Tanya sensed Chance’s eyes on her. She swung her gaze to his and became lost in the glittering blue, much like the very lake only a hundred yards away on a sunlit day. “You like to fish?”
“No. Well, I don’t know. I’ve never gone fishing.” Chance found the place on the love seat next to Tanya and folded his long length onto it. “Want to teach me?”
“Can’t. I don’t know how, either.” Along the side pressed against Chance’s, her body tingled from the connection.
“I guess I’ll have one less opponent at the fishing rodeo.” Nick took a chair across from them.
“What fishing rodeo?” Chance asked, taking a mug that Jesse had filled with coffee.
“The one associated with the Last Chance Picnic next weekend. The prize for the biggest fish is a dinner for two at Andre’s.” A competitive gleam shone in Nick’s eyes.
“Nick Blackburn, we were just there two weeks ago,” Jesse said, shaking her head.
“I know. But I’m gonna beat your granddad this year. Besides, my entry fee goes toward a good cause, the youth center.”
“I’m curious why it’s called the Last Chance Picnic.” Chance cupped his mug between his two hands.
“It’s the last chance before winter.” Tanya angled herself so she faced Chance on the love seat. “It’s always the first weekend in November. There have been a few years we’ve had to go indoors because it was raining. Once it snowed. We’ve always used the picnic as a fund-raiser for a worthy cause. Each year the town council comes up with a new one. It’s all day. Most of the residents come for at least a short time.”
Snapping her fingers, Jesse said, “I’ve got it. I know how Crystal can make some money.”
“She’s looking for a job?” Chance asked then took several swallows of his coffee before placing it on the glass table in front of him.
“Yeah, like every other teen, she wants her own money.” Jesse turned toward Tanya. “What if she drew a portrait of Nate and Cindy with Bingo and Oreo? Do you think she’ll do it?”
“I—I—” After what happened today at the center, would her daughter associate drawing with being harassed? Had something Crystal done in art class set the girls off? Would that stop her from drawing? “I don’t know.”
“I hope she will. I’ve seen her work and she’s very talented.” Jesse surged to her feet. “I’d better check on the kids. Be back in a sec.”
“Jesse, don’t say anything to Crystal. I’ll talk to her.”
Jesse gave her a funny look and shrugged. “Sure.”
While her friend disappeared inside the house, Tanya wondered how her daughter would react to Jesse’s proposal. Like herself, Crystal had kept her ability a private affair, only sharing with a select few. Knowing Jesse, she would frame the drawing and display it for everyone to see in her living room.
The ringing of Nick’s cell phone cut into the silence that followed his wife’s departure. “Excuse me. I’ve got to take this.”
“What’s wrong?” Chance asked when they were left alone on the deck.
“The girls were taunting Crystal with her sketchbook. Was there something in it that set them off?”
“Maybe. And you’re worried that this incident will affect Crystal’s desire to draw?”
“She doesn’t have a lot she can do. Drawing and singing are two things she enjoys. I don’t want to see their viciousness destroying that.”
He took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “Those girls can’t destroy her talent, and as far as her desire to draw, only Crystal really controls that.”
“But if I know Jesse, she’ll talk my daughter into doing the portrait and then publicize Crystal’s ‘new’ business.”
“What’s wrong with that? She wants to make some money.”
“That will give those girls more fuel to use against Crystal.”
His brows slashed downward, his forehead creased. “So she should hide her talent?”
“What if they make fun of her drawings?”
“She’ll deal with it and consider the source.” Chance rose and pulled her toward him. “It isn’t Crystal we’re talking about, is it?”
His sharp gaze snared hers. Her throat went dry. She opened her mouth but no words came out. She didn’t want to think about her teenage years when a group of popular girls had taunted her, chipping away at the self-confidence that she had felt when she drew people. Only lately had she begun slowly to redevelop that desire to draw others when she’d taught her daughter what she knew.
“Tanya?”
She nodded, still not able to form an answer.
He brought his hands up and clasped her head, his gaze seeming to bore into her. “I know one thing. Both mother and daughter are very talented, and nobody can take that away from you two unless you let them. You were given an ability most don’t have. Share it with the world.”
His words bolstered her spirits. Rationally she knew he was right. Emotionally she had scars that had barely healed. Exposing her inner self to others’ eyes scared her. She’d spent her teenage years trying to belong and never quite feeling as though she did. It had taken Tom’s love to bring her out of her shell, then his support had been pulled out from under her. Only God’s love and her circle of friends had held her together since Tom’s arrest and conviction.
Chance plowed one hand through her hair, gently prodding her forward—toward his mouth. When it settled over hers, her world tilted and spun as though she rode a dizzying ride. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders to steady her as her legs trembled.
When they finally parted, his shallow breath mingled with hers. Just a hint of coffee laced it.
He rested his forehead against hers. “You were given a talent. Celebrate that talent. Proclaim it to the world. Most people can’t do what you can. Believe in yourself, Tanya.”
“I’m trying.”
