Sara glared at him. “Why can’t I help poor, disabled children get the wheelchairs they need? You didn’t let me get to the part where I have been calling around and discovering that there are actually grants in place that would help supplement some of the cost—.”
Beau put his hand up to stop her. “A business is about making money, not begging governments for it.”
Sara sighed and shook her head. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t even giving her a chance to explain it clearly. “Isn’t there something against you fraternizing with students?”
Beau scoffed. “Believe me, I’m not fraternizing.”
She stewed and tried to focus on Rob.
“You can’t save the world, Sara. Just focus on making money with your business.” He shrugged and motioned with his cup to Rob. “I wouldn’t say he’s great, but he has potential.” Beau sipped some more out of the cup. “Does he know he’s being measured against a soon-to-be returning missionary?”
“It’s not like that.” She kept watching Rob.
“Hmm. No, it doesn’t ever seem to be like that with you.”
Sara turned all of her attention on Beau. “What’s your deal?”
Beau leaned forward. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Sara shook her head in frustration. “Why do you insist on being everywhere and driving me crazy? And, just so you know, if you expect me to be all ‘Oh, Mr. Hennings you are amazing and blah-blah’ well, don’t hold your breath. And what have you got against helping people? I can help people and make money.”
Beau raised his eyebrows. “Once again,” he said turning to glance at Rob for a second. “Another guy that you’d never seriously consider. This is the type of guy you’ve been dating for two years.” His voice was low but intense. “Safe—but not five-year plan material. Kind of like Carey.”
Sara laughed and glared at him, hating that he could get under her skin so easily. “Why do you care?”
Beau put his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. “Actually, I don’t.”
“I’m not dating him. In fact,” she said, putting her chin in the air, “I’m doing missionary work.”
“Hmm.”
Sara looked back to Rob’s band, watching Rob bang his head with the music.
Beau followed her gaze.
“He’s coming to church with me this Sunday, as a matter-of-fact. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Awesome, good work.” He rolled his eyes and raised his cup to her.
Sara turned to respond, and Rob walked up.
“Sara.” His eyes lit up. “Professor Hennings.” He nodded to Beau.
Beau put his hand up. “No, please. Beau is fine.”
Rob looked between them.
“I’m not with him.” Sara put her hands up like she’d been caught stealing.
Rob shifted uncomfortably. “Uhh—”
Beau ignored her. “You guys are good.”
Rob nodded his head and had a big, goofy smile. “Dude, I don’t mind saying that we are on tonight.”
“Yeah. You guys are good.” Sara tried one of her most ‘I’m a good missionary’ smiles for him.
Beau turned to Rob. “I liked the change to B-flat during the second verse.”
“You noticed that? I thought it was awesome when Stew first did it. He’s the main guitarist, and he is like out of this world kinda good. And, the drummer is Ed, he’s the one with the goatee. I can drum, but . . .” He pointed to himself in explanation. “I’m a singer.” A drum beat came from the stage. Rob looked to the stage and then back to them. “Did Linda say anything about coming?” Rob looked at Sara.
Sara was surprised at his question. “No.” She was also slightly relieved. “But I’ll tell her how awesome you guys are when you come to church with me.”
Rob smiled and Sara thought that he was definitely too shy for the stage name Duke.
“Hey, maybe you guys can come to our gig at the Cowboy next Friday?”
Sara hesitated, realizing that the Cowboy was a bar.
Beau smiled at Rob. “Sure, we’ll be there.”
He looked between them and shrugged, turning back to his band.
“Great. Uh, see ya in class.”
“Nice kid.” Beau finished off his drink and stood.
Sara tried to control her anger. “Why did you say that we’d go? It’s in a bar? And you don’t get to speak for me.”
Beau looked patronizingly at her. “Sara, sometimes missionary work is hard.”
Sara gripped the edge of the table and worked on her next insult.
