Call off the auditions.” Flora’s face filled the computer screen in the Beacons’ living room. “I have found the girl.”
Chad squeezed in beside his mother, trying to hear Flora over the loud clanking of the metal bracelets on her arm.
“It’s the first day,” Mom said. “You can’t know already.”
“All the girls aren’t even there yet, are they?” Dad asked.
“No, but that doesn’t matter.” Flora’s purple head bounced back and forth. “I’ve found her.”
Chad leaned in front of his mother so Flora could see him. “What does she look like?”
“No, no.” Flora waved her hand. “I don’t want you to know anything about her. Not until you meet her.”
“Aw, come on, Flora.” Chad smiled. “Just a hint. Give me her name at least.”
“Absolutely not.” Flora’s thin eyebrows rose. “I know how the Internet works. You’d type in her name and see her, and then you’d know all about her before you meet. No way. This has to be a surprise.”
“Why?” Chad asked.
Flora cocked her head to the side. “St. Augustine once wrote, ‘Patience is the companion of wisdom.’ I want you to be wise.”
“Mom, Dad.” Chad looked to his parents. “A little help, please?”
Mom smiled. “I’m not opposed to making you wait until the decision has been made about the girl. But, Flora, I do want you to wait the full month before making that choice.”
“I agree,” Dad said. “This is a big decision. We’ve all put a lot of prayer into it. We want to make the right choice.”
“But I don’t need a month to make the choice,” Flora insisted. “I know she is the one. Remember I told you I prayed that God would show me clearly the first day who that girl is? He answered that prayer.”
“Is she a Christian?” Dad asked.
“I don’t know yet.”
“Flora.” Dad rubbed his temples. “The whole reason we’re doing this is so we can find a Christian to work with Chad.”
“But, Mr. Beacon, I know—”
“Flora.” Dad’s voice was firm. “How many girls are at the house?”
“Four.”
“Four?” Mom said. “Not even half.”
“I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter.”
“It does to us, Flora,” Mom said. “Get to know all of them, all right? Give them a chance.”
“Oh, ye of little faith.” Flora shook her purple head.
“Flora, we trust you,” Mom said. “You know that. We just want to be sure.”
“Not to mention the executives have a whole month of auditions planned plus a television special they’re putting together.” Dad leaned back in his chair.
“I suppose they wouldn’t look kindly upon me calling the venture to an abrupt halt.” Flora gave a half smile.
“No, they wouldn’t,” Mom said. “We’ll check in with you in a few more days.”
The Beacons clicked End on their computer and leaned back on the couch. Chad looked at the painting above their mantel, a portrait of their family completed when he was twelve.
“Did we make a mistake sending Flora?”
“No.” Dad wrapped an arm around Mom. “I trust her. She’s unique, but she knows the mind of God. You know how much prayer she’s put into this job.”
“And research.” Chad laughed. “She’s taking the role of housemother very seriously.”
“And she loves Chad almost as much as we do,” Mom said. “I just don’t like that she’s made such a hasty choice. Good decisions are rarely made quickly.”
“That’s why we’re making her wait out the full month,” Dad said. “She doesn’t have a problem admitting that she’s wrong.”
“When she is wrong.” Chad looked at his father. “Which isn’t often.”
“True.” Dad yawned. “I’ve gotta get to bed. I have a meeting tomorrow with a potential client. See you two in the morning.”
Dad said good night, leaving Chad and his mother alone on the couch.
“So, what kind of girl are you hoping will be chosen? ”
“A girl who’s just like you, Mom.” Chad grinned.
She reached over to rumple his hair. “Very good answer, my dear. But really, what are you hoping for?”
Chad closed his eyes. “Tall, with auburn hair and green eyes, outgoing and funny.”
“That’s quite specific.” Mom turned to look at him.
“I met this girl named Kara at Jonathon’s a couple weeks ago. She was amazing. We spent the day together.”
“The day your father and I went out to Hagerstown? ”
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about her then?”
“We were so busy with history,” Chad said.
“You like her?”
“I don’t really know her.” Chad shrugged.
“But you’re still thinking about her.”
“I am.”
“What about her attracted you?”
“She was just really fun,” Chad said. “She didn’t flirt with me like other girls do. She treated me like a normal guy. I like that. She was at the White House with her friend Addy.”
“The one Jonathon likes?”
Chad nodded. “He’s crazy about her. But I really admire what they’re doing. Getting to know each other and praying about how God wants them to proceed.”
“That is admirable. So this Kara is a Christian, then? ”
“No.” He sighed. “But we’re all praying for her. Me, Jonathon, and Addy.”
“Then I’ll be praying for her too.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Chad stood. “I better get to bed too. Calculus tomorrow, right?”
“That’s right.”
He groaned.
“Chad.” Mom stood and looked up at him. “Be careful with your heart.”
“I’m fine. I only spent one day with the girl. I probably won’t even see her again.”
“But you’re thinking about her.” She patted Chad’s arm. “Guard your heart, son.”
“I know, Mom. I will.”
Chad walked up the stairs, his mind wandering back to Kara McKormick.
God, help me guard my heart. I know it’s silly, but I feel like I’m losing it to a girl I barely know. If we have a future, work it out. And if we don’t, help me to stop thinking about her so much. Actually, God, either way, help me to stop thinking about her so much. I don’t have room in my brain for Kara and calculus.