Dani's stomach knotted.
She pretended not to hear what the women were saying, but they were only sitting a couple of picnic tables away. God was the only one she needed to please. The opinions of a few gossiping women shouldn't bother her, but they did. She tried to focus on the children who shrieked with joy and chased one another at the park.
"Mom, look!" Jacob called, drawing her attention. He and Charley were swinging together. "Aunt Annie! Aunt Rachel! Look how high we're going!"
"Whoo-hoo! Amazing!" Dani gave them a thumbs up and so did Rachel and Annie.
Both of her friends cheered them on and offered words of encouragement, but it was Julie's voice Dani heard above the rest.
"She stole Josh from Meredith!"
"How do you think she did it?" the woman with Julie asked loudly.
"Obviously, she seduced him! Poor Josh never could resist her."
A gasp. "I heard she slept with Caleb and Tanner in high school!"
Sounds of shock punctuated the slanderous comment.
Rachel shot up. "That's it! I'm not listening to this trash another minute!"
Julie and her friends threw a cautious look at them, their eyes widening at Rachel's expression. Kate, who had been Dani's friend in high school slid her cool gaze down Dani clearly finding her lacking.
Dani swallowed hard, glancing at Annie who surprisingly didn't try to stop Rachel.
"Hold on, Rach." Dani tried to keep her voice down, already embarrassed enough. No need to entertain the rest of the moms. "We shouldn't stoop to their level."
"I'm not stooping. I won't even sit down, but they've crossed major lines. What if the kids hear?"
"She's right. This isn't something that should be discussed around children," Annie quietly agreed.
Julie and her friends shifted uncomfortably.
Annie stood, her gaze briefly settling on each of the women who'd spoken. "Every single one of you sit in church on Sunday and listen to Pastor Wyatt's sermons just like we do. Are you not hearing any of it?"
Most of the women appeared shamefaced, but Julie wasn't done.
"I'd expect you to defend your friend, but with all respect Annie your judgment is flawed in this case."
"Take the plank from your own eye Julie," Rachel cut in. "Maliciously gossiping in front of children isn't righteous behavior."
Julie stiffened and glanced around at the kids throwing looks their way. "None of them heard. I would never—"
"But you did. Your hatred of Dani has affected your judgment. Please," Annie gentled her voice. "I'm asking you to stop and pray about this before it goes on any longer."
"Meredith has been my best friend since kindergarten." Julie's shoulder dropped a bit. "I don't like seeing her hurt."
"I'm so sorry. I never meant for her to get hurt." The apology came straight from her soul, but she knew none of the women believed her even if they hadn't rolled their eyes and turned their heads.
Kate's gaze narrowed. "For someone who supposedly meant no harm, you've managed to wreck several lives, Danielle."
Annie stepped in and spoke up. "We don't want Meredith hurt either, but God's Will is unstoppable."
"What if it's not God's will that Josh marry Dani?" Julie's tone was haughty and her glare was frosty.
"Then it won't happen. It's as simple as that."
YOU ARE READING
Unfailing Love (Heart Series #3)
SpiritualDani has loved Josh since high school. It started out as a crush, but a senior trip changed their lives forever. Suddenly, they were making a movie and swept into the glamorous but dark life of the rich and famous. They fell into a world where sin a...