A large, older man wearing an apron stopped beside Beau. The man patted Beau’s back. “Enjoy the hot chocolate? It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to make you a cup.”
Beau smiled up at him. “It’s the best. Thanks, Lou.”
The man blinked. “Glad to have you home, son. Your momma needs you.” Lou walked to another table, picking up cups and wiping.
Beau tensed, and he watched Lou.
Sara was surprised at the anger that crossed over his face.
He swung back to her.
She felt the veiled anger seep through his calm exterior. He silently turned and walked out without saying goodbye.
Chapter 13
The three hour church block was over, and Sara and Genova were heading back to the institute with their potluck dishes for a Break the Fast.
“Shut it,” Genova gritted her teeth. “He will not do it at a football game.”
Sara teased, knowing her friend hated football and hated public proposals like that. “Yep—I think he’ll have a plane write your name above the stadium. That would be awesome.”
Genova nudged her side. “Maybe Beatrice’s next article should be on how to make proposals intimate and private and romantic.”
Sara grimaced. “Ahh, Beatrice. If everyone would follow her advice, how great the world would be.”
“And who is Beatrice?” Beau fell into step beside them. He opened the door and held it for them.
Sara hated that her heart sped up a notch.
Genova smiled between the two of them. “You’re looking good, Beau.”
Genova winked at Sara, and Sara glared at her.
“Thanks. But I hear you’re taken, Ms. Killion.”
Genova giggled. “So proper.” She pulled away from them and headed for the kitchen.
“So who is Beatrice?” Beau studied her face.
Sara started following Genova. “Haven’t you heard? She’s our fabulous UW Dear Abby type of columnist. Great advice.” She nodded her head with mock seriousness. “You should read her. It’d probably help you in the female department.” Sara shrugged her shoulders at him and turned for the food line.
“Hmm.” Beau stayed next to her. The gym was packed, and the students were already eating. “I guess we missed the breaking part.”
Carey nudged past her, slightly bumping her shoulder. Sara was surprised to see Michelle by his side, and they were holding hands.
Carey saw her and his face reddened. He quickly walked to the other tables across the gym.
Sara was at a complete loss. Anger clinched her chest. She’d actually been feeling like she’d done something wrong.
“Wow. Now, he’s smooth.” Beau moved next to her in line.
Sara didn’t even know what to say. How could she explain that she was just so disappointed that he wasn’t being loyal to Sue? She picked up some dessert and started for the table Genova and Kevin were at. Beau followed and sat next to Kevin, introducing himself officially.
Sara was surprised when Rob sat next to her and Linda sat across from Beau. “Hey girl, what sup?” Rob put his hand out to knuckle bump with her.
She laughed and did the knuckle bump back.
“Hey guys.” Linda smiled at all of them, looking a little unsure of Beau.
Sara realized that most of the institute students were probably a little intimidated with trying to hang out with him since he was a p
rofessor.
“I’m way glad to see you here,” Sara said to Rob. “I should have invited you myself; I didn’t even think about it.” The reason she hadn’t thought about it was because he’d told her he wasn’t that interested in coming back to church when they were sitting in sacrament earlier in the day.
“Didn’t you hear?” Rob gave her a mock ‘you’re so behind’ look. “The missionaries caught me after church and asked me to take the discussions.” He smiled and took a forkful of food and stuffed it in his mouth. “I figured it would be good to do that. I mean, hey, how can I say I’m not down with something if I don’t know anything about it?” He scratched his goatee and glanced at Linda.
Sara beamed at him. “Awesome.”
Linda smiled shyly at Rob. “It is awesome.”
Sara noticed that Rob’s face reddened at Linda’s praise. She couldn’t help but feel happy that he was going to give the gospel a chance. She couldn’t wait to write to Jonathon.
After they ate, Sara sauntered around the room, talking to friends and catching up on their lives. The institute was close-knit, and she’d missed that camaraderie over the summer. She went to the foyer and found Rob and the missionaries, who looked to be having an informal discussion in the foyer.
