by JoAnn Durgin
Without a word, the woman reached out. Snatching Margarita by the wrist, she wrenched her away. All the pent-up emotion poured out of the little girl, and she kicked and screamed as the woman dragged her away. Lexa felt a bit of her heart breaking as Margarita turned sad, pleading eyes on her.
When the woman raised a hand to strike Margarita, Lexa could no longer remain silent. Time for action. “That does it!” Lexa shouted, running for the girl with Amy close behind. “Listen, I don’t know who you are, but you have no right to treat this child in such a deplorable manner!” Lexa stood in front of the couple. Her heart was beating with uncontrollable abandon, and her legs felt like jelly, but she had to help Margarita. She was only a defenseless child. At least the woman lowered her hand before making contact with Margarita.
Lexa addressed the woman. “Do you speak English?” It wouldn’t help matters if they needed an interpreter to communicate. Her limited knowledge of Spanish wouldn’t help in this volatile situation.
“Si,” the woman answered after momentary hesitation. “Yes.” She stared at Lexa as though astonished by the boldness of an outsider who dared to intrude.
Lexa swallowed hard. The small crowd started to disburse now that the shouting was over. “Are you Margarita’s mother?” She’d never seen this woman at the schoolhouse since Margarita arrived and left with her older brother and sister most days.
“What’s it to you?” The woman pushed an insolent finger into Lexa’s arm.
“I’m Lexa Clarke, one of her teachers.” Standing her ground, Lexa met the woman’s dark-eyed, unwavering stare. “Mrs. . . .” Her voice trailed.
“Martinez.” The voice was low.
From the corner of her eye, Lexa could tell Amy had backed away. It didn’t seem like a good time for introductions, in any case.
“Mrs. Martinez, I don’t know what the problem is here, but you can’t solve it by hitting Margarita. She’s a very sweet little girl. I’m sure whatever’s happened is something that can be solved without violence.”
The woman scoffed. “You got any kids, lady?”
Lexa shook her head. “No.”
“Well, then,” she said, turning away in obvious dismissal, one hand anchored on her hip, “you got no business telling me how to raise mine!” Pausing, she turned around as fast as her large frame would allow, eyebrows raised. “Hey, you! Wait a minute!” she snarled. “You the teacher that keeps putting all those crazy thoughts in Margarita’s dumb little head?”
Lexa felt like striking the woman down on the spot, right then and there. She’d never hit another woman with her bare hands—never hit a woman at all—but she was sorely tempted now. Clenching her teeth, her fists curled at her sides, she forced herself to count to three under her breath before trusting herself to speak.
“I pray to God you don’t ever use that term about your daughter again.” Her voice was bold and firm with a conviction stronger than she’d ever felt before. Maybe this is what it meant to have the Holy Spirit take over. “Margarita is a beautiful, very bright child, Mrs. Martinez. She deserves to be treated with respect.” Why did God give children to people like this in the first place if they don’t treat them with the love and respect they deserve? Whether ignorance or neglect, there was no excuse.
“Let me tell you what this beautiful, bright child just did.” The tone was hostile, the words clipped as she glared at Lexa. “Did you see the pot that man was holding? The one he grabbed from Margarita’s hands?”
Lexa nodded, noticing the man was nowhere to be seen. Margarita stopped whimpering, and stood to the side of the woman, staring up at her with those big eyes that tugged at her heart. Lexa swallowed hard and gave her a little smile of encouragement.
“Well, Miss Lexa whatever-your-name-is, your little teacher’s pet just stole it from that man’s store!”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean to steal it,” Lexa began before being cut off mid-sentence.
“Oh yeah, she did. She stole it because she wanted to give it to you!” The woman stood back, and it was obvious she relished the stunned look on Lexa’s face. “You encouraging Margarita to steal, lady?”
