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Lisa looked up when Jemma fell into step beside her on the way out the door of Praise Tabernacle Sunday morning. “Hey,” she said.
“Hey back.” Jemma grabbed Lisa’s arm and turned her toward a corner of the lobby, where they would be out of the way of the flow of people exiting the Sunday morning service. “Do you have plans for this afternoon?”
“Not really. Mom’s going with her Sunday school class for their monthly lunch out. I was planning to go home and finish cleaning up from last night. Why?”
“I really need your help. Some of the kids are playing ball this afternoon—”
“I know. Dave told me about it before he left last night.”
Jemma stepped back and studied her friend. “Dave was at your house last night, and the two of you made such a mess that you need to spend the day cleaning?” She fanned her face. “I need every detail.”
“You know you’re pathetic?”
“Completely. Start at the beginning.”
Lisa rolled her eyes. “He came over to help me finish painting the bedrooms. After we were done and before I kicked him out in favor of a hot bubble bath and a good book, I fixed him a glass of tea. While consuming the afore mentioned beverage he invited me to the game, which I have decided to decline. There you have it. The whole tawdry story.”
“Decline why?”
Lisa crossed her arms and turned slightly. Should she tell Jemma she liked the guy too much to spend any more time with him than necessary? Not going there. “I have stuff to do. Besides, I left Snowflake by herself all day yesterday. Repeating that today would only justify the objections Dave made when I brought her home.”
Jemma’s eyebrows climbed into her bangs. “I think thou doth protest too much.”
“What?”
“Nothing,” Jemma said. “Look, Heather was supposed to help me this afternoon. She just called to tell me she wasn’t feeling well. I need an extra grown-up at the park. You won’t have to do much. Keep score and organize snacks and drinks between innings. I’m coaching the team so I can’t do those things.”
“I—”
“Please?” Jemma added some best-friend whining to her voice. “I promise I won’t let the big bad enemy youth pastor bother you.”
“Cute.”
“I’ll see you at the park at two.” Jemma turned and headed out the door.
“I didn’t—”
“You’re a sweetheart. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Lisa watched her go. Speechless...railroaded...and spending her afternoon at the ballpark.
***
DAVE LEANED AGAINST the backstop fence and watched his kids practice. He’d arrived a bit early. He didn’t know if Lisa would take him up on his invitation, but he wanted to have time for a few words with Jemma before the chance was lost under the friendly rivalry of the game.
Jemma had been a big help to him as he’d settled into his first youth pastor position. A couple of years older, with a few years shepherding the youth at Praise Tabernacle under her belt, she’d almost become the big sister he’d never had. Jemma wouldn’t break a confidence, even if he asked, but if there was anything she could share about what made the lovely Lisa tick, he’d have it before the day was done.
The crack of the bat on the ball jerked his attention to the batter’s box just in time to see Willie Jenkins toss the bat aside and sprint for first base. Dave’s eyes searched the sky and found the ball sailing high and long over the head of the left fielder. He clapped and whistled. “Way to go, Willie!”
He stood there while Willie rounded the bases and then stepped behind the plate to give the boy a high five as he brought it all the way home. “That’s what I’m talking about,” Dave said.
Willie, tall and built like a brick wall, clasped his arms around Dave in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground.
When Dave’s feet were planted on terra firma once more, he pounded Willie’s back. “I hope you saved one of those for later.”
The young man grinned. “Just call me your secret weapon.”
Dave returned the smile, amused at the boundless self-confidence of youth.
Gravel crunched in the parking area as the van and a couple of cars from Praise Tabernacle arrived. Dave gave Willie a final pat on the shoulder and loped across the grassy apron surrounding the field. He arrived in time to see Jemma swing a heavy bag of equipment over her shoulder. Dave took it from her and leaned in to kiss her cheek.
“You guys got here early,” Jemma said, yanking the bill of his cap over his eyes and laughing when he stumbled.
“Hey.” Dave straightened his cap and took a couple of quick steps to catch back up to her. “Just warming up.”
“Should we worry?”
“I’d concede defeat now if I were you.”
Jemma laughed. “I just bet.” She clapped her hands and motioned for her kids to circle around. “Our opponent says we’re already beaten. What say you?”
A couple of dozen voices lifted. “No way!”
“I didn’t think so.” She waved at the field. “Go get warmed up. Game starts in twenty minutes.”
The kids dispersed, but Dave lingered at Jemma’s side. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” She must have seen something serious in his expression because she frowned. “What’s up?”
Dave looked at his feet. He had her attention but didn’t know where to start. He scuffed at the dirt with a worn athletic shoe. “It’s not a what, but a who.”
Jemma narrowed her eyes and barely concealed her smirk. “Lisa.”
“How did you—?”
“She’s mentioned you a time or two.”
Her comment made Dave’s pulse race, and he straightened as if the increased pounding of his heart were pumping life into his spine like air into an inner tube. “She talks about me?” He waited for Jemma’s answer with the anticipation of a kid on Christmas Eve.
Jemma grinned at him. “Down boy.” She studied him. “You got a thing for my new bestie?”
“No...”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Maybe?”
Jemma crossed her arms and waited.
“I mean, yes. I like her. I think I could more than like her.” Dave paced four steps away, turned, and ran his hands through his hair. “What’s not to like? She’s beautiful, she’s a believer, we get along fine...most of the time.”
“Most of the time? What’s going on the rest of the time?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve only known her for a week, but I feel a connection I can’t ignore. I’d like the chance to explore that, but every time we talk, she ends up with this shuttered look on her face, and it’s like she can’t get away from me fast enough. So, if you can do it without breaking a confidence, I hoped you could tell me what I’m missing.”
