by JoAnn Durgin
“Nothing to be ashamed of, Kev,” Josh said to his brother-in-law.
Kevin grunted and shifted his position. “I have no reason to be ashamed of anything.”
“For the record, Beck, you nearly lost Kevin because you were so wrapped up in that twit of a Brit,” Natalie said.
Mitch felt like he was at a tennis match watching the volleys go back and forth over the net. Natalie was really on a roll now. She and Marc seemed the most quick-tempered of the group. On the other hand, those two must have some serious fun making up after a fight.
“Why you even paid Adam any mind in the first place is beyond me,” Natalie continued. “You’re fortunate Kevin was so sweet and loyal to wait for you while you were busy playing eenie meenie miney moe, which man shall I choose?” Her voice had taken on a high-pitched, sing-song quality. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll go look at my beautiful gazebo for a while, and then I’ll choose.”
Amy stifled a giggle at the gazebo remark while the other women glared at her. “Sorry, but I find it funny.”
“Natalie, pipe down and leave Beck alone.” At Marc’s comment, Natalie crossed her arms and pouted.
Rebekah cleared her throat. “Trust me, I know how horribly indecisive I was about Kevin. I’ll admit the idea of the life Adam offered sounded appealing at first—dining with royalty, summer mansions, Christmas in London. It’s like the whole princess thing, the idea of the perfect fairy tale. Kevin wasn’t slow in speaking up for my heart. He was smart,” she said, reaching for his hand, “and loving, and incredibly patient. It took me a little longer to grow up, but he knew I’d reach that point eventually. Remember, I was a schoolteacher at the time. Working around kids all day can alter your reality a bit. When my daddy died,” she said, shooting a glance at Josh across the room, “that was my wakeup call. I finally understood my prince had been here all along.”
“And the newlywed has spoken,” Landon said, clapping. “Where’s my tiny violin?”
“Have you all been drinking?” Winnie’s eyes were wide, unbelieving. “Landon, need I remind you that you and Amy are the newlyweds in this bunch? Don’t even get me started.”
Winnie’s last comment was directed more at Amy. Surprising, since Mitch knew how tight these two women were. This was getting better by the minute. From a psychological standpoint, Freud would salivate over an in-depth character analysis based on all the accusations flying around the room. It’d be a fascinating case study of the interpersonal dynamics of a group of close friends, some of whom saw one another infrequently, some every day, and with varied temperaments and thresholds of frustration.
Lexa glanced at Sam, her brow furrowed. Would she ask him to step in and stop the madness? These people apparently had some deep-seated grievances with one another they’d needed to air. Best to get long-held hurts out of the way now and then try to clean up the mess. Mitch didn’t envy Sam, but if anyone could get this crew whipped back into shape, Sam would be the man who could handle it.
Amy waved to get their attention. “To make up for laughing about the gazebo comment, I’ll make a confession. In case any of you in this room believes we’re above reproach in our past behavior.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Mitch said, sitting up straighter. The expression on Landon’s face was priceless. He didn’t look happy with Amy’s revelation, but he remained silent.
Amy took a quick breath. “Landon and I spent a night together on the road between Baton Rouge and Houston.”
“And this is shocking how?” Marc asked. “We’re Christians, people. We’re not perfect.”
Kevin chuckled under his breath. “Maybe that should be a new TeamWork slogan.”
At least his comment served to lighten the tensions running rampant. Being an advertising guru, Marc would be the one to put it in concise terms. And he was right. Their behavior this morning was indicative of how imperfect they all were.
“Our rental car broke down and we were stuck in a fleabag motel. In the same motel room.”
“Look, nothing happened that shouldn’t have,” Landon said. “I know I had to answer for some things on that road trip. Things I’m not particularly proud of,” he said, staring at Mitch, “but I assure you, it wasn’t some elaborate plan I’d cooked up to lure Amy into the den of iniquity for my sinful desires.”
