the best place for you is under a doctor's care. I will call Davidson County Medical Center and have everything ready for you to check in. Can you be there within the hour?"

"Yes," Beth said. "I'm waiting for my husband to come home. He will drive me."

"That's great. You don't need to be driving right now." Alisha cautioned. "Lie down and wait for him. Take it easy until Dr. Myers can see you."

Beth's final call was to Alex, who dropped what she was doing to help Beth pack. Within a few minutes she had Beth's bag ready to go. Ten minutes later, Josh raced through the front door. He picked up the bag and almost swept Beth off the sofa.

"Let's go," he said. His face looked drawn and tight. Only ten days ago, he had been in the hospital.

"Honey, relax. I'm okay."

Although she said the words, Beth couldn't completely convince herself all was well. Something pricked at her spirit. Was God telling her she had more of a faith trial ahead? She prayed for the strength to put her baby's life into his hands. To believe everything would work out.

Please, God, take care of my child.

Her contractions had started by the time they arrived at the Davidson County Medical Center. Within the hour, Dr. Myers completed her exam. The doctor removed her stethoscope and sat on the edge of Beth's hospital bed. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"A little," Beth said, biting her lip. "But I can tolerate it."

"You're having premature labor pains," the doctor told her. "I'm hoping your body will slow down and give us more time. There's a chance it will, and if that's the case we'll have to watch you for infection. You're where you need to be, kiddo," Dr. Myers patted Beth on the arm. "We're going to keep a close watch on you. I'll be monitoring your blood pressure, the baby's vital signs, and your dilations."

"Is everything okay?" Beth asked.

"It is right now. Of course, premature is never optimum."

Beth nodded.

"How are you holding up?"

"Okay." Beth wiped a tear from her eye.

"Isn't that your husband standing in the hall?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Let's invite him in. I'd like to share everything with him too."

A few minutes later, Josh stood beside the bed, rubbing Beth's shoulders, while Dr. Myers discussed Beth's and the baby's risks.

"We'll take it an hour at a time," she said.

Twenty-four hours later, Josh walked into the midst of chaos. Beth's room was filled with medical staff. Her blood pressure had skyrocketed. Nurses were prepping her for surgery.

"We can't wait any longer or we'll be putting Bethany and the baby at risk," Dr. Myers told him on her way out of the room. "I'm scheduling a C-section immediately."

Josh tried to stay out of the way, while staying close enough to reassure his wife. In the end, it was Beth who reassured him.

"Everything will be okay," she insisted, smiling up at him from her bed. "God has been with us from the beginning. That first morning when I came to the hospital, he knew we had a child on the way. He knew her then, and he knows her now. Soon, we will know her."

"Her?" The word caught in Josh's throat. "Why do you say that?"

"I have a feeling. Just like I believe everything will be okay."

He caressed her forehead with his lips. "You're warm."