Enchantment: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series Book 6)

by JoAnn Durgin

  “Why would anyone wish them harm?” Josh sounded incredulous. “Do you think we’re a target because of our connection to the One Nation Church or the fact that we’re a Christian-based missions group?”

  Harry shrugged. “Hard to say, and I don’t mean to alarm you. There are some in the area who are superstitious and still believe in these old symbols. The main thing to remember is that they’re generally harmless.”

  Sam cleared his throat. “Harry, I’m asking for your gut feeling. Do you believe the women here in our camp are in any real danger?”

  “Hopefully it’s nothing. Pastor Chevy told me you’ve alerted the authorities. That was the best thing to do. Still, I’d advise you—as a safety precaution—to be vigilant and keep a good eye on the women while they’re here. You don’t want to take any chances.”

  “We’ll do that.” Josh shared a glance with Eliot.

  Sam nodded. “Thanks, Harry. I appreciate you coming out to the camp and lending your insight.”

  Eliot stepped forward and shook the man’s hand, thanking him, and Josh followed suit.

  “I’ll be praying.” Harry darted a quick glance at the sky. “I’m gonna make a run for the church and try to beat the rain. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  As Harry departed, Eliot turned to Sam and Josh. “Supposing this symbol is a warning against pregnant women, I have to wonder why it was painted here on the women’s dorm instead of outside the building where Winnie and Natalie are staying.”

  Sam said nothing for a long moment, confirming his personal theory. “I’m guessing it’s because we might have more than one woman expecting in the camp? Sam, if more of the ladies are expecting, we should know sooner than later.”

  “I think we need to talk with a few of our couples,” Sam said. “Let’s go.”

  When they walked back inside the dining hall, everyone had gathered around two of the tables. Eliot did a quick survey of those assembled. All in the TeamWork camp were present except for Angelina, Sheila, Felipe, Dean, Gayle, and the children. Meaning that he and Marta were the only two single persons in the building. He knew Sheila and Dean had already headed over to the worksite, so he assumed Gayle was minding the kids with the help of the teenagers.

  Seeing them come into the dining hall, Lexa rose to her feet. “We’re discussing the symbol and its ramifications. As you can imagine, there have been rumors and speculation. I thought it best if we address the concerns and questions before this goes any further.”

  Eliot had always admired Lexa. She was every bit the perfect helpmate for Sam and a great mentor for the ladies.

  “Good idea. I’m glad you’re all here,” Sam said. “Josh, Eliot, and I just met with one of the members of the One Nation Church familiar with symbols, and he gave us some insight.”

  Standing to one side of the room, Eliot listened as Sam explained what Harry told them. Even though Sam was tactful and took care with his wording, a number of the ladies gasped and appeared pale when he mentioned the symbol’s possible warning. Then Sam nodded in Eliot’s direction, telling them that he’d be posting a security schedule for the men to guard the camp for the duration of their mission. Upon hearing that news, several of the women visibly relaxed. So did their husbands.

  Eliot kept a careful eye on the body language of the various couples. The blinks, the hand gestures, the quirks, the squirms—all could be indicative of inner calm, turmoil, or a state of agitation. Based on his observations, Rebekah was also expecting and Amy was a strong possibility. Besides Marc, Kevin and Landon seemed more attuned to and attentive to their wives than usual. That was saying a lot. These guys paid attention to Sam’s marriage book. He’d gifted all the TeamWork men, married or not, with a personal copy. His own autographed copy had been collecting cobwebs. Might be time to dig it out. Couldn’t hurt.

  Eliot cleared his throat. “If any of you have a preference for nights to stand guard, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll post the rotation on the bulletin board.” He pointed to the wall behind him. “Please check the board every day for changes or notes and come to me with any questions. One final note: if you have an updated cell phone number, be sure and give it to me.”

  Lexa moved to stand beside Sam and slipped her hand in his.

