Salsa and Speedbumps

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  Robbie grinned. “I like the way you think. Time to head home to put this guy down for a nap, don’tcha agree?”

  “Oh, and I suppose you want a nap too?” Stephanie giggled. After all they had been through, she loved him more every day.

  “Or something like that.”

  “I like the way you think. Lead the way.”

  POSTCRIPT

  Many women have been in Stephanie’s shoes, experiencing an unwanted sexual encounter by someone they trusted. Most don’t even recognize that it’s rape and blame themselves. Statistics show that one in four women will be the victim of sexual assault at some point in their life. Many times, those crimes were perpetrated by someone they loved and trusted.

  I recently met someone who said pregnant women were responsible for their actions. While there is some truth to that, it is too easy for us to judge the action based on the outcome. I know the victim of date rape, and I wondered, “What if . . .?” and applied that to Stephanie. Like many victims, she didn’t report it out of her shame and self-blame. What if she broke off the relationship? What if a good, Christian girl, who had tried to do everything right, still found herself pregnant? It happens. The sad thing is that sometimes it is those who are in the body of Christ who are the first to judge and accuse without knowing the facts. Stephanie’s story shows the courage and challenges of a woman facing the consequences of someone else’s sin.

  Regardless of how a woman ends up pregnant, she needs encouragement, love, and support as she navigates the choices before her.

  There are so many organizations, like the fictional Every Child a Home, who provide support and assistance to women in Stephanie’s circumstances. Abortion wasn’t even an option she considered, and while the choice to continue a pregnancy can be fraught with fear and condemnation, it shouldn’t be. The first weapon to fight the atrocity of abortion in our country is compassion.

  For those who need help, organizations like Bethany Christian Services, https://www.bethany.org, provide resources and counseling to help women in unexpected pregnancies to get the help they need to make the difficult choice to keep a baby or “gift” it for adoption.

  Save the Storks is a front-line ministry helping women see their babies as the humans they are. Look them up at https://www.savethestorks.com. They are doing a fabulous, groundbreaking ministry.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.

  Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.

  ~Mexican proverb

  It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey, so I apologize in advance for those I will miss. It doesn’t mean you are any less valuable and thankfully God keeps better track of those things than I do and His “well done, good and faithful servant” has more merit than any thanks written here.

  So here it goes. Special thanks to:

  Barb Kuhls - who read an early version of this manuscript, and as someone who served with Bethany Christian Services and adopted a child herself, gave me words of encouragement and validated this story.

  Elisabeth Herman – you amaze me. Thanks for all the ways you’ve invested in me.

  Doris Pollard Wichern – another early reader and one of my most faithful cheerleaders in this writing adventure.

  Lisa Lickel – thanks for being such a wonderful mentor, friend and shoulder to cry on when the publishing process throws me those curve balls. I don’t think I would have ever taken that first step in this journey to publication without your gentle push.

  Andrea Boeshaar – my carpooling buddy, friend, prayer partner, “critter” and encourager. I’m blessed to know you!

  Pastors David Mundt and Ken Nabi – for your love and support and believing in me and the calling God has on my life.

  Community Church Fond du Lac – for being an inspiration for Orchard Hill. We’re not perfect—but I’ve seen great things in our church family and I’m proud to be associated with you all.

  Tracy Sandberg – ¡Gracias! For her faithful translation of all those ~Mexican proverb

  s. You’re a gem.

  Sally Shupe – my faithful editor. Thank you for finding all those silly errors!

  Joan Alley – my beloved Editor-in-chief who continually supports my writing while allowing me the joy of helping others on their journey to publication. I’m grateful for our partnership and friendship.

  Please enjoy this sample from Pesto and Potholes by Susan M. Baganz.

  Copyright © 2015

  September 2009

  At last, Renata had the freedom to start life over. A clean slate. The past was dead and buried. She wiped sweaty palms on her skirt as she waited for the pastor’s message to end. He was talking about trusting God, even when times were hard.

  She had lived that message, hadn’t she? Had someone forwarded her name and informed him she would be there?

  Renata shook her head as she bent in prayer along with the rest of the large congregation.

  Help me to trust You on this new journey, Lord.

  Renata longed to slip out and go home, but her gregarious roomie, Stephanie, had driven and now held her hostage. Steph brought her a cup of coffee as Renata hid behind a plant in the crowded café where people mingled. Renata held the cup more as a prop. It gave her hands something to do as Stephanie introduced her to friends. She shifted her weight as people gathered close, bumping into each other.

  Stephanie grinned at her, and Renata smiled halfheartedly as she took a deep breath. She had just met Gabby and Paul, and their ten-month-old son, Jacob, who was sleeping on his daddy’s shoulder. They were nice enough. Being that close to a baby was agony.

  Just don’t look at him.

  Some other young men had come to join them as well. Bryan, James, and John were the names she had been told. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck under her long hair as Bryan looked her over like a horse he considered for purchase. The hardness of his eyes reminded her of… No. Don’t go there. She was grateful nothing more was required of her other than “Hello.”

  Was it impolite to look at their shoes? She’d heard a person could learn a lot about someone by his shoes. Bryan wore dirty athletic shoes. High priced, but unimpressive indeed.

