Seeds of Summer (6 page)

T
HAT AFTERNOON
, J
ARED STOPPED BY
C
LARA'S
C
AFÉ TO SET UP THE
arrangements for the men's Bible study. He filed through the onslaught of school-aged children with their candy bars and drinks and grabbed the only stool available at the counter. The proprietor and another waitress were busy taking orders. He'd noticed that about Clara Lambert the first time he'd eaten here. She enjoyed serving her customers.

The auburn-haired woman greeted him with a smile. “What can I get for you, Pastor Logan?”

Still unaccustomed to the title, Jared studied the list of specials on the whiteboard. “I believe I'll try your coconut cream pie today. That used to be my favorite, so we'll see if my tastes have changed through the years.”

She chuckled and went directly to the display that held the homemade pies—all baked by Clara herself. “How do you like Diamond Falls? Are you getting situated?”

“I'm holding my first youth meeting tonight.”

“A word of advice—don't let them know you're nervous.” She set the pie in front of him, its fluffy meringue sprinkled with toasted coconut. “Are you serving snacks?”

Jared hadn't given food a thought. “Should I?”

The woman nodded with certainty. “Al serves pizza out on the highway at the gas station. If you want to make a good impression…”

Needing all the help he could get, Jared needed Clara's instruction. That evening, he picked up his order of pizzas and took them to the church. The sharp tang of pepperoni and mozzarella cheese hung in the air in anticipation. Of his three Wednesday meetings, this one scared him the most. Adults and children didn't usually intimidate him, but teenagers were a whole different ballgame.

Five minutes to six, the youth began drifting inside. Once everyone arrived, Jared offered prayer, then greeted the teens as they filed through the pizza line. Two girls giggled at the end. One he recognized from church. The other was Chelsey Adams.

As they neared, he handed them each a plate. “It's nice to see you, Chelsey.”

She nudged her friend and snickered. “You never told us you were a preacher.”

Jared shook his head and grinned. “No, I guess I didn't. Forgive me, and welcome to New Redeemer.” He noted her casual attire, worn jeans tucked into lime green cowboy boots and a matching tank top. Tinted glasses perched on the top of her head. And she seemed almost giddy—unlike the frustrated girl he'd met before.

When the two passed by to get their pizza, Jared caught the distinct odor of beer on their breath.

He looked up at the ceiling and murmured a quick prayer for help. Why tonight? His first meeting with the teens? Jared ran through a list of options. He could drag the two girls to his office and call their guardians. Just thinking about adding to Natalie's troubles made him cringe, but if he waited until the meeting was over, the girls would likely skip out. Either alternative made a mockery of his youth meeting.

He handed the remaining plates to a nearby youth leader and asked the name of Chelsey's friend.

“Sarah Sanders,” the woman responded. “As in the daughter of Mrs. Sanders, the chairwoman of the women's study group.”

Jared groaned.

“I need to make a few phone calls. Could you start the meeting without me?” he asked, glad that tonight's program included a film.

“No problem. Is everything okay?” The woman's brow dipped in concern.

He considered the two girls, and how their actions would affect those around them. “Everything's under control. But I might borrow your husband for a while, if that's okay.”

“Sure, whatever you need to do.”

Back at his desk, Jared set the receiver in its cradle and frowned at Dan Trevor, having informed him of what had happened. “I managed to contact your parents, Sarah, but no one answered at your house,” he told Chelsey as he studied both girls on the couch. “What were you thinking? Where did you get the beer?”

Sarah looked close to tears, but Chelsey's gaze didn't waver. She stared right through him, as though used to interrogation. Neither answered.

“I'm sure your folks will want to know the answer to that as well. It might be better if you tell us now,” Dan added.

Sarah's face cracked, and the tears began to fall as she doubled over onto her knees. “My mom's going to kill me. I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Chelsey.”

Chelsey shot arrows at the girl's head, and her lips pressed even tighter. “It was your dad's beer, and you were the one who insisted we go to this stupid meeting. If you hadn't acted so dopey, we wouldn't have gotten caught.”

“Mom would have found out if we'd skipped. She knows everything that happens in this church.”

“Yeah, well, she knows about this now.” Chelsey shook her head, contempt oozing from her expression.

