Nowhere to Run by Valerie Hansen

at her. “Thank you, honey.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. And you know what? God said we should stay right here so I can play with Babe some more.”
    Grinning, Marie shook her head. “I’m afraid you’re imagining things, Patty. I know you like that dog, but we can’t stay.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause.”
    â€œBecause why?”
    â€œJust because,” Marie said. “When you’re older, you’ll understand.”
    â€œAw, you always say that.”
    Although the child began to pout, Marie didn’t elaborate. All along she had told Patty as much of the truth as possible, withholding troublesome details such as Roy’s background and the fact that she and he had never been married. It was bad enough that that was true and that there was nothing Marie could do about it. Her pastor had assured her that all her prior sins had been forgiven when she’d given her life to Christ. Still, there were times when she wished mightily that she could go back and relive her earlier days. Do things differently.
    Except that if she hadn’t gotten mixed up with Roy and conceived a child with him, Patty wouldn’t exist. That scenario was unthinkable. In retrospect, she wondered if the Lord had not purposely used her mistakes to create the wonder that was her little girl, knowing that someday Marie would need someone special to love the way she loved Patty. It was certainly a possibility.
    Now, her sole responsibility was to protect her child, she reminded herself. That was her most important task, her God-given assignment. And she was determined to succeed.
    Wending her way across the used-car lot separating her from the repair garage, she took her time while enjoying the warmth of the sun. The farther north she’d driven, the more she’d missed the Louisiana heat. At home there was pretty much one season—hot and humid—except for occasional dips in temperature during the winter months. Up here in northern Arkansas the weather was definitely less predictable, as she was quickly learning, and she hoped she’d packed enough warm clothing for the chilly evenings.
    For Marie, there was no respite from worry about anything and everything. Her stomach had been in a knot for days, and it wasn’t feeling any better. Yes, she knew she should be praying and trusting God, which she was, but that didn’t mean He wasn’t expecting her to use her head, too.
    Arriving at her destination, she sidled past the east wall of the repair shop and paused in the shade of the service bay to look for Seth. He wasn’t immediately visible. Babe was. Patty gave a whoop, pulled her hand free from her mother’s grasp and ran to the dog.
    The wiggly welcome the border collie gave the little girl made Marie grin in spite of her other concerns. Patty fell to her knees to hug the dog, while Babe did her best to lick every inch of the little girl’s face. Though it wasn’t a sanitary greeting, it was comforting to watch.
    Still smiling, Marie looked up as Seth joined her.
    â€œI see they remember each other,” he said pleasantly.
    â€œYou might say that. I could hardly keep Patty from racing down here first thing this morning.”
    â€œThat would have been all right with me.”
    â€œI know,” Marie replied, “but we’d have been pretty bored just standing around all day.” She eyed her car where it was parked in the opposite bay with the overhead doors closed. “Any word on the parts?”
    â€œNot yet. Most days we get a delivery at about two in the afternoon. If you’re looking for something to do, there’s a preschool class at my church. Patty may be a little old for it though.”
    â€œYour church? I don’t think…
    â€œIt isn’t far. Only a mile or two. I could drive you over there if you want.”
    â€œNo, thanks. I wouldn’t want to take you away from your