“Look at what you’ve done so far,” he said and leaned back to get a better glimpse of her. “You’ve raised a beautiful, caring daughter. You’ve shared your talent and knowledge with her. You’re dealing with being bipolar.”
The word bipolar from Chance’s lips stunned her. He knew! Who had told him? Crystal? Tom? One of her friends?
“Tanya?” Chance’s smile evolved into a frown.
She jerked away. “How did you find out?” She barely got the question past her suddenly parched lips.
“Tom.”
She inhaled then exhaled—slow, deep breaths that weren’t enough to fill her lungs. “I should have known. He was never comfortable with my—” she searched for the right word to use “—illness.”
“He wasn’t. He admitted it to me.” Chance gathered her into his arms. “You amaze me. You’ve gone through so much and dealt with it well. You’ve befriended me when I needed it the most.”
She was afraid it was more than befriending. How could she stop herself from falling off a mountain when she stood on the very tip, ready to plunge with the least push? The very thought wrung her heart.
* * *
“I don’t know, Chance, if this is such a good idea. Most upperclassmen wouldn’t want to be tutored by a freshman.” Crystal powered her wheelchair up the ramp that led to the front doors of the youth center.
“Dane said there was a whole list of kids signed up who needed help in algebra and geometry. You’re a math whiz so why not share the wealth?”
Crystal shot him a skeptical glance before she went through the door he held open. Charlie trotted in after her then Chance followed. Sounds of a basketball striking the floor echoed through the hall that led from the gym. A cheer reverberated, then another.
“We’ve got the first classroom on the left,” Chance said, stopping next to Crystal in the doorway into the gym.
A wistful look on her fac
e underscored her longing to be a part of the group of teens playing an impromptu game while a few bystanders watched. Stroking her service dog absently, she sighed, then turned her wheelchair toward the classroom area of the building.
Dane exited the room and smiled at them. “I’ve got four kids waiting. Another is coming later.”
“Great. I’ve brought help. In fact, Crystal probably would do better than me. It’s been a while since I looked at this level of math.”
“It’s like riding a bike, Chance. I’m sure it’ll come back once you see it,” Crystal said and directed her chair through the entrance into the classroom.
She came to an abrupt halt only a foot inside, causing Chance to bump into the back of her wheelchair. He peered down. The color bled from her face, Crystal’s gaze riveted to a girl sitting next to Eddy O’Neal.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Chance’s gut clenched. One of the girls who had harassed Crystal in the TV room sat next to Eddy. The teen with long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail laughed at something Eddy said, then glanced up and caught sight of Crystal. The smile that had accompanied the girl’s laughter froze, then melted into a pout.
The teenager slammed her geometry book closed and shot to her feet. Snatching up her purse, she gathered up her work and stormed toward the door. “See ya, Eddy. I think I can figure this out.”
Crystal quickly maneuvered her wheelchair out of the girl’s way while Chance said, “If you change your mind and decide you need help, you know where to find us.”
The blonde stabbed Chance with a withering look. “From an ex-con and—” her hard gaze slid to Crystal “—I don’t think so.”
Chance sidled toward Crystal, gripping the back of her wheelchair. “Your loss.”
When he faced the other three teens, one girl and two boys, in the room, he hoped that his anger didn’t register on his face even though inside he shook with its force. “Why don’t you all tell me what you need help with?”
“Algebra II,” Eddy said with a smile.
Chance was glad to see the young man who Dane had introduced him to that first day he had come to the center. “Okay. What else?” He scanned the faces of the others.
The other boy, who Chance was almost sure was the same one that Crystal had drawn over and over, said, “Algebra I.”
Chance slid a glance toward Crystal, who purposefully avoided eye contact with the boy.
“Geometry.” The lone girl sat off to the side away from the others.
“Okay. I’ll work with you, Eddy, and…”
“Grant Foster,” the other boy said.
“And Crystal will help you.” Chance regarded the girl and wondered if she were a friend of the other one.
“I’m Amanda and that’s great. I can use all the help I can get. My friend will be here in a few minutes.”
Still not looking at Grant, Crystal peered toward the door as though she expected the other girl to come back and dump her from her wheelchair. Chance turned his back on the group and spoke in a low tone, “If you don’t want to help, I’ll understand.”
Crystal’s eyes grew round. “No, I’ll stay in here. I might as well help Amanda while I wait for you.”
“I can call your mom, and she can come get you if you want.”
“No, I came to help. I’m not gonna let Holly run me off.” Her voice quavered with her declaration.
“Are you okay with Grant being in here?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Crystal kept her head down.
“You’re very talented, Crystal. I know he was the boy you were drawing.”
She finally glanced up at him. “He needs help.”
“Then let’s get started.”
While Chance sat across from Grant and Eddy, Crystal situated her wheelchair at the end of the table near Amanda. She gave the girl a smile that was immediately returned. The tension in Crystal’s face relaxed, and Chance hoped that he hadn’t been wrong in persuading her to help others with their math.
“Mr. Taylor, I’m sorry about Holly.” Eddy shook his head. “I don’t know what’s got into her. Right before you came she was talking about the trouble she was having in geometry. I was trying to help her, but she didn’t understand my explanation.”