“Okay, so the two of you thought you'd have a little fun.” Jared
stepped in to mediate. “You stole some beer and now you have to pay the price. How are you going to make this right?”

Blank faces stared back at him.

“What do you mean?” Sarah's voice quivered as she rose from her stooped position.

“You're both minors. Unless you walked here, which I highly doubt, you were driving under the influence, which is a Class C misdemeanor. The law didn't catch you, but you did get caught. Now what are we going to do about it?”

Sarah shook her head vehemently. “We didn't drive. Honest. Chelsey's boyfriend dropped us off.”

“You gonna turn us in?” Chelsey chewed her thumbnail.

Jared exchanged looks with Dan. “That's up to Natalie and your parents.” He decided to let the girls stew for a few minutes and waited at the entrance for the Sanders' arrival. When he spotted their car, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for the next round.

Mr. Sanders went directly to his daughter and pulled Sarah up by the arm. “Pastor Logan said you've been drinking. Is that true?”

Tears gushed down Sarah's cheeks as she nodded.

The man's abashed face turned to Jared. “I apologize for my daughter's behavior and for my wife not joining us. I'm afraid she's not accepting this news very well.”

“I understand.” Jared imagined Mrs. Sanders would have a difficult time facing the members of the congregation once word got out about the situation.

“Where do we go from here?” Mr. Sanders asked.

“I have a suggestion.” Dan spoke from the other side of the room. “My wife and I could use some help with a project we're working on. The girls could assist us with that, under Pastor's supervision, of course.”

Jared nodded, wishing he'd thought of the idea. “They could help
with Vacation Bible School as well. Does twenty hours of church service sound fair?”

“I don't go to church,” Chelsey boldly stated.

Jared looked the girl square in the face, up for the challenge. “Well, maybe it's time you start. Either that, or we can turn you over to the authorities.”

To this, she had no response.

“They have two more days before summer break begins. Shall we have them meet here after school tomorrow?” he asked Dan, and the man agreed.

Jared jotted a few notes onto a sheet of paper and handed it to Mr. Sanders. “See that Sarah's here on time.”

N
ATALIE PEEKED OUT THE KITCHEN WINDOW WHEN SHE SAW THE
headlights shine into their drive. She pulled the plug to the dirty dishwater in the sink, hoping Chelsey had eaten. They had just finished supper, and Natalie didn't want another mess to clean up. It had been a long night already—thanks to Tom, who was once again missing in action.

The man had impeccable timing. Some of the new steers had gotten out, and with Tom nowhere to be found, she and Dillon were left to get them back in the pasture. Why was their hired hand never available when needed?

She draped the wet dishtowel over the back of a chair and waited for Chelsey to come in, hoping her sister's evening had gone better than her own. When Chelsey appeared at the door, Natalie was surprised to see Jared Logan right behind—and wearing a black shirt and clerical collar.

“What's going on?” She directed the question to the man who continued to confound her. “You're a preacher?”

Jared fingered his white collar. “I'm the new pastor at New Redeemer
Church. Chelsey joined us for our youth meeting tonight. I tried to call, but couldn't get any answer here at the house.”

“Dillon and I were out chasing steers.” She wondered why they needed to reach her. And why had Jared driven Chelsey home? Sensing they were about to drop a bomb, Natalie sank into the nearest chair. “I'll ask again—what's going on?”

Jared and Chelsey towered over her. “Your sister and her friend had a little party after school today,” Jared said. “Apparently, they found some beer at Sarah's house and came to church tipsy. Sarah's dad picked her up, and when we couldn't reach you, I decided to drive Chelsey home myself.”

Natalie studied the man before her and noticed, of all things, how his dark shirt seemed to make his teeth gleam. Probably from the stark contrast of his white collar. She should have guessed that Jared was a preacher from all his talk about God. Embarrassment seeped from within that she'd poured out her heart to this man.

“Mind if I go to my room while you two plan my punishment?” Chelsey cocked her hip, her expression stoic.

“Yes, I mind.” Natalie reached across the table and shoved back a chair. What had happened to her little sister? The sweet girl who'd followed her around with childish zeal, singing songs and making up games of pretend for them to play, who never seemed bothered by anything the world threw at her? Who, in fact, had always been able to shut out the world. “And Jared, I'd appreciate it if I could have a word with you too, please.”

