Page 27 of Knitted Hearts
“Oh,” she drawled out, understanding.
“Yeah. I wasn’t too pleased to see him at first.” Judah crossed his arms loosely over his chest. “He asked if we could talk, and initially I said no, but I had a gut feeling that told me to hear him out.”
“That couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t. Until it was.” He made a noise that combined a short laugh and a snort. “He apologized, but in the moment before he voiced the words, I forgave him finally. It was as though God opened my eyes, and I saw Grady as God would see him, which left me with forgiveness as the only option. Holding on to that anger had kept me from fully releasing the pain Alyssa’s betrayal caused.”
“I’m really happy for you.” She took a deep breath. “I had a similar moment last night.”
She proceeded to tell him about discarding all the mementos of her and Jess’s relationship, then selling her ring this morning and donating the money.
Judah scooted closer and wrapped her hand in his. “If those relationships hadn’t failed, neither of us would be right here, in this moment, right now. And I, for one, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
A silly grin curled her mouth. “Is it safe to assume we’re no longer pretending to date?”
He chuckled, then locked gazes with her. “In case there is any confusion, Maegan Hanson, will you be my girlfriend, for real this time, not because we don’t want to be set up with anyone else, but because there is no one else I want to be with except for you.”
“Since you put it like that,” she said, casting a wink his way, “I will.”
“I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a red swatch of yarn. “It’s not very good, but I tried. When I saw my aunt Saturday night, I asked her if she could teach me to knit because I wanted to knit a heart for you.” He handed her the crookedest, most uneven tension, knitted heart she’d ever seen.
And she loved it. Taking hold of the heart, she clutched it against her chest. “It’s perfect.”
“There’s even a knot in it where I had to join two broken pieces. It’s like us, two people whose trust and hearts had been broken. But God took those pieces and brought us together to knit our hearts back to one piece. Like the purls, there will be bumps in the road, but if we trust in Him then we will get through and thrive.”
Emotions overwhelmed her, and happy tears welled in her eyes. Judah saw her. He understood her. He’d learned her favorite hobby and had knitted her a heart. “I love you.”
He quirked a brow. “What did you say?”
What she thought had been a silent declaration had been a whispered one. But she wouldn’t take it back. She’d meant it, and who cared who said it first. “I love you.”
“I prayed I heard that right because I love you too. I am completely, irrevocably in love with you, and I could shout it to the entire world.”
She looked at Judah, sending him a mischievous smile from the bottom of her heart. “Maybe we should start by telling Nancy.”
“And give her the satisfaction of knowing she was right all along and made yet another match?” Judah squeezed her hand. “Absolutely, let’s tell her, and while we’re at it, I’ll send her my sincere and forever gratitude.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Judah sat beside his wife at their table of honor. Maegan was breathtaking in her white silk wedding gown with gossamer lace trim. He’d barely been able to say his vows through the well of emotion in his throat. Gratitude, love, and even more love overwhelmed him.
Life could change in an instant. Sometimes bad but sometimes wonderfully, deliriously, beautiful as that instant he met Maegan. He’d never imagined thirteen months ago that he’d meet a beautiful-inside and out- woman whose soul intertwined with his and that he would be celebrating his wedding day with their closest friends and family.
Nancy Lundgren, responsible for the match, stepped to the microphone to offer a toast. “I’ve always had a knack for bringing people together.” A round of titters and giggles circled the room. “These two lovebirds thought they were being sly by pretending to date, but they were too stubborn to see what anyone within a foot of them could already see- they had an immediate connection that quickly turned to love. The deep abiding love that will carry them through life’s trials and bring them joy, even in the mundane. A love that will rejoice and celebrate and keep Christ at the center of their marriage.” She raised her flute of sparkling cider. “To Maegan and Judah, may your marriage be long and blessed. I love you.”
