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slipped down the woman’s weathered cheeks as she held her hands clasped tightly in her lap. A golden stream of sunlight flowed through the window, creating a bright puddle on the floor around them.
    Adrie felt like an intruder as she crept closer, but her curiosity urged her forward until she could hear Ross’s quiet prayer.
    “Father, please give Nancy courage and strength. You see her situation, her need for a job, for insurance, and for a way to pay her bills. Please take care of those needs. But most of all, please help her remember that You love her and that she never has to carry this load alone. You are right here with her now and always.”
    Nancy sniffed. “Thank You, God. Thank You for bringing me here today. Thank You for helping me.” Her choked voice barely rose above a whisper, but the message was clear. Ross’s prayer meant the world to her.
    A hushed reverence filled the air for a few seconds, then Ross said a quiet Amen.
    Nancy lifted her head and slowly rose to her feet. “Thank you.” She smiled through her tears. “I don’t even know your name.”
    “It’s Ross. Ross Peterson.”
    She held out her hand and clasped his. “Well, thank you, Ross. You’ve been God’s messenger of hope for me today.”
    Nana walked up next to Adrie. “What’s going on?” she whispered.
    “Ross was just praying with that woman.”
    “Really?” Nana beamed. “That’s wonderful.”
    Nancy picked up two of the books and walked toward Adrie and her grandmother. “Do you know where I can pay for these?”
    “I can help you with that,” Nana said.
    “You know, that was real smart of you to hire that young man.” Nancy nodded toward Ross as she started down the aisle with Nana. “He’s got a true gift for listening and helping people.”
    Her grandmother nodded. “I believe he does.”
    Ross’s dark brown eyes shone as he walked up to Adrie. “Wow, that was something else.”
    Adrie stared at him. “You prayed with her,” she said in a hushed voice.
    He shrugged and slipped his hands in his jeans pockets. “Yeah, she was pretty upset when she first came in.” He lifted his gaze to meet Adrie’s. “I did recommend some books. But what she really needed was someone to listen and pray.”
    Adrie nodded slowly as she looked from Ross to the woman at the sales counter. Maybe she had misjudged him.

Chapter Four
    A drie glanced at her watch and walked toward the front door to lock up for the evening. Her first day working with Ross hadn’t been nearly as uncomfortable as she’d thought it would be. “Looks good,” she said as she passed him wiping the tables in the café.
    He sent her a cocky grin and lifted his hand in a salute. “Thanks. I’ve been slaving away all day. Glad to know I still look pretty good.”
    “I meant the tables, not you.”
    “Oh.” He gave her a sad-puppy-dog face.
    She shook her head and laughed. His sense of humor was corny, but he did have a way of brightening her day.
    Just as she reached to flip the sign to CLOSED, the door cracked open, and an older, distinguished man with silver hair and a mustache looked inside. Adrie pulled the door open the rest of the way. “Please, come in. We’ll be closing in a few minutes, but there’s still time to do a little shopping if you like.”
    “Thank you.” He glanced around the store.
    “Can I help you find something?”
    “Actually, I’m looking for Marian Stanton.”
    Adrie hesitated. Who was this man, and why did he use her grandmother’s maiden name?
    “Adrie, have you seen my glasses?” Nana called as she walked toward them, searching the shelves on her way. “I thought I put them beside the phone, but they seem to have taken up legs and walked off.” Her words faded as she noticed the man standing with Adrie.
    “Marian?” The gentleman stepped forward, a hopeful smile on his face.
    Her grandmother squinted at him. “Yes? I’m sorry, I can’t see too well without my glasses.”
    Warmth and affection