Unfailing Love (Heart Series #3)

17-We need to have faith

Dani's stomach dropped at the unfamiliar number on her screen, but she tapped accept wondering if maybe Jennifer got a new number. "Hello."

"Thank the Lord. I wasn't sure you'd answer if you didn't recognize the number. Figured you think it was Scam Likely." A soft feminine sigh punctuated the words.

Unease swirled in her belly. "Meredith?"

"Yes, sorry, I should have started with my name. Something's happened and I need your help."

A knife of fear pierced her chest. "Is it Jacob?" Josh?"

"Oh, no, I am so sorry. Everyone is fine. I should have begun with that." A soft sigh of frustration and then a brief pause followed.

Dani sank with relief and Meredith continued.

"It's my parents. They're driving in tonight but my dad hurt his back, and my mom just had surgery and can't drive so I need to go get them." Meredith paused again as if letting what she said sink in or maybe gathering courage for what was to come. "I need someone to pick Jacob up from school and watch him until Josh gets home."

"I could do that." Her heart raced with anticipation. Meredith was offering her the chance to spend time with her son. She'd like that above all else. "Does Josh know?"

"He said was ok to call you."

"He did?"

"Yes, are you sure you're good with this? I know it's not much notice." Meredith sounded all of a sudden unsure. "If you can't do it, he said to call Rachel."

"No, no of course I can help. I've got this. You can trust me." Her voice held a pleading note.

Meredith went over the details of where and when to get him, healthy after-school snacks, and activities they could do together. She listened to the lengthy instructions wondering how she'd ever remember them all.

"I'll text this to you so you of course," Meredith said as if reading her mind.

"Thank you. It means a lot that you thought of me."

"Actually, it was Josh's idea." A brief moment of silence. "You and Jacob will be fine together."

It seemed like Meredith was trying to convince herself of that, but Dani was too happy to let it bother her. She was getting to spend the afternoon with her Jacob! Thank you, Jesus!

***

"Where's Meredith?" Jacob asked for the third time since they'd gotten in her truck.

Dani's heart took another punch, but she forced a sympathetic smile in the rearview mirror not wanting her son to know he'd hurt her.

Pulling into a parking space at the park, she turned to look at him, patiently explaining it again. "She had to go see her parents. They're coming down this weekend for the camping trip, and they needed help."

Jacob's brows knitted, and he looked so much like Josh in that moment that her chest tightened. "I always go to her room after school."

"She told me. I'm glad Meredith takes such good care of you."

Jacob said nothing for a long moment then he threw her a suspicious frown. "What kind of help?"

"They needed Meredith to drive with them."

Silence.

She'd never felt more helpless in her life. "I thought we could go to the park and play. Would you like that?"

"Is she coming back?" Jacob asked, ignoring her question about the park.

Dani blinked. "Of course, she'll be here tomorrow."