  “We’ll pray together as a group in just a minute, but if any of you feel that you’d rather leave the camp, we’ll understand,” Sam told them. “It’s your call. Your top priority is to your wives and your unborn children. It’s my firm belief that the enemy can’t bring anything that the power of God can’t overcome. His army will triumph over evil. If you need to talk, come talk with Lexa or me. We’re here for you.”

  “Amen.” Marc stood and addressed the group. “‘For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.’ That’s a verse of scripture I’ve always followed, especially when I quit playing Triple-A baseball and started my sports advertising agency. Facing the unknown is always difficult, especially when you feel unseen forces might be plotting and working against you. This symbol is probably nothing more than a scare tactic. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t take it seriously. Most of you know that my dad played in the NBA. Because of his high profile, our family received a few kidnapping threats targeting my sister and me, especially when we were little. Nothing ever materialized, but my dad took the threats seriously and ramped up security. After he left us, my mom continued to exercise caution. I think the security rotation here at the camp is a great idea, and I’d like to volunteer to take the first shift.”

  Kevin and Rebekah stood up next. “I volunteer for the second shift,” he said. After Rebekah handed over his Bible, Kevin pulled out a bookmark and began to read. “This is Psalm 91:5-10: ‘You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.’”

  Kevin closed his Bible. “TeamWork has always stood on the promises of God. Let’s continue to do so, united and strong.” He moved his arm around his wife. “Rebekah and I were going to wait before making an announcement, but we decided to go ahead and tell you that we’re expecting our first child in six months.”

  Eliot shared a smile with Marta as everyone jumped to their feet and ran over to hug and congratulate them. Landon and Amy followed suit a couple of minutes later while everyone was still on their feet. Landon cleared his throat and Amy winked when a few of the women clapped and the buzz of excitement started all over again.

  “One of my favorite verses has always been, ‘I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!’ Landon nodded to his fellow Texas A&M alum. “Not to steal your thunder, Kev, and we haven’t confirmed this with a doctor yet, but—”

  “Now he gets long-winded.” Mitch laughed, shaking his head. “Just say it already, bro.”

  “We’re pregnant!” Amy said, beaming. Pulling her into his arms, Landon kissed his wife.

  “For the record, Cassie and I aren’t pregnant—yet. Give us a little more time,” Mitch said. Cassie blushed as Mitch kissed her.

  All over again, everyone erupted with exclamations of joy and hugs all around. TeamWork. Good or bad, they were there for each other. Fighting the battles and weathering the storms together. What a great group of people.

  While Eliot shared a kinship with his comrades, they drifted in and out of his life. Without hesitation, they’d lay down their life for one another in a heartbeat. They understood the fragility of life. The same with his dear friends gathered in this room with him now with one major distinction: these people held hope for eternity. Most of his comrades refused to embrace the truth of a Savior who died for their sins, an
d it was that knowledge that most grieved his heart.

  Beside him, Marta smiled. “The next generation of TeamWork is growing by the minute, wouldn’t you say?” The weariness in Marta’s expression, combined with smudged shadows beneath her eyes, evidenced her lack of sleep.

  “They’re following the Lord’s command,” Eliot observed as he saluted Landon and Kevin. “Part of the plan. First comes love, then comes marriage, and then everything else falls into place.”

  Sam called for their attention. “Anyone else have an announcement of impending or repeat parenthood?” He glanced around the room. “Anyone? Please speak now.”

  Winnie raised both hands. “Don’t anyone look at me! I ain’t birthin’ no more babies, Miss Scarlett. At least not anytime soon.”

  “Ditto,” echoed Lexa in an emphatic tone, prompting more laughter.

  “The mission’s not over yet,” Marc teased. Josh balled up a napkin and tossed it at him.

  “Okay, troops. It’s time to pray,” Sam told them when the group finally quieted down. Forming a circle, they all joined hands. “I appreciate your good humor. While we can always trust in God’s promises and His watch care over us, it’d be good for all of us to be a little more vigilant and protective of one another during this particular mission.”

