by Cindy Adkins
“I’ll take care of it,” Tim assured her. He went to open the car door for Jillian. “Hi. I’m Tim. Welcome to Texas.” Tim was tall and muscular with blond hair. He had a deep tan from working out in the sun and did not look like the boys that Jillian was used to in New York. He was decidedly rugged and she liked that.
“Thank you,” smiled Jillian. “Nice to meet you. Could you give me a hand?”
“Sure,” replied Tim. He lifted her out of the car into the wheelchair that Brad had brought over to him. “We just built this ramp and I didn’t know that you would be needing it.”
“Oh, my grandmother didn’t tell you that it was for me?” asked Jillian.
“No, but it will do the job,” he assured her. Tim pushed her wheelchair up the ramp and into the house. Jean held the door open for them and then she went inside to the living room, too.
Josh and Brad grabbed the suitcases and miscellaneous items and followed them. Mrs. Sullivan was resting on the sofa. Jillian was happy to see her. “Oh, Nana, it’s so good to be here,” said Jillian removing her sunglasses. Her blue-green eyes were like her grandmother’s.
“Jillian, it’s so good to see you!” exclaimed her grandmother.
“I’ve decided to stay a few days to help out until a nurse can get here,” Miss Jean informed them. “She’s coming on Wednesday.”
“That is wonderful, Jean,” answered Mrs. Sullivan. “We all have a lot of catching up to do. Jillian, the den is all fixed up for you to stay in.”
“Oh thanks, Nana,” replied Jillian. “That will be great.”
The boys went outside and cleaned up the last bit of mess that they had made from building the ramp. After a few minutes, Tim whispered, “I didn’t know that this ramp was for her granddaughter.”
“She didn’t say a word about it,” said Brad. “We didn’t know, either. I wonder what happened to her.”
“I don’t know,” said Tim. “But, Jillian sure is nice.”
“She’s an artist,” Josh told him.
“How do you know?” Tim inquired.
“Because Mrs. Sullivan told us that yesterday. That’s why I carried that easel into the house.”
“Oh, I didn’t notice it,” said Tim.
“It was in that long skinny box,” said Josh. “Besides, you were too busy looking at Jillian to notice it.”
“I guess I was,” admitted Tim.
They finished with the clean up and Brad asserted, “I’ve got to get going. I’m taking Rachel over to ride horses at her dad’s ranch.” He walked over to his truck.
“I have to be going, too,” said Josh. “My uncle needs help unloading a new shipment that came in at the nursery. Then, I’m taking Hailey out to dinner.”
Just then, Jillian appeared on the porch in her wheelchair. She looked at Tim. “It’s so beautiful here,” she said. “I had forgotten. I haven’t been here since I was a little girl.”
“Would you like to take a look around?” asked Tim. “You can hitch a ride with me.”
“What?” asked Jillian.
Tim smiled. “I’ll push you in the wheelchair. We can go down to the pond.”
“Thanks,” said Jillian. “I’d like that. I saw it from my room, but it would be nice to go over there for awhile.”
“Bye, Guys,” said Tim.
“See you later,” said Brad. “Nice to meet you, Jillian.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” she replied. Brad got into his truck and drove off.
“I’ve got to go, too,” said Josh. “Hope to see you again, Jillian. We’ve got more landscaping to do here tomorrow.” Josh got into his truck and left.
“Let me come up there and get you,” said Tim heading toward the porch.
He guided Jillian down the ramp carefully. “It was an accident,” said Jillian.
“What was?” asked Tim.
Jillian looked down at her legs for a moment and then looked over her shoulder at Tim. “I used to visit Nana and Gramps in the summer when I was little. Most kids went to camp, but I always wanted to go see my grandparents because I loved spending time with them. When I was ten, I went horseback riding about a mile from here and got thrown from the horse. I never walked again.”
“I am so sorry,” said Tim.
