David should have nodded. Left well enough alone.
“You got a minute?” he asked instead. “I’d like to talk to you.”
“Sure.”
With Aaron following him, David prayed for guidance all the way to his office.
“Have a seat.” He gestured at one of the chairs in front of his desk. With unspoken question in his eyes, Aaron flopped down, his long legs stretched out in front of him.
David took the other seat. This was not a preacher-behind-his-desk type of talk.
“I’m going to ask you something that’s absolutely none of my business,” David said, meeting the young man’s gaze. “Don’t answer unless you want to,” he added. “And only if you can give me complete honesty.”
Chin jutting out, Aaron nodded.
Elbows on the arms of his chair, David relaxed. “Tell me how you feel about Ellen Moore.”
Aaron looked down. Out the window. Swallowed. If he got up to leave, David was going to thank him for his help and wish him a good day.
But when Aaron finally spoke, his words were no surprise to David. “I love her.”
“Like a friend?”
Aaron nodded slowly, appearing to consider his answer. “Yeah…” He drew out the word.
“And more?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you love her enough to see a future with her?”
“I’m graduating at the end of the term,” Aaron said. “I’m twenty-four years old, and I have a good job lined up here in Shelter Valley. I’ll be able to support a wife who’s finishing school.” He paused. “I’d planned to ask Ellen to marry me.”
Thank you, God. Now would you mind telling me where to go from here?
“Can I ask you something?” Aaron interrupted before God got around to answering.
“Certainly.”
“Why do you want to know?”
It was the opening David needed. Okay, God, you answered. Thank you. And I’m sorry for my lack of faith and my impatience.
“If you came to me for advice, telling me you were in love with Ellen Moore and that you wanted to know what to do about it, I’d advise you to approach her.”
Aaron frowned. “I didn’t come to you for advice.”
“I know.” David held Aaron’s searching gaze.
“But you knew I needed to,” Aaron said slowly.
“I suspected.”
The young man sat forward, elbows on his knees, hands together as he stared at the floor. He turned, glancing at David over his shoulder, obviously trying to hold back the silly grin on his face. “You think I should approach her?”
Resolutely, David said, “Yes.”
“I’ve heard that you had dinner with her and her family a few times.”