CHAPTER 3
Whew! Josh wiped his forehead with the back of his arm as he moved back to server and waited for subs to replace the other positions. He and Caroline Hartzler were the only two who stayed in for the whole game. They couldn’t afford to lose Caroline, their top player. The game had been fast and furious so far, and their team always fought hard when they went up against these opponents.
Anna Mary drooped as she headed toward the bench. She never lasted long. Josh hoped someone with stronger skills would take her place. It might give the team an edge. He turned to study the subs and spotted Rachel, hunched into herself as if hoping nobody would notice her.
“Rachel,” he called, “you can take Martin’s place.”
His spirits lifted at the joy on her face. But when most heads swiveled in her direction and several boys’ eyes lit up, she cringed and shrank back. Two of the youngie who’d been planning to take a break, including Martin, elbowed each other to snag a place beside Rachel. Josh regretted that he’d made her the focus of everyone’s attention.
Anna Mary scowled. Her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned as Rachel took her place in the right front.
Uh-oh, he’d made a huge mistake.
He’d put her opposite Abe, the second-best player on the other team. Caroline stood across from Tim, their outstanding spiker. And Josh wanted Rachel in front of him so he could assist if she was out of practice. But he hadn’t considered the rotation. Rachel would end up beside him on their next serve.
But he didn’t have long to think about Anna Mary’s hurt feelings. The other team yelled for him to hurry up and serve. Josh flexed his arm muscles and readied the ball, but across the net, that Tim, who always taunted Caroline, smiled at Rachel. A slimy smile that turned Josh’s stomach. How dare that creep stare at her like that?
“Come on,” someone yelled. “You too scared to serve?”
Josh jerked his gaze from Rachel and did his pre-serve warmup. Anger at Tim fueled Josh’s muscles, and he slammed a powerful serve toward their worst player, whose weak hit barely lifted the ball’s downward flight.
Another teammate got under it, but only managed an easy lob over the net straight to Rachel. She jumped to meet it and smashed it down on the other side of the net. Right beside a startled Tim, who’d been busy gazing at her.
“Tim,” Abe shouted as he dove for the ball. He managed to hit it, but his high arcing return headed straight to Caroline. She spiked it for the point.
Tim growled as Josh congratulated Caroline and then Rachel, who glowed. Although she’d been worried earlier about her skills, she’d demonstrated she still had them. He hoped she’d keep coming to their games. She’d be a great addition to the team.
He mentally celebrated until Anna Mary shifted on the bench, and Josh read the hurt on her face as everyone cheered. As Caroline tossed him the ball for his next serve, Josh decided he’d better invite Anna Mary back into the game as soon as they subbed again. But judging by Anna Mary’s annoyed expression when Rachel became the next server, Josh would pay for that thoughtless mistake.
When they subbed out, Anna Mary liked to play beside Caroline, who covered for Anna Mary’s misses or fluffs. The two of them actually made a good team. Once Anna Mary had her back to him, Josh gave Rachel an encouraging smile and a whispered “good job” before she headed to the bench.
She soaked up the praise like a wilting plant drinking in water. She must be so starved for genuine appreciation. Maybe all the attention from her adoring would-be suitors didn’t mean much to her.
Tim stared after Rachel with longing. For the first time ever, Josh thanked God Tim never left the game to sit on the bench. His team couldn’t win without him.
The game stayed competitive, and each team racked up points. Usually, every time his team got one point ahead, Tim’s side eked out another point to tie the score. But now they’d managed to move ahead by one.
Someone on Tim’s side yelled, “Game point.”
As usual, Caroline rallied their team. “Don’t let them get this point. We can take them.”
The other team served, but when the ball flew over the net, Anna Mary batted at it but missed. Josh rushed up behind her to pop it into the air. As the ball floated down, Caroline slammed it to the ground right behind Tim.
He whirled around but not fast enough to intercept it. The ball bounced at his feet. With a disgusted groan, he kicked the ball up into his hands and pitched it over his head to the other side of the net without turning around.
Caroline caught it and grinned at Tim when he turned around. Josh wished she wouldn’t provoke Tim, whose blazing eyes and ferocious scowl warned of his rising fury.
After that, the ball whizzed back and forth over the net several times. Abe jumped up and spiked. Caroline dove for the shot. She tipped the ball into the air a few inches. Josh dove forward and managed to lob a high-arcing shot over the net.
