by JoAnn Durgin
Is this how you work, Lord?
“Mrs. Lewis!” An older teenage boy hurried toward Lexa, holding a CD in a paper sleeve. “This is the CD of the service to give to your husband.”
Lexa smiled as she took it from him. “That was fast. Thank you for making it so quickly.”
“Glad to do it. Tell Sam we hope he’s back here at the church tomorrow but not to push it if he’s not ready.”
“I’m sure you won’t be able to keep him away.”
Inhaling a quick breath, Lexa turned back around, bolstering herself to speak with Stephanie. As Lexa approached, Stephanie’s brown eyes narrowed. “Ms. Colton. I’m so happy you came to the service today.”
“I enjoyed it. Call me Stephanie. I’ll be honest, Mrs. Lewis. I was hoping to see your husband again.”
Lexa bristled at the nerve of the woman as she drew upon every ounce of grace she could muster. If Ms. Colton was this bold in speaking with her, Lexa could only imagine what she might have already said or implied in her conversations with Sam. Sam could handle himself well, and she trusted her husband, but she hadn’t come to New Mexico to verbally spar with another woman about Sam.
Amy and Winnie excused themselves. She could handle whatever Stephanie Colton might say or do, but a little reinforcement might have been nice. If the TeamWork ladies had been at the City Council meeting, they’d be standing with her now. That thought gave her small comfort.
“I was disappointed Sam wasn’t here,” Stephanie said. “I couldn’t imagine why not since I know how important this church building is to him.”
Lexa nodded. “Yes, it’s important to all of the TeamWork volunteers.”
“The ladies told me that Sam was bit by a brown widow. Please give him my sympathies and best wishes for a quick recovery. I’ve known people who’ve suffered from spider bites. Depending on the type of spider, they can be potentially harmful and very painful if left untreated.”
“I’ll tell my husband you asked about him. I’m sure he’ll feel better in a day or two. I’m definitely not going to give him a bell.”
Stephanie laughed, and it relaxed her features, softening them. “Sam strikes me as the type of man who won’t allow anything to deter him from what he wants.”
Lexa wondered if steam might come out of her ears at this woman’s audacity. You brought her here, Lord. Help me to be gracious. Was she reading too much into everything Stephanie said? Even if she was, for once she was thankful Sam wasn’t at the service. Never would she have believed she could ever think such a thing.
“If you could give Sam a message for me, I would appreciate it.”
“What’s that?” Lexa was beginning to lose patience. Upper hand, Lexa. However, if the woman offered to come out to the camp and bring Sam chicken soup and spoon feed it to him, she might very well scream. Knowingly or not, purposely or not, this woman pushed all of her wrong buttons.
“I wanted to let Sam know that I received what he sent to my office.”
What? Was the woman purposely egging her on? Lexa met the other woman’s gaze levelly. “What did he send?” She regretted how that question would clue Stephanie in to the fact that she hadn’t been privy to the mailing. The overwhelming urge to know trumped any potential embarrassment or humiliation.
“To be more specific, the envelope was mailed from his TeamWork office in Houston,” Stephanie said. “When I got back to my office after Friday’s hearing, I found a package with all kinds of information about your organization. At first I thought Sam might be trying to recruit me.” The corners of Stephanie’s mouth upturned. “I’d mistakenly called it TeamWonder. After I opened the package, I realized he wanted me to understand better why your group is here in Albuquerque, as well as TeamWork’s mission and its purpose.”
Lexa laughed. “TeamWonder sounds about right.”
Opening her handbag, Stephanie pulled out a small Bible, the same type the TeamWork main office bought by the hundreds and distributed for downtown Houston projects and on certain missions. “Sam also had this Bible sent to me. I’ve never had anyone try to give me a Bible before, Mrs. Lewis. Seems there’s something about me that puts people off. I come across as too strong.” Brushing dark bangs away from her forehead, Stephanie turned her gaze to the surrounding Sandia Mountains, majestic in their morning glory, before focusing on Lexa once more.
