Seeking His Love (12 page)

R
achel pulled the picnic basket down from the top shelf in the hall closet and carried it into the kitchen. The sun’s rays slanted through the kitchen window sending long amber shadows across the tile floor. A cricket serenade rose from the backyard, and a warm breeze floated through the open window.

She glanced at the clock. It was almost seven. She had better get moving if she was going to have some snacks packed and ready when Cam came knocking at her door.

She smiled, remembering the sneaky way Kayla had arranged the plans for this evening. That girl was turning into quite a little matchmaker. Or maybe her schemes had more to do with her own interest in a certain young man at N.C.Y.T. than any thoughts she might have about getting Cam and Rachel together. As she filled the basket, the scene from yesterday afternoon replayed in her mind.

Cam walked down the aisle of the Arts Center auditorium and met Rachel in front of the stage. “So, how did rehearsal go? Everyone excited to get started?”

“Too excited. I could hardly get them to settle down. I have to be pretty strict these first few rehearsals.”

“I see.” Cam nodded and sent her a warm smile. “Hope you let them have a little fun.”

“A little.” She studied his face. Something was different about him the last few days. He hadn’t explained what was going on, but she suspected it had something to do with his visit to Grace Chapel last Sunday. Whatever the reason, he definitely seemed less brooding and more hopeful.

He cocked his head. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Warmth flooded her face. “No reason.” She turned and glanced at the students gathered on the stage.

Kayla broke away from the group pulling fifteen-year-old Lindsey Parker with her. The girls trotted down the steps, grinning and whispering as they approached. “Hey, Uncle Cam, what are we doing tomorrow night?”

“I’m not sure, why?”

“They’re showing the movie
The King and I
on the Village Green, and we want to go. Could you give us a ride?”

“I don’t think your parents would want you to go out at night by yourselves.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t be by ourselves,” Lindsey added, her face all innocence. “A whole bunch of kids are going.”

Cam narrowed his eyes. “Like who, Ryan and Steve?”

Kayla’s face turned bright pink, and she shrugged. “Probably.”

“Then I don’t think so.”

“Come on, Uncle Cam. It’s a G-rated move.” She bit her lip, her eyes pleading. “I guess you could come along, if you want to.”

“Oh, that would be fun. You’d take off with your friends, and I’d end up sitting there all by myself.” He shook his head. “No thanks.”

Kayla’s eyes widened. “I know. Why don’t you bring a friend?” She grinned at Rachel and wiggled her eyebrows.
Rachel laughed to hide her embarrassment.

A mischievous glint lit Cam’s eyes. “Well, I suppose I could ask Ross and see if he has plans.”

Kayla scowled. “Not Ross! Ask Ms. Clark.”

“Yeah, Come on, Mr. McKenna, ask her,” Lindsey added with a delighted grin.

Cam tucked his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Would you like to go see the movie with us?”

“Hmm.” She tapped her cheek, teasing him with her smile. “I don’t know. Ross might feel left out if you don’t invite him.”

“I don’t think he likes musicals.”

“Well, in that case, I suppose I could go.”

“Yes!” Kayla grabbed Lindsey’s arm. “Come on, let’s go tell everyone we’ll be there.”

Cam leaned toward Rachel. “Now we’re really in trouble.”

“Why?”

“We’ve just made ourselves chaperones for the whole group. Can’t you hear them all telling their parents, ‘Oh, it’s okay. Ms. Clark and Mr. McKenna are going to be there with us.’”

Her stomach clenched. Would her students wrangle permission from their parents by telling them she was overseeing the group? What if something happened to one of the kids while she was supposedly in charge? Memories of angry confrontations with parents in Seattle flooded back, sending a sickening wave of dread through her. She never wanted to go through something like that again.

He touched her arm. “Hey, I was just kidding. It’s not an official field trip.”

“Right.” She tried to shake off her apprehension, but it followed her all afternoon.

Her doorbell rang, bringing her back to the moment. “Coming,” she called, then took the basket and headed down the stairs.

Cam smiled at her through the screen door. “Ready to go?”

