Christian Fiction Friday - Mar 13

It's that time of week once again. Sorry I missed last week -- we met up with some friends we hadn't seen in over 2 1/2 years. Then, by the time we got back, it was too late to blog. Hope you enjoy today's snippet from my work in progress, 'The Return'. It continues where the last one left off. As always, be sure to check back next week for more.

****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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         Despair filled her heart. Why couldn’t she get past this? It had been six years already! Surely by now she should’ve been able to move on with someone else.

         Iozbel was startled when gentle fingers began kneading her shoulders, soothing away some of the tension in her body. Then, catching the scent of Lynne Bennet’s favorite perfume, she smiled. Despite the fact that she’d never married into the family, Matt’s mother had continued to treat her like a favored daughter long after they’d all said goodbye to her son.

         “Are you alright, Izzy, honey?”

        “I’m fine, mama. It’s just a headache.”
  
       “You need me to get you somethin’ for it?”

       She shook her head. “I sent Noah for my bag a few minutes ago.”
  
       The kneading ceased as Lynne leaned down into her peripheral vision. “He seems awfully clingy tonight. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
  
       A deep sigh from Izobel restarted the shoulder massage. “I know this has been hard for you, honey. But I actually really like Noah. He’s been a good friend to you, he’s a hard worker, and I know he earnestly loves the Lord. Plus, I’m not gonna lie. The boy is eye candy, pure and simple.”
  
       She choked back a laugh. “Mama!”
 
      “What? I’m not sayin’ anything any other female with eyes isn’t already thinkin’.”
 
      “But what if he hears you?” she asked, completely mortified at the thought. Good grief.
  
      “So what if he does? It might just give him the gumption he needs to follow through on what any fool with a brain can see he wants to do.”
 
      “And if I don’t want to go out with him? What then?”
  
      Once more, the massage stopped. This time, Lynne stepped around the chair and sat in the spot Noah had recently vacated. Instead of the teasing expression Izobel expected to see, she looked deadly serious. “I’m gonna ask you a question I should’ve asked a long time ago. Have you prayed about this, honey? Really prayed? Because as much as I’d wish it otherwise, my baby isn’t comin’ home. It’s time for you to let him go."