“Nana always felt responsible,” said Jillian. “But, she had nothing to do with it. It wasn’t her fault.”
“Of course not,” agreed Tim.
“She even stopped going to church after that.”
“I wonder why,” pondered Tim.
“I don’t know, but Gramps couldn’t get her to go even if he tried. The last thing I wanted my accident to do was pull her away from the Lord.”
“I can understand that,” said Tim. “I mean, I’m not exactly close to Him myself, but I wouldn’t want to see that happen to anyone.”
“Especially my grandmother. She is such a sweet person.”
“Yes, she is,” agreed Tim as he guided her wheelchair closer to the pond. “Well, I don’t mean to be too forward, but maybe if I came on Sunday, I could take you both to church. Brad’s father is the minister where Miss Jean sings in the choir.”
“I know,” said Jillian. “I went there a few times when I was little. Brad’s mom was actually my Sunday school teacher.”
“Really?” asked Tim. “Brad didn’t mention that he knew you.”
“It’s been a long time. I don’t think he recognized me.”
“Well, I would still be happy to take you and your grandmother to church,” said Tim. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for me to show up on a day other than Easter, myself.”
“You are right,” said Jillian. “That would be nice. I mean, if she is up to it. She is still healing. Maybe if we are going, she would agree to come along.” They finally came to the edge of the pond and Tim sat on a white wrought iron bench next to Jillian’s wheelchair.
“Do you still like horses?” asked Tim. “After the accident, I could understand it if you don’t.”
“I actually love them. I paint pictures of them all the time.”
“You do?” asked Tim. “I’d like to see them.”
“I don’t have them with me. But, I plan on painting more this summer. Is there an art supply store near here? I brought my oils, but only a few small canvases.”
“There’s one about an hour away,” he informed her. “I’d be happy to drive you over there this week.”
“That would be great,” said Jillian. “I’d like that.”
“There’s a terrific drive-in restaurant there, too. We could go have lunch there, if you’d like,” he offered. “In fact, they play fifties music and we could stay in the truck and eat. The waitresses are on roller skates.”
“That sounds like a fun place,” said Jillian. “This summer may turn out to be better than I anticipated.”
“I think it’s turning out better than I expected, too,” admitted Tim. “Little did I know when we were building that ramp that it was for the prettiest girl in all of Valley Meadows.”
“Aww, thank you,” replied Jillian.
“Well, one thing you can count on,” said Tim smiling. “My mama always taught me to tell the truth.”
Chapter 3
A Man on a Mission
Nellie sat at the kitchen table of her apartment in Hawaii doing a crossword puzzle and drinking some orange juice. She was glad that she had gotten a good night’s sleep and was even happier to have the day off from work. It looked like it was going to be another perfect summer day on the island of Oahu. She and Kimberly had just moved into their three-bedroom place the week before. Since their schedules were different, they had barely gotten a chance to spend time together. Kimberly came walking into the kitchen. “I’m running late!” she exclaimed as she scurried around looking for her car keys.
“What time did your brother get in from California last night?” asked Nellie.
“I picked him up at the airport and then he wanted to see the beach at Waikiki. By the time we got home it was after midnight. Wh
at have you got planned for today?” she asked.
“Not much,” replied Nellie. “I was actually going to do some laundry and then head to the beach on this side of the island.”
“I’ll be home around six,” said Kimberly. “Would you mind taking my brother with you?”
“Oh, no problem,” Nellie replied. She was actually happy about the prospect of having someone come along with her for the day. “I’d be happy to play tour guide.”
“Thank you so much. Oh, there they are!” Kimberly said picking up the keys that had gotten buried underneath a dishtowel on the counter. “I’ve got to go,” Kimberly was always in a rush and often joked that her short brown hair fit her busy lifestyle perfectly because she could blow-dry it in a matter of minutes. Aside from her big blue eyes, Nellie guessed that it was Kimberly’s genuine sweetness that made her so immensely popular. She never had a shortage of admirers and her phone rang constantly.
