And Then Came A Lion (Lions and Lambs Book 1) by Cecilia Marie Pulliam Page A

statements of the two car thieves. I’d sure like to know if they are linked to Falun in anyway.”
    “Will the police tell you?”
    Susannah shrugged. “I doubt it, unless they do find a connection to me.”
    Rachel nodded. “You are probably right. Just another coincidence.” She leaned back against the seat.
    “I hope that’s all it is.”
    Neither spoke for a few minutes.
    Rachel leaned forward. “So, how are the nightmares and the panic attacks?”
    “Better. I see Dr. Sekelsky again tomorrow.”
    ***
    Susannah leaned back into the cushions of the couch and watched as Dr. Sekelsky closed her file.
    “Well, Susannah, I believe you have the tools to take and keep control of your life. Unless something else comes up, and you need further assistance, I think we can suspend your sessions. But, before you leave, I need to add there is still one other step to total healing. You know you still need to find a way to forgive. As you read in the book, there aren’t any short cuts or other methods to relieve all your symptoms.”
    “I know. And I’ve tried.”
    “Keep trying, Susannah.”
    She had tried, repeatedly. She said the words, but they were meaningless and empty. Her heart still harbored strong emotions that ignited easily, keeping her in an almost constant state of agitation.

Chapter Nine
     
    Susannah watched the sun illuminate the horizon, changing it from cobalt to rose, from rose to amber, and finally to cerulean blue. The seasons were changing, fall, then spring, then summer. There would be vacations, celebrations, and holidays. Would her life hold a new rhythm, one devoid of crises, tears, and sorrow? Perhaps the image of the inferno didn’t mean that earth shattering-life-altering events were coming. Perhaps there would be just the occasional, temporary illness, or a few financial bumps.
    Looking at the bright blue sky, she thought about the lyrics to her favorite song. Too bad, there wasn’t a rainbow and that the area didn’t hold blue birds. She hummed a few strains as she put away her devotions and collected the breakfast dishes.
    After placing the cups and plates in the dishwasher and feeding Buddy, she went upstairs, showered, dressed, and headed into town to work.
    Rachel was waiting in the breakroom, as usual. She handed her a cup of fresh coffee.
    Susannah sniffed. “Sometimes I think it smells even better than it tastes.”
    Rachel arched an eyebrow.
    Susannah laughed, took a sip of coffee, and said, “You’re right. It tastes just as good as it smells.” She took another sip and smiled. “So, how was your weekend?”
    Rachel sighed. “Busy, as usual. Yours?”
    “Unusually quiet, thank goodness.”
    “Well, that’s good. Nice to have some quite time. That’s a rare commodity at our house.”
    “I suppose.” Susannah set her mug on the counter. “I was wondering if you still have the phone number for that Christian counselor?”
    “Yeah, somewhere in my purse. Why?”
    “Dr. Sekelsky told me the only way I would get rid of all my symptoms is to find a way to forgive Falun. I’ve tried everything I can think of and nothing’s working. I thought a Christian counselor my help.”
    Rachel led the way back to their desks, retrieved her purse from the side drawer, and pulled out her battered address book. She flipped through several pages. “Ah, here it is.”
    She wrote the number down on a sticky note and passed it to Susannah.
    “Thanks.” Susannah tucked the number in her purse, took a deep breath, and turned back to her computer.
    She prayed Dr. Sekelsky and the victims quoted in the book were right. How could something that seemed so simple be so difficult?
    That evening after diner, Mark and Susannah sat in the den. A fire crackled in the fireplace, dispelling the mournful song of a wind whipping the snow outside the window. Her overactive imagination conjured up wolves or other wild creatures howling amid the thick timber, creatures that only existed in her