Lexa shook her head vehemently. “I’d never do that, Mrs. Martinez.” If anything, it was this woman teaching her to steal. “Look,” she said, pushing a stray strand of hair from her eyes, darting a quick glance around, looking for Amy, “I’m not a thief and neither is Margarita. If she took it, I’m sure it was a mistake. If it wasn’t a mistake, she wanted attention. Your attention. Why don’t you try giving her a little of yourself every now and then?”
Lexa shut her mouth, realizing what she was saying, what she was doing—engaged in verbal warfare in the middle of the open-air market with a woman she’d never even met before. Was she crazy? But Lexa stood her ground. It was right to fight for Margarita, no matter the consequences. The little girl was defenseless against her own mother. If God—or anyone else—had a problem with it, she’d deal with it later and face the consequences.
“Leave me alone, and leave Margarita alone or you’ll be sorry!” Grabbing Margarita by the arm, the woman dragged her away.
Part of her wanted to run after Margarita, but what could she do? Helplessness was a horrible thing. Lexa turned her back, and her eyes filled with tears. She stood rooted to the concrete, collecting her thoughts and attempting to calm herself. Biting her trembling lower lip, she stared straight ahead and forced deep breaths.
“Hey, you okay?” Amy walked over from where she’d been watching outside a nearby shop.
Frustration threatened to spill over. She could have used an ally in Amy. Then again, she also understood. A few weeks ago—even as recently as a couple of days ago—she might have reacted in the same manner and retreated to the background if something like this happened. Face-to-face confrontations were never easy. But in this case, it wasn’t a choice. Lexa prayed Margarita would be okay once that woman got her behind closed doors. She shuddered and her heart hurt. Lord, keep Margarita safe.
“What’s happening to me, Amy?” Lexa shook her head, not expecting an answer.
Amy looked baffled. “I don’t understand.”
“This mission. Ever since I came to the TeamWork camp, things have changed. I’ve changed. I’m saying things, and doing things,” she stammered, “that I’ve never done before.”
“Well, if you ask me, they’re only changes for the better. I mean, you’re opening up to us more now, making friends with the other workers, and really becoming a part of the group. That can only be a good thing, right?” Amy leaned her head briefly against Lexa’s shoulder, squeezing her arm as together they headed to the prearranged rendezvous spot to meet Winnie.
Amy spoke the truth. “You’re right. I do feel a part of the group. I don’t think I would have had the guts to talk back to someone like that even a few weeks ago. Not that I was a meek little mouse when I went for the TeamWork interview in Houston, but I’m surprised I was even approved for this project in the first place.”
“Maybe that’s why you’re here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, maybe the interviewer saw unique potential in you, Lexa. Maybe he or she saw someone who needed TeamWork as much, if not more, than the project needed her. All I know is, I’m glad you’re here, and I know the other ladies are, too.” Amy smiled. “What you did for Margarita was really cool. You’re my heroine.”
“Maybe you wouldn’t feel that way if you knew what I’m thinking about Margarita’s mother right now.”
“We need to pray for her. That’s the best thing we can do right now.”
“Oh, I’ll pray all right. But I’m praying for Margarita to grow up quickly to get away from a bad mother like that.” Lexa frowned.
“I know. It’s a bad situation for a kid.” Amy released a long sigh and shook her head sadly. “Unfortunately, there’s not much more we can do about it.”
Lexa wasn’t satisfied with that response. It wasn’t good enough. Margarita deserved
better. There’s got to be something we can do, and I’m going to try and find it.
CHAPTER 20
A short time later, the trio walked into Maxie’s. It was on a quiet street not far from the scene of her disastrous first date with Sam on the Riverwalk two weeks earlier. As they were seated at a table in the crowded, popular club, Lexa tried to be nonchalant as she glanced around the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of their TeamWork leader.
“Don’t worry. He’ll be here.” Winnie patted Lexa’s hand in her motherly, comforting way. Either Winnie was very astute or she was being way too obvious. Lexa slanted her a sheepish grin. Listening to the alternative rock band, they traded skeptical glances. She felt old and was tempted to stick her fingers in her ears to block out the loud noise. Amy and Natalie seemed to enjoy it, and their heads bobbed in rhythm.
