Betting on Love (17 page)

Melody parked beside his almost-finished house as Drew made his way around the pond toward her. She stepped out of the truck, and Drew gasped. That long, amazing, dark hair flowed freely all the way down her back except for a clip at the top of her head to hold up the sides.

She wasn’t dressed up, but the blue jeans she wore looked like a mix between shorts and full-length jeans. They kinda hit just below her knees, but they looked really cute on her. Kinda feminine. And her top was a light pink. Pink! It was plain—no lace or frills like what Addy would wear—but it still looked very pretty on Melody. He swallowed hard, thankful he still had a little ways to walk to collect himself before he got to her.

Drew noted that she seemed to not know exactly what to do as he made his way to her. The breeze blew at her hair, and she just kinda kept swiping it away from her face with her fingers.

“Hey,” he said when he reached her. “You look really pretty.”

“Thanks.” She stared out over the pond, and he noted the blush that spread along her neck. She glanced at him then looked away. “You got the swing up.”

“Sure did, and you’re going to try it out after our Bible study.” He reached out and touched her arm. “Come on.”

He let go of her right away so that she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable then headed the way back to the tree. She sat down on one of the benches and placed her Bible in her lap, and Drew sat across from her. He noticed she’d also put on some pink paint on her lips. Not real dark. It looked pretty, but all these little things she’d done were going to make it doubly hard for him to concentrate on just being friends.

“I thought we’d start with one of the fishing stories in the book of Matthew, if that’s all right with you,” Melody offered. She didn’t look up from her Bible but focused on finding the right page. “Since we both love fishing and all.”

“Sounds great to me. What chapter?”

“Fourteen.” She twisted the cloth bookmark in her Bible around her index finger. “If you don’t mind, I’ll read it. I’m not a good reader, but I understand better when I’m the one reading.”

“That’s fine. You want me to pray first?”

“Okay.”

Melody bowed her head. Drew wanted to reach over and take her hands in his, but he knew she might not be ready. He wasn’t ready. If he touched her, he wouldn’t be able to focus on the scriptures. He said a quick prayer to bless their time, the whole time praying in his heart that God would help him be a good friend.

When he’d finished, Melody looked up at him and smiled. She seemed more at ease as she started reading God’s Word. Drew was surprised at how much she stumbled through the passage, but he had to give her credit that she never stopped. She’d fight to pronounce a word, conquer it, then go on to the next.

He thought of Melody’s competitiveness and her need to be in control. Between a father who’d left her and her mother, a man who’d tried to rape her, and the struggles she’d obviously faced in school, Drew understood why Melody sought to be in charge of every area of her life. She’d been knocked down a lot, but she was a fighter and always determined to come out on top.
Now that You’re the head of her life, God, she is already victorious.

She finished reading, and they talked about Jesus feeding the multitude with only a few fish and loaves of bread. She marveled at the miracles Jesus performed. She put her index finger against her lips. “But did you notice what it says Jesus did?”

Drew shook his head.

She lifted her hands in the air and looked up at the sky. “He lifted the food up to God to bless it. Did He really have to do that? Wasn’t Jesus able to do the miracle on His own? It seems to me that He could have, but He got God’s blessing first.” She lowered her voice and her hands. “He kind of gave it over to God.”

Drew knew she was talking about control and trust and faith and handing all of it over to Jesus. He felt humbled by the innocence of her words. He wanted so much for Melody to date him. He prayed the
friendship
stage wouldn’t last too long, but he’d been looking at it from the wrong perspective.

Anew, he inwardly took his feelings for Melody to the foot of the cross and laid them down. God knew when and if the time was right, and Drew would trust Him with it.

Once they finished their Bible study, Drew said a short prayer of thanksgiving for their time together. When he opened his eyes, Melody leaned forward on the bench and patted his hand. “Thanks, Drew.” She raised one eyebrow as she glanced over at the swing then back at him. “Can I swing now?”

Drew laughed. “If I can push.”

“
If
you can push. Buddy, I was gonna make you push.” She hopped up from the bench and jumped onto the swing.

She bounced up and down a few times as she looked up at the branch. “You sure this can hold me?”

“Are you doubting my ability to tie knots, or are you suggesting I’d enjoy watching you fall on your tail?”

Melody pursed her lips and twisted her mouth. “Hmm.

Both.”

Drew moved behind her and grabbed both ropes above her head. “You’re not going to fall, little lady.”

He gave her a good push and she swung forward with a squeal. He continued to push, her from behind as she lifted her legs forward and backward, going as high as she could.

Her youthful spirit was like a balm to his tired soul. He’d been so wrapped up in competition and pride for so long that this woman, who could beat him at almost any sport she set out to challenge him at, made him sit back and smile. She was a lot of fun, and Drew had needed to learn not just to win, but to have fun. He was going to enjoy having her as a friend.

A month had passed since Melody started having Bible studies with Drew. Her faith in God had grown so much as she learned about Paul’s adventures in telling others about Christ. He’d endured so much pain and so many trials, but he never gave up on his faith.

But when Drew suggested they read about some of the women from the Old Testament, Melody had been more than intrigued by the strength and faith of Deborah, the judge who led the Israelite people to battle. She’d marveled in Ruth’s faith to walk away from her people and all she knew, and Esther’s courage to go before the king.

So many people—men
and
women—had endured all kinds of troubles and problems, and they’d stayed true to God. But what she loved more than anything was that God had stayed true to them. Not everything was easy. She’d read that with her own lips, but God had remained faithful. She could trust Him.

“Melody, will you go get a couple more cucumbers out of the garden?” Her aunt’s voice sounded from the kitchen.

