Tidings of Joy

by Margaret Daley

  Chance’s team gave a cheer, then broke their huddle and loped out onto the makeshift court. His gaze remained on her.

  She’d rested enough. Rising, she said to Beth and Darcy, “Excuse me. I think I’ll watch the volleyball game that’s about to start.”

  “Hmm, I wonder why she has a sudden interest in volleyball,” Darcy said as Tanya hurried toward the reason she had a sudden interest in a game she had no idea how to play.

  “Hi.” She came to a stop beside Chance.

  “Hi, yourself. You looked mighty comfortable in that chair.”

  “I’m afraid if I sit too long, I’ll never get up. So, can I help you with the game?”

  One brow arched. “You play volleyball?”

  “Well, no, but I figure it isn’t too hard. Besides, I’m not offering to play, just help.”

  His full-fledged grin moved across his mouth. “I’m here to cheer these guys on. That’s all.”

  “You aren’t gonna play?”

  He tossed his head in the direction of the grass court. “Do you see anyone out there over the age of twenty?”

  She looked, then shook her head. “Then you’re just coaching them?”

  “No. Eddy is the team captain and very capable of coaching them. I’m their moral support.”

  The game started with Dane standing on the other side of the court, cheering whoever hit the ball no matter which team, while Chance supported the players with quiet words of encouragement, as though he didn’t want to call attention to himself. She followed the action for a few minutes, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on with Chance. The activities for the kids were off to the side away from most of the people who attended the picnic.

  Finally when one side rotated, causing a lull in the game, Tanya asked, “You’ve been over here most of the morning. Is something wrong?”

  Again one of his brows quirked as he assessed her. “I gather you’ve heard about the complaints against me tutoring at the youth center.”

  “Yep. Do you know who is complaining?”

  “Dane and Samuel didn’t feel they could say, but I’ve got a pretty good idea, starting with Holly Proctor’s parents.”

  “Holly? The family used to go to our church. They stopped attending a few years back. Why do you think they complained?” A finely honed tension straightened her spine.

  “She wasn’t too happy the other evening when Crystal and I showed up to tutor. She left in a huff.”

  “Well, she can be dramatic at times.”

  “There’s more. She was one of the girls who harassed Crystal in the TV room at the center.”

  A surge of anger zipped through Tanya. “And you’re just now telling me this?”

  “Yes, we’ve both been busy this week.”

  She glared at him. “Chance Taylor, you didn’t think that bit of information warranted a visit even in the midst of your busy schedule?”

  “Okay, I was hoping that Crystal would tell you. Obviously she didn’t.”

  “Probably because she knows I will have a hard time not saying something to at least Holly’s parents.”

  “See, I was trying to help you keep your promise to your daughter.”

  “You know there wasn’t a timeline established on how long I would let her try to solve this problem.”

  Her gaze swept the crowd of people milling around and located the Proctor family with Holly standing off to the side slightly, a pout on her face, her arms crossed. One of the teenager’s friends approached Holly and her sullen expression transformed into less grim lines. They further separated themselves from Holly’s parents, whispering and glancing around them. Crystal’s tormentor laughed when a younger girl walked by.

  The urge to shake some sense into the teenager flooded Tanya. She started toward the pair. Chance’s hand on her arm stopped her. She stared down at the long fingers clasped around her, then up into his eyes, so full of concern. “Someone needs to straighten Holly out. She shouldn’t treat people like that.”

  “True. But I have a feeling that Crystal wouldn’t like you interfering. Remember what you said to her last weekend.”

  “I’m supposed to do nothing?” Her nails dug into her palms.

  “You can support Crystal. Be there to listen.”

  “Then how about you? You aren’t gonna let those few parents stop you from tutoring, are you?”

  His face tensed. “No. As long as there are kids to tutor and Dane allows me to, I will.”

  A cheer erupted behind Tanya. She glanced over her shoulder at the volleyball court and saw several teenagers leap into the air. Eddy came down, slamming the ball over the net. A boy on the other team dived for it and missed. The high-fives and shouts of victory drew a good part of the townspeople’s attention toward them.

  As Chance congratulated the winners, Tanya glimpsed Jim Proctor catch sight of Chance and frown, then say something to his wife. He strode toward Dane, still on the other side of the court with Samuel, who had joined him a few minutes ago. The man’s path took him by Wilbur Thompson and Felicia Winters. Jim solicited their assistance and en masse they cornered Dane and Samuel with several other adults strolling toward the gathering.

