This week's snippet features a conversation between Izobel and her friends Justin and Emma Bennet (you can read their story in The Reunion) about Izzy's seemingly deceased love--and Justin's twin brother--Matt.
As always, be sure to check out the other blogs in the blog hop.
****Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post short (400-word or less) snippets from their current works in progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman.*****
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During a conversational lull, Izobel decided to share what had been preoccupying her thoughts the last few days. “I dreamed about Matt the other night. In my dream, he showed up at the door during the adoption celebration. He looked so different, none of us recognized him until he spoke.”
Justin’s expression instantly sobered. “I’m sorry, Iz.”
She shrugged a dainty shoulder. “For a long time, I kept hoping and praying that he’d be found and come home to us. After all, ‘missing in action, presumed killed in action’ leaves that door open, does it not?”
He nodded. “We all shared that hope. But if he was going to be found alive, surely it would’ve been long before now, don’t you think?”
“I know,” she agreed, wrapping her hands around her mug in reflection. After several minutes, she returned it to the coffee table and raised glistening eyes to theirs. “It’s just hard to let go of the dream.”
“So much has changed in the last six years,” Justin mused aloud. “I mean, think about it. If he really is out there somewhere and by some miracle returns to us, he’ll have to come to terms with the fact that dad’s gone and he didn’t get to say goodbye.”
“Nor was he there to see his brother marry,” Emma added quietly. “Not that it’s as big a deal as losing your dad.”
He squeezed her knee affectionately. “No, but it’s no little thing, either.”
“You’re right, though. Six years and there’s been no word? Doesn’t seem very likely he’s still out there. In fact, I’d say it’s an impossible dream at this point. Mamá has been pushing me to move on. She thinks the reason I haven’t been dating is because of the business I’ve been trying to launch. But if she knew the truth, she’d drive all the way here from El Paso and kill me.”
Justin nodded his head with a smirk. “Yes, I believe she would.”
She took one final sip of her hot chocolate before rising from her chair. It was time to make the long drive back to her condo on the outskirts of Denver and leave these two newlyweds alone for the evening. “It feels good to talk about him, at any rate. Thanks, guys.”