“Sure, Aunt Renee.” Melody made her way out the back door. As they did at least two times a month, Drew’s parents, Drew, and Addy and Nick were all coming over for dinner. Now that Roy had recovered, he enjoyed whipping up on everyone at the Wii tennis game. She was thankful he’d had a good report the last time he went to the doctor.

Addy and Nick pulled into the driveway as Melody walked back into the house with several cucumbers loading down her arms. Careful not to mess up her sundress, she dumped them in the sink to be washed then received a hug from her cousin and then from Addy.

Addy held her at arm’s length. “I knew that dress would look pretty on you.”

Melody smiled. “I’m glad you talked me into it.”

Addy turned her around. “Bright colors look so good with your dark hair and eyes, and as dark as you’ve gotten this summer…” She swatted her hand through the air. “You needed some bright colors.”

Melody glanced down at the plain bright yellow dress that had just a touch of embroidery at the bottom. “I really do like it.”

Addy leaned close to her and whispered in her ear. “Drew will like it, too.”

Melody felt as if a patch of butterflies fluttered through her heart. She and Drew had gotten to know each other so well over the last month. They’d fished together and played games together; she’d even helped him pick out some stuff for his house. Though she loved Addy and Gracie was her best girlfriend, Drew had truly become her best friend.

They’d prayed earnestly for her mother together, whom she’d only talked to one time in the last month and for only a few short minutes. They’d shared hopes and dreams. He’d even let it slip that he wanted as many children as God allowed. She hadn’t admitted to him that she felt the same.

She finally felt ready to be more than friends with him.

Drew and his parents walked into the house. He smiled and winked at her as he pointed from his shoulders to his knees. He mouthed the words
I like your new dress.

Addy leaned toward her and whispered, “Told ya.”

Melody giggled as she walked toward Drew’s mom and took a dish from her hands.

“Thanks, honey.” She peered around the room. “Where’s Renee?” She glanced back down at Melody and smiled. “By the way, I like your dress.”

“I’m here.” Renee walked out of the back room wiping her hands on a towel. “The hamburgers should be almost done. Is everyone hungry?”

Roy nudged Drew’s dad’s arm. “She’s joking, right?”

He shrugged. “I suppose, because we’re always hungry.”

“Oh hush, you two.” Aunt Renee swatted at them. “Give us a second to get spoons for all the dishes.”

Melody hadn’t realized Drew walked behind her until he touched her arm. With his other hand he crooked his finger, gesturing for her to follow him. They walked through the mudroom and out the back door.

He gently touched the side of her face with the back of his hand. Closing her eyes for just a moment, she thrilled at the touch, having not felt any fear with him in a long time. When she opened her eyes, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “You are absolutely beautiful, Melody.”

She bit her bottom lip, unsure how to respond.

“I brought you something.” He pulled a small yellow daisy from behind his back. He stuck it behind her ear. “Matches your dress perfectly.”

Melody giggled. “I can’t wear this to dinner.” She took it out from behind her ear and twirled the stem between her fingers. “But it was sweet of you.”

“Come on, everybody. Let’s eat.” Her uncle Roy’s anxious voice sounded from inside the dining room.

Melody wrinkled her nose. “We’d better get inside, or we’re gonna get in trouble.”

Drew motioned for her to go first. She walked back into the house. Yes, she was definitely ready to add more than friendship to her relationship with Drew.

Drew was going to ask Melody on another date. He wouldn’t do it today. They’d enjoy dinner with their families, probably play some cornhole, and Roy would whip all of them at tennis on the Wii. But their next Bible study session, he was going to ask her.

He’d already planned where they were going. There was a nice restaurant, right on the Kentucky River. It was a little ways from River Run, but he’d heard it was worth the drive. As soon as she accepted, he’d make reservations for them to have a sunset dinner on their patio. Seeing Melody in that beautiful yellow dress, he could hardly wait to take her on a date, just the two of them.

“Could you pass me some more of that potato salad?” Roy asked.

Drew handed him the bowl, but not before scooping a bit more out for himself.

“Hey now. No one said you could get some, too.” Roy smiled at Drew. “I hear the house is almost done.”

He swallowed his bite of food. “It is.”

“When you going to have all of us for a cookout?” He wiped his mouth. “Well, I’m still finishing the back deck.”

“It looks really good, Uncle Roy,” Melody added. Drew looked at her, and she grinned. He knew how much she loved the idea that he’d put a door on his bedroom that connected to the deck. One day, when she agreed to be his wife, she would be able to enjoy sitting on that deck, watching the sunrise in the mornings.

Drew agreed. “It does.” He pointed to Melody. “And Melody’s helped a lot.”

“I haven’t done much.”

“Sure you have.”

His dad smacked his hand down on the table. “When are you two lovebirds gonna quit going round and just decide you like each other?”

Drew watched as Melody’s face washed bright crimson. His mom swatted his dad’s arm. “Brian, that is up to them. You don’t go blabbering out things like that.”

Drew opened his mouth to say something. He didn’t know what he would say, but anything to ease Melody’s embarrassment. The phone rang before he could speak. Renee picked up the cordless phone from the hutch that sat behind her. A deep frown wrapped her face. “Oh no.”

She stood and walked away from the table. Drew and everyone watched as she covered her mouth. “Oh no. How?”

The room grew quiet as an eerie feeling blanketed them. Something had happened. Drew tried not to let his mind wander with possibilities.

“Where is the family?” Renee’s eyes filled with tears as she raked the fingers of her free hand through her hair. “I’m so sorry. So very sorry. Yes, we’re all together. I’ll tell them.”

She clicked the phone off and looked at the family. She cupped her hand over her mouth. Drew held his breath as he waited for her to talk. “There’s been an accident.”

Roy had already started to shake his head. “What happened, honey?”