Cherished (21 page)

Heather laughed. “I never paid much attention to sports.”

“You think?”

“Okay, smarty . . . you can see I wouldn't exactly be the best sports companion. You might want to ask some others and use me as a last resort.”

“Already did. You kinda
are
the last resort.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Just sayin'.”

Heather thought a moment. “Well. This wouldn't be a date, would it?”

Logan paused. “Can't say I'd thought of it that way, so no. Been awhile since I considered myself on a ‘date.'”

Same was true for Heather. Guys were interested in hooking up with her, not dating. “Okay, then. Long as you don't mind telling me what's going on. I should have it down by the ninth quarter.”

“Ha-ha. Makes more sense to pick you up from Cyd's and shoot downtown, if you don't mind leaving your car.”

“Sounds great. See you.”

T
WENTY MINUTES LATER, THE DOORBELL RANG AS
B
RIAN
was saying good-byes in the foyer.

“Wonder who that is,” Cyd said.

“Probably Logan,” Heather said. “We're going to a baseball game.”

“You're headed to Busch Stadium?” Lindell asked. “They're playing the Reds today. Sweet!”

Brian was closest to the door, so he opened it. “Hey, man,” he said. “Saw you at the conference. Love the praise and worship at church, but we haven't formally met. I'm Brian.”

Logan stepped inside, shaking his hand. “I'm a fan. Love what you do. We should get together soon.”

“Thanks. Definitely.”

While Logan exchanged greetings with Cedric and Lindell, Heather said her good-byes to the women.

“Hope you don't mind if I leave my car outside your house a few hours,” she told Cyd.

“ 'Course not,” Cyd said. “Have a good time.”

Stephanie glanced between Heather and Logan. “Hmm.”

Cyd pushed her. “Mind your business.”

Heather smiled. “I know what you're thinking—but it's not like that. For some reason, God's just giving me real friends. I've never had that.”

Stephanie came closer. “If God's giving you real friends like him, girl, you know you're blessed.” She peered over at him. “Our family has known Logan for years. He's a really good guy.”

“I'm so glad you came over,” Kelli said, hugging Heather.

“I would've been mad if I missed it. Now I can say I was one of the first to hear the hit song ‘I Will Love You.'”

“Whatever.”

“Seriously. And I'm expecting big things from the rest of the songs you two will write.”

“Yeah, well, I'm not sure yet about any of it,” Kelli said. “But if it does work out, would you consider doing background vocals? Cyd said you've sung some beautiful solos at church.”

The question took Heather off guard. “That would be a dream come true. But much as I'd love to say yes, I'm still feeling like music is a no-go for me right now.”

“Heather, we'd better leave,” Logan said, turning from his conversation with the guys.

They said good-byes and scurried out. Logan opened the passenger door, and Heather got in, then watched him walk to the driver's side. When they were on their way, she said, “Hey, I just learned something else about the new Heather.”

He glanced at her. “What's that?”

“I used to get this skitter thing whenever I saw you. You know, because you're so cute.”

He tossed his eyes in embarrassment. “Wait.
Used to
?”

“Yep. Skitter's gone. Just noticed it. Guess I really am starting to see you as a big brother.”

“Cool. Never had a little sister. Maybe God thinks I need one.” He paused, rubbing his chin. “That was off the cuff, but there's probably truth in it. I don't have any women in my life who I really talk to. Maybe because women tend to make it known that they're interested in me romantically. I only share that to say I think I've put a wall up—or maybe God put it up. Until I'm ready for a serious relationship, I don't see the point in letting anyone get close.”

Heather stared at him, appreciating his honesty.

“So, seems like God is up to something here,” Logan said. “Who knows? Maybe He wants to show you it's possible to have a man in your life who doesn't have an agenda. And maybe He's taking my wall down a bit. I spend a lot of my time ministering to people, but funny thing is, I don't have to share a whole lot of myself. Maybe I've gotten too comfortable with that.”

“I noticed that in the choir,” Heather said. “You were always there, always available, but it was also clear you kept your distance.”

Logan grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “Yeah, betcha didn't know that beneath the praise-and-worship leader exterior was a big kid who could spend hours at the go-kart track or Six Flags.”

“
Now
we're talking,” Heather said. “No offense to the love-of-sports thing, but I'd go-kart racing in a minute and I could ride the Screaming Eagle all day.”

“Is that your favorite too?” He looked at her. “Every year they've got some newer, fancier roller coaster, but give me the Screaming Eagle over all of them.”

“Well.” She looked at her watch. “Don't know if you realize it but it's August. Park's only open a little while longer. And I don't know about you, but I haven't been this year.”

“I haven't been in
two
years. So pack a lunch because when we go, we're staying all day.”

Heather laughed. “Any chance we can ditch the ballpark right now for the amusement park?”

“Not on your life.”

“W
OO-HOO
!”

Heather high-fived Logan, and they came to their feet with the rest of the crowd, pumping fists and cheering wildly as the ball sailed clean over the wall.

“Grand slam, baby!” the guy behind them yelled. “How ya like
them
apples?”

Heather peeked at the guy to her left. A Reds fan, he'd been battling the guy behind them throughout the game. Until this moment Cardinals fans had been dejected, thinking the game lost, and Mr. Reds had been talking trash. Now he was the only one around them still sitting.

“I
knew
Pujols would knock it out,” Logan said, beaming. “He is such a clutch player. What a way to end it.”