A server stopped by their table and took their order for soft drinks, tortilla chips and salsa. When she returned a short time later with their food, the trio happily munched away. They didn’t even attempt conversation.
“Save some of those for me, will you?” The familiar deep voice startled Lexa, the warm breath tickled her ear. Turning her head with a welcoming smile, she unintentionally grazed Sam’s lips as he dropped into the empty seat beside her. Talk about timing. A few of the other TeamWork men seated themselves at the table behind them, smiling at the women. Josh was conspicuous in his absence, and Lexa felt relieved. She’d rather not fend off his flirtations tonight. Tonight was about Sam. She hoped they’d get some time alone.
“That’s the loveliest greeting I’ve had in a long time.” Sam’s bright smile reached his eyes. “I could definitely get used to it.” He licked his lips. “Tasty, too. A little salty.” He grinned as Lexa shook her head and laughed.
She was grateful for the dimness of the coffee house. She tried to cover her sudden attack of nerves with a casual air and handed him a chip as the band completed their set. At least now they could share conversation without having to shout. Lexa prayed she could carry on a coherent conversation with Sam sitting so close. It was disconcerting, but altogether wonderful.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now. I made a beeline for you. Missed me, did you?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. Salsa?”
“No, thanks. How quickly they forget. Remember, I prefer my spice in my women.” Biting into the chip, Sam leaned his chin on one hand, staring at her, unashamed in his flirting. “Like that greeting a minute ago. It was great.”
“Flirt.”
“Takes one to know one. Another chip, please.”
Turning back around, she heard Sam’s low chuckle. She also caught the shared grin between Amy and Winnie as they bantered with some of the TeamWork guys. Lexa concentrated on the new band taking the small stage. As they began their set, Lexa recognized some of the songs as covers of current Christian pop hits. Natalie and Amy played a Christian station on the small radio in the dorm, often to the point of overkill. Recently, she’d hummed those songs under her breath out at the worksite and shared them with Margarita and some of the other children in the schoolroom. Most of the songs were based on verses of scripture, and it was a delight when she found them in her Bible reading.
As they listened, Lexa felt the vibrations on the wooden floor, both the sounds from the band as well as from Sam’s foot tapping in rhythm. She caught the sound of his voice as he sang along. It sounded in-tune and rich, just as it did at the bonfire. Lexa stole a glance when he turned to speak with the guys. He looked great in his jeans and white polo and a lightweight, navy jacket perfectly tailored for those strong, broad shoulders. This man was more ruggedly handsome than any male model she’d ever seen.
Lexa inhaled a couple of deep, calming breaths. Seemed she’d been doing that a lot in recent hours, first learning about Shelby and then the incident in the marketplace. Her smile sobered, and she frowned. She couldn’t allow the incident in the marketplace to spoil the rest of the evening.
“Do you like Christian music?” Sam helped himself to another chip during a break between songs and offered one to her.
“I haven’t really had the opportunity to hear a lot of it,” Lexa admitted, accepting the chip. “I like it better if I can understand the lyrics.”
“Good point. It loses power and meaning if you can’t understand what they’re singing.” He nodded his head in the direction of the door with an inviting grin. “What do you say we get out of here?”
“What, and miss all this marvelous entertainment?”
Sam chuckled. “I think they’ll do just fine with four fewer hands to clap for them at the end of the set.”
“But what about the others? Can we just leave them here at Maxie’s for a while?”
“Why not? They’re big girls and boys. They don’t need me to chaperone. Trust me. They’ll understand.”
Clasping his big, warm hand around hers, Sam pulled her up with him. He didn’t even give her a choice. Not that she cared. Lexa shot a quick look at Amy and Winnie. She almost laughed out loud when she glimpsed their beaming faces. If she didn’t know better, she’d think they were the world’s biggest matchmakers. With a small wave and a smile, Lexa followed Sam as he threaded his way among the small tables as they left the coffee house together.
“Now, that’s infinitely better.” Sam exhaled a deep breath when they reached the outdoors.