N
ATALIE CONTEMPLATED THE TWO AT THE TABLE
. J
ARED HAD DECEIVED
her into thinking he was a normal person…a friend even. For Pete's sake, he'd allowed her to cry on his shoulder. It grieved her to think how she'd bared her soul to this man—the things she'd said. She could only imagine what he must think of her.

Her gaze shifted to her sister, angered that she had to deal with this problem on top of everything else weighing on her, and do it in front of the mighty minister who seemed to consider her family his personal mission project.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked Chelsey who attacked her fingernails like a beaver. Natalie understood teens were curious about drugs and alcohol. Although she'd never fallen for such temptation, she'd seen plenty who had, especially on the rodeo circuit. But why her little sister? “Is it because of Dad? Are you trying to lash out at him for leaving us?”

“Why do you care? Miss higher-than-everyone-else Rodeo Queen. When you didn't get what you wanted in Vegas, you left us. Don't try to pretend we matter to you now. Where were you the last five months?” Chelsey shot up from her chair and stormed from the room.

Her words stung Natalie's cheek…and her heart. Ignoring her guest, Natalie rushed after Chelsey and caught her by the arm at the staircase. “I'm sorry I didn't come home. Can't you see that? I missed that time with him. If I'd been here, maybe I could have helped. Prevented it somehow.”

“Don't think you're special,” her sister spit back, but some of the anger fizzled. “We all have those thoughts. The difference is, Dillon and I were here, and you weren't. Now you're home, and you want to run our lives.”

Natalie balked. “Is that how you see it? That I want to control your life?”

“That's how it's always been. You were the honor student, the beauty queen, the devoted sister who took precious care of her family—Daddy's favorite. I'm sick of trying to follow in your footsteps.” She pulled herself from Natalie's grasp and thundered up the stairs.

Natalie watched her go. Her vision blurred with tears as condemnation tightened her stomach. Were Chelsey's words true? Had she abandoned them, and was she a control freak? A firm grip tugged on her shoulder, and she turned to see the gentle eyes of the man in black.

“I couldn't help overhearing.” He patted her back, the charge in his fingertips tentative and wary.

“My life is such a mess.” Natalie pressed her hands against her forehead, ready to overlook her annoyance with Jared if he could offer any suggestions.

“I know you don't like my interference,” he said. “But for whatever reason, God has put me in your path, first with Dillon and now Chelsey.”

She closed her eyes, preparing herself for another lecture. “Go ahead. Tell me what I'm doing wrong.”

“I'm not here to criticize, Natalie. Your family is suffering. It's only natural for there to be some whiplash.”

“Is that what you call it?” Natalie stepped away from him. She'd
be more inclined to say her life was out of control with her on a runaway horse about to jump off a cliff. “So, what happens now?”

She listened while Jared outlined their plan for community service. “You think this will help?” Natalie studied the man's confident expression and took comfort in the determined set of his jaw although she couldn't help but wonder if a swift kick in the behind was all her sister needed.

“It might help her to think of other people instead of wallowing in self-pity, maybe learn to manage her anger in a healthier way. No more shutting doors on the people she loves.”

Natalie lingered at the empty staircase, the bass vibrations from Chelsey's stereo traveling through her like small currents of electricity. “ ‘Men shut their doors against a setting sun.'”

The broken screen door creaked in the kitchen, and Natalie's heart skipped a beat. She stepped back to see who had entered their house unannounced.

“Those are pretty bleak words, even for you.” Willard's gravelly voice carried to her from the kitchen.

Natalie signaled her neighbor to come in. She had no idea where her words had come from, only that they had fallen from her tongue with ease, as though hidden in her soul, waiting for such a moment to make their exit.

“If I'm not mistaken, it's Shakespeare,” Jared said.

Natalie's gaze traveled to Jared's, and their eyes locked.

“Timon of Athens to be exact.” Willard joined them in the living room, breaking the connection. The two men shook hands as though they'd been friends forever. “You read poetry?”

“I read everything.” Jared smiled back.

“You're the new pastor in town.”

“That's correct.” Jared's grin expanded at the observation.

Natalie watched their interaction with interest. Willard had obviously been sitting in on the early morning coffee sessions at Clara's Café. How else would he know what even she failed to recognize?