  As Sam began his prayer, a loud clap of thunder sounded.

  Marta inched closer and reached for Eliot’s hand. Eliot grasped it firmly in his own. He’d hold on as long as she allowed.

  Lord, keep us all safe.

  Chapter 18

  ~~♥~~

  Glancing at the number that flashed across his cell phone, Eliot figured he should take the call. He stepped into the men’s room and walked into a stall, closing the door as he listened to the man on the other end of the line.

  “Oui,” he said, keeping his voice low. The acoustics in bathrooms weren’t optimal for keeping a conversation quiet. “Je serai à Paris la première semaine du mois de mars. Nous pourrons discuter de nos plans plus en détail à ce moment-là. ” Eliot listened a bit more. “Merci. Oui. J’apprécie votre appel et je contacterai à mon arrivée. Au revoir.”

  Disconnecting the call, he tucked away his cell phone. As he came out of the men’s room, he nearly barreled over Marta. “Whoa. Sorry.” He planted both hands on her shoulders. “You okay?”

  “Fine. I’m not a stalker or anything, but I saw you come in here. I suppose it wasn’t the brightest idea to follow you to the men’s room, but I wanted to see if you’d like to have lunch together.” Marta’s flushed cheeks indicated either embarrassment or guilt. Even if she understood French, Marta couldn’t have any idea what he’d discussed.

  “Sounds good.” He loved that she’d initiated the invitation. This day was getting brighter by the minute. “Is it still raining? I’ve been inside all morning.” By some divine intervention, the thunderstorm had held off until they’d reached the church before unleashing on the area with a good, soaking rain. The lights inside the church had flickered a few times in the past few hours, but thankfully they’d never lost electrical power.

  “The rain’s stopped and it’s kind of muddy, but I’m game if you are,” she said. “There’s a picnic table to the back of the church, but the benches might be a little damp.”

  “If you don’t mind grabbing a couple of sack lunches and bottled waters for us, I’ll find some plastic to cover the benches so our clothes don’t get soaked.”

  “See you then!” With a wave, she departed.

  As Eliot approached the table a few minutes later, Marta waited. Scooting out of the way, she thanked him as he spread the plastic covering over the bench.

  He waved his hand. “After you, fair lady. Do you mind if I sit beside you?”

  “Suit yourself.” Marta’s grin was playful and inviting, making his lack of sleep a moot point. “Even though I don’t want to think about that creepy symbol, tell me what’s happening back at the camp.” She handed him a sack lunch followed by a chilled bottle of water.

  “Thanks.” Reaching for her hand, he prayed for their food. “The sheriff’s deputy came out but there weren’t any viable fingerprints. Whoever spray painted it wore protective gloves. We got some photos of it. The security rotation is already in effect and Marc’s there now. Sam called a little while ago and told me he’ll personally make sure that symbol is gone by dinnertime.”

  Marta chewed a bite of her sandwich. “I don’t like the idea of an outside security service, but I also detest that a silly symbol is taking our guys away from their work here at the church. Whoever did this painted it on purpose, and I think they wanted to scare us.”

  “I’m afraid your assessment is correct.” Trying to lighten the mood, Eliot winked. “You sure you’re not a detective?”

  She scrunched her nose in a very cute way. “Hardly. I sure don’t envy Winnie, Natalie, and Lexa having to explain the symbol to their kids. Being a parent can be hard enough.”

  “The TeamWork children are special,” Eliot said. “Even if they haven’t been on mission trips before, and as young as they are, they’ve been raised to understand there are varied cultures and many different beliefs, spiritual and otherwise. From what Marc said, the kids are okay. They’re asking questions, but I didn’t get the impression that any of them are frightened.”

  “Well, that’s good, considering it’s big, red, and pretty scary looking. I’m sure how a kid reacts is a reflection of how their parents react to a potential threat. So, in that regard, kudos to our friends. Your honest answer here, Eliot: do you think we’ll ever find out who painted that symbol?”

