Georgia Sweethearts

by Missy Tippens

  “Lilly, honey, is everything okay?”

  The perfect opening. Yet Lilly didn’t know how to ask. “Yeah...”

  “Daniel told me what happened with the sign company. I’m sorry.”

  “Live and learn.”

  Belinda offered a business card to Lilly. “My husband, Geoff, designed and maintains the church’s website. It’s a hobby, but he’s good. He said to tell you, if you’re interested, he’d be glad to do yours for free, as well.”

  Lilly looked into Belinda’s kind eyes and thought she might cry. She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Check out the church website and see if you like it. Then contact him, if you want. I’m a little partial, of course, but I think he does a marvelous job.”

  How had she been lucky enough to meet such kind people? “Thank you. I will.” Lilly figured the time was now or never. “I need your advice.”

  Grabbing Lilly’s hand, she gave it a squeeze. “Of course.”

  “One of the boys working with Daniel asked me to pray for him today, and I...well...”

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t feel qualified. I haven’t prayed since I was young.” There. She’d admitted it. Now her nice, new Christian friend would think she was awful and might not come back.

  “I don’t think any of us ever feel qualified to talk to the Almighty. But thankfully, we don’t have to be. We just have to open up to God, talk to Him, share our hurts and desires. Confess our failings.” Belinda patted Lilly’s hand. “Anyone can do that, even if it’s been years. God loves you and is always seeking to draw you to Him.”

  She made it sound so easy. “Thanks, Belinda. I feel better now.”

  She looked at her watch. “Any more questions, you holler, okay? I need to head downstairs for a meeting with Daniel to update him on a ministry I agreed to coordinate.”

  “Sure. Go ahead.”

  Her friend started to leave but stopped. Stared at Lilly as if making a decision. “It’s a support group for teen girls.”

  Lilly’s heart lurched. “Uh, yeah, he’s mentioned it before.”

  “I know you can’t host the group here. But I’d like to invite you to come to a spur-of-the-moment, informal dinner at my house, a kickoff for the new group.”

  Could Lilly possibly have anything to offer to those girls? Daniel seemed to think so. “I don’t know....”

  “You’d be great with them. Marla Hartley called today, told me what happened with Ricky, how you helped. Seems you’re a natural with hurting teenagers.”

  She almost said yes but held back. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Fair enough. Dinner is this Saturday at six-thirty. We’ll be meeting regularly on Wednesdays after school.” She gave Lilly her address, then pulled her into a quick hug and hopped up. “Hope to see you Saturday...and again Sunday!”

  She had no idea what to do about the dinner. Still had a couple days to consider it. At the moment, though, she needed to get back to work.

  As Belinda headed downstairs to the basement, Lilly opened the laptop to look up the church’s website. If the site looked good, she would call Belinda’s husband immediately.

  As she was typing in the web address, she noticed she had a new email in her inbox.

  From Daniel.

  He’d sent the link to a sign company website. Said he’d checked with his former employer—and several recent references—on this one. The company was reliable. When the owner, a college buddy of Daniel’s, found out Lilly had been cheated, he offered to do the signs for her at no charge other than the cost of materials.

  She reread the message. Yes, he’d really offered to do it for the cost of materials.

  And Belinda’s husband had generously offered to help, as well.

  God, are You still there, watching out for me after all this time?

  She closed her eyes, and her chest constricted. Mashing a hand against the pressure, she let go of the tears. They made warm paths along her cheeks and dripped off her chin, taking with them some of the pain she’d held in for so long.

  Pain of parents who didn’t care, of leaving behind people she was fond of each time they’d moved. Pain of believing God must not love her and Jenna, after all, that maybe she’d done something that made her not deserve love.

  People in Corinthia had shown so much kindness, she had to consider that maybe God cared about her, too.

  Lord, I’m sorry for how I’ve acted. I never quit believing, but I ignored You. Blaming You for all the bad stuff in my life, when maybe You’ve been there all along, waiting for me to turn back to You.

  Most of all, Lord, please be with Ricky. He and Cricket need You right now.

  She wiped the tears off her face. “And so do I,” she whispered. “So do I.”

  Chapter Eight

  Daniel grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket when a reminder alarm went off. “Time to head over to Belinda’s for that dinner I told you about.”

  “The one with the girls’ support group?” Gran asked.

  Another much-needed project accomplished, thanks to Belinda. “Yep. I shouldn’t be late.”

  “Oh, wait.” She set aside her knitting, pulled off her reading glasses and let them hang around her neck. “I have a message for you here somewhere.” She got up and shuffled some magazines on the coffee table. “Here it is. That man from Valdosta called. Asked if you’re any closer to determining when you’ll move down there.”

  “Hiding the note from me?” He laughed when she wiggled her brows at him.

  She jabbed a finger into his chest. “You know I don’t want you to leave. Your church and community love you. Plus, you need to stick around to take care of me in my old age—which, by the way, isn’t going to be for a while.”

  “You’re hardy and independent. And besides, if I’m so lovable, the next church should love me, too.” He winked, and she teasingly pushed him away.