At the word lure, Cassie finally met Mitch’s gaze. Was that a tiny hint of a grin? She was sitting too far away, but he dared not make a move. The natives were restless and he didn’t need to draw any more attention to either one of them.
“I can’t wait for you two to have kids already,” Josh said to Landon. “Maybe that’ll slow you down a little. The Lord knows nothing else seems to do it. Mr. Meet and Marry Me in Lightning Speed. Your courtship of my favorite journalist lasted all of what, six months?”
“The span of time is irrelevant.” Indignation was clear in Landon’s tone. “Amy, we should go before the tensions in this room get any more contentious.”
“Why? To go nap?” Marc said. “The sparks between you two at any given moment are palpable. Spare us, please.”
Josh chuckled. “We all know nap is a code word for something else, Warnick.”
“Josh!” Winnie’s cheeks flushed.
“Oh, this is rich.” Marc laughed but stopped after Natalie swatted his knee.
Mitch couldn’t stay silent any longer and knew he needed to say something. “You know what? I take full responsibility for starting this brouhaha or whatever, but I have to say, all the bullying and catty comments in this room surprise me.”
“Think of the children,” Cassie said in a tearful voice. “I should go get Chloe and bring her in here. I can only hope I’m like her when I finally grow up some day.”
Several of the women sniffled. Natalie reached for Winnie’s hand across the laps of their husbands. Marc and Josh spoke in low tones and Marc slapped Josh’s shoulder and chuckled. Well, that was good to see.
“Enough.” Planting his hands on his desk, Sam rose to his imposing height. “No one leaves this room,” he said, darting a glance at Landon and Amy.
Mitch wondered how long Sam would let them go at each other before he finally intervened. Walking around to the front of the desk, he leaned back against it. With his arms crossed, his face was a study in consternation.
Mitch waited, as he knew they all did, for their leader to speak.
Chapter 23
Sam’s piercing blue stare encompassed every TeamWork volunteer in his study, one by one. Cassie scooted a little further back into the cushions of the loveseat. She noted how Kevin massaged Rebekah’s fingers, the same as he’d done for her ever since her fall into that frozen creek in Montana.
“If anyone else in this room has a grievance, complaint, accusation or problem with another person in this room and feels the need to air it in public, feel free to speak up now.” Sam’s voice was calm but as firm as she’d ever heard it. “Any takers?”
The word no reverberated around the room.
When Sam’s eyes met hers, Cassie lowered her gaze, embarrassed and ashamed. She and Mitch had started this horrible mess. In days ahead, she could only hope they’d all be able to laugh about it. They’d remained civilized although it highlighted the sensibilities in their tight-knit group. No one right, no one wrong. If nothing else, no one could accuse this group of being perfect. Far from it. Didn’t mean they didn’t love each other fiercely. They were family. Why was it the deepest hurts usually came from those you love most in the world?
Because they’re the ones you allow access to your heart. That gives them the power to hurt you the most.
Sam reached for his Bible and his eyeglasses. Positioning the glasses, he flipped through his Bible. “Listen to these verses from the fourth chapter of Ephesians, starting with verse 25: ‘Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.’”
Closing the Bible, Sam laid it on the desk and paused to gather his thoughts.
“We’re all sinners capable of hurting one another, as we’ve proven here this morning. Each one of us is human in all our glorious imperfections. I like to believe the hurt is temporary but the good remains. Because of our shared faith, we’re also capable of supporting, praying for, encouraging and loving one another. What I want you to understand is that God had a divine plan in bringing this particular group of people together. Believe in the blessing of that bond. As a matter of fact, Lexa, Josh, Beck and I just returned from a breakfast meeting. We’re in the beginning stages of planning an upcoming mission. There’s a Native American congregation planning to build a church near Albuquerque and they’ve asked TeamWork for help.” Sam’s blue-eyed gaze swept the room. “We’re going to give them assistance, and I’d suggest this group could definitely use another hands-on mission.”