  Eliot pondered his answer as downed half his water bottle with one long swig. He hadn’t realized how thirsty he was. Several water bottles sat on the table, and it was a good thing she’d had the foresight to bring along extras. “It’s my experience that if someone wants to cause trouble, they’ll keep trying until they eventually achieve the results they want.”

  Marta frowned with obvious displeasure. “Then how can we combat it?”

  “We can’t.”

  Her frown deepened. Giving her false hope would be worse.

  “Marta, all we can do is manage the moment, so to speak, and then deal with situations as they come.”

  “Is that what you do in your regular line of work?”

  Eliot narrowed his gaze. She wasn’t being cagey or coy, and this was a question he could answer. “Yes, for the most part.” Learning to strategize and anticipate what was coming next also figured into the equation. Best to keep Marta on track with current events. “For one thing, that’s why we’re scheduling three-hour shifts,” he said. “Sam’s worksite schedule allows for time off for everyone from time to time, anyway, so we have enough guys to cover. And he also told me something that was pretty awesome.”

  “What’s that?” Marta’s eyes sparkled. Like the crispness of the air after the rain. Fresh. Clear.

  He snapped to attention. “Pastor Cheveyo is going to send over some of his men from the church to help guard the camp, too.” He removed the plastic wrap from his sandwich and opened the bag of potato chips.

  “That’s great.” She bit into a carrot stick. “So nice of them.”

  Eliot nodded. “Since we’ve all gotten to know a number of the One Nation Church leaders, Sam thought it’d be okay with the ladies. He checked with Lexa and Winnie before giving the okay. So,” he said, chomping into a chip, “where have you been working today?”

  “Here, there, and everywhere. I helped Gayle for a while but that woman knows exactly what she’s doing and doesn’t need anything more than my scintillating conversation. The kids are going to help her paint something on the mural later on, though, and I think that’s terrific.” She took a handful of chips from his bag. “Amy and Beck were here earlier to take measurements for curtains, so I helped them with my mathematical skills. Currently, I’m working in the kitchen with some of the One Nation ladies, and we’re lining the kitchen drawers and cabinets. It’s more difficult
than you’d think. The adhesive on that liner paper is fierce.”

  “You’re a multitasker. I like that.” Eliot bit into an apple. When it was juicier than he expected, he grabbed a napkin and swiped it over his chin. “I got an interesting call this morning.”

  “The one in the bathroom?” Marta said. A flash of guilt surfaced in her expression before she chomped into her own apple. Convenient.

  “No,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s been a busy morning. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is going on now. I have a buddy from university, Tyler, who’s a pilot of one of the balloons, and he asked if I wanted to come out to Balloon Fiesta Park and be a chaser. He said I could bring a friend, so I immediately thought of you. I thought it’d be a good opportunity for us to spend some time together away from the camp. What do you say? Are you game?”

  “Seriously?” Marta brightened. “Sounds like fun. Tell me more.”

  “It’s the largest ballooning event in the world. Not to mention the most photographed. The launch field is 78 acres, which is the equivalent of 54 football fields. They’re expecting over 700 balloons this year, people from all over the world, and there’s always food and activities. We’d have to start out before the crack of dawn, dress in layers, and you’ll need to take sunscreen since the field is at a high altitude, increasing the risk of sunburn. If we decide to do it, all we have to do is fill out registration forms online and e-mail them. If you’d like, I’ll bring my laptop to the dining hall tonight and we can take care of it before the prayer circle.”

  “What exactly does a balloon chaser do? I have this vision of when I was five. I jumped and tried to reach the sky after a cluster of my birthday balloons escaped my hand and floated away. I cried, and my oldest brother, Thom, walked to the store and got me some more. He was my hero for a while after that.” She gave him an impish grin. “I go off on rabbit trails sometimes. Sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing. Like I said, I admire your spontaneity.” Eliot stopped. “Wait. Are you done? Because if you’re not…” He ducked and laughed when she tossed her apple core at him.