Rich in Hope (Richness in Faith Trilogy Book 2)

by Lindi Peterson

  I hold my phone up. “I’m going to call my friend Barb and see what is going on.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.” Mrs. Stratton’s expression matches my thoughts.

  I turn away as my phone connects to Barbs and starts ringing. It rings several times and I leave a message for her to call me back. As soon as I hang up, the two girls, who’s screams had been silent for the last few minutes, come flying from the right once again. But this time they head straight for Mrs. Stratton.

  Mrs. Stratton who almost falls as each girl grabs onto one leg. I reach out and steady the older lady. I notice the girl’s faces are tear-streaked and they are identical. They’re both sobbing, then one of them starts hitting the other one on the arm.

  “Stop hitting me.” The girl being hit pushes off of Mrs. Stratton and plops on the floor.

  “You stop pulling my hair. Tracy left because of you.” The other girl makes no move, continuing to cling tightly to the housekeeper.

  The housekeeper who was obviously right about being the nanny for the rest of the day.

  “She did not,” the other girl counters. “She left ‘cause you have a big mouth and won’t be quiet.”

  I wonder which one is Darling. Although it really doesn’t matter. They both seem ‘too tough to tame,’ the nickname for Darlington Motor Speedway.

  And racing at Bristol Motor Speedway is like driving around inside a fishbowl, cars always wrecking. Are their names premonitions of their lives?

  Crazy.

  I know too much about a sport I dislike.

  Silence hovers, and in looking down at the crumpled girls, I decide they’ve run out of steam. At least for a minute.

  Maybe Mrs. Stratton will have a reprieve.

  My phone vibrates and I see that it is Barb calling. I answer quickly.

  “Barb. It’s Shelby, hi. I’m at the Treyhune home, but there’s some sort of mistake. I’m standing here with Mrs. Stratton. The housekeeper. Who has no intention of leaving her job. So, I’m confused as to why I’m here.”

  “Shell, sweets. So glad you made it. While I’ve got you on the phone I must tell you Rhea, the gal who sublet your place, loves it. She’s thrilled with it. Okay, I’m at my desk, I know the information is here somewhere, bear with me a moment, sweets.”

  I can hear ruffling and shuffling going on as my body relaxes that knowing momentarily this mix-up will be solved. “I’m bearing.”

  “Ah. Here it is. I wrote it all down while I was talking to Court. Such a precious man. Single, too.”

  “Barb, please. I need a distraction from the male population.”

  “He’ll distract you, all right. Sweets, here’s all the info. Nanny needed for the summer. Gal gave two week notice. Come as soon as you can.”

  My relieved feeling swiftly tenses. “Barb. You told me housekeeper.” I lower my voice to whisper status and move as far away from Mrs. Stratton and the twins as possible. “Remember? I needed to get away and do something totally different for a couple of months. Cleaning houses I can do. It’s in my blood. Kids? No.”

  “Housekeeper, nanny. All the same. Domestic help, right?”

  I’m surprised the phone doesn’t shatter in my hand at the tight grip I have on it. “No, Barb. Not the same at all.”

  “Shells. You’re a whiz at whatever you do. And you wanted a change of pace. I’m sure you can handle any position Court has for you. Need to run. Love.”

  “Love.” My tone is flat as the phone is now silent.

  I drop my phone in my purse and slowly turn. Mrs. Stratton is staring at me.

  So are the two girls.

  “Are you our new nanny?” The one who asks scoots closer to the other girl, like they are a team and a force to be reckoned with.

  Even at their young age they know this.

  I don’t know if I am the one who can reckon with Team Twin.

  But it appears I’m the one hired to do just that.

  Discussion Questions

  Jenny thought improving her looks would give her security. Is there some tangible thing you have done that gave you security? Did you feel secure? Why or why not.

  Jenny’s heart is captured by a seven-year old girl. Is there a child or some person that has instantly captured your heart?

  At the beginning of the story Jenny and Stephen see beauty differently. How do you think Jenny and Stephen learned from each other what true beauty is?

  Stephen offers his home to the church to use for services. Have you ever attended a house church? If so, what did you like about it? If not, do you think you would like to try it sometime?

  The lie Jenny told kept getting bigger and involving more people. Can you recall a time where you have been involved in a situation like that?

  What would you do if you couldn’t do the job you loved anymore?

  Christmas is a season of hope. Can you recall a special Christmas memory?

  Ann and Brett from Rich in Love are married in this book around Christmas. What do you think of Christmas weddings and Christmas birthdays?

  Jenny realizes she is a princess in the eyes of God. Do you recall how you felt when you realized this?

  What is your favorite scene and why?

  Dear Reader,

  What a blessing to be able to tell a story about the hope we have in Christ. I had fun writing this story with the backdrop of Christmas. God showed up in a way I could never put on paper. If you work with me, and remember those three days I spent crying at any given moment, those were the days after I finished the book. God cares about every little thing in our lives.

  Hernando Nicholas, thank you for the info regarding schools in Florida. You are one special guy, whose smile and laughter brighten my day. Susan Norris, thank you for the insight of your teaching days and your story about colors. So inspiring-like you! Bekah Bratton, a huge thanks for meeting with me and showing me your designs and inspiring that part of Jenny’s story. You are an amazing designer! Cathy West, your insight in everything writing is always helpful in every way. A big thanks goes to Emily Sewell for editing this book. Your suggestions made the book stronger.

  Critique partners Missy Tippens and Ciara Knight rock! You ladies keep me sane and guide me through all the crazy waters that come with this joy of writing. From quick turnaround read throughs to “help me” questions, I can’t thank either of you enough. Ever. Just know I love and appreciate you.

  Thanks to my mom, Jill Vaughan, for reading everything I write and giving your opinion. I love you!

  My family is always supporting and amazing. Brenna, Chris, Alex, Sarah, Melanie, Jason, Ally B, Tyler, Lisa and Brian. You are my life! And we are getting ready to welcome baby Caleb. Another blessing!

  To my husband, Lenny. I love life with you. I love you more every day. You show me true love at its finest.

  Jesus Christ—my savior, my strength, my sustainer, my all in all. You give me love and hope and life.