“Abby, I want to apologize for yesterday. It seems you left somewhat disheartened. Let’s start again. I’m so thrilled to see you after all these years, and I’m so proud of the young woman you’ve become, with such a love for God. And I must say”—he grinned at her—“you look so much like your mother.”

A lump filled Abby’s throat. She reached across the table, and they held hands for a moment.

He continued, “I can’t tell you how often I wanted to hold your little hands when you were growing up, but you were half a world away. I never imagined that it would take this long for us to get together or that it would be under these circumstances.”

He grew more serious. “Did Agent Steele tell you that it’s only a matter of time before they find out what we’re doing and shut this down?”

She nodded.

“I think you can trust him,” he continued. “If we get cut off, we’ll keep working together to find the truth. Okay?”

“Okay.” She was eager to return to the prior day’s conversation, to understand what he had begun to say. “Poppy, what did you mean, I’m trying to do something I’m not supposed to do? Haven’t I been trying to do God’s will?”

He smiled tenderly. “Yes, I’m sure you have. Your heart is for him, and I know you want to do what he wants.”

“So what did you mean?”

“Are you sure you want to take time to discuss this now?”

She nodded emphatically. “Ever since coming to the States, I’ve felt out of sorts spiritually. Things just don’t work for me here the way they did in the jungle. I read the Bible, and God doesn’t speak to me. I pray and feel like my prayers bounce off the ceiling. I try to share the gospel but don’t even mention Jesus. I spend time with this man, Creighton, and…” She stared at the ground. “It’s just hard. I’m a grown woman…” She looked back up at him. “No matter how hard…” She shook her head in frustration.

“No matter how hard you try for God, you just can’t seem to do enough?”

Her eyes widened. “Yes. How did you know?”

“Because I’ve been there.” Ray stood. “Here, let’s stretch. I spend my whole day sitting. I hate being cooped up.” She rose slowly, and they walked toward a wide dirt path that wound its way through the park. He took her hand in his.

“God knows you’re trying hard for him, you know.”

Abby sighed. “I suppose.”

“But he’s not asking you to try hard for him.”