  She plopped back into her chair, her blue eyes losing their humor. “I’m serious, son. It’s like you’ve got ants in your pants. You need to put down roots, fall in love, start a family.”

  Lilly’s face flashed through his brain like a painful lightning strike. Once he got over the shock, he reached for his jacket. “All in good time, GranAnn. God’s time.”

  “Don’t let fear stop you.”

  Fear? He kissed her cheek and then headed for the door. “I’m not afraid. Just doing what I feel called to do.”

  As he drove to Belinda’s, he pondered Gran’s words. Why would she think he was afraid to love? He’d simply been too busy to make the effort. Had dated, a couple times seriously. Hadn’t found that perfect woman who understood him fully, who understood his calling.

  He’d begun to doubt he ever would. Until he met Lilly. In some ways he felt she did understand him.

  She knew him well, all right. Well enough to know they weren’t right together.

  The painful irony left him seriously bummed, yet determined to plow ahead with his plans.

  When he went to make a call to Valdosta, he found he had a voice mail.

  “Daniel, this is Greg. Just wanted to see if you have an approximate start date. We have a group of fifteen who’ve committed to join you at the mission church. They’re excited and can’t wait to meet you.”

  Daniel was thrilled to have a core group ready to work. Like Frank and Belinda and the others here.

  It would be difficult to leave, but he’d find a new group of friends and fellow church members.

  Daniel called Greg and left a message. Told him he had one more big project—the food pantry in Appleton—to kick off in the next few weeks. If all was well with the church, his best guess was he’d be ready to move in early to mid-summer.

  He drew in a tight br
eath and tried to shake an off-kilter feeling. Come summer, he’d be gone.

  He arrived at Belinda and Geoff’s house, a large, stone two-story in a swanky neighborhood, and rang the bell.

  “Welcome, Daniel!” Belinda brought him into a grand entry and took his coat. “Geoff’s not here tonight. He escaped.” She laughed as she led Daniel toward the sound of chattering girls.

  “I’m not a bit surprised.” Geoff wasn’t one to hang out with teens. Or people for that matter. He preferred computers and being behind the scenes.

  “Girls, this is our pastor, Daniel Foreman.”

  Cricket and the three girls waved or said hello.

  “Hey, ladies. Glad you’re joining the group.”

  “Daniel, we’ll introduce everyone once they’re all—”

  The doorbell chimed. “Oh, there’s the last one now.”

  He headed over and sat beside Cricket, who perched on the end of the couch by herself. She looked much better, yet she still wasn’t her old self.

  “Hi, Cricket. How are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good.” She shrugged. “Better, anyway.”

  He couldn’t ask about Ricky. Didn’t know if Cricket even knew the boy was pursuing a role in her life.

  “Okay, everyone,” Belinda called, trying to quiet the room.

  He glanced up. Sucked in his breath. Lilly. She looked so beautiful in a slim-fitting skirt and boots, paired with a dark green sweater that brought out the green in her eyes.

  Eyes that met his and held. She looked radiant...happy. For some strange reason, he had the feeling she was glad to see him.

  “Have a seat, everyone. Let’s all share our names and maybe tell why you’re here, if you feel comfortable.”

  He glanced at Lilly, who squeezed her hands together as if nervous. She came to take the only seat left—beside him.

  Her sweet fragrance teased him. He greeted her then looked away, back to their hostess.

  “I’ll go first,” Belinda said “I’m Belinda, and I’ll be facilitating the group—which is a fancy term meaning I’ll keep the conversation going, making sure everyone feels included.”

  A brown-eyed, brown-haired girl who was probably much younger than her provocative clothes suggested waved. “I’m Theresa. I’m here because...well, I don’t get along with my parents. They hate my friends. They hate my boyfriend.”

  “Because he’s a creeper,” Cricket said, a tiny smile pulling at her lips.

  Theresa rolled her eyes. “I’m also here because Cricket invited me. Oh, and I go to the church downtown.”

  When one of the other girls snorted, Theresa added, “Well, sort of. It’s been a while.”

  “My name’s Evette,” said the one with bright red, asymmetrically cut hair that was all angles and edges. She flopped back in her chair with a huge sigh. “I’m just here because my mom heard about it and is making me come to keep my driving privileges. Bribery, pure and simple.”

  “Zaria, here.” The girl waved perfectly manicured fingernails, obviously done at a salon. She was modestly dressed in nice clothes. “Similar situation for me. I’m grounded, but my mom knows Belinda.” She grinned, her dark, golden-brown eyes sparkling. “Hey, it gets me out of the house. And I’ll do anything to keep my car and stay in her good graces.”

  “And I’m Cricket,” she said, smoothing her hands over her abdomen. “Pretty obvious why I’m here.” Her eyes flashed to Daniel. Maybe asking that he not mention the overdose?

  He was up next. “As y’all heard, I’m Daniel. I won’t be meeting with you weekly. I’m just here to see if you have any questions. To let you know I’m available if you ever need to talk.”

  “Cool,” Evette said.

  The girls looked at Lilly, waiting. Probably curious who this other adult was.

  “I’m Lilly. I’m fairly new to town. Own the yarn shop above the church with my sister. And I’m here because Belinda’s my friend and invited me. And because she thought maybe I could be of some help to you.”