Pujols did his victory lap around the bases as the music blared.

“Look at Fred Bird gettin' down,” Heather said. The team mascot had been major entertainment. “He's hilarious.”

They lingered in the celebration a few minutes more, then filed out and up the stairs with the rest.

“So what'd you think of your first major league baseball game?”

“Way more fun than I thought it'd be.” She took a sip of the Mountain Dew left in her cup. “There's so much energy in the stadium, it's hard not to get into it.”

“Didn't hurt that we had primo seats either. I didn't realize we'd be so close.”

Logan guided her through the throng, past the concession stands and wastebaskets overflowing with empty popcorn tubs and hot dog wrappers, until they found the exit doors closest to where they'd parked.

“And thanks again for the shirt,” she said as Logan held the door. She'd changed in the bathroom and stuffed the one she'd had on into her purse.

“You're welcome. Had to get you in the spirit.”

They strolled down Broadway, the late afternoon sun following overhead.

Logan gazed over at her. “So . . . just curious . . . why'd you want to make sure this wasn't styled as a date?”

“Remember in Indy we prayed about God's plan for me? And you said pay attention to the ways God might respond, how He might lead me?”

“I remember.”

“Well, I started reading John, like you suggested, and . . . it may sound weird, but I feel like I'm actually spending time with Jesus. And the more I know about Him, the more I want to know.” She shrugged. “So I'm thinking that's the plan right now. Not music or romantic involvement with a man. Just hanging with Jesus.”

A smile lit his face. “I am so excited for you,” he said.

“Why?”

“I can see that fresh wonder in your eyes. There's nothing like being rocked by Jesus. And you never know what He'll do or where He'll take you. So get ready for the ride.”

She turned that over in her mind. She'd been thinking she might need to get used to the idea of staying at the dentist's office the rest of her life . . . which wasn't so bad. But what if something totally new and unexpected unfolded? “Whatever's in store,” she said, “I just want Jesus with me.”

“That's a given,” Logan said. He poked out his lip. “But what about your bro?”

Heather chuckled, her heart lighter than she could ever remember. “I hope Jesus brings you along too.”

eighteen

T
HEY SAT TIGHT IN THE BOOTH
T
UESDAY NIGHT
, D
ANA,
Phyllis, and Cyd on one side, Stephanie and Kelli on the other. Cyd didn't know how the arrangement worked itself that way, but she was sure it had the effect Dana wanted. She could practically ignore Cyd from her position.

So far there'd been light banter about the Maggiano's menu, but with orders placed and the server gone, they were set to focus on one another and the news Kelli waited to share.

“Quick housekeeping question,” Phyllis said. “Last couple of DF gatherings have been over a meal, which is great, but when's our next real meeting? I miss the Bible study.”

“You're right,” Cyd said. “We've gotten off track. I miss it too.”

Dana lifted her water glass. “I figured you didn't have time for two Bible studies, so DF was on hold.”

Cyd glanced over at her. “I always have time for DF. We should plan the next meeting before we leave.”

“Great,” Phyllis said. “Okay, I cannot wait another second. What's the news?”

Kelli sat up, looking into their faces. “I told Brian I'd work with him on his new album, helping to write as well as singing.”

Phyllis stared. “You just said that so calmly, like it's no big deal. You're going to be on the next Alien album?” Phyllis practically screamed it, albeit with an inside voice. “Cole will absolutely flip.”

“Kelli, this is way bigger than the Monica opportunity,” Dana said. “Talk about answered prayer. And I'm so excited you'll be singing. I love your voice.”

“Thank you, but like I told Brian, I've got a lot of reservations. If it looks like we can't work together, I'm bowing out.”

“Wait . . .” Phyllis frowned as she broke off a piece of bread. “A little over a week ago you couldn't stand to look at Brian. How did things change?”

“Well . . .” Kelli was obviously measuring her response. “I was upset with him about something in the past, but a series of circumstances made me see he deserved forgiveness like everybody else.”

Cyd wanted badly to look over at Dana to see if she might have made a hint of a connection, but she kept her eyes on Kelli, who continued.

“Around that same time, Brian heard ‘I Will Love You' and wanted to do a remake. He asked me about it, and we recorded it that same night.”

Phyllis's mouth dropped. “You already recorded a song? I
know
it's fabulous.”

“It's still weird for me,” Kelli said, “hearing my recorded voice. But I guess it turned out okay.”

Stephanie gave Kelli her familiar look. “I don't know what she's talking about—‘I
guess
it turned out okay.' The song is blazin'.”

“You've heard it?” Dana asked.

Stephanie glanced at Cyd and Kelli. “Was I not supposed to say anything?”

“It's fine,” Kelli said. She looked at Dana and Phyllis. “Brian and I played it for them on Sunday. We're not sure when we'll let others hear it. There's a lot of story behind it that we haven't shared openly yet.”

Dana nodded. “I understand. Makes perfect sense to let family hear it first.”

Cyd concerned herself with her water glass.

“Did Heather hear it too?” Dana asked.

Eyes went wide around the table.

“Now, why would you ask that, Dana?” Phyllis asked. “I was hoping we could stay off the subject of Heather tonight.”

“I'm asking because we drove by Cyd's house after church so Scott could drop off some stuff he needed to give Cedric. When he didn't stop, I asked why, and he said that was Heather's car out front. I figured Cyd must've asked her to spend the night after they went to dinner. Maybe she's part of the family now.”