Ray of Light by Shelley Shepard Gray

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    Satisfied that she was completely alone, she opened the envelope and carefully unfolded the letter.
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    Dear Viola,
    Have I told you about the pretty sunsets over the ocean?
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    She’d just begun to smile when Gretta, Ed’s little dachshund that was now the retirement home’s unofficial mascot, trotted over. As if she read Viola’s mind, she curled around Viola’s feet . . . just like she, too, was anxious to hear more about her former owner.
    Happy to have Gretta’s quiet comfort, Viola scooped up the dog and set her next to her on the couch.
    Gretta wagged her tail, obviously pleased with the special treatment.
    â€œJust imagine, Gretta. In a week, I’ll be going to visit Ed and we’ll be watching the sunsets over the ocean together. Won’t that be something?”
    With a dreamy sigh, she continued to read.
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    I’ve begun walking to the beach on Friday nights with two other men from the mission. We rush to make it there just before the sun begins its descent. Once there, we take off our work boots and roll up our pant legs and walk on the sand, letting the warm grains underfoot ease our tired, sore feet. Then, we step into the warm, salty water and enjoy the sensation of complete relaxation.
    When the sun starts to set, we sit on an old cement embankment. It’s cracked and worn, but makes a perfect perch to watch the sun slowly glide into the sea, marking the end of another day. And another week.
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    Viola grinned and rubbed the dog behind her ears before continuing to read.
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    It’s moments like that when I miss you the most, Viola. When I have time to breathe deep and count my blessings. It’s then that I realize that having you here will only help me—and the people we serve, too. You’ve become a part of me that I miss when I’m without you.
    Once the sun sets and the orange and red waves turn dark again, we hike back to the mission’s compound, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes our way again. I know when you are here, too, I’ll even be feeling more at ease. I feel certain that we’ll have a wonderful life here together, V. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make it so.
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    Viola felt her eyes become damp with unshed tears as she once again contemplated what her life would have been like if she’d never given him a chance. If she’d never given herself the opportunity to learn and grow and change. If she’d only let her common sense guide her . . . instead of her heart.
    But, of course, it was no secret what would have happened. She would have continued to be alone and self-centered. But most of all, she would have been fighting off the feeling that there was something more for her out there . . . if she wasn’t afraid to go out and look.
    â€œI’m so lucky and blessed, Gretta. So lucky, so blessed.”
    And with that, Gretta snuggled closer and closed her eyes, reminding Viola that the little dog had been abandoned and was living alone outside in the elements before Edward had brought her into his life.
    Funny, though Viola had been living with her family, she too, felt as if her life had become better under Edward’s care. He’d become her comfort, her own particularly vibrant ray of light.
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    Regina had fallen asleep while playing with her stuffed animals on the floor. Amanda lightly covered her with a thin blanket, then quietly tiptoed outside, leaving the glass sliding door ajar in case Regina woke with a start and needed her.
    As was her habit, she brought out her crochet hook, intending to work on her latest project—a shawl for Wesley’s grandmother’s birthday. But she couldn’t seem to persuade herself to pull out the yarn.
    No, all she seemed to want to do was sit in the sun and spend a few moments enjoying the solitude.
    â€œWhich is what a vacation is for, you goose,” she murmured to herself.