Kimberly ran out the door. After a while, Nellie started to do a tub of laundry. She really liked the apartment that she and Kimberly shared, especially because it was near the naval base where they worked. But, her favorite thing about their new place was the stackable washer and dryer set that came with it. It was housed conveniently in a kitchen closet with long shutter doors that opened up for easy access.
“Is it the maid’s day off?” Nellie heard a deep voice ask her as she added detergent to the washer. She knew it had to be coming from Kimberly’s brother, Chris.
Nellie turned her head to look at the tall, dark-haired stranger with brown eyes standing in her kitchen. “We wish she’d show up, but I guess she never found the place,” Nellie laughed.
“Mine had the exact same problem,” he joked. “I’m Chris.”
“I’m Nellie. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
“I made coffee. Would you like some?” she offered.
“Oh, that sounds good right now.”
“Make yourself at home,” she insisted. Nellie closed the lid of the washing machine, walked across the kitchen, and got a blue mug out of the cupboard for him. She only wished that she wasn’t wearing gray sweats and a pink tank top with her blonde hair up in a ponytail. “Sorry about the way I look. I was taking it easy this morning. It’s my day off.” She was glad that she had a bit of a tan as it made her brown eyes look brighter even when she was not wearing any makeup.
“You look great,” Chris assured her. “Since you’ve got the day free, maybe we could do something. That is, if you’re not busy.”
“Actually, I am a little busy,” said Nellie. “I promised Kimberly that I’d play tour guide to her brother and take him to the beach.”
“Oh, do you suppose I could tag along?” he laughed.
“That might be arranged,” Nellie smiled. “I’ve got some things to finish here and we could go in the early afternoon.”
“That sounds good,” said Chris. “I’ve got some work to do on my computer for awhile, anyway.”
“Well, you’re welcome to set it up right here on the kitchen table.”
“Thanks,” replied Chris. “This will be great.”
“How long will you be staying?” asked Nellie as she poured his coffee.
“Actually, only five days,” he answered.
“That isn’t very long,” Nellie noted as she set the mug on the table for him. “How do you take it?”
“With sugar.”
“Here you go.” Nellie handed him the sugar jar from the counter. Then, she reached for a spoon from the drawer and put it on the table.
“Thank you,” said Chris. “I didn’t want to miss a chance to see my sister before I left for Oaxaca, Mexico, so that’s why this trip is short.”
“Kimberly mentioned something about it. What are you flying down there for?”
“I am going for two months as a missionary for my church,” said Chris. “I went last summer after I spent a year working following high school graduation. I wanted to go back this year, too.”
Nellie leaned against the kitchen counter. “You’re lucky that you can get time off from work to go there.”
“Well, I work for my father’s construction company, so I am glad I have the flexibility. Last year, when I went on the trip, the group from our church helped build a school.”
“They did?” asked Nellie. “That must have been so rewarding.”
“Oh, it was. The people there were so appreciative. I’ve got pictures on my computer. Remind me to show them to you later.”
“I’d love to see them,” Nellie told him. Chris was definitely different from any person she had ever met. She had never known anyone who had gone on a mission and she could tell that it meant a great deal to him.
Just then, Chris’ cell phone rang and he answered it. “Hey, Kip! How are you?” he asked. “I got in too late to call you last night. You don’t sound well. What’s wrong?”
Chris listened as Kip spoke to him. “Oh, that is awful,” agreed Chris. “We’ve had this trip planned for a year.” Kip continued to talk and Chris looked visibly upset. “What was the sudden change of plan on their part?” he asked. He fiddled with the fringe on the yellow cotton placemat as he paid close attention to what was being said. “I was really looking forward to this trip. I’ve already got my flight booked from Hawaii, so I won’t be able to see you before I leave.”
