Picket Fence Pursuit (12 page)

“Yes, I know.”

“I bet you do.” Lorma Andrews studied him for a moment then patted his hand. “Hang in there. We’re praying.”

❧

Robin flipped through pages of the bridal magazine. “You know you could complain to administration.”

“I know.” Kylie replayed Professor Nickels’s words in her mind. He said what she’d been feeling—“not ready.” All through college she’d been on fire to get her degree—single-minded, focused. Now she was confused. Her passion had waned. She felt drawn to something different.

Gazing at Robin as she wrote down different menu options, Kylie picked up her test once more and scowled at it. “I’m just tired because the end is getting close.”

Robin slipped out a photo from inside her purse. “Look, I took a picture of Bransom in the tux he’s going to wear.”

Kylie grinned at the small, dark-haired boy who looked so much like Tyler. Robin knelt beside him with one arm around him and both hands cupping his shoulders. His head was tilted as he focused on his soon-to-be mother. The image tugged at Kylie’s heartstrings.

She knew her pursuit to get her degree was a good one. Her heart had been in the right place—at least she thought it had been. But that little slip of paper from the University of Evansville had been her sole purpose for more than three years. Lately, she longed for more.

“He’s adorable, Robin.” She handed the photo back to her friend. She lifted her exam. “I’m going to put this away and get my pj’s on.”

Once in her room, Kylie plopped the exam on her dresser and knelt next to her bed. “God, I’m confused. I can hardly fathom that I’ve spent this long doing the wrong thing when I’ve always tried to seek You. But it’s Your will I want, not my own. Show me, Jesus. Give me strength no matter what that means.”

Her cell phone rang. Kylie picked it up and read Candy’s number in the window. She pushed the T
alk
button. “Hello.”

“Hi, Kylie,” Candy’s voice sang over the line. “I wanted to ask you about interviewing for the missions ministry position.”

“There’s a missions ministry position?”

“It’s going to be a new job—the only paid position the ministry will have. Whoever gets the job will keep track of missions trip dates, the travel fares, the accommodations, and other stuff. He or she will keep the books, as well as stay on top of what needs to be bought or collected from different churches or locations, keep up with volunteers—just a whole bunch of stuff.”

Kylie bit her bottom lip. “It sounds interesting.” She and Robin had only joined the church as members about a month ago, and now she was being asked to interview for a paying position.

“And you’d be more than qualified. . . .”

She crossed her legs. “I guess I am willing to interview. I’ll be honest with you; I’m not sure why I accepted. The position at Miller Enterprises is one I’ve always wanted.” She uncrossed her legs and flattened her hands against her thighs. She didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but she wanted to be truthful. It wouldn’t make any sense for her to take a different job offer. She looked at the leaders sitting across from her. “When Candy asked me to come, I—I just felt I should.”

Pastor Chambers bent over and picked up a folder. “We’ll level with you. This is a full-time position, but the pay is probably substantially less than what you’ve been offered. Volunteers have kept the business and accounting aspects of our missions running, but it’s becoming too big of a job.” He handed her the folder. “Look it over.”

Kylie opened it and looked at the job’s duties. Everything seemed within reason. In fact, she wondered if the position really would require a forty-hour workweek. She flipped the page to find the salary and benefits. It was almost half what she’d been offered from Miller.

The logical response was to decline. Now. Before she left. Before she even got up from her seat. Yet, she paused. The income was enough for her to live modestly, and she’d have time to spend with her family. She longed to see them more, to hold her nephews and maybe one day soon her nieces, to cherish the last bit of time she’d have with her daddy. The last few family get-togethers they’d shared had been a lot of fun. She felt close to her siblings again, in the same way she had when they were little.

Looking up at the ministry leaders, she thought of how easy it would be to work with these men and women. Ease at the office was not something she expected at Miller’s. She shut the folder and held it to her chest. “May I pray about this for a few days?”

Pastor Chambers grinned. “Absolutely. You didn’t join our church until God showed you the time was right.” He paused. “Tell you what. I’ll give you a call in two weeks. We’re not in a rush, and we want you to be sure of your decision.”

“Thank you.”

❧

Glad Kylie had agreed to go with him to help take care of his godchildren while their parents went on their date, Ryan glanced at Kylie in the passenger seat then looked in the rearview mirror at Evan, Dana, and Heidi. Kylie had no idea what he had planned for the day. Simply telling her to wear tennis shoes and something comfortable for outside, he’d hoped it would be a surprise for her as well as the kids. Now he wasn’t sure he should have kept it a secret. The day would be quite eventful—and exhausting.

He turned onto the road leading to Holiday World. Signs greeted them from every side. Kylie looked at him. “Are we—”

“We’re going to Holiday World!” Evan shouted from the backseat. “Ryan, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“I’ve never been to Holiday World.” Dana’s eyes grew big with excitement. “Mommy said I’ll get to go one day soon enough, when I’m in fifth grade. That’s when the school—”

“What Howiday Word?” Heidi asked from the backseat.

Ryan pulled into the parking lot and turned off the car. He turned toward Kylie. “Are you okay with this?”

A full grin lit her face. “This will be great.”

Relief flooded his heart as he turned toward the children. “Now, you know it’s October. That means Splashin’ Safari is closed.”

“What Spashin’ Sari?” Heidi asked.

