Leave a Candle Burning by Lori Wick Page A

Maddie.
    “Physically, very well. I think when Doyle comes tonight for tea, he’ll be taking her home. Dannan gave her leave to return to her life, albeit carefully.”
    “Why did you specify physically?” Reese asked, having caught this.
    “Because I can’t tell how she’s doing spiritually,” Maddie admitted. “She does a lot of listening, and she does ask the occasional question, but I can’t tell what she’s thinking.”
    “She attends services nearly every week,” Beth pointed out.
    “And she enjoys them,” Maddie added. “I can tell by the things she says and the way she interacts with everyone, but that’s the way she was at Commons Meetinghouse, so I’m not sure there’s much to hang my hope on.”
    “You mean outside of Christ?” Alison asked, smiling graciously.
    Maddie’s own mouth stretched into a smile before saying, “I do now.”
    The women all laughed together before the next topic of conversation came up. Ora wanted to talk about a verse she’d been learning, and Alison was encouraged to learn that all of these women had been memorizing Scripture. She had been struggling with that herself, admitted as much to the women, and was challenged to get back to work.
    The time raced by, and almost at the same time all the women departed, everyone save Reese. That woman hung back a bit and asked Alison if she had any extra time.
    “Certainly, Reese,” she invited. “I just need to run up and check on Jeff.”
    Reese stayed in the parlor, wondering how she would explain. As she sat still, her last conversation with Conner came rushing back.
    “How did the rest of your day go?”
    “It was fine.”
    “You feel okay?”
    “I think so,” she had said, a bit helplessly, and then, “Conner, what exactly do you see in me right now?”
    He had picked up her hand. “The Reese I know is a ball of energy. She radiates strength and stamina.”
    “And now?”
    “You’re just a little bit on the quiet side, almost sad.”
    She had nodded, wondering what to think.
    “Do you know how much I love you?” Conner had pressed.
    “Yes, and how much God loves me. I spent all day thinking about the blessings and promises I have in Him, and yet I still feel a bit off, and you see that too.”
    Even at that, her eyes had filled. Conner had reached up and put his large hand against her cheek. His thumb had stroked over her cheekbone, his touch light.
    “It must be the changes in your body due to your pregnancy. Things might be a little thrown off during this time.”
    She had only nodded in agreement.
    “Why don’t you talk to Alison? She’s had enough children to know how to advise you.”
    “That’s a good idea.”
    “You go there tomorrow, don’t you?”
    “Yes, but there will be other women there.”
    “Then go early or stay late. You know that you’re always welcome.”
    She was still remembering what Conner had said when Alison arrived back. When she did, the older woman found Reese looking very thoughtful.
    “You have something on your mind,” Alison began, her voice kind. “I can see it in your eyes.”
    “I’m just trying to figure out where to begin. Conner suggested I talk to you, and it seemed easy at the time, but now I’m not sure.”
    “What does he want you to talk to me about?”
    “About how you felt when you were expecting. We talked about it for a while last night, and when Conner realized I was going to see you today, he said to ask you about it.”
    “How I felt emotionally or physically?”
    “Emotionally. I want to cry all the time.”
    Alison had to laugh.
    “What did I miss?” Reese asked, smiling at the other woman’s reaction.
    “I’m laughing at myself,” Alison admitted. “I cried for three months with Hillary and probably six months with Marty.”
    Reese laughed and sighed with relief all at the same time. Alison, still chuckling a little, had a question for her.
    “Have you ever heard emotions compared to a train, Reese?”
    “I don’t think I