COURTY THINKS ON MARTHA WORDS

Feeling so very weak and frail as she lies down, Courtney, listens to the words Martha used as she prayed. with her eyes close she just agreeing silently with her.

Courtney knows this confirms what Pappie and Mom's was speaking about and it is all true.

'It was only my prayer that has saved me this far,' but then she remembered Martha said, 'She will be praying for her.

I am sure she was praying for me just as she said, because when I needed her, she was right there at the water front, and was ready to do battle on my behalf.

But Lord, if Rufus wasn't with me, that current would have sucked me inside that water. My anger with him has put this baby's life in great danger."

When Martha said, "You will be okay child, you have got to be. If only your sister had come she would have died, now do you understand why it had to be you?"

Opening her eyes Courtney wanted to know exactly what Martha was talking about, "What did you just say, Martha?"

"I am saying, your sister is the medium the Lord had chosen to get the two of you together, can you recall that first meeting when he tried to approach you?"

"Who are you talking about, Rufus?"

"No child the evil spirit."

"Martha, he was driving a van, then he stop and talk with me."

"Child, I know, and I see he could not hurt you then, and out of all the Dawson women who has been carrying an heir, you were the only one he approached, why do you supposed that is? When he knows that he couldn't get close to you?

Also, he keeps watching you, can you imagine if your sister had married Rufus what would have been the outcome? Child she would have died that very first day, now don't hate Rufus, he is a good soul.

I have loved him from the moment he was born, before his mother held him, I took him and blessed him.

Now my child, we have an enemy to destroy so none other will have to struggle again from this generation forth. So we might just have maybe a day or just a few hours, but you need to get some rest to regain strength for this battle. "

"I will pray Martha, I will pray." With her eyes close once more, Courtney ponders on Martha's words, 'She knows about Tamara, recalling her words the first day when she said she was looking for me.

Martha has known about us and she knew of Rufus plan all along, she knew of the danger and just as I had thought, Tamara would have been dead.

Lord I know this is hard to digest, but help me to understand this is Your choice for me. I want to believe now that in-spite of Tamara sinful way of living, You was protecting her on my behalf.

I want to believe now You have kept her away seeing the danger ahead. Please I know all that I said to him, yet he was always there for me, help me to accept Rufus if that is the case.'

Returning to Martha place, Rufus keep praying asking God for His protection, and hoping Pappie won't find out the truth about Joe.

Stopping by the Mill, seeing Carlos supervising an order that was being loaded. "Where is Courtney?" Carlos asks.

"She is unwell this morning, so you will have to hold the forth, my back is acting up a bit."

"But Rufus, I can't do this alone."

"Yes, you can, you just have to ensure that each order is cut and ready for when the trucks come to collect.

When all the orders are filled, let the men cut and full the tally from each section. So as the orders come in, you will have no problems."

"I don't know Rufus."

"Look, I will be checking in regularly, you will do fine, trust me. I have observed this last week how responsible you have become since you started to follow Courtney's instructions.

Just do exactly how she used to run the mill and everything will go smoothly."

"Okay if you say so, but if anything goes wrong, I am not taking any blame, do you hear me."

"Carlos, will you stop that, blaming others for your mistake is never the answer, when you make a mistake you should learn from it, and try not to repeat it again, I know you could do it, so have some faith in yourself."

"You are right Rufus, and I am sorry."

"Very good, now you hold the forth I have something very important to take care of."

Watching Rufus drive out from the curb, wondering, 'What was so important and why was Joe with him is Courtney is unwell then she would be home and the dog never leave her side.'

When Samson call out to him to take a call. He rush into the office. Doing just a Courtney does as the orders was called, he repeat it so Samson records it. 'Rufus, said I can do this and I am going to make him proud.'

Taking Courtney thing to Martha, seeing her feet still blue, but not as when we were at the beach. "How is she doing now Martha?" Rufus query.

"She will be fine Son, you try and get some rest, and make sure you get this feller his food regularly and I will handle the rest."

"I will Martha, and thank you so much for being there for us."

"How can I not son , she is my child, Son, please don't worry just keep praying, that is all we can do now."

"I won't worry Martha, seeing Joe went and lie down by her foot, he know Joe won't leave her alone, yet that first day she had fainted with fear when he stop her from leaving his house.

He is a very sometimish dog and unpredictable, I sometimes have a difficult time understanding him, but he likes her a lot."