She nodded, and a calming wave washed over her, easing her fears. Nothing bad would happen tonight. And on the slight chance that there was a problem, Cam would be there to help. She wouldn’t have to face a group of angry parents alone.

Twenty minutes later Rachel and Cam wove their way through the crowd on the Fairhaven Village Green followed by Kayla and Lindsey. Groups of people had spread blankets on the grass, while others sat in portable lawn chairs on the brick walkways under the pergola that ran around the sides of the Green. Up on stage, a three-person musical group sang folk songs as pre-movie entertainment.

“How about over there?” Cam pointed to an open spot across the way.

“That looks good.” Rachel followed Cam past a young couple eating Chinese takeout, a giggling group of elementary-age girls playing rummy and an older couple keeping a little toddler entertained. They spread out their blanket, and Rachel sat down on one side. Cam settled in next to her while the girls stood nearby on the grass.

Lindsey leaned toward Kayla. “Do you see them?”

“Not yet.” Kayla continued scanning the crowd, then gave a little squeal. “There they are.” She grabbed Lindsey’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Cam tugged on Kayla’s pants leg. “Wait a minute. Where are you two headed?”

“We’re just going over there to see our friends.”

Cam frowned, looking as though he wanted to say no. Rachel touched his arm. They exchanged a glance, and he
released his hold on Kayla’s pants leg. “Okay. But be back before the movie starts.”

The girls dashed away. Rachel leaned to the left and watched them make a beeline for Ryan and Steve, who stood under the pergola near the Colophon Café with Haley, Danielle and a couple other kids she didn’t recognize.

Cam sighed. “I guess I need to lighten up, but I hate to see what will happen if one of her friends lets her down tonight. Her emotions have been on a wild ride this week.”

“That sounds pretty normal for a girl her age.”

“Maybe so, but I’m still not used to it.”

Rachel took the bag of popcorn from the basket and offered some to Cam. “There is something I wanted to let you know.”

“About Kayla?”

Rachel nodded. “She’s been sitting with Ryan a lot at rehearsals. Some of the kids are starting to talk about it.”

Cam frowned. “Do you think he likes her?”

“I’m not sure. He’s a really friendly guy, so it’s hard to tell if he’s treating Kayla special or not.”

Cam’s frown deepened. “I sure don’t want to see her get her heart broken by some guy who doesn’t even know she exists.”

Rachel smiled. “Oh, he knows.”

“Great. Is that good news or bad news?”

She leaned back, bracing her hands behind her on the blanket. “Ryan is a good kid. He goes to Grace Chapel with his family. But I’ll keep an eye on him and Kayla and let you know if I see anything to be concerned about.”

“Thanks. She’s young and naive. I just don’t want anyone to hurt her.”

Rachel studied Cam, replaying his caring words. By the time she was Kayla’s age, her father had long since disappeared. She’d never had an uncle or brother to step in and
protect her. Was that why she’d gone from one hurtful relationship to the next in high school and college, always searching for the love she hadn’t received from a special man in her life?

When she became a Christian in her mid-twenties, she pulled back from dating, confused by her past and uncertain how it fit in with her new faith.

“What are you thinking?” He leaned closer and traced his finger around her hand as though he was drawing the pattern on the blanket.

His nearness and touch stirred her heart. “I was just wondering how my life would’ve been different if I’d had someone like you watching out for me when I was Kayla’s age.”

He looked at her with a tender gaze. “I wish I would have known you then.”

She smiled, but looked away as heat filled her face. “I don’t know if you would’ve felt that way if you’d seen me back then. I had braces, and I was so skinny people called me beanpole.”

He chuckled. “I was short and chubby with a wild blond
’fro.
” He pointed to his hair. “We would’ve been perfect together.”

“You were chubby?” She laughed and poked his stomach. “I don’t believe it.”

He lifted two fingers. “Scout’s honor. But when I turned sixteen, I went out for football and grew about five inches. That took care of everything but the hair.”

“I love your hair.” The words slipped out before she realized what she was saying.

He looked up, and his gaze connected with hers for several seconds. Electricity seemed to charge the air between them. “What service are you going to tomorrow?”

She blinked, and a smile broke over her face. “Whichever one you want.”