Kip seemed to cut him short. “Okay, call me when you’re out of the gym,” Chris urged. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Nellie had started to wash a few glasses that were in the sink. She turned around to look at Chris and he appeared very upset. “What happened?” she asked. “Honestly, I don’t mean to pry, but it sounded like something significant transpired.”
“Believe me, it did. Last year, I met my girlfriend, Kip, when I was on the mission trip I told you about. She had come with some people from a neighboring church in California.”
“Oh,” responded Nellie trying not to look disappointed that he was already spoken for.
“We made plans to go on this mission together, too. But, now the supervisor at the elementary school where she works during the academic year said that she needs for her to work this summer, after all,” he explained. “They just got funding for a new summer program that starts in a week and if she leaves now, she will not be able to work there in the fall. She is going to college to be a teacher and the job works out perfectly because she heads the after-school program during the school year.”
“Do you want to cancel your trip?” asked Nellie as she rinsed a glass.
“I can’t do that and disappoint so many people. In fact, I will probably need to make a few calls to see who can take Kip’s place since there is an opening.”
“Can I get you something to eat?” Nellie offered.
“No, I suddenly lost my appetite,” admitted Chris. “Kip was crying so hard that I could hardly understand her.” Nellie turned the water off, walked over, and sat across from him at the table.
“Well, I am not a religious person. I’ve probably been to church twice in my whole life, but do you suppose this could be part of God’s plan?” asked Nellie.
“It must be,” conceded Chris. “I’m not being much of a Christian to react this way.”
“Christians are human, too,” she reminded him. “They’re allowed to be disappointed.”
“I suppose so,” he agreed reluctantly. “I only wonder why this happened when someone was trying to do something so worthwhile.”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Are you close to your minister? Maybe you should give him a call. It might give you some perspective.”
“My minister already left for Mexico. He went ahead of the group,” said Chris. “But, I can always talk to my Uncle Curtis in Texas. He’s the pastor of a church down there. Perhaps I should try to reach him.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Nellie. “What part of Texas?”
“Oh, you probably never heard of it,” said Chris. “It�
��s a small town called Valley Meadows.”
“Are you serious?” asked Nellie.
“Yes,” said Chris. “Why?”
“That’s where I’m from,” she replied.
“Well, it sure is a small world.”
“Is he Pastor Evans?” asked Nellie.
“Yes,” replied Chris. “Do you know him?”
“Brad and Hailey are friends of mine.”
“They’re my cousins,” Chris informed her.
“I never even thought with your and Kimberly’s last name being Evans that they could be related.”
“It’s a common last name,” said Chris.
“Yes, it is,” agreed Nellie. “You know, I am thinking that with what just happened to Kip, it could affect her faith. You want to make sure that you help her to keep it.”
“You are right,” agreed Chris. “That is important. Sometimes people need to do the Lord’s work right at home. Are you sure you’re not a Christian?”
“Well, I’ve never been baptized, if that’s what you mean,” admitted Nellie. “But, I do believe in Jesus and know that he died for my sins. My parents split up when I was six and my mom never went back to church.”
“What about your dad?” asked Chris.
“Well, he never went to church, anyway,” confided Nellie. “Then, he moved back to Virginia where he was from and I never saw him again.”
“Never?” asked Chris.
“Never.”
“You are a strong woman,” observed Chris. “I could learn a lot from you.”
“I don’t think of myself as strong,” said Nellie. “I think of myself as determined. I think you are, too.”
“Pretty much,” agreed Chris. “I don’t handle defeat too well. Maybe that’s why I am so upset about Kip not being able to go on the trip. It meant a great deal to us. We love to do the Lord’s work.”
“Well, the Lord’s work can be anywhere you are,” Nellie reminded him.
“Truer words were never spoken,” said Chris. “I suppose I should call my uncle now.”
“I think you should,” urged Nellie. “I’m going to go get some things done around here and change my clothes.” She got up from the table.
