by Sherry Kyle
Ashley crinkled her brow. “Is Brandon pressuring you?”
The girl’s right eyebrow twitched. “He says it’s the next step in a relationship and the natural thing to do.” She bit the corner of her lip. “People do it after they date a while, right?”
Ashley didn’t want to lie. “Some people do.” Most people.
“Do you and Bryan?”
Not that it was any of the girl’s business, but, thankfully, she could be truthful. “No, Bryan and I are waiting. We want to be married first.” As she said the words, a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Didn’t Bryan think she was beautiful? He’d been so adamant that they stay pure. Said he didn’t want to repeat past mistakes. Most of the time she appreciated his commitment, but other times, she questioned whether he was drawn to her in that way. Is that what’s holding him back?
Madi’s eyes widened. “Wow, I don’t think Brandon could wait that long.”
“What about you?” The words tumbled from Ashley’s lips.
“Me?” Madi turned away. “Brandon is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I don’t want to lose him.”
“I know it’s hard to wait.” Ashley spoke the words for herself as much as for Madi. “But you don’t want to lose part of yourself in the process.”
The teenager stared at the bed, her fingers following the design on the comforter.
How could Ashley make Madi understand? A long-ago conversation with her mom, more like a stern warning, came to mind. Might as well get the words out. The girl clearly needed direction. “Imagine putting two different colors of Play-doh together. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to separate them. The colors will always be a part of each other. Having sex is the same way.”
“So if Brandon and I do it, we’ll be a part of each other forever?” Madi stopped tracing, a hint of a smile lighting her face.
Oh no! She hadn’t meant to encourage her. Bryan would flip. “But if you married someone else, you’ll never be able to share that special bond only with your husband. Bryan, why didn’t you wait for me? You do want to get married one day, don’t you?”
Madi unfolded her legs and stood from the bed. “People get married and divorced all the time. They find someone new. Why should I wait to get married when I might get divorced anyway?” She turned toward the window.
Ashley swore she saw tears filling Madi’s eyes. Was this about Brandon or the girl’s parents? This mentoring thing was a lot harder than she’d anticipated. And she hadn’t gotten to the real reason why two people should wait—because God loves his children and wants to protect them from sin, hurt, and possible disease.
Teenagers were tricky. If she said too much now, Madison might not open up to her again. She pulled a Bible out of the nightstand drawer and set it on top, hoping her actions might prompt the girl to open it. One day at a time.
But Madison wasn’t looking.
Ashley nibbled on the corner of her lip. “Why don’t we talk more about this later?”
No response.
“Want to go down to the beach?”
Madi shrugged a shoulder and swiped at her eyes.
After staying at the hospital last night and working all day, Ashley was spent and would rather curl up on the sofa and read a book. She might even fall asleep. Truth was, she wanted to spend time with Bryan, but he hadn’t wanted to stay. Said he needed time to himself after spending way too much time with his niece. Was he completely avoiding her now?
“C’mon. Let’s go by the ocean.” Ashley prodded. “I’ve got a couple of beach chairs by the front door.”
How long had it been since she and Bryan had an evening to themselves? Three weeks? Four?
Too long. Much too long.
Kayla’s room hadn’t changed since she was a teenager. Lavender and bold aqua stripes still covered the walls, a high school weekend project. She punched in Lauren’s number, but ended the call when a steady knock sounded on her bedroom door. She peeked over the covers. “Come in.”
Mom entered. Her purposeful stride made the hair on the back of Kayla’s neck stand on end. Dad must have told her she was struggling with her exams.
Kayla pushed herself to a seated position. “Before you say anything …”
“Yes?” Mom stood over her now, hand on hip.
“I haven’t been sleeping and needed a nap in my old bed. I feel much better now—”
“You couldn’t sleep in your apartment? We pay good money. Maybe you should move back home.”
Why did her mom always change the situation around? Kayla pushed the covers aside, strode to her dresser, and ran a brush through her hair. “That’s not what I meant. School’s been tough—”
“If it were easy, anyone could become a doctor. Only the best and brightest survive.” Mom expelled a breath. “Honestly, Kayla, we’ve given you every opportunity to succeed. You have no excuses.”
Kayla had heard that speech before. Countless times. Next, her mom would describe how she got straight A’s and put herself through medical school. It was the same lecture every time.
“Dad understands,” Kayla muttered, setting the brush down.
Mom’s eyebrow twitched. “So now I’m the bad guy?”
“Is there something else you wanted? Because I need to study.” Her words were clipped. That should put a stop to her mother’s ramblings. The moment the thought entered her brain, she realized she’d overstepped. Why make her mom madder than she already was? “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
Mom swatted the air, dismissing her. “I spoke with Professor Collins at the hospital—”
“Oh, so now you’re checking up on me?” Kayla’s palms grew moist and panic rose in her throat. “I thought you were going to stay out of it and let me go through the program on my own.”
“Kayla, listen to me. He thinks you have great potential, but lately something’s distracting you. He said you haven’t been doing your best work.”
That was an understatement.
How could she go through med school when she dreamed of designing her own clothes? But her confusion about her career choice wasn’t the only reason she was distracted. Since Lauren told her she had a biological sister, Kayla had a hard time staying focused.