But the save threw Caroline off-balance. She splatted facedown into a muddy spot. Josh tried to stop his forward movement after the saving the ball. But he’d leaned too far forward. He tripped over her and landed on the ground too.
Anna Mary screamed and ran to them.
Tim was laughing so hard, he muffed the easy return. Abe scrambled to hit it, but the ball caught the top of the net and dropped at his feet.
“Abe!” Sharp anger edged Tim’s voice.
The tall boy shrugged. “Don’t blame me. You messed up first.”
Gritting his teeth, Tim kicked the ball under the net right where Caroline was struggling to her feet. The volleyball splashed into the small puddle, splattering more mud over her face and arms.
Ooo, that Tim! Josh clenched his teeth. That was such a lowdown way to treat anyone, especially a girl. Jah, they sometimes made vicious shots to win, but nobody deliberately slammed a ball into an opponent.
As Caroline scrambled to get up, Anna Mary rushed over to help her and Josh. But he didn’t need assistance. He pushed himself to his feet and whirled to face Tim.
Struggling to rein in his temper, Josh glared at Tim. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Did . . . what?” Tim’s words shot out between snorts of laughter. “You two . . . did it . . . to yourselves.”
“You didn’t have to kick the ball at Caroline. That was just mean.”
“It was . . . an accident.” Tim snickered.
Nearby, with no concern for her own clothing, Anna Mary helped a dripping Caroline out of the mud puddle. To Josh’s surprise, once Caroline had steadied herself, Anna Mary grabbed her friend’s elbow, dragged her out of earshot of the other players, and barraged her with questions.
Tim stopped his mocking laughter long enough to call something insulting to Caroline.
“Leave her alone.” Josh used a threatening tone he hoped would deter Tim.
Tim only laughed. “What are you going to do about it? And what does your girlfriend think about you defending another girl?”
“She’s glad I’m standing up for someone who’s been mistreated.” Shaking his head, Josh stalked off.
* * *
While Rachel had been absorbed in playing volleyball, she’d become part of the team. They’d helped and supported each other for a common goal. Now that the game had ended, she’d returned to her loneliness and isolation. She drew back into her shell, and her self-protective instinct went on high alert.
She didn’t want anyone to realize she’d walked. Her teammates might feel obliged to offer her a ride. And she didn’t trust that Tim, who’d been making eyes at her during the whole game. She still couldn’t believe what he’d done to Caroline. Splashing mud all over her at the end of the game had been nasty.
Caroline did get loud and boisterous. Sometimes she even bragged about her shots. But she didn’t deserve being treated like that.
Behind her, Josh was confronting Tim. To her right, Anna Mary was scolding Caroline. That seemed a bit harsh after what Caroline had just been through. Rachel wanted to step into the girls’ argument the way Josh had done with Tim, but she’d never be that brave.
Instead, she scurried over to a line a few of her teammates had formed. As much as she disliked slapping hands with strangers after a game, she’d never be rude. The others were waiting for everyone to join the line. But if Rachel went through now, before Tim joined the line, she wouldn’t have to touch his hands. Eyes downcast, she started through the line, startling the other players.
At the end, one boy from that team stopped her. Nausea filled her. Why did she have to endure this?
“Good game.”
At his friendly voice and genuine words, she lifted her head. “Danke.”
She gave the tall boy called Abe a tentative smile. His eyes shone with admiration, but not the lovesick kind. Just honest appreciation for her volleyball skills.
“You had some great serves,” she told him. After all, he’d made many of their team’s points.
His heartfelt danke and kind smile relaxed Rachel. Why couldn’t all boys be like this? Or even better, like Josh? But nobody would ever match Josh.
Abe complimented her on two great shots, leaving her with a warm glow. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel left out.
Martin headed her way. Rachel murmured a quick goodbye to Abe, pretended she didn’t see Martin, and rushed toward the blue portable toilets at the top of the hill. When Martin’s shoulders drooped, guilt filled her. She didn’t like hurting people’s feelings, but why couldn’t he and the others take a hint?
Instead of entering a toilet, Rachel veered behind one, checked to be sure nobody was watching, and entered the trees. She wanted to start home now to escape the crowds, but she’d have to wait. She didn’t want anyone to offer her a ride home.
If only the parking lot would clear soon. Today, though, Caroline and Anna Mary were arguing while Josh and Tim were still having words.
Rachel sighed and picked her way downhill through the trees, moving slowly and hiding behind the large oaks, praying no one noticed her. When she reached the trees close to the field, she couldn’t resist peeking out at Josh.
