Kendra turned to leave.
“I’m not finished with you yet. Will you please tell me what happened with you and Stetson? Y’all work so hard at steering clear of each other, but it’s obvious y’all would rather be together.”
Kendra blew out a sigh. “Did you know he’s a virgin?”
“Clay mentioned something about that. I think it’s awesome.”
“It is. But it’s precisely why we can’t be together.”
“Because you’re experienced?”
A bitter laugh escaped. “You have such a gentle way with words.”
“Does Stetson know?”
“I’m sure Wyatt said something to him.”
“Just remember, in God’s eyes, you’re pure. Stetson seems like the kind of man who could see you the way God does. Not the way you see yourself.” Rayna freshened her lipstick then dabbed with tissue and dropped it in the 1940s-style trash can. Her gaze caught Kendra’s in the mirror. “You need to start seeing yourself through God’s eyes, too. As a lovely, new creature.”
Kendra looked in the mirror. All she saw was a woman who had too many belt buckles on her old bedpost.
❧
Stetson followed the other bus into the Six Flags parking lot—glad Kendra had volunteered to chaperone, and glad she’d ended up on his bus and not Brother Timothy’s.
Because all the other chaperones were part of a couple. He wished they could be.
He parked his bus—loaded with twenty-six teenagers.
Two boys stood and started to the front.
Stetson blocked their path. “Hold your horses. We’ve got a few things to go over. You’re expected to act in an appropriate manner to represent our church and God. You’re all old enough to know how to behave. No PDAs.”
Kendra smirked. Public display of affection. She hadn’t heard that term since high school.
“No holding hands, that sort of thing. And no going off on your own. Stay in pairs or groups. If two want to ride the Gunslinger and five want to ride the Shockwave, that’s fine. We’ve got plenty of time to ride everything. We’ll meet at the front gate at five o’clock on the dot. Got it?”
Most of the kids rolled their eyes and muttered, “Uh-huh.”
“If y’all would rather, we could divide you in groups of boys and groups of girls and make you stay with an adult all day.”
“Awww, come on,” several voices echoed.
Stetson grinned. “Just remember, in case anyone wants to break the rules—if this trip gets difficult—there won’t be another. Now, let’s pray.”
All the kids bowed their heads, except Trent, the stray teenage boy Jenny had invited. The boy Stetson had labeled Trouble the moment he laid eyes on him at the Fourth of July picnic. He gave the kid the evil eye until the boy bowed his head.
“Dear Lord, keep us all safe today. Bless our fellowship and fun. Help our behavior to glorify You, and if anyone here hasn’t asked You into their lives, let us take care of that today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. And remember, make me proud today.”
Ron and Joe, his two most responsible, God-fearing boys exited. If only all fifty-eight others were like these two. The others fell in line with a bit of jockeying for position. Trouble with a capital T grabbed Jenny’s hand.
The blond girl’s gaze dropped to the floor.
Stetson stared the boy down until he let go of her with a defiant toss of his hair, revealing his eyes for the first time all day. He moved to the front of the line.
Stetson ignored Trouble’s glare and paid for the tickets at the gate.
“Who wants to ride the Titan?”
Shouts of “me” vied for attention.
“That’s almost everyone. All right. Girls ride with girls. Boys ride with boys.”
“Awww.” Disgruntled replies swept through the teens.
Stetson grinned. “Just teasing. How about a history lesson?”
The kids grumbled.
“Six Flags Over Texas was the first Six Flags park to exist. The name refers to the six country or national flags that have flown over Texas during its history.”
“I know.” Joe raised his hand. “Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America.”
“Very good. Okay, get lost. All of you. Drink plenty of water and ride the rides that get you wet.”
The kids scattered.
Stetson drew Trent along with him. “Except you.”
Two inches of Trent’s checked boxers showed above his extreme, oversize, crotch-to-the-knee shorts. “You need to visit the men’s room and tighten your belt. I’m afraid we have a dress code, and if I get another glimpse of your underwear, we’ll have to go to the bus and see what’s in the bag of extra clothes I brought in case someone showed up dressed inappropriately.”
Trent scowled and headed for the bathroom.
The kid had no idea how close he was to taking all of his piercings out for the day.
The adults paired off in separate directions, leaving Stetson and Kendra alone.
“What do you want to ride, Kendra?”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” She shivered despite the late August heat. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to turn the kids loose? I thought we’d stay in groups with adult supervision.”
“Most of them are good kids, and their minds are on riding every possible ride. Besides, I asked Joe and Ron to hang with Trent and Jenny. At this age, if you don’t give them some freedom, they’ll stop coming to church altogether.”
She tugged at the hem of her shirt. “I guess I’m up for the Titan then.”
❧
Kendra’s heart did a flip. Sitting beside Stetson in the two-seater, every turn threw her into him.
But they had no future. Get it through your thick skull. No future with Stetson.
The coaster began the achingly slow climb to the highest hill, hesitated at the top for a nanosecond, and then hurled them down. She screamed at the top of her lungs while Stetson laughed.
The ride barely lasted three exhilarating minutes then stopped and the bars unlocked. Stetson climbed out and turned to help her.