Frankly Chance didn’t know what had gotten into Holly, either, but he replied, “She’s the one who’ll have to find the help she needs. I don’t want anyone here unless he wants to be. Now show me what you’re working on and what’s the problem. I’ll start with you, Eddy, then work with you, Grant.”
As Eddy opened his book and flipped to the page, Chance heard Crystal’s giggle and peered at the two girls, their heads bent over the paper Crystal wrote on. Thank You, God. The second he thought the words, surprise flitted through him. He’d stopped praying to the Lord over two years ago.
* * *
Tanya tossed her head back and relished the warm rays of the sun as it beat down upon her. The scent of dirt, grass and trees saturated the air. The sounds of nature—water lapping against the shore, a chirping bird sitting on a nearby limb, the buzz and hum of the insects—vied with the voices of the townspeople as they arrived at the city park along the lake for the Last Chance Picnic celebration.
The event’s very name made her think of the man who had distracted her more and more each day he was in her life. When she caught a glimpse of a certain sadness in his eyes, she sensed this was Chance’s last chance at happiness. Knowing his background only confirmed that impression.
When Tanya plopped into a lawn chair under a large oak, she surveyed the scene before her. Food covered the park’s picnic tables while huge garbage cans filled with ice held soft drinks and bottled water. She noticed Jesse still manned the booth at the entrance, taking up the fee to attend this fund-raiser for the youth center. Off to the side in the open field Chance helped Dane and Nick set up the volleyball net while Joshua and Samuel organized the young children into groups for the fun races.
“If Zoey sees you just sitting, she’ll have your head,” Beth said, taking the chair next to Tanya.
“How about you?”
“Mine, too. But after setting up the food the past two hours, I’m exhausted.” Beth smoothed her maternity blouse down.
“Ditto. I never knew fun could be so much work.”
Beth gestured toward the crowds arriving. “But what a success. I think this is the best year yet.”
“It’s for a good cause.”
“You can say that again. Jane told me that Dane’s got the tutoring program up and running. The kids are flocking to get help. She’s even volunteered to help in math.”
“So has Crystal.”
“Yeah, I know. Jane told me she’s helping several girls with their geometry.”
“Two evenings last week and she’s actually been upbeat about going to school for the first time in months. Amanda, one of the girls she’s tutoring, called her last night to just talk. When Crystal got off the phone, she was beaming.”
“I’m glad you encouraged her to get involved.”
“I didn’t. Chance did.” When Tanya thought about it, Chance had touched many facets of her and Crystal’s lives at a time when they’d needed it. Thank You, Lord, for sending him. But she wanted—needed—to help him. How, Lord? Show me.
“Speaking of Chance, he’s been quite a hit with several of the teens. I saw Eddy earlier and he was so pumped. He passed his math test yesterday. He’s been spreading the word about Chance. It seems your tenant has quite a gift with teaching.”
The slight emphasis on the word your caused heat to creep up Tanya’s neck. “Yes, he is gifted.” In many ways, she added silently, thinking of his quiet presence in her life that made her cherish each moment spent with him.
“I will warn you, though, that a few parents aren’t happy tha
t Chance is tutoring at the center. It was one thing when he donated his time doing the books. But some of them are upset that he is actually working with the teenagers. They’ve complained to Dane and Samuel.”
“What is it about being innocent that they don’t understand?” Tanya asked in a loud enough voice that several people nearby glanced at her with a question on their faces. She ignored them and lowered her tone, adding, “We need to do something, Beth.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Our support should help.”
“There’s gotta be more we can do.” Tanya searched the crowd forming near the volleyball area and found Chance in the middle with Dane on one side and Eddy on the other.
“We’ll need to pray about it. Something will come to mind. I’ll tell Darcy, Zoey and Jesse to pray, too.”
“That’s an awful lot of praying power.”
“Hey, we’re a force to reckon with and the townspeople spreading the rumors will soon find that out.”
“I almost feel sorry for them,” Tanya said with a laugh.
“Feel sorry for who?” Darcy lowered herself into the vacant chair on the other side of Beth.
“The people who won’t let Chance live in peace.” Tanya’s eyes found Chance again. Peace. Had he experienced any of that lately? She doubted it.
“I don’t feel sorry for them. They are mean-spirited and need to mind their own business.” Darcy folded her hands over her protruding stomach. “Bring them on. No one should mess with a woman who’s suddenly carrying an extra twenty-five pounds.”
Beth raised both brows. “When’s your baby due?”
“Beth Morgan, you know exactly when my baby is due. About eight weeks before yours. And yes, I’ve gained more weight than I wanted to.”
Again Tanya couldn’t resist scanning the people in the two-acre field where the activities would take place, seeking the man under discussion. She enjoyed watching him interact with others. When her gaze lit upon him, he was in the middle of his own discussion with a group of teenage boys preparing to play the first game of volleyball. Chance looked up, his eyes connecting with hers. Even from this distance she could feel the intensity in his regard. One corner of his mouth hitched up in that grin that could melt ice.
Tidings of Joy Page 10