“It’s so cool, huh?” Linda leaned against the wall next to her.
Sara felt a little defensive of Rob, maybe because she’d been the one to get him to come to church in the first place. “As long as he joins because he knows it’s true, not because he likes someone.” Her voice was soft, but she tried to sound firm.
Linda frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Sara turned to make sure Rob didn’t hear. “I just mean, let him find his own testimony before you put him under your spell, okay.”
Linda raised her eyebrow. “My spell? I think you give me too much credit.” She pulled away from Sara. “He’s different though. He really wants answers.” She looked back at Sara with a challenging look on her face. “And so what if I think he’s cute, too?” Linda walked away.
Sara looked back, seeing Rob reading from the Book of Mormon with the missionaries. “I hope he wants them.”
She turned, running into Carey.
“Sara.”
She stopped, but didn’t turn around. “What do you want?”
He hesitated, bunching his fists and setting his jaw. “I still need your article before tomorrow.”
Sara didn’t budge. She got paid very little for writing her Beatrice articles, but she did it mostly for the practical experience and elective credits. She turned around slowly. “Did you ever love Sue? Or was that just a sham?”
Carey’s serious face turned to sadness. “I thought I did.” He shrugged looking a little lost. “I just thought I might love someone else too. And, I thought she might love me.” He stared into her eyes.
Sara was stunned at the loss on his face. And, for a second, she wondered if it was all her fault.
Carey pushed his chin in the air, coughing into his fist. “I need it emailed to me by eight a.m.”
Chapter 14
Bishop Archibald surveyed Sara’s institute class with his intense owl-like eyes. She loved him. He always packed his classes because of his depth of knowledge on all church related subjects and the individual interest he took in each student.
He’d spent the last hour breaking down the banking situation in Kirtland, Ohio when the saints had lived there. He explained that when Joseph Adler and others had tried to secure their own banking charter, banks were failing all over the United States. “And what—my dear pupils,” Bishop Archibald said, looking over his glasses at the end of his nose, “did Brother Joseph say to Parley Pratt when he came to him and asked for forgiveness?” He scanned the room like a wise owl. Sara tried to read the homework quickly. Institute homework tended to be at the bottom of her pile. Now she was regretting it.
A student cleared his throat. “It says here that Joseph frankly forgave him.”
Sara looked up and saw Beau just to the side and behind her. How did she miss him, and why was he in this class?
“Exactly, Brother Hennings. I knew you’d be a great addition to our class.” Bishop Archibald took off his glasses and walked to the other side of the room.
“I want to remind you that, at this time in church history, it was very difficult for the Prophet Joseph. He was under attack publicly and there was much contention in the church. And this was one of his most trusted friends. This was a man that Joseph trusted with his life. And he had betrayed him. What quality do you think Joseph possessed that gave him the capacity to forgive so easily?”
The class was quiet for a minute.
“Love.”
Bishop Archibald smiled and his whole beard-filled face lit up. “Exactly. Thank you, Sister Jones.”
Beau spoke softly. “But it wasn’t just any kind of love. It was Christ-like love.”
Bishop Archibald looked at Beau with surprise on his face. “Yes, I do agree.” He paused. “And, what, exactly, do you think that is?”
“Well . . .”
Sara was amazed to see that Beau looked a little unsure of himself.
“I guess it is the kind of love that doesn’t have an ounce of pride. The kind of love that forgives no matter what he thinks has been unjustly taken from him.” His voice was soft and thoughtful.
Sara thought about her father being unjustly taken from her. At least, that’s how it felt. She’d never had a mother. And that was okay with her. But—she’d been feeling like he was being unfairly taken from her, too. Lately, on the edges of her thoughts, there was anger toward the Lord that she tried to push away.