Lexa raised her chin. “What do you believe, Stephanie?”
The other woman hesitated before answering. “Honestly? I’ve always believed in my own abilities more than in a higher being. But now? Maybe it time to explore Christianity. It’s something I need to learn more about so that I can make an informed decision.”
Lexa nodded to the Bible Stephanie held in her hand. “The Bible has all the answers you’ll need. If you have any questions, feel free to call me.” Not Sam. Me.
Stephanie’s features eased into a slow smile. “Understood. I might just do that. I also have the correct contact information now for Pastor Cheveyo and his wife. Seems our records were incorrect. Thank you, Mrs. Lewis.”
“Call me Lexa, and you’re welcome.”
Stephanie nodded. “I’m glad we talked.”
“Me, too.” Surprisingly, considering the turn of the conversation, Lexa was glad.
“Mommy, we wanna go!”
Lexa hurried over to her children where they waited with Sarah and Sam Sr.
“Who was that woman?” Sarah asked, glancing over at Stephanie as she climbed into her car.
“I’ll tell you on the walk back to the camp. Once we get the kids changed into their play clothes, they’ll be ready to go.”
Sarah nodded. “Why do I have the feeling my son is involved?”
That made Lexa laugh. “Because he usually is. Let’s go see how our patient is doing.”
Chapter 34
~~♥~~
“Dean, do you have a minute?”
Dean turned, surprised to see Josh as he walked back to the camp after the church service. “Great service this morning, wasn’t it?”
“Terrific. I only wish Sam could have been there, but I hear they taped it for him.”
“That’s good. You wanted to talk to me?” In some ways, Josh intimidated him. This mission had gone a long way toward helping Dean feel more comfortable with the other TeamWork guys. Other than going out to Montana, he hadn’t been able to join as many missions or projects with Sam and the crew as he would have liked. Instead, he’d worked a few inner-city missions closer to home in San Antonio.
Josh fell into step beside him. “I’m not sure if anyone ever mentioned to you that I’d helped Sheila back in that San Antonio work camp years ago. The one where her husband kidnapped her.”
“I caught wind of it. I haven’t asked any questions, and I don’t know any specifics. Maybe it’s better that way.”
“I understand, but I feel the need to explain a few things,” Josh said. “If I’m not mistaken, you like Sheila. As more than a friend.”
Dean nodded. “Yes, I like Sheila. Very much.” As irrational as it seemed, and although it was way too soon, he was falling in love with her.
“Look, I’m not trying to pry into your business, Dean. Are you aware that Sam threw me out of the camp?”
What does this have to do with Sheila? This exchange felt awkward, and he had to wonder where Josh was headed with it. He was a purposeful guy, a straight-up guy, so he should hear him out. No doubt he had a point to make. “Yes, I heard about that. Sorry, man. I’m glad everything got worked out.”
Josh chuckled under his breath. “I was what got worked out. I had some issues that I needed to work through and get straight with the Lord. It took me a few years, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally be back with the TeamWork crew on a mission.”
Dean nodded. “You have a wonderful family, Josh.”
“I’ve been blessed beyond what I deserve. I wanted you to know that—in spite of my past bad behavior—nothing happened between Sheila and me in that San Anto
nio work camp. I can’t explain it except to say that her fear was almost palpable, and I wanted to help her. Sheila was like a little bird, scared of everything. She looked down at the ground when she walked. Lexa befriended her as much as Sheila would allow, but she didn’t talk to anyone unless they tried to draw her into conversation. No one in that work camp suspected Angelina was her daughter. She was hiding her out in the camp, and we all knew her as Margarita.”
Dean hadn’t known that part of the equation. Something in Josh’s words alerted him that there was more to it. “You knew, didn’t you?”
Josh nodded slowly. “I sensed Sheila was in trouble, and I asked her if she needed help. She told me how Howard sometimes hit her…sorry,” he added when Dean winced. “Sam had some money in the safe, and I knew the combination. I borrowed the money and gave it to her to get away—with the full intention of returning it in a couple of days—but then Howard found her and Sam threw me out of the work camp. There was a lot happening in that work camp.”
