by Delia Latham
“Why, you poor darling!” Miss Angie laid a lined hand on Deah’s fingers. “Deah, dear, you really must come to church with me while you’re here. I think you’ll find Pastor Merckle keeps you not only awake, but on the edge of your seat.”
Deah hesitated, but only for a second or two. “I’d like that.”
Logan ducked his head to hide the grin he couldn’t suppress. Anything for Miss Angie.
15
A deep voice rumbled across the table. “Well, look who’s here. The entire Cambria House of Praise must be hungry tonight.”
Logan grinned. “Hey, Dec…Raine. Nice to see you both.”
Dec nodded toward a small table in the corner. “Brady’s here too. I’m not sure who he’s with, but I decided not to interrupt.” His dark brows rose and his lips twisted to the side.
Raine landed a soft blow to his arm. “Declan Keller! Don’t be so suggestive. Brady is allowed to have friends.” She glanced toward the pastor’s table and back again. “Even if we don’t know them.”
Logan laughed. “OK, let’s stop with all the speculation. Brady’s got a date. That’s OK, right?”
“Of course it is, dear.” Miss Angie’s calm smile seemed to breathe fresh air into the room. “Brady has a right to date. He’s not only a minister, but a young, virile, single man. However…” Her smile grew, turning into a teasing grin. “The young lady at his table is his twin sister, Brianne, so you can all stop fretting now.”
A burst of relieved laughter followed her words.
“I wonder if we could get the staff to let us pull another table next to ours,” Logan ventured.
“We’ll get right on that.” He hadn’t even seen their server’s approach. “Give us three minutes.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Raine frowned as the young man hurried off to find help. “We don’t want to intrude.”
“It’s no intrusion, is it, ladies?”
Summer and Miss Angie quickly welcomed the couple. Deah nodded. She seemed a little uncertain, but then, she didn’t know Dec and Raine as well as the rest of them.
“Deah, you’ll want to hear all about Raine’s work at Chrysalis.” Summer tossed out the observation, and Logan silently admired her insight. If anyone could make Deah feel more at ease, Raine could.
“Speaking of Chrysalis.” Raine took a seat as soon as the waiter spread a cloth over the additional table. “Summer, I have a favor to ask.”
“Uh-oh.” Summer narrowed her gaze, but she seemed relaxed enough.
Logan didn’t want her put on the spot. “What’s up, Raine?”
“Well, a little birdie told me that you’re a wonderful praise dancer, and I thought—”
Summer’s teal gaze shadowed. Her eyes widened and she stared at Logan.
“It wasn’t me!” He shook his head. “Raine, tell her.”
Raine laughed. “Logan is not the little bird who divulged your secret, Summer. But seriously, why do you mind? I think it’s wonderful!”
Summer relaxed a bit. “Well, then who? I didn’t think anyone else knew.”
“Well, I knew, but I didn’t say anything,” Miss Angie said.
“Oh, my goodness. It was no one at this table, OK?” Raine rolled her eyes. “Seriously, you guys. You’d think praise dancing was something to be ashamed of.”
“I’m sorry.” Summer drew a deep breath and smiled across the table. “I’m just a little shy, I guess. I’m not ashamed of praise dancing. I love it. It’s the way I know best how to worship God.”
Logan bit back a grin when Deah’s eyes widened. Had the girl even heard of praise dancing?
“Well, now we’re getting somewhere.” Raine made a show of once again rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “The thing is, a couple of the girls at Chrysalis saw a video of a praise dancing group, and they asked about the possibility of learning.”
Summer’s eyes rounded. She started shaking her head before Raine ever finished talking.
“I was hoping you’d be willing to teach them.”
“Oh, Raine…I—I couldn’t. I really don’t think I could do—”
“Of course you could! Summer, those girls absolutely love you after your visit to the shelter. They treasure their mirrors. You wouldn’t believe what a difference it’s made for some of them—one in particular. So I know you—”
“Wait.” A stillness had come over Summer. “Which one in particular?”