“So what is it? What’s got you slipping up?” Mom stepped closer. She reached her hand up as though she was going to stroke her hair but just as quickly let her arm dangle to her side.
Professor Collins must not have told her mom the extent of her low grades. If so, her mother’s concern would turn to anger. It was only a matter of getting the words out. Kayla’s mouth went dry, as though she’d swallowed a mouthful of sand. “Jeremy.” How she needed to talk with her friend.
“Jeremy? As in your lab partner?”
Kayla winced. Had she said his name out loud?
“What did he do? Is he trying to sabotage you?” Mom grimaced.
“No.” Kayla shook her head. “You’ve got it all wrong.”
Mom leaned a hand on the dresser, inching closer. “Do I?”
Could she allow Jeremy to take the blame? What kind of a friend was she? A desperate one, but she wouldn’t hurt his chance of succeeding. “Jeremy has nothing to do with this.”
“Kayla, I will find out the truth.”
“What are you going to do?” Her voice shook.
“Professor Collins and I go way back. We’ll figure this out. In the meantime, please do your part and find a way to make up your grades—an article, an extra lab, anything to show him you’re serious about becoming a doctor. And please, stay away from Jeremy.”
As if she had a choice. He wasn’t planning on hanging around her anytime soon.
22
“I’m telling you, Pete, I’ve only had a couple of opportunities since I bought the ring, and I chickened out every time.” Bryan swung the bat and missed.
The church softball game was about to start. They only had a few minutes to practice. Ashley promised she’d come with Madi, and he’
d need every pitch if he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.
“You love her, right?” His friend picked up the ball and threw it to their teammate.
“Of course I love her. I wouldn’t have bought the ring if I didn’t.”
“Then why the delay?”
Good question. If Bryan could figure out the true reason for his reluctance, he’d be one step closer to becoming a married man. He lifted his right elbow a little higher in preparation for the pitch. This time he connected with the ball and sent it sailing into left field. The ball landed in his teammate’s mitt.
“Good hit.” Pete called from behind. “You didn’t answer my question. Why wait? If you take too long to ask her, she might move on and start dating someone else.”
Bryan gave Pete a hard stare. “Like who?”
Pete laughed. “Relax. I don’t know anyone. Just saying you might want to speed things along. You two have been going out what … two years?”
“Three.” Bryan dug his right foot into the dirt and swung the bat around a couple of times.
“One more, Miller. Then it’s Pete’s turn to practice,” the pitcher called and then lobbed a high pitch into the air.
The ball was far from being a strike, but Bryan swung anyway. He tipped it, sending it backward into Pete’s glove.
“Want me to help?”
“I don’t know.” Bryan set the bat down against the wire fence and removed the protective helmet. “What do you have in mind?”
“Last week you told me your niece’s been putting a damper on your love life. Why don’t you drop her off at my house? You know, so the two of you can go out. Take her out to a romantic dinner—”
“How would I convince Madison? You and Shelly don’t have kids.”
“Good point.”
Besides, I used to date your wife. How awkward would that be? “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the gesture.” Bryan picked up his glove. “Honestly, my sister needs to get her act together so Madison can go home. Did I tell you Madi ran away? I found her at the bus station.”
“You’re kidding—”
“Then she begged me to let her stay with Ashley.”
“Makes sense.”
“But I’m back to the same predicament. Ashley and I don’t have any time alone.”
“The offer still stands.”
“Have any teenaged relatives?”
“Sorry, man, my oldest niece is six.”
No answer was in sight. Until his sister’s life was back on track, he’d wait it out. The teams gathered in the infield for prayer.
While the referee prayed, Bryan said a prayer of his own—for endurance, strength, and wisdom. And a homerun in front of Ashley would be nice, too.
Where was she?
“I don’t want to go.” Madi put her earbud back in her right ear, turned her attention back to the magazine she was reading, and mouthed the words to the song on her mobile device. The beat boomed a steady rhythm, loud enough for Ashley to hear.
Babysitting a teenager was hard work.
She couldn’t trust Madi to stay at the beach house while she went to the softball game, but she’d told Bryan she’d come.
An idea sparked. She tapped Madison’s shoulder.
The girl shot her an annoyed look. “Yeah?”
“We could stop at Bryan’s house and pick up Tanner. I haven’t seen him in a couple of days, and it would be good for him to run around after the game.”
Madi’s facial features softened, and a smile lit her face. “Then can we bring him here?”
“I’d love to, but I can’t. My grandma owns this house, and she’s allergic to dogs.”
“I don’t see your grandmother.” Madi looked around for dramatic effect. “What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her, right?” She sent Ashley a mischievous grin.
“It doesn’t work that way—”
“C’mon. Just one night?”
“Believe me. I’ve asked. Grandma knows how much I love animals, especially dogs, but this is her house and as hard as it is I need to respect her rules.”
Madi rolled her eyes and looked away. “I guess.”
“Let’s hurry. If we leave now, we’ll only miss a few minutes of the game.”
Madi turned the music off and snagged a sweatshirt. “We’re getting Tanner first, right?”