He laughed softly. “How about we try early service?”

“Sounds good.” A happy, light feeling filled her heart. Their friendship seemed to be turning a corner, but she still wanted to know what was going on in his heart. “So…what happened last Sunday?”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem different this week, more hopeful.”

He sat up and looked out across the Village Green. “Sheldon’s message really made me think.”

“In what way?”

“I’ve heard that story of the Prodigal Son before. But this time I realized God is a lot like that father. He’s waiting with open arms and willing to forgive if we’ll just come home and admit the truth about the mess we’ve made of our lives.”

She nodded slowly, her heart rejoicing. “So are you and God back on speaking terms?”

“We’re working on it.” He took another handful of popcorn and munched for a few seconds. “I got together with Sheldon this week.”

She wanted to jump up and shout “yes!” But she forced herself to sit still. “How did that go?”

“It went well. He’s a lot like that father in the Prodigal Son story.” A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “It’ll take a while for us to rebuild our friendship, but we’re both committed to that.”

“Wow. That’s great. I didn’t realize you two…knew each other like that.”

Cam looked down and brushed a piece of popcorn from his leg. “He performed our wedding.”

She nodded, her heart touched again by the losses he’d experienced. “Sounds like you’re on a good path, Cam. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. It’s taken me a while, but I think I’m ready to move on to whatever God has for me in this next phase of
life.” His voice sounded strong and steady, and the look in his eyes told her he wasn’t only thinking about getting closer to God. He was talking about a relationship with her.

Her heartbeat quickened. Was she ready to take the next step with Cam? Her past history with men and the poor choices she’d made sent doubts swirling through her mind. But Cam was different, wasn’t he?

She pulled in a slow deep breath. There was no need to feel pressured or make any decisions tonight. She had time to pray and see what would develop. But she realized her heart had already made up its mind.

The music group ended their song and announced the movie would start in a few minutes.

Cam straightened and looked around. “Do you see Kayla?”

Rachel glanced across the Green, but she didn’t see her. “Maybe they found a place to sit together.” She searched the crowd, but the sun had set, making it harder to see anyone clearly.

A worried frown creased Cam’s forehead as he got up. “I’m going to look for her.”

Rachel stood. “I’ll help.”

“Okay.” They agreed to split the Green and each cover one half. “If you find her, tell her she has to come back and sit with us. No excuses.” His voice was stern, but she saw the anxiety in his eyes.

Rachel squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she’s okay.”

He nodded and headed off like a man on a mission.

Rachel searched the crowd as she made her way toward the pergola at the north end of the Green. Intro music for the movie played. She spotted Haley in line at the refreshment stand and asked her if she’d seen Kayla.

“She and Lindsey were with Steve and Ryan over by
Village Books a few minutes ago. I think they were going in to buy coffee.”

“Okay thanks.” Hopefully, she’d still find them there. She spun around and bumped into Melanie Howard.

The drink in Melanie’s hand sloshed down her shirt. She gasped and cursed under her breath.

Rachel pulled back. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

“Obviously!” Melanie glared at her as she shook the soda off her hands.

“Here, let me help.” Rachel pulled a couple clean tissues from her pocket and held them out to Melanie. “Do you want me to go get some napkins or a towel or something?”

Melanie huffed. “You can drop the act.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard what I said. You can forget the nice-girl routine.”

Rachel stared at Melanie. Of course she knew Melanie didn’t like her. She’d made that clear often enough. “I meant what I said. I’m sorry about running into you.” Rachel wanted to say more, but she swallowed the words and turned away.

“Hold on.” Melanie stepped into her path. “You and I need to get a few things straight.”

Rachel tensed, her anger simmering just below the surface. “Like what?”

“I know you’re here with Cam.”

“That’s right. Is that a problem for you?”

Melanie’s nostrils flared. “Yes. It is. I care about Cam. He’s been through a lot over the last few years, and I’ve been there for him. We were getting really close until you showed up and wormed your way into his life.”

Rachel’s mouth dropped open.

“You’re not fooling me.” Melanie looked at her with a haughty glare. “I know what you’re after.”