“Reta. I know you remember her.”
Summer’s face lit up from within.
Logan had thought she glowed before, but suddenly her face reflected an almost holy light.
“Does Reta want to learn to praise dance?”
Raine seemed puzzled, but she nodded. “Yes, she’s one of the two who approached me about it.”
“I’ll do it.”
Logan shook his head, confused. He hadn’t thought Raine stood a chance of convincing his shy Summer to dance in front of those kids—much less to teach them how to worship through dance.
“Really?” Raine squealed. “When can you start? Oh, my. The girls will be ecstatic.”
“Tomorrow? I can come tomorrow.”
“Be there at ten. They’ll be ready.” Raine bit at her lip. “Um…how many would you be willing to take on?”
Summer narrowed her eyes. “I thought you said two were interested.”
“I did, but I know how it goes. Once the others know what’s happening, there’ll be more than two. For that matter, I can think of a few guys who might like to participate. Would that be a problem?”
Summer heaved a huge, exaggerated sigh. “Oh, I suppose I can handle more than two. But no more than half a dozen or so, otherwise it’ll be too chaotic. If others want to learn, we can do a couple of classes, scheduled on different days. And yes, boys can worship in dance just as much and as well as girls.”
“Oh, Summer, thank you!” Raine could barely sit still, and Dec slid an arm around her shoulders. “You have no idea what this means to me. What kind of teaching tools do you need? We’ll find a way to get them for you.”
“Well…it isn’t really a must, but it would be nice to have some banners or scarves. Young people in particular love the beauty they lend to the dance movements.”
Logan couldn’t imagine a praise dance more beautiful than the one he’d seen on the beach…just Summer and her heart.
“OK. I’m not exactly sure where to get those things, but I’ll find out.”
“May I say something?” Miss Angie interjected. “It just so happens that I recently came across a box of praise dancing accessories in the attic at Paradise Pines. I would love to donate them to the cause.”
All around the table, chins dropped. Miss Angie never ceased to amaze.
Their server showed up with the orders he’d managed to garner in the middle of their conversation. When everyone had a plate in front of them, Logan reached for Summer’s hand on one side and Deah’s on the other.
“Let’s pray, shall we? Miss Angie, would you do the honors?”
Miss Angie reached out to Deah and Raine. Before long, all hands were joined around the table, and they all bowed their heads.
“Sweet, precious Father.” Miss Angie spoke with reverence and love, and warmth flowed through Logan’s being like smooth honey. The lady sounded as though God Himself sat in the chair next to her. “Thank you for the food we’re about to eat. Thank you for watching over us throughout every day. You were so kind to bring young Deah into my life when You did, and to allow us a special time together while my ankle healed. Thank you for Summer, and for the difference she’ll make in the lives of the young people at Chrysalis. Thank you for each of the people around this table tonight—they are all such a blessing to me. You are ever mindful of Your children. We love You, and praise You for Your many blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
****
Summer basked in the glow of good food and beautiful fellowship. Despite her involvement with the praise team in Three Rivers, she
’d always held herself a bit apart, never entering into any relationships that might require a true sharing of spirits. Yet here in this little coastal town, with the amazing folks from Cambria House of Praise, she’d immersed herself wholeheartedly…without having planned to do so, or even realizing she was giving so completely of herself.
And then there was Logan, who’d brought about a whole different level of emotion on her part.
Every time she glanced his way, she found his gaze fixed on her face, gorgeous green eyes glowing with a warm inner light, full lips curved into a gentle smile that said so much without uttering a single word.
Oh, God…I’ve fallen so deeply in love with this man! How will I ever be happy in Three Rivers—or anywhere, if he isn’t there?
