He rang off and headed to the home of Janie and Garrett Cooper, to see how they were doing after the trauma of the night before. Garrett was quiet, subdued, and Oliver knew from Tess that there was a very good chance he’d be charged with a crime for what he did for Ken Blakely. Janie, considering what she’d just been through, was doing well, seemed calm sitting in the living room, holding her little girl and watching the two older boys play.

Oliver took Garret aside to the kitchen. They sat together at the small table.

“I’m sorry, Pastor Mac.”

“Sorry for what, Garrett?”

“Everything. The situation with Blakely, helping him poach, lying—everything.”

“I think you should be telling Janie that.”

“It’s hard to say that kind of stuff to her. I feel weak.”

“It’s not weak to admit the truth to the one you love. And she needs to hear that from you. You want this marriage to work, don’t you?”

Garrett faced Oliver, expression earnest. “More than anything, Pastor Mac. I didn’t realize how much I loved Janie until I thought of life without her.” He sniffled and ran a hand across his nose. “She’s a great mom. She’s my other half.” He held Oliver’s gaze as his eyes filled with tears. “Does it make me weak to admit that?”

“No, not at all. It makes you human.” He put a hand on Garrett’s arm. “Do me a favor, Garrett. After you put the kids to bed tonight, tell Janie what you told me. The two of you need to talk honestly and for a long time. It’s not just about you; there are also three little lives who depend on an honest conversation. Will you do that?”

A tear fell, and Garrett quickly wiped it away. “I will, Pastor Mac. I promise I will. I never want to lose her.”

Before he said good-bye, Oliver prayed with the couple, for healing, for the family, and for the bad memories of the last few days to be erased.

He left the mobile with a much lighter heart than he’d woken up with. He believed there was hope for Janie and Garrett. It was too bad that it took the kidnapping of Janie to make Garrett wake up.

He couldn’t help but think about Tess. Oliver thought about how irritated and angry he’d been with her the day before. But she could be so stubborn when she wanted to be.

Oliver smiled. He loved that about her—her dedication, her heart, and her commitment to her profession. Why had he gotten so angry? He was frightened. He could admit that now. It was pure fear. He’d lost Anna, and now just as he was beginning to realize how much he loved Tess, the fear of losing her hit hard.