  Dark brown dress shoes entered the circle, and Renata’s gaze came up as a tall man in crisp khakis, a button-down white shirt, and no tie arrested her attention. Stephanie drew him closer to her side with a wide grin.

  Was everyone here Steph’s friend? Renata chuckled mentally. Her outgoing, blonde bombshell of a roommate hadn’t changed much since college. Ren took in the details of this man. Tall. Muscular. Hair the color of a dark roast coffee. Deep chocolate eyes. His glance was warm and sincere. He looked...safe.

  Hmmm. Isn’t that something?

  Her shoulders relaxed as she released a breath of air, and her heartrate slowed. She paid close attention, which was not an easy task in the noisy chaos of the café area of the church after the worship service had ended.

  “Tony, I’m glad you are here. I wanted to introduce you to my roomie. Renata. This is Tony, my boss at De Luca’s Cucina and Gabby’s little brother”—she turned to Tony—“and this is Renata Blake, a dear friend of mine who moved here from Oshkosh.”

  “Glad to meet you. What’d you do in Oshkosh?” asked Tony.

  Renata flinched, sucked in a breath of air, and held it.

  “Let’s not talk about the past. Renata is here for a new start in life.” Stephanie gave Renata’s arm a squeeze as she spoke.

  Renata exhaled slowly and gave her friend a look of gratitude.

  “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Tony’s voice was deep and resonant. He sounded sincere.

  “Tony, the bonfire on Thursday night would be a great opportunity for Renata to get to know more people here at church.” Gabby jumped in to change the subject.

  Blood pounded behind Renata’s eyes.

  Other people planning her social life? This couldn’t be
good.

  She shook her head. She would rather sit at home and read a book. It was too soon.

  Stephanie, however, disagreed. “What a great idea, Gabby. I can’t take her because I’m scheduled to work at De Luca’s. Renata, you should go. It’ll be fun. I’m sure Tony would pick you up.”

  “Hey, what about me?” said Bryan as he thumped his chest. “Am I chopped liver or what? I’ll come get you, Renata.” His eyes lingered overly long on her body, and Tony cleared his throat.

  James and John also chimed in with offers to escort her.

  “No offense, but I have known you boys far too long.” Stephanie turned her gaze away from the trio. “It should be Tony. I can trust him to be a gentleman.”

  Renata watched as Tony glanced at the men with a grimace at the rebuff they had received. He turned his attention back to her. “If you would like to go, I’d be pleased to give you a ride and help you get acquainted.” His eyebrows rose, daring her to turn him down.

  A sliver of courage rose to the surface as Renata’s eyes darted to Stephanie and back to her friend’s handsome employer. “That would be fine. Thank you, Tony.” She wondered if he even heard her as her tentative words came out softly. Her gaze dropped to her hands clenched around the cup she held.

  Brian snorted and stalked off. John and James faded out of the group to join him, mumbling their goodbyes. The tension left Renata’s shoulders at their departure.

  Paul smiled as he switched his sleeping son to his other shoulder. “You can rely on Tony. I may be his brother-in-law, but there’s no one I would trust more than him. His parents set a high standard for any man to follow.” He turned to look into his wife’s eyes. “As I learned when I was courting his sister.” They smiled at each other.

  Gabby and Paul turned to go. “It was nice meeting you, Renata. Bye, Steph. We’ll see you later at Mom’s, right, Tony?”

  “Sure. And Paul? Watch out, I’m eager for a game of football.”

  “You got it.” Paul gave Tony a fist bump to the shoulder as they left to visit with other people.

  Tony turned back to Stephanie and Renata, since their group had shrunk to three. “What are your plans for this afternoon?” He sipped his coffee.

  “I have some unpacking to do,” Renata answered.

  Tony frowned. “Sounds like a less than relaxing way to spend the day. I will pick you up around six-thirty on Thursday. I work until six when my brother will come to fill in for me. I apologize in advance if I arrive smelling like garlic.” He winked.

  “You are forgiven in advance.” Renata giggled. “Does that mean we won’t be bothered by vampires?” She glanced up at him.

  Where did that come from? I can’t believe I said that! A cute guy looks at me, and I become mush? Oh, I am in trouble. Haven’t I learned anything from the past?

  Tony laughed, nodded and lifted his Styrofoam coffee cup in salute. “Till then.”

  Stephanie led Renata away. She resisted the urge to look back at Tony.

  What had she gotten herself into?

  Want to find out what happens? Pesto & Potholes can be purchased through all major eBook retailers.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. She is an Acquisitions Editor with Prism Book Group, specializing in bringing great romance novels and novellas to publication. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.

  She was featured in Splickety Magazine and in the I Choose You anthology with Oak Tara Press. This is her second contemporary romance novel in the Orchard Hill Series, the first, Pesto and Potholes released in April 2015. Upcoming books in the series are: Feta & Freeways (2016), Root Beer & Roadblocks, Bratwurst & Bridges and Donuts & Detours.

  Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church. Her favorite pastimes are lazy…snuggling with her dog while reading a good book or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.

  You can learn more by following her blog www.susanbaganz.com, Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz.

  Thank you for your Prism Book Group purchase. Visit our website to enjoy free reads, great deals, and entertaining, wholesome fiction!

  http://www.prismbookgroup.com