Taking his hand, she pulled the hem of her grape T-shirt down with the other, making sure her matching one-piece underneath didn’t show. With denim, longer-length shorts, she was ready for whatever the day held. The girls were also modestly dressed as were the boys, except Trent.
Her gaze strayed to Stetson’s muscled, tanned calves under knee-length cutoffs.
“I can’t believe y’all rode the Titan.” Missy grabbed her arm from behind. “That’s so cool.”
“What?” Stetson feigned hurt. “Did you think we were too old?”
“We just didn’t think y’all would have the nerve.” Lynn caught Kendra’s other arm.
Concentrate on the teens. What to talk about? Jenny trailed behind, sullen. Trent was nowhere in sight.
“What’s wrong with Jenny?” she whispered.
“Trent.” Lynn rolled her eyes.
Kendra slowed her stride. “What’s wrong, Jen?”
“I can’t believe he got on Trent like that.” Jenny shook her head.
“He’s just looking out for you.” Missy put an arm around her friend. “I told you, Trent’s bad news.”
Might as well jump in. “What did Stetson say to him?”
“He pulled him aside and told him to tighten his belt then threatened to make him wear dorky clothes if he didn’t.”
“At least he didn’t do it front of everyone. And I guess dorky clothes are jeans that stay up and don’t show your boxers.”
Jenny did a slow, dramatic eye roll. “I should have known you’d be on his side.”
“I’m not on anyone’s side.” Oh for teen-speak and thoughts right now. “Why does everyone think Trent is trouble?”
“I don’t know. Brother Stetson doesn’t even know him.”
“Where did you meet Trent?”
“At a party.”
&
nbsp; Kendra’s eyes widened.
“Not that kind of party. I mean—it was that kind of party—but I don’t drink or do drugs.”
“Then why were you there?”
Jenny rolled her eyes again. “To meet guys.”
“Why would you want to meet guys at that kind of party if you don’t drink or do drugs?”
Jenny shrugged. “Where else am I gonna meet guys?”
“At church. That guy, Ron, seems nice, and I think he likes you.”
Missy giggled. “He’s had a thing for Jenny since middle school.”
“But he’s not. . .” Jenny winced.
“Not what?”
“You know—cool.”
“Ron seems a lot cooler than Trent to me.”
“All the kids at school make fun of Ron, Missy, and me.”
“Why?”
“Because we go to church. Because we’re Christians.”
Kendra drew in a deep breath as the years faded away. All the way back to the third grade. Even then, she’d been the brunt of jokes. The preacher’s daughter.
“People who’ve never been in church don’t get it.” And some who’ve been in church their whole lives don’t get it. “Sometimes when people don’t get something, they often respond by making fun of it. But you’ve got eternity on them. So just ignore it. Invite them to church and don’t let their teasing bother you.”
“I’ve tried, but sometimes I just feel like such a nerd.”
“You’re not a nerd. You’ve got your eternity all mapped out, and I think that’s pretty cool. Do you really like Trent?”
Jenny’s gaze cut to the side. “He says he loves me.”
“How old are you? How old is he?”
“We’re both sixteen.”
Babies. “Love is a big word for sixteen. How old is Ron?”
“Sixteen.”
“I’d pick Ron and pray for Trent.”
“At least Ron doesn’t. . .”
“Doesn’t what?”
Jenny blushed. “Pressure me for sex.”
nine
Kendra closed her eyes. “Listen, Jenny, I knew a girl once who had a choice between a guy like Ron and a guy like Trent. She chose Trent.” She cleared her throat. “And she gave in to him.”
Despite the crowd, the girls huddled around Kendra as she tried to keep Stetson in sight.
“Did they get married?” Lynn asked.
Kendra’s laugh sounded bitter. “No. Girls, you have to understand something. Sex doesn’t equal love to most teenage boys. They just want to get their thrills with as many girls as they can so they can brag to their friends about all their conquests. You want to stay away from boys like that.”
“What happened to the girl you knew?” Jenny asked.
“She was ashamed and filled with regret. The guy bragged about sleeping with her, and it got around that she was easy. All the other guys asked her out, and she slept with several of them. She just wanted someone to love her. But none of them did.” Kendra hugged herself. “She ended up feeling used, cheap, and as if she’d given away a part of herself to each sex partner she’d had. A part of herself that she could never get back.”
Jenny shivered. “What about the guy like Ron?”
“He married a girl who didn’t give in, and they lived happily ever after.”
“Is the girl you knew still sleeping around?” Lynn asked.
“No. She finally gave her heart to the one man who could wipe her slate clean. Jesus.”
“Do you think she’ll find a Christian man to love her?” Jenny’s voice quivered.
Kendra’s gaze sought out Stetson. “Maybe. But he’ll have to overlook all the others she’s been with.” She bit her lip. “And I’m not sure he can.”
“But she’s forgiven,” Missy piped up.
“Yes, but most people don’t forgive completely like Jesus does. I wish they did.”
“Girls, y’all coming?” Stetson hollered. “What do y’all want to ride next? How about something with water to cool us down?”