When Sam glanced at Lexa, she nodded with a lovely smile. “Each one of you in this room has something uniquely special to bring to TeamWork. God doesn’t care where you’re from, whether you’re poor or privileged, orphaned or come from a large family, how much education you’ve attained or how many professional accolades you’ve received.”
With a curled fist, Sam tapped it over his chest. “God is concerned about the condition of your heart, my friends. Some of you probably wondered why I let you carry on with your petty criticisms and insults as long as I did. You needed to get it out, that much was clear. If you didn’t, you’d continue to harbor these feelings.” When he smiled, the lines on either side of his mouth deepened. “I have to say, it was very enlightening.”
Cassie shifted her position and heard a few low chuckles from the others.
Sam’s gaze rested on Marc and Natalie. “Marc, you’ve been blessed with intelligence and ingenuity. You command respect and loyalty. Natalie has a heart for reaching young souls for Christ with unequaled passion. Natalie, you’re a loving mother and bring out the best in Marc, the tender side that makes him an even better leader and father to Gracie.”
Marc kissed Natalie’s temple and whispered something in her ear as Sam moved his focus to Josh and Winnie. “Josh, you’ve been refined by the fire and risen from the ashes. As you once said, you found your redemption in a little girl named Chloe. God makes no mistakes. Winnie is your perfect helpmate and mother to your children. She’s also the best business partner Lexa could ever have. As my TeamWork general counsel, you’re a great asset to our organization and I’ve seen glimpses of true greatness in your character.”
Winnie snuggled close and put her head on Josh’s shoulder.
Sam focused on Rebekah and Kevin. “Beck, you’ve been one of my best encouragers for years. Your support of Josh in his darkest hour, and your tireless efforts on behalf of the schoolroom projects for TeamWork are an invaluable addition. Kevin, you’ve always been a stalwart defender of the faith, but you’re even stronger with your wife by your side. I have no doubt your children will one day be a loving testament of the love you share.”
Finally, his gaze rested on Amy and Landon. “Amy, one of your greatest strengths is your fearless spirit. You do nothing halfway and everything with fierce passion. Landon, Amy is your equal and soul mate. Your dedication to TeamWork Missions—including the use of your plane and piloting skills—has enriched the ministry immeasurably.”
Sam’s eyes softened as he turned to her. “Little One, your unbridled enthusiasm has been a huge blessing from the first day you came into our lives and told Lexa you wanted to be a part of TeamWork. You’ve gone above and beyond for Doyle-Clarke Catering and in helping with all our kids. Your willing spirit is beyond compare. Mark my words, the Lord’s got something very special in mind for your future ministry.”
Mitch cleared his throat, prompting Sam to turn toward him. “Mitch, I know you’ve helped Amy and Landon with Tam’s Place and other TeamWork projects in New York. From what I’ve heard, you work well with kids and teenagers as well as the other volunteers. The incident at the fair shows how God is using your training in ways you might never have imagined. As with Cassie, I have no doubt He’ll continue to use you mightily for His purposes and glory.”
Lexa stood and moved beside Sam, slipping her hand in his. “I’d suggest each of you search your hearts and ask forgiveness from the others you might have offended or wounded by your words here this morning. No one leaves this house—not leaving this room—until you’re straight with each other. I want some prayers being lifted. Now, let’s get started.”
For such a petite woman, Lexa loomed tall and commanded tremendous respect. The pride and admiration on her husband’s face was a love story all its own.
Mrs. TeamWork had spoken.
~~**~~
Glancing out the kitchen window, Mitch saw Cassie sitting on the back deck. The kids played in and around the cottage, giggling and chasing each other. He smiled when he spied Gracie and Chloe whispering together. He leaned closer to the window. Now they were hugging.
Lexa came over to stand beside him. “Here,” she said, handing him a lightweight jacket. “Cassie might be a little chilly. The heat wave’s over now and we’re getting back to our usual temperatures for this time of year.”