Evan leaned toward her. “The water rides.”

Ryan nodded. “Yes, but we’ll still be able to get on the other rides.”

They filed out of the car and walked toward the entrance. Through peripheral vision, Ryan watched as Kylie scooped
Heidi into her arms so the girl wouldn’t have to walk as far.
I never even thought of bringing a stroller. We’ll just rent one.

“Can we ride the Raven first?” Evan rubbed his hands together as they entered the park.

“What’s the Raven?” asked Dana.

“It’s the best roller coaster in the whole world,” Evan proclaimed. “Can we?”

“That sounds fine with me. First, let’s rent a stroller.” Ryan looked at Kylie. She smiled and nodded in agreement.

Moments later, Kylie strapped Heidi into her stroller, and they headed toward the roller coaster.

“Look.” Dana pointed toward the dog character with
Holiday World
written on his chest and on a blue cap that sat on his head. She clutched Ryan’s hand.

“That’s the park’s mascot. His name is Holidog. You want to go say hello to him?”

Dana’s voice quieted. “I—I guess.”

Ryan motioned for Holidog. As the character ambled closer, Heidi broke out into screams of terror. Stunned, Ryan watched as Kylie turned her away and unbuckled her from the stroller. Within a moment, Kylie had Heidi out and nestled against her chest. Kylie whispered quiet words of comfort to the child.

Dana gripped Ryan’s hand and half hid behind his leg. He hadn’t been prepared for this. Evan saved him when he shook Holidog’s hand and said, “See, Dana. See, Heidi. He’s nice.”

A hesitant smile lifted Dana’s lips as she gripped Ryan’s leg with one hand and shook Holidog’s hand with the other.

“You want to say hi?” Kylie asked Heidi, but the child shook her head and wrapped her arms around Kylie’s neck. “Okay.” Kylie’s voice was soothing as she stroked Heidi’s hair. “That’s okay. You can stay right here with me.”

Ryan’s heart nearly burst with adoration for the woman as they walked away. She knew exactly what to say, what to do to calm Heidi. A natural love for his godchild spilled from within her. She’d make a wonderful mother.

The hours passed, and Kylie still held Heidi everywhere they went. The poor child was completely overwhelmed by all there was to do and see at Holiday World. Dana relished riding the Hallow Swings. Evan had even convinced her to ride the Legend roller coaster as she just made the height cutoff, but Heidi remained as close to Kylie as her little body could get. After enjoying pizza for dinner, Ryan took them to the souvenir shop and let the children pick out a candy and toy. To his surprise, Heidi selected a stuffed Holidog. She gripped it in her hand and nestled back into Kylie’s chest.

Walking back to the car, Ryan wondered what Kylie thought. She had to be exhausted. Heidi wouldn’t let him take her, though he’d tried many times. He knew Kylie’s arms had to ache. After Evan helped secure Dana’s seat belt then latched his own, Ryan watched as Kylie lowered Heidi into her car seat and fastened it. Kylie slid into the passenger seat, laid her head back, and closed her eyes. What was I thinking taking the children to Holiday World? I’ve worn Kylie to the bone. She’ll never want to do anything like this again.

He drove to the Nelsons’ house and stopped the car. Evan and Dana jumped out of the back and raced inside, yelling about the great day they’d had. Kylie stepped out of the car and unbuckled a sleeping Heidi. She picked her up and nestled the girl into her shoulder. After kissing her cheek, she handed Heidi to Melissa, then got back into the car.

“Thanks for taking them.” Melissa smiled at Ryan.

“Did you and Neal have fun?”

“We had a great time. You’re too good, Ryan Watkins.” She kissed his cheek. “I better take this girl inside. She’s plumb tuckered out.”

“Yes, she is.” Ryan got into the car. He looked at Kylie. That one is plumb tuckered out, too. He drove to her apartment. Silence filled the car. Peeking at her, he noticed her head resting against the window, her eyes closed. I’ve killed her, Lord. I should have told her my plans, given her the chance to say it would be too hard of a day. He pulled into the parking space and turned off the car.

He gently touched her cheek. “We’re here, Ki.”

Her eyes fluttered open and she inhaled a long breath. “I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”

“No, I’m sorry. I should have told you where we were going. I never dreamed Heidi would—”

Kylie placed her hand on his. A single tear slipped down her cheek. “That was the best day I’ve had in a long time. Thank you for taking me.”

Stunned, Ryan watched as she opened the door and made her way to her apartment. She waved and then slipped inside and shut the door.

❧

Kylie fell onto the couch in utter exhaustion. She allowed the tears to fall down her cheeks as the sweet smell of Heidi lingered about her. She could still feel the girl’s embrace about her neck. Probably had the marks to prove it. God, I’ve missed so much with my family, with my own nephews. I’ve been so preoccupied. Give me the chance to love on them. To go to the park. To read them a story. To hold them and tell them how much they mean to me.

The folder from the ministry leaders lay on the coffee table in front of her. Her heart screamed to take the position. She’d have time to spend with her family, but what about Miller Enterprises? It was her dream, her means to help her family. Surely it was God Himself who’d provided her with the position. She sat up and kicked off her shoes. Yes, she was just being emotional. She was tired from the long day. Without a doubt, God had blessed her with a wonderful opportunity and the perfect job.