Sample Sunday Number 3! A peak into Caroline and Connor’s relationship as she navigates who she is now 🩷
The show secretary, Milly, approached them. “Can I help you with something?”
Caroline cleared her throat before responding. “Yes, I’m here to pick up my ribbon. Caroline Davis, Number 134, Novice Senior Division.”
Milly checked the paperwork in front of her and smiled. “Well, I see congratulations are in order.” She turned toward the back wall where the ribbons and prizes were displayed. Carefully, she pulled a long, royal blue ribbon off its hanger. She then selected a leather halter wrapped in clear plastic, reaching over the counter to hand it to Caroline.
“Thank you so much,” Caroline said as she collected her winnings.
“You’re very welcome,” Milly responded. “It looks like you’re picking up right where you left off a few years ago.”
Connor looked at Caroline’s face, gauging her reaction to Milly’s words. Her cheeks turned red, and Caroline blinked a few times.
“Well, not quite, but thank you,” Caroline said, turning away.
Connor smiled at Milly as he followed Caroline out of the grandstand. Caroline was a few steps ahead of him as they left. He jogged a couple of strides to catch up, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“Caroline, hey, wait up,” he said, turning her toward him. She looked up at Connor, tears brimming in her eyes and her cheeks still glowing red. “What’s wrong?” Connor asked.
Caroline sniffed. “Just what Milly said back there,” she murmured. “About picking up where I left off.” She turned her eyes down, away from Connor, pulling the blue ribbon through her fingers.
Connor put his hand under her chin, lifting her eyes to his. “She didn’t mean anything by it, Care. She was congratulating you and giving you a compliment.”
Caroline nodded her head. “Maybe. But I’m not her. I’m not that Caroline Davis anymore. I don’t know how to be. Not yet anyway.”
“You don’t have to be ‘her’ anymore.” Connor tried to soothe her. “You can be you, now, in the present. Everyone grows and changes. No one is expecting you to be ‘her’ anymore.”
“They are, though.” Caroline’s eyes looked around the fairgrounds. “Everyone here remembers and thinks I’m still her.”
Tears filled her eyes again and spilled onto her cheeks. Connor wrapped his arms around her. He just held her for a few moments, trying to think of what he could say.
God, give me the words. Help me comfort her, he silently prayed.
Connor smoothed his hand over her hair, taking a small step back so he could look her in the eye. He used his thumb to wipe away one last tear from her cheek. “Caroline Grace, they don’t know you or this beautiful heart you have. Please don’t let them define you. Or hurt you. Or make you feel sad about today. Yes, you won your division, and that’s great. Yes, you were very successful in the past. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you were brave enough to try this again. What matters most is that you are trusting God with your life again.” Connor paused, looking deep into her blue eyes. “Okay?”
Four weeks until the release of Caroline’s Lighthouse! You can preorder today!
One Word at a Time 