❧
The girls sat at the front of the log with Stetson behind them and Kendra all the way to the back. The world’s first log-flume ride, El-something that meant “sawmill” in Spanish, but he always called it the log ride. And it was always one of his favorites. You couldn’t go wrong with getting wet in August.
The log climbed to the flume’s peak then crashed down into the water, soaking him. Giggles and squeals deafened him. He was outnumbered and surrounded by females.
They rounded the last turn, and the log swished into the exit path. Stetson got out and helped each of them climb out, ending with Kendra. Once she stood on level ground, he had a hard time letting go of her hand.
Her wet hair dripped down her cheeks.
He pushed it away from her face.
“Let’s ride the El Vibrato-thingy.” Missy pointed to the bobsled ride.
Stetson had given the kids their freedom, yet several hung with him and Kendra for most of the day. “Lead the way, but I think I’ll sit this one out.”
Several disappointed “awwws” blended together.
He loved the rides, loved the kids, but he wouldn’t mind a few minutes alone with Kendra. The kids had behaved, even Trouble. And Jenny seemed to be shirking his attentions.
He slowed his stride, letting the teens get out of earshot. “What had all the girls enthralled back there?”
She cleared her throat. “The evils and emotional turmoil of premarital sex.”
Stetson’s eyebrows rose. “How did that go?”
Kendra gazed off in the distance, carefully choosing her words. “I told them about a girl I used to know who made bad decisions with boys. How she continued to make poor choices with men, and how she’s still dealing with the consequences and emotional fallout. Even since she became a Christian.”
It was there in her eyes. She was talking about herself. Don’t let the disappointment show.
“I think I might have gotten through to Jenny. She doesn’t seem so interested in Trent.”
“Are they—”
“Not yet. I can’t break her confidence. I think it’s handled, but you might pray for her.”
They reached the ride, and the kids hurried to get in line.
“I already do. I pray for all of them. Sometimes worrying about them consumes me.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Brother Timothy and I spent weeks figuring out how much freedom to give them today. Whether to let couples sit together on the bus and go off on their own. Whether to separate the troublemakers and guys who just show up to hang with the girls.”
“Wow, I never even thought of all that.”
“We had it all figured out until Trouble showed up out of the blue with a permission slip this morning. Life would be so much easier without the Trents in it.” And Wyatts.
“Yes, but God gave us free will. We have to choose Him and right. And some of us take a little longer. Trent might come around. Maybe something about today will plant a seed. Those hymns the kids were singing on the road might have touched him.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t write him off. God can turn anyone around if they’ll let Him.”
Stetson scanned the bobsled line and grinned. Ron and Joe had positioned themselves between Trent and the girls. “You know, I sometimes wonder if I’m doing the right thing in serving as a youth director.”
“Why?” She touched his elbow. “You’re great with the kids.”
“But I really can’t counsel the girls or get too personal with them. And I don’t have a wife to do it for me.” Had he written her off too soon? A perfectly pure woman with no experience couldn’t talk with the girls as Kendra had. Maybe God could use her promiscuous past for good? He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I really appreciate your help.”
“No problem.”
“Smell that?” He closed his eyes.
She sniffed the air. Batter and grease. “Funnel cakes.”
“I’ve got a hankering f
or one, but I never can eat the whole thing. Share one with me?”
“I love funnel cakes. But I never eat them. Imagine how many calories they must have.”
“I bet we’ll walk off however many there are today.” He grabbed her hand and drew her with him.
“With powdered sugar.”
“Do you like chocolate and whipped cream?”
“However you want it. Can’t go wrong with a funnel cake.”
“Mind if I ask you something?” he said.
“You can ask. I may not answer.”
“How come you never told me about your mom? Or mentioned that your dad’s a preacher or that you grew up on a farm?”
“It never came up.”
“Even Rayna didn’t seem to know about your childhood, and y’all have been friends for a while.”
She blew out a breath. “When I left home, I wanted a complete new start. I landed a photography job at a now-defunct newspaper. When I told coworkers where I came from, they laughed.”
The line moved, and it was his turn. “Hold that thought. Want a coffee?”
“It’s too hot for coffee.”
“True, but have you ever had coffee and funnel cake?”
“Sounds yummy.”
“One funnel cake with powdered sugar and two coffees.”
A few minutes later, food in hand, they walked back to the bobsled ride.
“Okay, you got to the part where your bozo-coworkers at the newspaper laughed because you were raised on a farm.”
“So, when I got the job at Bradley and Associates, I wiped the farm out of my past. I did let it slip to Rayna once. She didn’t laugh. But my father was part of my past, so I never mentioned his calling.”
“How long’s it been since you’ve been home?”
She hugged herself, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. “Eight years. I left right after graduation.”
“And you never went back? How long since you’d seen your brother?”
“Same.” She pinched off a piece of the funnel cake and took a sip of coffee.
He wanted to ask why—the question burned in his throat. But he knew she wouldn’t answer, and he had no right to ask.
“You’ve got powdered sugar on your nose.”
She swiped at her nose, adding more white powder in the process.
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