Jemma chewed her bottom lip and stared across the field. “There are some things we’ve talked about that I’m not comfortable repeating. I can give you a nudge in the right direction though. Think about your conversations. What was the last thing you said before the shutters came down?”
“I’ve done that. I can’t think of a thing I’ve said that was out of line.”
Jemma brought her gaze back to his, the look on her face almost maternal. “I didn’t say anything about you being out of line. Look, she’s got some baggage from her childhood.”
“Don’t we all?”
“Exactly.” Jemma patted his arm. “Pray about it, and just be yourself. The next time she shuts you down stop right there and consider what you just said. Then make her talk to you. You are uniquely qualified to address her particular hang-ups.”
“But you’re not going to tell me why.”
Jemma twisted an imaginary key between her lips and tossed it away. “No can do.”
Fresh tires churned the gravel as a new car turned into the parking lot. Lisa waved from behind the wheel, and they both returned the gesture. Dave took a step forward, and Jemma stopped him with a hand on his arm. “But I will say that I’ve got a very good feeling about this.”
***
LISA WATCHED THE GAME from the bleachers with a few dozen parents, siblings, and miscellaneous members of both youth groups who’d decided to take advantage of the mild spring weather. The competition was intense but friendly with the lead bouncing back and forth between Praise Tabernacle and Abundant Life.
But more than the game, Lisa found herself watching Dave. He loved his kids. It was apparent in every interaction, from the way he encouraged the player who struck out for the fourth time to the way he dealt with the loud-mouthed young man who’d spewed an ugly insult when that final swing failed to connect. While the game continued, Dave took each boy involved in the conflict aside for a quiet conversation. Then the three of them met together, and Lisa saw smiles, handshakes, and bowed heads. Dave loved, and he was loved in return. The knowledge warmed a chilly spot in Lisa’s heart.
It was the bottom of the ninth inning, and the score was tied at five runs each. The next run would decide the game, and it was Abundant Life’s turn at bat. Lisa made a note on her score sheet and looked up when she heard a collective groan from the field. She bit her lip and felt her chest tighten with the certainty that the game was about to be over. The tall redheaded kid stepping to the plate had already sent two balls over the fence. He took his place, gave his bat a couple of practice swings, and pointed it toward left field.
The kids from Abundant Life began to chant, “Go Willie...go Willie...go Willie...”
Lisa put her head in her hands, closed her eyes, and waited for the end. The crack of ball meeting the bat, the groans of the defeated, and the cheers of the victors. Five minutes later, she stood next to an open ice chest handing out ice cream bars in a cloud of dry-ice vapor.
“You got an extra one of those?”
She looked up to find Dave beside her. “To the victor go the spoils?”
Dave grinned. “Only if all the kids have had one.”
“The kids could all have two and there would still be plenty. Jemma must have emptied the freezer-section of the Harrison Market. What’s your pleasure? I have Fudgsicles, Eskimo pies, or ice cream sandwiches.”
“Which is your favorite?” he asked.
“Hmm...” She pretended to give it some thought. “Ice cream sandwiches.”
“I’ll take two of those.” Dave accepted the treat, smiling when their hands brushed. He pointed at the empty bleachers. “Join me?”
Lisa looked around. There were no more kids in line. “Looks like you’re my last customer.” She closed the ice chest and followed Dave to the top row of seats. She settled beside him and accepted the frozen treat. From their vantage point they watched as kids from both groups broke into friendly clusters, eating their treats, and holding conversations that failed to reach the summit of the stands.
“I’m glad you came,” Dave said.
“Well, Jemma didn’t give me a whole lot of choice, but I’m glad I did too.”
Dave took a bite and leaned against the back rest as he chewed. “Everything dry out all right at home?”
Lisa nodded. “The rooms look amazing. Thanks again for your help.”
“I enjoyed it.” He turned his head and met her gaze. “Know what else I’d really enjoy?”
Looking into Dave’s eyes was like looking into the waters of the Caribbean. Blue and calming and deeper than it first appeared. Her mind screamed words of warning, but her heart wanted to know what lay under the surface. She swallowed. “No...what?”
His smile was lazy, his voice a whisper, his gaze intent. “Dinner with a pretty girl. This Friday night. Maybe around six?”
He hadn’t touched her, but Lisa felt like every synapse in her body might short circuit. “I...” Don’t do it. The internal battle raged, a tug of war between her head and her heart, childhood hurts against adult possibilities. Father, I can’t do this to either of us.
“Hey.” The voice came from field below, one of Dave’s kids, the beefy red head, standing next to the ice chest. “Can I have another?”
Lisa stood, grateful for the interruption. “Coming.”
Dave grabbed her hand and pulled her back to her place next to him. “Help yourself. We’re in a meeting.”
The snort was audible. “Yeah, right.”
“Just get your ice cream and take a hike. The pretty lady and I have business.”
The kid made kissy sounds, but did as he was told.
Lisa’s heart took a nose dive when Dave’s ears turned hot pink. Look at him, Father. He’s so sweet. I don’t know what to do.
Dave cleared his throat. “So, dinner?”
Lisa looked away, searching for the best way to say no.
Do you trust me, Daughter?
“Yes.” Lisa wasn’t sure whose question she answered but Dave smiled and the heaviness in her chest lightened.
“Outstanding.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Let me help you down.”
“What’s your hurry? I’m not done with my ice cream.”
“Well hurry up, woman. I need to get busy. The sooner I get the next five days out of the way, the better.”
Enchanted by his words, Lisa allowed him to pull her to her feet. Dave kept her hand in his, and when they reached the bottom of the bleachers, he brushed her knuckles with a kiss. She smiled up into his eyes, and couldn’t remember how she’d reached the ground. Had she walked or floated?