“My wife babysat Natalie and the kids when they were young. Natalie used to sit on my knee while I read poetry to her. I guess she must have retained more than I realized.” Willard winked at her, and she smiled at the remembrance.

“I admire a man who enjoys poetry,” Jared said.

“And I admire a man of God.” Willard shifted his focus to Jared. “How do you know each other, anyway? Are you old friends? From college perhaps?”

Jared shook his head and extended his hands in her direction. “I'll let Natalie fill you in on the details.”

All this jolly interaction made Natalie uneasy, like her arms and body were bound in a lariat and she couldn't get loose. She needed space. A quiet place to clear her mind and think through her decisions—from the past and for the future. These two men with their talk and laughter seemed to lap up all the available air in the room. “Would you mind doing the honors? I need to step out to the barn and see if Tom made it back. If not, then I should finish unsaddling the horses.”

Willard's brow furrowed. “We can do that for you,” he offered.

“No need. The fresh air will do me good.” Natalie managed a smile, then escaped before they could protest further.

J
ARED CLEARED HIS THROAT AND SCANNED THE UNFAMILIAR ROOM
. H
IS
attention returned to the man who liked poetry. “I failed to introduce myself. I'm Jared Logan.”

The black man's large hand reached out once more and encompassed Jared's, his grip firm and strong. “Forgive my poor manners. Natalie's family and I go way back. I live down the road. Willard Grover.”

Jared remembered seeing Willard on his porch the day he'd first visited Natalie's home. He caught the hint of peppermint on the
man's breath. “You're probably wondering why I'm here. About my connection to Natalie.”

“I am at that.” Willard's expression remained intent. His dark eyes offered friendship but also warned not to get too close.

A nervous chuckle issued from Jared's throat. “I met Dillon awhile back fishing.”

“Natalie told me about Dillon's disappearance to the river. I saw the boy head off in that direction, but never thought nothing about it. Should have known it'd rattle Natalie's cage. I reckon it would have put my wife in a tizzy too.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Cancer took Martha after our fortieth anniversary. She was the best thing that ever happened to me.” The man slumped onto a stair step and leaned back on his elbows. “She and this family, that is.”

“You're close to Natalie and the kids?” That would explain the man's unannounced entrance into the kitchen. Jared pulled up a chair, hoping to learn more.

“About as close as a bird is to its nest. Their grandfather sold me a piece of his land, when we came home from Vietnam. Not a huge acreage but enough to call my own.”

Jared studied the man seated before him with increasing admiration. “Retired?”

“Ought to, but I enjoy work too much. I have me a leather shop at home, and it keeps me busy. Mostly repair work.”

Jared noted the man's thick fingers, gnarled from arthritis. “You watched the kids grow up then? I understand their father passed away recently.”

The man stared down at his hands and frowned. “Adrian was a good man, as good as his father.”

Intrigued by Willard's connections to Natalie's family, Jared's interest grew. “What about their mother?”

“Which one?” Willard seemed to travel back in time. “Natalie's mama didn't have a selfish bone in her body. She was a pretty girl—
like Natalie. When Natalie entered grade school, her mama died. Adrian was mighty tore up after that. The man was always quiet, but after her death there were days when he wouldn't speak to no one.”

“That must have been hard on Natalie.” Jared rested his arms on his knees and clasped his hands together, hoping the man would go on.

“It wasn't long before Adrian married again—whether from loneliness or to give Natalie a mama, I couldn't say. She was a real doozy, and that marriage only lasted long enough to bring Chelsey and Dillon into the world. Guess you could say Natalie raised those kids, with a little help from friends and family.”

Jared's chest clenched at the thought. “Did they attend church?”

Willard rubbed his gray whiskers, considering. “Natalie used to go with her mama before she died. After that, not so much, though my wife took the kids on occasion.”

“What about you? Are you a religious man?”

The man grinned as though he'd been caught. “I've been known to enter the doors of a church, but mostly my sanctuary is under the shade of a great big oak tree.”

Deciding not to press further, Jared went to the kitchen window and stared out at the glowing yard lights, the night insects haloed around the bright globes. “Think we should go help her?”

“I think if she wanted our help, she would have asked for it.”