He strode across the grass in her direction.
She ducked back behind the trunk, hoping he hadn’t seen her.
* * *
Steaming after his confrontation with Tim, Josh stomped toward his team’s line to congratulate the other team. It bothered him whenever someone bullied others. His three older brothers had picked on him for years until he’d made friends with Rachel. Her brother, Tom, had been an example to Josh, showing him how to treat others with kindness, especially those who were younger, smaller, or weaker.
He’d love to vent some of his frustration, and Anna Mary usually listened. Right now, though, she was so busy scolding Caroline, she ignored him.
He sighed. He didn’t mind his girlfriend helping Caroline. She needed it, particularly after Tim’s nastiness. But sometimes it seemed to Josh that Anna Mary would rather spend time with her best friend than with him. Both girls might be a while, so he got on line and slapped hands with everyone on the other team and congratulated his teammates for a great game.
Anna Mary and Caroline hadn’t even started through the line yet. And Caroline usually took forever talking with everyone, so Josh chatted with several friends. Most people were eager to get home or had to go work, so everyone cleared out pretty quickly.
Caroline and Anna Mary still seemed to be arguing. Josh didn’t want to interrupt, so he started for the parking lot. He could wait for her in the buggy.
A flash of blue in the nearby woods caught his eye. Someone had darted behind a tree when he’d glanced that way. The hem of her dress stuck out from behind the trunk. Why would anyone be hiding? Had someone been bothering her? Maybe that annoying Tim?
If so, Josh would protect her. He headed over, stepping carefully to avoid cracking twigs or crunching dried leaves. He didn’t want to frighten her more.
Before he rounded the tree, he asked softly, “Are you all right?”
The girl squeaked in alarm.
Josh peeked around the trunk. Rachel.
Her green eyes wide, she froze like a startled deer.
His heart constricted. He hadn’t meant to scare her. “I won’t hurt you.” But that wasn’t true. Years ago, he’d done something unforgivable and hurt her deeply.
* * *
Rachel couldn’t meet his eyes. Josh would never hurt her physically. But as for not hurting her, he was wrong. Very wrong. He’d hurt her more than he’d ever know.
When he’d stopped speaking to her in eighth grade, she never understood why. Until then, they’d been best friends. More than best friends. Even though she’d only been thirteen, Rachel had expected to marry him someday.
But after her brother died and she needed Josh the most, he suddenly avoided her. The friend, who’d been there every step of the way after Daed’s death, had disappeared. She’d dealt with her grief alone. Mamm had spiraled downhill both emotionally and physically, so Rachel had to be strong for her mother. That left Rachel with no one to lean on, no one to confide in, no one to listen, no one to assuage her sorrow.
Tom’s friends—all except Josh—stopped by to make sure she and Mamm were all right. They helped with Tom’s chores, and their mothers brought food. The church ladies came to keep Mamm company, but Rachel hadn’t made friends with the girls at school. She’d spent all her time with the boys, especially her brother and Josh.
Now, she had neither one of them.
As he used to do, Josh stood still, waiting for her to process her thoughts and to speak. His accepting silence had always encouraged her to spill her problems, her worries, her heartaches. But she could never share her present heartache.
She cast about for something to say. “That was nice of you to defend Caroline.” Rachel’s throat tightened, and her eyes stung. Once Josh had done that for her. Except in her case, she’d mostly been teased by girls who were jealous of her friendships with all the boys.
Things hadn’t gotten much better as they got older. At singings, boys clustered around her, and the girls glared at her from a distance.
Josh’s fists clenched. “I couldn’t believe anyone could be that cruel. To deliberately kick a ball at someone? Especially a girl who’s on the ground trying to get up? Who does that?”
“It was awful. Poor Caroline. And I’m sorry you ended up falling too.” She laid a hand on his arm. Sparks shot through her. She shouldn’t have done that, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to lift her fingers. And Josh didn’t shake her off.
“You played a great game,” she said to ease the tension building between them. “We wouldn’t have won without your spikes.”
“Danke.” He chuckled. “And you were worried about your skills being rusty? I’m sure most people would like to play that well for their first try in years.”
“You think so?” Rachel struggled to suppress a smile of pride, but she didn’t quite succeed. The compliment filled her with such buoyancy, her spirit floated upward like a balloon.
A sudden pinprick deflated her and brought her crashing back to reality. For a few minutes, she’d forgotten Josh had a girlfriend. A girlfriend who was stalking straight toward them.