The sounds of the night enveloped them, and Lexa glanced upward at the lovely twilight sky. There was nothing in the world like the wide expanse of a Texas sky on a hot summer evening.
“Well, I suppose it is if you like high heat and humidity.” The air stifled and threatened to overwhelm her as they stood to the side the entrance. Sam still held her hand. It felt good, it felt right. She left her hand in his, and smiled when he squeezed a little.
“I mean this is more like it. And I’m not talking about the temperature, or the percentage of humidity.” His eyes met hers.
“What’s more like it?”
Sam sighed. “Must you always answer everything with another question?” Keeping his hand wrapped around hers, Sam strolled with her to the nearby walkway.
Her heart thrilled at his gentle smile as he watched her. “I can’t help it. I’m a naturally curious person.”
“And just what are you naturally curious about right now?”
Lexa gave him a sly grin. “People, for one. What makes them do the things they do, say the things they say, that sort of thing.” Sam wanted her to admit to something more personal, but she wasn’t ready.
“Ah, a student of psychology . . . or is it sociology?” He stopped walking and turned to face her.
“Both, probably. How about you? What are you curious about?”
“Lots of things.”
In one fluid motion, Sam surprised her by reaching his hands around her waist. He lifted and then carefully lowered her onto the stone wall behind them. He paused a moment to collect his thoughts and planted his hands on either side of her. She didn’t feel trapped. She felt protected.
“I want to know why God gave birds wings to fly but gave man two feet and made us learn to walk. I want to know why women are so emotional and men so logical.” Catching her bemused grin, Sam was quiet a long moment. Then the line formed between his brows.
Lexa wanted to reach out and smooth away his frown, but left her hands in her lap instead.
“I want to know how man can soar through the atmosphere to the moon and back, but not come up with a cure for the common cold.” Sam bowed his head, and when he lifted it again, his eyes were bright with emotion. “I want to know how we can legally kill unborn children, and then execute someone for killing a grown man.” Leaning back against the wall, he crossed his arms over his chest and blew out a sigh. “I guess I want to know why.”
“You don’t wonder about much, do you?” Her smile teased, but her voice was quiet. “You’re a deep thinker, Mr. Lewis.”
Covering Lexa’s hand with his own, Sam sta
red into her eyes as though trying to read her mind, her heart, her very soul. Lexa’s smile faded as she memorized his face—those incredible, expressive eyes, the passionate full lips. Lexa wanted to experience the thrill of his kiss again, his lingering touch.
“I sense you’re bothered by something tonight, Lexa. Everything okay?” He jumped up to sit on the wall beside her.
She struggled with how to answer him. She didn’t know men could be this sensitive. Sam had an uncanny way of reading her emotions. Should she tell him what happened with Margarita and her mother? “It’s nothing.” Lexa averted her gaze, not wanting anything to spoil this night. It seemed something always happened to put a damper on their time together, and she didn’t want it happening again. Not tonight. It wasn’t the time or the place.
“Well, if you decide you want to talk about it, please know I’m here for you.”
Lexa smiled, touched by his sensitivity. “Thanks. I know.”
“Want to take a little walk?” Sam suggested after they sat in silence a couple of minutes, enjoying the night and each other’s company. When she nodded, he slid back down from the stone wall, reaching to pull her back down from the wall. Lowering her gently, his warm hands around her waist, their eyes locked and held.
The way Sam stood there, not removing his hands, Lexa felt sure he’d take the opportunity to kiss her again. She was more than ready, and she sensed he knew it. Instead, he reached for her hand, and turned to resume their walk. As they strolled along the tree-lined walkway together, Sam told her about his plans for various TeamWork missions in the coming years.
“You really put your heart and soul into TeamWork, Sam. It must be wonderful to be so passionate about something.” She hoped her tone conveyed her admiration for his dedication.
He nodded. “It’s my life’s true work, more than the financial planning. I’ve seen so many needy people—emotionally, physically and spiritually needy people—come to Christ through our work, I can’t even fathom not doing these projects.”
