Aubrey Newben pulls into the hotel parking lot. Being in Lubbock, Texas, without anyone that she knows, for a couple of days has worn her out. Her mind floods with memories of her family and her aunt, both that are out of reach. Some from death some because of the choices she made. Shaking her head to clear her mind she begins to get her sleeping son out of his car seat and carries him inside along with her purse.

"Excuse me miss?" The young women at the counter voices as she walks around the edge towards Aubrey. "I wanted to give you a invitation to a fellowship meal we are having at the church tomorrow. There will be child care."

Thank you Lord! This is just what she has been praying for without really knowing it. Maybe she isn't going to be in Lubbock, Texas for long but being around fellow Christians is what she needs to lift her spirits.

"Thank you," she tells the lady taking the card. She continues up to her room laying Cole on the bed once inside. The two full size beds have the usual striped comforter and the small TV directly in front of the beds is softly playing a Hallmark movie. After changing him into his pajamas she locks the hotel room door securely and gets in bed beside him.

The next morning she and Cole eat the hotel breakfast before heading back up to the stale room. Aubrey places the two-year-old boy on the bed and watches him scamper on top of the pillows. She smiles and climbs up beside him. He cuddles up close to her as she flips the TV to cartoons.

Soon it is close the time the Fellowship Meal starts so they set out to find the church.

"Will there be other kids, Momma?" Cole asks from the back seat.

Her heart sinks hearing the longing in his voice. Cole hadn't had the opportunity to interact with many kids his age because. Her Aunt Kim kept him while she worked at the local restaurant back home and the church they had attended didn't have many little kids that regularly went. "I'm sure there will be, big boy," she replies with a sad smile. 

After reluctantly dropping Cole off at the nursery Aubrey finds her way to the other young women. She fell in conversation with a group of ladies about her age. They discussed Scripture, shopping and worship music among other things.  

After talking a little while longer Aubrey decided that it was time to go get Cole. As she walks up to the nursery door she notices that Cole is playing with two other boys that appear to be twins. She smiles and steps to the side not wanting to interrupt their playing.

"Momma!" He cries with joy when he notices her.

"Hey big boy!" As he runs to her the twins also run to their mother. "Did you have fun?"

"Yes ma'am! That's Markus and Jakeston they are my friends," he tells her the bright smile he wears melting her heart with happiness.

"That's great, would you like to tell them bye?" She offers, he nods vigorously. As they approach the young women, that doesn't appear to be much older than Aubrey herself, she turns with a smile.

"Hi, I'm Raely Long," she introduces sticking her hand out.

"Aubrey Newben." Aubrey extends a shaky hand.

"Would y'all like to have lunch with us?" The question catches her slightly off guard, but delights her.

"Uh, sure," Aubrey answers.

The two mothers meet at a small and quiet café just down the road. With it being early for lunch time not many other customers are in the cafe.

"So where are you from?" Raely asks after they order their drinks.

"Uh, I'm from Big Spring," Aubrey answers uneasily. "I um, am staying here for a few days."

By her simple nod it seems that Raely picks up on things that Aubrey didn't say."That's great! What's his name?" Rae asks gesturing to Cole.

A smile spreads across her face, "Cole. I'm glad that he's found someone to play with."

"Yeah Markus and Jakeston don't get to play with kids their age much so it's good." Something gave Raely the impression that Aubrey didn't have a job and one would for sure help get her on her feet. "What would you think about living with me and my husband and keeping the boys while we work?"

"You don't even know me." Aubrey can't hide the utter shock.

"No, but it'll be alright," Raely says confidently.

"That would be great since I don't have a job right now, but.. there are a few things you should know."  She didn't have to ask Cole what he thought, she already knew.

"Okay." Rae gives her a comforting smile.

"Cole was- he was born out of wedlock. I know that the actions where wrong, but I don't regret having Cole. He's the best thing that has ever happen to me. He made me grow up and grow closer to the Lord than I ever thought possible." Aubrey holds her head up being confident in what she says. It feels a little odd telling someone she just met her story, but it makes her feel better about watching the twins.

"I'm happy for you, that you recognize what you did. I'm glad that you grew close to God," Raely tells her with a smile.

"Thank you. Cole really is a blessing."

Thank you Lord! Thank you for providing a job, a place to live, and a loving friend! Aubrey praises. That's the only way that all of this came about, the Lord. God is definitely the only reason she excepted the offer. He was speaking to her and she chose to listen.

After they finish eating she takes Cole back to the hotel to gather their things.

"What do you think about living with Markus and Jakeston?" She asks her son as she folds a few clothes that had been thrown around the room by Cole.

"Really?" He shrieks in excitement, but his smile quickly changes to a frown. "Are you going too?"

"Of course! You know I would never let you go live somewhere without me." His words hurt her, but she makes herself brush it off. He is only a kid with kid worries.

"That would be so much fun! I would get to play with them all the time!" The excitement returns full force.

"Can you carry your backpack for me?" She holds out his 'Play Hard' Nike backpack that he had gotten at his second birthday.

"Sure, Momma!" With a cheerful smile he puts in on his back and takes her hand.

After checking out of their room she loads their bags in the back of her 4 Runner and they follow Raely, Markus and Jakeston to their new home. Thoughts run through Aubrey's head clouding her moral judgement. After praying she turns on her Hillsong CD. Oceans comes on and she and Cole both sing along with the words.

As she turns onto the dirt road behind Raely's pickup her nerves start to get the best of her. With a prayer and a deep breath she continues down the road. What will Traven think of her? Did he even know she was coming?

Raely tells her where she should park. She gets out and gets a very excited Cole.

"Nice to have you. I'm Traven," A man introduces while holding Markus.

She smiles nervously, "Aubrey Newben. This is Cole," she introduces.

"Hi, how old are you?" Traven asks Cole squatting down and setting Markus down.

"I'm two." Cole holds up two fingers proudly.

"Really? Markus and Jakeston are two also."

"Daddy can we show Cole the horses, please?" Jakeston asks standing beside Cole.

"Momma, can I go?" Cole asks looking up at Aubrey.

"Sure as long as it is okay with Mr. Long." She gives Traven a questioning look.

"Just Traven. I would be happy to take y'all to see the horses." He answers with a smile.

While Traven takes the three boys to the barn Raely and Aubrey take her and Cole's few bags inside. Raely shows the room that she and Cole will be staying in for however long they stay.

"Y'all are welcome to stay as long as you want. After all watching MJ will be a great help." When Aubrey gives her a quizzical look Raely smiles. "MJ is what we call the twins."

"Makes sense," Aubrey comments. "Thank you so much. I appreciate y'alls hospitality and kindness."

"You are quite welcome." Raely's smile means more than the words she says.

Cole comes in with the twins smile shining and full of stories. He chatters away telling Aubrey about each horse and which ones Markus and Jakeston ride. Before long he scampers off to play with The twins.