Logan cared for her, and he’d made no secret of that from the beginning. But did he love her? Did he think of spending the rest of his life with her? He’d dreamed about her before they’d ever met and seemed almost certain from the day he pulled her from the icy teeth of the Pacific that she was meant to be in his life. But in what capacity? Setting aside her fork, she heaved a soft sigh, suddenly in desperate need of a moment away from his intense, disturbing, goose bump-rendering gaze. “Please excuse me. I’ll be right back.”
With a smile she prayed was steady, she stood and wove her way between linen-covered tables to the ladies’ room where she leaned over the sink and drew deep, steadying breaths, despising the tremor in her hands. When at last she felt a bit steadier, she closed her eyes and lifted a prayer heavenward. “What am I supposed to do, Lord?” She whispered the words into the silence of the room. Thank God she was the sole occupant at the moment.
Just trust.
Her head snapped up, heart racing. She’d often heard the still, soft voice of God in her heart, but this time it’d been absolutely audible.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder at the same time she saw the face reflected behind her own in the mirror above the sinks.
“Miss Angie! I didn’t hear you come in.”
The older woman’s serene smile soothed Summer’s chaotic spirit.
“I know, dear. I thought you were feeling a bit overwhelmed and might need a friend.”
Summer swung around to face the lodge hostess. “How do you do that?” Her voice sounded raspy, and she blinked rapidly, trying to save her makeup. “You always know when I’m floundering.”
Miss Angie laughed—a quiet gurgle that put Summer in mind of the brook that ran behind Uncle Barry’s summer cottage in Baja. “Summer, dear, we only ‘flounder’ when we forget to trust God with our every circumstance. If we honestly place each situation in His hands and leave it in His control, there’s no need to be overwhelmed, frightened, or uneasy. It’s a matter of trust, don’t you think?” She moved closer and slipped an arm around Summer’s waist.
Summer leaned into the comforting embrace. “I love him, Miss Angie.” She barely heard her own words.
But the whispered statement seemed no problem for Miss Angie’s ears. “I know, dear. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“I—uh…I don’t know. What if he doesn’t love me?”
“Logan hasn’t confessed his heart to you yet?”
Confessed his heart. Summer smiled at the old-fashioned turn of phrase. “He’s said everything except an outright ‘I love you.’ That our lives were meant to intersect, that he thinks I’m…” Heat rushed into her cheeks and she shrugged one shoulder. “Um…he thinks I’m beautiful.”
“And you are, dear. Quite lovely, in fact.”
“Thank you, Miss Angie.” Summer smiled and then sighed. “But he hasn’t actually said he loves me. And I don’t think...I mean, how in the world can I ever go back home and be happy without him?”
“If God’s will is for you and Logan to be together, you won’t have to worry about that.” Miss Angie administered a little squeeze with the arm still around Summer’s waist. “If He wills otherwise—”
Summer gasped, unable to bear the thought.
Miss Angie continued without hesitation. “If God wills otherwise, He will give you the strength to bear the separation.” She released Summer’s waist and placed a finger under her chin, giving it a gentle lift. “That’s where trust comes in. Not knowing what God has planned, but believing that, whatever it is, it’s for your good. Believing that He’ll provide His own strength when yours is low, and that He will carry you when you can’t stand on your own. That’s trust, dear.” Eyes the bluest of soft azure looked at Summer’s face. “Do you believe God’s way is always best?”
After the briefest of hesitation, she nodded. “Yes.”
Miss Angie’s smile lit up the room and sent waves of comforting warmth into Summer’s heart. “Of course you do, and you should also trust that He will make everything perfect, dear.” She stepped away. “I should probably get back out there. Are you coming?”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Alone again, Summer breathed a prayer of surrender. Then she drew a deep, bracing breath, steeled her spine, and left the quiet solitude of the ladies’ room behind. Three steps outside the door, she halted in place, her frozen gaze fixed across the room.
Deah had moved from her chair and now stood behind Logan’s. She leaned forward, her lips pressed to his right ear, slender hands resting on his shoulders.