“I guess so,” Dean said.
Both men stopped walking. From Josh’s conflicted expression, Dean could tell the other man was concerned that he understand why he’d tried to help Sheila. “I’m not sure what to say, Josh, except that I’m glad you tried to help her.”
“Sheila’s a lot different now than the woman she was in San Antonio.”
“How so?” He had a pretty good idea but wanted to hear it directly from Josh.
“She’s stronger in her faith, for one thing. With Howard gone now, she’s free from the chains of the past. She’s more independent and sure of herself. I know her family life growing up wasn’t good, and I don’t know that the situation is any better now, but she and Angelina are doing very well on their own.”
Dean nodded. “Yes, they are. What is it that you really want to say, Josh?”
Josh met his gaze. “I’m saying I think the Lord’s brought both of you to the mission camp for a purpose. I’m saying I’ll be praying for the two of you and the Lord’s will.”
“Thanks. I’m cooking dinner for Sheila tonight in the dining hall. Winnie made a tablecloth for one of the smaller tables, and I’m making her my special chicken enchilada casserole.”
Josh chuckled and they resumed their walk. “A man who cooks? She won’t be able to resist you.”
“I hope you’re right.”
~~♥~~
Marta bent her knees and propped her feet on the dashboard as Eliot drove. She dipped her head and peeked out the front window to check on the progress of Tyler’s balloon. Hard to miss that one with its huge Texas state flag. They were all beautiful, but with the multiple balloons with rainbow colors, she imagined it could get confusing. Her gaze moved to the walkie talkie radio on the console between them. Periodically, Tyler checked in with them, and it was his preferred method of communication.
“Oh, look! It’s Tyler! There he is!” She pointed out the front window. “You know, I don’t think someone who’s color blind could be a chaser. Unless there’s some way they can compensate for distinguishing the colors. I wonder if that’s in the rules. I have them right here. Wanna hear some of them?”
“Sure. Lay them on me,” Eliot said. Her rabbit trails seemed to amuse him and kept things lively.
“Always be courteous and friendly,” she read from the brochure. She skimmed a few more. “Be aware of and respect any pets or livestock. That’s definitely an important one. And we cannot—that’s underlined, bolded, and in all capital letters—cut any fences or force locks. We always have to make sure gates and fences are left as we found them. And look, it says here that we should check the area for litter and take it with us.” She looked over at him. “Does that mean I have to pick up the trash left behind by someone else? That hardly seems fair.”
“I guess if you’re a responsible citizen, you will.”
“As long as I don’t have to cut a fence, open a gate, or disrespect any livestock to get to it, I suppose I can.” She laughed at the look Eliot shot her way. “You’re not wishing you hadn’t brought me, are you?”
“I can’t imagine being here with anyone but you, Marta.”
“And yes, I sort of led you into that one, didn’t I?”
“You’re very good at it,” Eliot said. “The rules about livestock and the gate cutting and forcing locks are there for a reason. We can’t know where the balloon will land, and we have to go and meet it no matter if it’s in a cow pasture or a backyard swimming pool. Landowner relations are very important, and they like the pilots to get permission to land, if possible.”
“Have you ever actually been up in a hot air balloon?” Following Eliot’s lead, she looked out the window.
“Tyler took me up in one once.”
“What’s it like?”
“Surprisingly quiet except when the propane burners are firing,” he said. “At times, you don’t feel like you’re moving much at all. It’s a great feeling of floating, and the view is spectacular. It’s something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.”
She sighed. “I hope I get the opportunity.”
“I’m sure you will. Marta, I don’t want to put a damper on your spirits because I’m having a great time with you, but—”
“You want to talk about the serious stuff that we haven’t had the time, or the privacy, to discuss back at the camp?”
He nodded. “Yes, more or less.”
“What do you want to know?” Removing her feet from the dashboard, she angled her body toward him, giving him her full attention.
