The Heart of Grace. Linda Goodnight

tilted her head in agreement. “Every marriage has ups and downs. If you’d only tell me what’s wrong, we can get counseling. We can pray about it. We can talk it out. Work with me, Drew. We’re worth it.”

      He hardened his heart against the sweet words. “You’re a great lady, Larissa. You deserve a husband to love you and give you everything you want.” Kids. “But that guy is not me.”

      “You could be.”

      He squeezed his eyes shut against the sorrow in her beautiful eyes. Through gritted teeth, he said, “I don’t want to be. Now leave me alone.”

      Larissa didn’t answer, and he could feel the hurt wafting off her like heat off sheet metal. After a few long, tense seconds, he heard soft footsteps leave the room.

      Larissa fought anger for half an hour. Why was she putting herself through this? She should have sent him to a rehab the way he’d wanted. He was impossible. She must be out of her mind to think forcing him to stay here would make him love her again.

      She took out a can of chunked chicken and thumped it onto the granite countertop. Tags jingling, Coco danced around her feet. The little Yorkie was great company, but the companionable dog wasn’t Drew. Larissa wanted her husband with her all the time. She wanted a family. She wanted Drew.

      “Help me know what to do, Lord. I’m so confused.” Divorce was not scriptural but how long was a Christian supposed to keep trying when her husband didn’t love her anymore?

      Despair tugged like lead weight, but she fought away the feeling. The truth was, she’d keep trying as long as she could keep Drew in Tulsa. As awful as it sounded, she was almost thankful for his injuries. Otherwise, she might never have had this chance to make things right.