“Thanks. Lexa, I’m really sorry about what happened this morning. I take full responsibility for keeping Cassie out all night. She was embarrassed and hated to think she’d disappoint you and Sam.”
“She didn’t disappoint us, and neither did you, Mitch. Cassie’s become part of our family. I think what happened was the trigger to air some issues and things that needed to be said. In some ways, we should thank you for bringing them to the forefront. This group is special in how our different personalities mesh well together overall. Sure, we have quibbles with each other. It’s inevitable, I suppose, but the important thing to remember is—whenever one of has a need—we’re there for each other. Those kinds of deep, abiding friendships are rare and you don’t find them every day. Some people never find it.”
“For a minute there, I thought Marc and Josh were going to start throwing punches.”
“With those two, they respect one another, but they don’t know each other as well. Add Landon into the mix and you’ve got some strong testosterone.” Her lips twisted. “They’ll work out their differences. When I left Sam’s study, they all seemed to be fine.”
He looked out the window again. Cassie had taken a cushion from one of the deck chairs and put it on the ground beneath one of the trees. Chloe, Gracie and Joe were playing around her and his spirits lifted to see Cassie laughing and smiling. “I used to be Amy’s hero. Does every woman need a hero, Lexa?”
“It doesn’t have to be in the physical sense. But in her heart? Speaking for myself, I’d say yes.” The depth of grace and wisdom in Lexa’s aquamarine eyes gave him renewed hope. “You want to know what makes a man a hero? A hero is the little boy who picks a flower and presents it to his mama. The teenage boy whose single mom had a ring stolen, so he saves up enough money to buy her a new one. The college student who calls his mother to let her know he got back to school safely after the holiday break.”
Lexa moved beside him at the window. “Sam told me once that he’d never skip unless he had a daughter someday. That would be the only thing that would ever make him want to do such a thing. Then, a few months ago, I was doing the dishes and looked out the kitchen window. Guess what I saw in the backyard?”
Mitch grinned. “A skipping Sam?”
“Yes. He was holding Leah in one arm and Hannah in the other. In another year, I’m sure he’ll be teaching them to skip on their own speed.
”
Mitch’s smile faded. “I’d love to be Cassie’s hero, but I stand for everything she’s never wanted.”
Lexa’s smile was gentle. “That might be so, but you can offer her everything she needs.”
Mitch leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Cassie’s blessed to have you and Sam. All of you. I know Cassie’s supposed to be at work right now, but I hope you’ll excuse her long enough for us to talk.”
“No worries. Winnie’s headed over there now and I told Cassie to come whenever she’s ready.” Lexa patted his arm. “I know this is more important. Go on out there and take your time.”
“Any advice?” Funny how he’d never needed advice before on how to talk to a woman. What should he say? What could he say? He wasn’t used to being twisted in knots. He needed to start packing his bags and study the map some more but didn’t want to do any of it. Spending more time with Cassie was uppermost in his mind.
“Be yourself and speak honestly. That’s a big part of being the hero of a woman’s heart.”
With a nod to Lexa, Mitch stepped outside with Cassie’s jacket. Behind him, he heard Lexa call to the children to come inside. Bless that woman. Joe, Chloe and Gracie came running and they called out greetings as they flew past him. He heard the door close and the sounds of their voices grew faint.
Cassie didn’t look up at him as he crossed the yard. “Hi,” he said, dropping down beside her a minute later.
“Hi.” Her voice was quiet, subdued.
“Would you believe I’m at a loss for words?” Mitch draped the jacket around her shoulders and then smoothed his palms over the knees of his jeans.
“I’m not sure what either one of us can say right now.”
Mitch swallowed hard. “Amy’s flying back with Landon. Right after the big brouhaha, she told me she’d decided not to go on the road trip with me.”
Cassie looked at him, her surprise apparent. “Did she say why?”