  Something passed between Lilly and Belinda, and the older woman looked like a proud mother.

  “How could you help?” Theresa asked.

  Daniel watched Lilly’s profile. She swallowed, and her obvious nervousness made him hurt for her.

  “Because I went through some tough times when I was a kid.”

  “You got pregnant?” Cricket asked.

  She glanced at Daniel as she turned toward Cricket. “No. But I had trouble with my parents. My dad got fired from a bunch of jobs, so we moved around a lot. I know all about being the new kid, not fitting in.”

  “My dad lost his job over a year ago,” Theresa said. “It’s been really hard.”

  “If you ever want to talk, ask Belinda for my phone number. Or drop by The Yarn Barn.”

  Belinda stood and clapped her hands together in front of her chest, excited to have everyone in her home. “Okay, ladies...and Daniel. Let’s eat! It’s in the kitchen. But first, let’s bless the food.”

  Belinda asked Daniel to say a prayer, and they filed into the kitchen. He and Lilly brought up the rear of the line.

  “That was brave of you to come, to make yourself available to the girls,” he said.

  “You encouraged me, and Belinda may have twisted my arm a little.” Her eyes lit, again reminding him of how happy she looked. Had something happened—maybe a good day for sales? Ned moving home?

  He filled his plate and joined everyone in the dining room. The girls shared stories about the best and worst teachers at school. About the angst of boyfriends...and best friends. About their favorite movies and music.

  When Belinda invited the girls to stay a little longer to watch a movie, he and Lilly thanked Belinda and said their good-nights.

  He walked Lilly to her car. “Will I see you at services tomorrow?”

  “Yes. I— Can you drop by Jenna’s for a minute? I’d like to talk to you, show you something.”

  He wanted to run his fingers through her glorious curls. If she had any idea of his thoughts, she’d know better than to invite him. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  He followed in his car and met her on the front porch.

  “Come in.” She showed him into the living room and turned on the lamp. “I’ll be right back.”

  He heard voices in a back room, then she reappeared with a laptop computer.

  She closed a set of French doors. “Will’s asleep.” Then she sat on the couch and patted beside her. “Join me?”

  In a heartbeat. Lord, help me be strong, do the right thing.

  Once he settled on the couch, she turned and faced him. “I’ve really wanted to tell you something. I wasn’t sure I should until tonight.”

  “What is it, Lilly?”

  “Since I’ve offered to help the girls, I figured you need to know that...well...I’ve started praying again.”

  Her words arrowed to his heart, and he froze. “Really?”

  True joy radiated from within, making her more beautiful than ever. Probably the change he’d noticed tonight. “Yes.”

  A simple one-word answer that left him in awe of God’s goodness. Afraid to ruin the moment by speaking, he simply smiled. His smile turned into a big grin. Then as her joy washed over him, it turned into a laugh. “I’m glad.”

  She ran her finger slowly over the computer, tracing an invisible path as if focused on her thoughts. “It started when Ricky asked me to pray for him. Then I talked with Belinda. And now...well, I feel hope for the first time in a long time. I feel like God really does care about me.” She burst into action as if unable to hold still another instant, opening her laptop, clicking the keys and spinning it around to face him. “Look.”

  A basic website template with The Yarn Barn at the top of the page showed on her scre
en.

  “Did you do that?” he asked.

  “No. Geoff Hodges offered to do it. The site’s in the beginning stages, something he threw together quickly. But he’s doing it at no charge. Out of the goodness of his heart.” Her eyes nearly glowed, and awe shone on her face.

  He choked a giant boulder from his throat. Belinda’s husband had done the church website as a gift to the church. Daniel appreciated it, but looking at Lilly, he could see what a gift like that would mean for someone who apparently didn’t have people doing kind acts for her very often. “That’s great.”

  “He’s even going to take some photos I shot of the yarns and the building and do a logo for us to put in the banner at the top of each page.” She snapped the laptop closed. “I wanted to let you know what’s going on, in case you worried about me working with the girls without...you know...having God in my life. Because I do.”

  He suddenly felt like he couldn’t get a deep enough breath. Lord, does this change things? He stood and shoved his hands into his pockets. “That’s great Lilly. Of course, I trust you with the teenagers.”

  He had to get out of there. To determine how her newly rekindled faith changed their situation—if at all.

  She followed him to the door and stilled, staring at his chest as if she couldn’t quite look him in the eye. She ran her finger over his sleeve like she had been running it over the laptop, as if she didn’t even realize she was doing it. “I have so much to be thankful for.”

  He held his breath, afraid to move, afraid to speak. He wanted to lift her chin, to get her to look at him. But he didn’t dare touch her. “The Hodges are generous people.”

  “You are, too.”

  His mouth went dry. When she looked up, gratitude and affection in her eyes, he felt as if someone grabbed hold of his heart and yanked. “I don’t understand,” he said through vocal cords that felt like sawdust.

  “The signs for the shop. I talked to your friend. He’s going to get started this week and work on them as he has time.”

  In all his life, he’d never wanted so badly to touch someone, to hold her, take care of her. “It was the least I could do after the previous mess up.”