Logan clearly did not object. The grin on his face said he was quite happy with her cousin making a clingy leech of herself. Why had she ever thought Deah had changed, even a little? She was still the same shameless minx she’d always been…set on taking away anything and anyone Summer cared about. Why had she dared hope any man would choose her over her cousin? Summer’s gut clenched, and bile rose in her throat. She rushed back into the restroom and heaved into the toilet. The makeup she’d tried to preserve earlier now streamed down her face, and she didn’t care. Her entire world had slid sideways, and her heart throbbed with a deep, physical pain. What did it matter if she looked like death warmed over? Her question about whether Logan loved her was answered. God hadn’t wasted any time showing her the truth.
She splashed cold water on her face and wiped off the tear-wrecked cosmetics while her stomach churned yet again at the thought of returning to the table. But she had no choice. Her purse was under her chair, and Logan was her ride home. “God, give me strength.”
I am your Strength and your Fortress. Rest in me.
She drew one last, deep breath and strode back into the dining area.
Deah had returned to her own seat and was chatting with Raine as if she hadn’t made a deliberate play for the only man Summer would ever love.
She slid into her own chair, praying Logan wouldn’t notice her appearance.
“Honey, are you all right?” He leaned close and spoke low so the others couldn’t hear. “You look pale.”
“I’m not feeling well. Could you take me home, please?” She winced at the chill in her tone, but it couldn’t be helped. Ice coated her very soul.
“Of course.” His puzzled gaze raked her face, but he didn’t question her. He simply made their excuses as graciously as possible then stood and pulled out her chair.
“We’ll bring Miss Angie and Deah back to the lodge,” Dec offered. “We live right next door, after all. It’s not a problem.”
“I hope you feel better right away.” Raine’s troubled gaze met Summer’s.
Summer nodded, but she couldn’t bring herself to make small talk.
Logan stopped only long enough to pay for their dinner. Within moments, his car was pointed toward the lodge and slicing through the night, headlights lighting the dark road ahead.
Summer rested her head against the back of the seat, hoping he would drive in silence. Perhaps she’d convinced him she was too ill to make conversation. She was wrong.
“What is it, Summer? You seemed fine when you left the table.”
“I got sick to my stomach.” That was no lie.
“Maybe something you ate?”
Even in
her current state of emotional upheaval, Summer couldn’t be deceptive. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sorry, honey. I hate that you’re sick.”
Hot fury swept over her, and she sat up in a quick, jerky movement. “I’m not sick…not physically.”
“O…K. I’m confused.”
“Deah was wrapped around you like a very warm coat.” Her voice crackled with venom, and she nearly gagged. Who knew she’d harbored such a thing within her? And yet she could not stop. “You clearly had no problem with her clinging to you in my absence.”
A sharp intake of breath was the only indication he’d heard her. He remained silent until they reached the lodge, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened, turning his knuckles white as bone, and his hard jawline showed no sign of easing enough to speak. After killing the engine, he took a firm hold on her arm, preventing her exit from the vehicle. “You’re a long way off target, Summer.”
“Am I? You forget…I know Deah all too well. I guess I just thought I knew you.”
“Deah came to my chair to tell me how pleased she was by our relationship—yours and mine, to be perfectly clear. She said she’d never seen you as happy as you’ve been since we met.” His fine, kind eyes darkened with deep disappointment…in her.
The knowledge sent sharp darts of pain deep into her heart.
“And she promised that if I ever hurt you, she’d make certain I suffered far worse than anything I could do to you.”
Summer gasped. “D—Deah said that?”
He nodded but didn’t wait for further response from her. He was out of the car and had her door open before she could catch her breath. Like the gentleman he’d always been, Logan walked her all the way to her apartment where he took her key and opened the door. Then he looked directly into her eyes. His fingers stroked her cheek softly, just once. He shook his head, disappointment still clouding his gaze, and then hurried down the stairs and back to his car.
Summer watched him drive away, too shocked and angry at herself to even cry, although her eyes burned with a sharp, salty sting.