Bishop Archibald rubbed his beard slowly. He looked back to the book, and his eyes got watery. “The kind of love Brother Joseph possessed was indeed from the Lord.” He pointed up. “And now, look at the time, I leave you with one thought . . . do you have that kind of love for your fellow man? And, of course, woman?” He smiled at them all and nodded. “Until Thursday my brothers and sisters. Let’s have a closing prayer.”
Beau stepped past her desk. “Ms. Fairbanks.”
Pulled from her thoughts she stared up at him. When he was teaching her Entrepreneurship class he was totally polished, funny, and completely credible. He was an awesome professor. But now looking up into his blue eyes—she saw his vulnerable side. And she didn’t know what to say to him. “Professor Hennings.”
He walked toward the door, and Bishop Archibald reached his hand out to him. “Beau—can we talk in my office for a minute? I didn’t get a chance to see you on Sunday.”
Beau nodded, and Sara thought he looked a little nervous. “That would be great.”
**
Sara felt relieved as she got out of her car and walked toward her apartment. It was Friday, and she had the weekend to regroup. They’d only been back for two weeks, and she felt like she had two months’ worth of homework. She stepped into the apartment and knew, just by looking at Genova, what she was going to tell her.
“He didn’t.” Sara put her hand out, demanding to see a ring on Genova’s finger.
Genova laughed and stuck out her hand like a little girl showing off her new piece of costume jewelry. Sara inspected the very small diamond on her friend’s finger. “It’s beautiful.” She hugged Genova to her. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Can you believe it?” Genova pushed her hand out, gazing at it like it was four carats.
“Let me guess.” Sara cupped her mouth like she had a megaphone. “He did it over the PA in Prexis Pasture.”
Genova laughed. “No, silly. He was so sweet. When I walked in the apartment this afternoon he’d put together a pathway of roses, and he was down on his knee in front of a chocolate cake, my favorite, of course.” She put her hand to her chest dramatically. “Then he—,” her voice broke and her eyes got teary, “he told me he wanted to bake chocolate cakes for me for the rest of our lives.” Genova sobbed happily.
Sara wrapped her arms ar
ound her. “That is awesome.” She could feel her friend’s happiness radiating off of her like waves of sonar energy piercing into her soul.
Genova sniffed and pulled away. “We want a Christmas wedding.” Genova laughed and her eyes sparkled. “I can’t believe it, Sara. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.” She stopped abruptly and her smile got even wider. “You and Jonathon can have a double wedding with us.” She clapped her hands together excitedly.
“No.” Sara shook her head back and forth quickly, resolved they would not even discuss that.
Genova frowned and all the energy seemed to drain out of her. “You’ve always said it would most likely be Christmas, why not?” She looked like she would cry.
Sara collapsed onto the couch. “Oh, it’s just . . . lately it’s been . . .” She stalled, not wanting to make her friend sad on such a happy occasion.
Genova wiped her face and nodded in understanding. “It’ll work out, Sara. I know you’ve been worried lately. But Jonathon and you are meant to be together. I can feel it.” She hugged herself and spun in a circle dramatically. “Just like Kevin and I are meant to be together.”
Sara smiled in agreement. “Absolutely.” She thought about Martha and Larry and the sad look on his face when Martha had talked about this same thing.
Sara stood and hugged Genova, again. “I’m going to go get ready to watch Rob play tonight. I’m so totally excited for you guys.”
Genova waved at her and picked up her phone. “Kevin is coming back; we already called our parents, but there are so many details to work out.” She turned toward the kitchen and put the phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom . . .”
Sara’s phone buzzed in her pocket. It was her brother Mark’s number. She flipped it open. “Hello.”
“You’ve got to come. The doctor says it could be any time. Dad’s been asking for you.” His voice was rough. She could picture him pacing out in front of their house with the big rose bushes behind him.
Sara inhaled, feeling the familiar fear grip her chest. “What’s happened?” She knew the situation was bad—it was always bad right now.
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