“Have you ever dated anyone seriously?”
“If you consider being engaged seriously dating, yes.” She dropped her gaze, embarrassed. “I met Liam in high school back in Kentucky when we were both juniors. I was a cheerleader and he was captain of our biggest rival basketball team. It was the typical high school romance. He went to the University of Kentucky his first year but then transferred to Baylor his sophomore year. Supposedly to be with me. We dated through the rest of college, breaking up a couple of times along the way.”
She shrugged. “Getting married seemed the thing to do, and all of our friends were getting engaged and married. In September of our senior year, Liam asked me to marry him. The plan was to marry in June after we both graduated, and then he’d start law school the next fall semester. We got in a huge fight—I can’t even remember what it was about now—and I broke if off.”
Eliot seemed to visibly relax.
“But then we got back together again.”
“Oh.”
“Then he cheated on me. I was the one wronged, but he was the one who broke it off. The hardest part to take was that he married a pretty blonde law student within three months of breaking up with me. It was the final insult. They’re still married and have several kids now, so I’m happy for them. But the disappointment lasted a long time.”
“Liam was a colossal fool.” When Eliot reached for her hand, Marta gave it to him.
~~♥~~
“You’re the prettiest nurse I’ve ever seen.” Crossing his arms behind his head, Sam eyed Lexa. “Will you let me get up now and move around? It’s not like I have to be confined in bed, is it?”
“No, you’re not confined. You probably don’t have to stay in the bed, either, but I don’t want you out running around or doing any work. And I’m giving you strict instructions not to go over to the dining hall tonight. Dean and Sheila are on security duty this afternoon and evening, and he’s cooking a special dinner for her. We don’t want to interrupt their romantic dinner.”
He chuckled. “I get your point considering how many emphatic don’ts you said in that speech.” Sam quirked a brow. In the craziness of last night, he’d caught wind of Dean’s plans tonight, but they hadn’t really sunk into his scattered mind. Good for him. “What are we having for dinner?”
“I thought I’d take the Volvo and go pick up something for us and then bring it back here.”
“Why don’t we both go and enjoy a qu
iet dinner?” The way Lexa brightened at his suggestion revealed how much she needed a break. She deserved one. This mission had been full and rewarding, but also tiring.
“Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“I think I’m over the sickness and only have a few leftover muscle aches. Thanks for putting up with me through the whole spider bite thing.”
“Like you’re so hard to put up with, Sam. And it’s not like I had a choice. In sickness and in health, remember?” Lexa closed her book and set it on the table.
He wanted to tease her, see the pink rise in her cheeks. He darted a glance at the clock. “It’s still the middle of the afternoon. I’m wide awake.” Crossing his arms, Sam drummed his fingers on them. “Whatever could we do?”
Lifting out of the chair, Lexa began to pull her lightweight sweater over her head. She’d worn it with her skirt for church.
Sam swallowed. “Have mercy, Lexa.”
She peeked out at him from beneath the hem of the sweater. “Something wrong?”
“No. Keep going. I’m enjoying the view.”
She finished taking off her sweater and draped it over a chair. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Sidling over to the bed, she sat down on the edge of the mattress.
“The kids are at the Balloon Fiesta with my parents, right?”
“They are.” She reached for her braid, playing with the ends, giving him a coy grin.
He tilted his head with a smile. “And the rest of our TeamWork crew is otherwise occupied?”
“Uh huh. As you said, whatever can we do?”
An hour later, Lexa sat back on the bed with a triumphant smile. “Yes! I can’t believe I finally beat you at this game.” Picking up the small drawstring bag, she dropped Scrabble tiles inside it, one at a time.
“Stop rubbing it in.” Sam chuckled. “On second thought, go ahead and gloat away. My only excuse is that you distracted me with that nightgown. Totally worth it, though.” She’d obliged him by trying on her new pink nightgown and she’d left it on while they played the game. “I never understood how I beat you at it, anyway. You’re much better with words than me.”