Ashley nodded. “Bryan’s house is on the way.”
The sweet aroma of victory.
Bryan couldn’t help but scan the small crowd every few minutes. Where was she? Typically, Ashley showed up at least by the top of the second inning, but it was already the bottom of the fourth and still no sign of her. Was Madi giving her trouble? He didn’t doubt it. An image of Madi’s petite frame huddled on the bench at the bus station came to mind. Had she run away again?
“Miller, you’re up,” the team captain called. “We need a run. Get Pete home.”
Bryan glanced at his friend on second base and gave him the fist pump, their signal to hit it over the fence. Of course, he’d have to connect with the ball first.
A dog barked, drawing his attention to the chain-link fence bordering third base. Tanner? How did he not see them before? Ashley waved. Wow, I miss spending time with her.
The dog barked again. He pulled away from Ashley, bounded past the other team, and slipped in through the gate and onto the field, his leash dangling behind him.
“Tanner, no!” Ashley’s stern reprimand went unnoticed.
“Hey!” The referee and longtime elder of the church called out. “Whose dog is that?”
Bryan whistled. “Come here, boy.”
“That your dog, Bryan?”
“Mine and Ashley’s. Really her dog, but I’m taking care of him at my place.”
“You know what they say.” He grinned. “People that own an animal together, stay together.”
“That so?”
“Yeah. When are you two going to tie the knot?”
The question had come up on several occasions over the years, mostly from the older members of the church. Heat radiated under Bryan’s jersey and up his neck. “I’d better get Tanner.”
“You do that.” The ref’s words retreated into Bryan’s back as he hustled to left field where Tanner stood, marking his territory. He cringed. Dogs didn’t have any discretion.
“Sorry about that.” Ashley came up beside him. Her apology hung in the air like a softball in flight.
Bryan caught it and winked. “It’s all right. Tanner’s bringing a little excitement to the game.” He snatched the dog’s collar before he got away again.
Ashley took hold of the leash. “It was my idea to bring him. Next time, we’ll leave him home.”
Home. Sounded as if he and Ashley were already married. The thought thrilled and terrified him at the same time. “Probably a good idea, but no harm done.”
“Except for the wet spot on the field,” she joked back.
“C’mon, lovebirds. Hurry it up!” the third baseman called. “I’m waiting to get Pete out.”
Ashley tugged on the dog’s leash, but he resisted. “Not now, Tanner.”
“Here, let me help.” Bryan took the leash and called the dog forward. The dog went willingly.
“How’d you do that?” Ashley kept pace off the field.
“He knows me better.” Bryan hadn’t meant to dig it in, but that’s exactly how it sounded.
“So he’s your dog now?” she countered.
“No.” Bryan sent her an are-you-kidding look. “That came out wrong.”
Ashley smirked and raised a brow.
“Let’s play ball.” The referee motioned Bryan toward home plate.
Bryan smiled. “Wish me luck. It’s my turn at bat.”
“You’re going to need more than luck, Miller.” Her words echoed his captain. She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek before slipping through the side gate with Tanner.
The attention from his girl gave him more adrenaline than a shot of espresso. If he didn’t kno
ck it out of the park now, he’d never hit a homerun. He ran to home plate, planted a helmet on his head, and grabbed a bat.
Then why couldn’t he propose?
23
Kayla crumpled in a heap on the sofa. Her life had become a series of disappointments. If it weren’t for her best friend’s party tonight, she’d consider wallowing all night with a gallon of ice cream and a stack of her favorite movies.
Since visiting her parents a week ago, she’d not only finished her exams but had steered clear of Jeremy, a feat that nearly broke her heart. If only he understood what mentioning his name did to his reputation. Some friend she was. To think Jeremy considered her girlfriend material. At this point, she had no idea if he’d ever speak to her again or if her mom had called Dr. Collins, but it was too late now.
Kayla rubbed her eyes on the corner of the pillow. If her eyes didn’t stop leaking, her nose would remain red all night.
The pile of mail from the past week littered the coffee table. She fingered through it looking for something to cheer her up—a magazine, a coupon to her favorite store, a rebate check—anything. Instead, a handwritten envelope caught her eye.
No return address. Strange.
She flipped it over, stuck her finger under the flap, and opened it. She pulled out the contents. A sticky note covered a photo.
Kayla, I thought you might like to see proof Ashley is your sister.
Call me. Lauren.
Through misty eyes, Kayla brought the picture closer to her face and studied the photo. They wore matching sundresses and had the identical shade of auburn hair. When Lauren had first called her, Kayla doubted Ashley was her biological sister, but seeing her in person—and now the photo—confirmed Kayla had a sibling, someone with the same genes. And for some reason two separate families had adopted them.
From what she’d seen, Ashley had the perfect life—a big family, an attentive boyfriend, and a cozy home near the beach. Why would she want a relationship with someone who failed at every turn?
Kayla put the photo in the envelope and forced herself to get ready for Chloe’s party. She’d deal with her feelings later when she’d had her fill of laughter and encouragement from her good friends—the real people in her life that accepted her the way she was, not from a sister she’d never met.