“How can that be? We were never together with Rachel!” Carolyn feared that if Joanna could be mistaken about such an obvious fact, then perhaps everything she had told them was wrong. Mitch was shocked at Carolyn’s vehement response.

Joanna smiled at the confusion she had caused.

“I’m sorry for sounding so mysterious, Carolyn. Let me explain. The day we three were together was the day Rachel and Evan were buried. I decided to attend the service because I knew the pastor would need encouragement.”

“You were in the church that day?”

“Yes, I was. Sitting in the very last pew, near the center aisle.”

“And Rachel spoke with you? What did she say?”

“She told me to thank you for saying such nice things at her service and that she was very proud of you.”

And then she added, “You know that Rachel was standing next to you at the altar, don’t you?”

“I did have that feeling at the time, but I was afraid to believe it.”

“And you know that she sometimes speaks with you in your dreams?”

Mitch interjected, “You’ve told me that, honey.”

“Yes, she does come to me in a dream. I see her walking with Evan. Holding hands and walking together. They look like they’re at a beach or someplace near water.”

“That’s because she wants you to know that she and Evan are safe, and at peace, and she wants you to move on with your life and enjoy yourself.”

Carolyn dabbed her eyes. She was hearing so much; it was hard to take it all in. But something was bothering her and she had to get it out.

“Joanna, I really appreciate what you are doing for us, and I don’t want you to think I doubt you, but I was thinking last night about what you said the other day.”

“Said about what?”

“You said you knew about my praying so much, that God had heard my prayers and sent you. If that’s true, I don’t get why … why He’d care enough to send someone to help me get over my grief but would allow something so horrible to happen in the first place. If God cares enough to help someone who’s grieving, why didn’t he stop Danny?”

Mitch excitedly jumped in. “That’s the big question, isn’t it? Why did Danny do what he did? I hardly ever saw him without a smile on his face. I knew him for a long time and never once saw him lose his temper. He did do some things he shouldn’t have, like cheat on Rachel, and he didn’t work that hard, or manage his finances, things like that. But to actually murder your wife and child! Where was God then? I just can’t believe it!”