  Chance grew quiet, his gaze on the group quickly forming across the volleyball court. He flinched at the sound of a raised voice and turned away.

  “I’ll be right back,” Tanya muttered and stalked toward the group, half expecting Chance to stop her. But the fact he didn’t alarmed her more than if he had tried. The hurt expression on his face before he’d masked it behind a bland one stiffened her resolve. He was a good man and it was about time the people of Sweetwater knew that!

  “But he’s been in prison,” Wilbur said, glaring at Dane. “I don’t want my grandchildren around someone like him.”

  “Then don’t let them come to the center.” Dane returned Wilbur’s glare.

  Spying Zoey and Beth making a beeline toward the group, Tanya pushed her way through the crowd until she stood next to Dane and Samuel.

  “The people volunteering at the center should be checked out. My son should do a thorough background check on them.” Wilbur pounded his fist into his palm.

  Behind the older man, Zach Thompson, the town’s police chief said, “Dad, I have and Chance checks out.”

  Wilbur huffed while Jim shouldered his way to the center of the circle of townspeople. “My daughter can’t even get the help she needs because she’s afraid.”

  Words of anger gushed upward, and Tanya had to bite them back. She’d promised her daughter she wouldn’t say anything about Holly’s actions—at least not yet. But as far as Tanya was concerned, there was probably little that frightened that young woman. Instead, Holly was the cause of scaring others.

  Zoey came forward. “We have a list of tutors she can access through the counseling office. If you want some names, Jim, you can call me on Monday morning.”

  “Those tutors cost money.”

  “I’ll help her.”

  The sound of her daughter’s voice sent a shock wave through Tanya. She spun around and faced Crystal, who had maneuvered her wheelchair between the adults. Amanda walked beside her.

  “For free. But she’ll have to come to my house or the center if she wants help.” Crystal stopped next to Tanya.

  Jim opened and closed his mouth, then finally said, “He lives next to you.”

  Tanya placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder for a few seconds, then stepped forward until she invaded the man’s personal space. Anger vibrated through her, but she instilled an even level into her voice as she said, “And he’s a good neighbor. He doesn’t judge. He helps others when he sees a need. I couldn’t ask for a better neighbor. So if you want free tutoring, you have a choice. Take up my daughter’s offer and come to the house or go
to the center.”

  For half a minute Jim glared at her, then looked toward Zoey. “Send the list home with Holly on Monday. I refuse to expose my daughter to a man like that.” Then he plunged into the crowd, disappearing from Tanya’s view.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m starved. I suggest we remember why we have this Last Chance Picnic and proceed to the tables set up with the food.” Samuel’s sharp gaze slid from one irate adult to the next, staring down each one until he hurried away.

  After the instigators left, Beth said, “I’ve never been so embarrassed by our neighbors’ behavior as today. Where in the world is this coming from?”

  “It only takes a few to stir up the others.” Dane clasped Zoey’s hand and pulled her against his side.

  “You mean Wilbur.” Tanya positioned herself next to her daughter, her hand on her shoulder again. She was so proud of Crystal for offering to help the one person who was the cause of her agony.

  “Yeah. Remember the problems I had with him when I first came to town? He just doesn’t know how to keep his nose out of other people’s business.” Dane scanned the area. “Where’s Chance?”

  Tanya shifted until she made her own survey of the park. Chance wasn’t anywhere to be seen, not even with Nick and Jesse or Eddy and his friends. Alarm bubbled up. He’s left. And I can’t blame him. Will this push him to leave Sweetwater? The question intensified the alarm, her stomach constricting.

  Then she caught sight of him on the other side of the park near the water. When the police chief approached him, Chance stiffened. Even from this distance Tanya saw the wariness in every line of Chance’s body.

  “I see him. I’ll be back.” Tanya avoided the groups of townspeople and rushed across the expanse of the park toward him.

  As she neared him, Chance shook Zach’s hand, saying something to the police chief that was too low for her to hear. But when Zach left and passed her, he nodded, his features relaxed in a grin.

  Although Chance saw her approach, he faced the lake, his hands stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans. The breeze from the water played with his hair, which he’d let grow out since his arrival in Sweetwater. Tanya slowed her pace, taking in his hunched shoulders, his rigid stance, as though a cold wind battered his body.

  “I’m sorry you had to witness that little scene, Chance.”

  He didn’t say anything for a long moment, then he turned slightly. Even though his tension slipped from his expression, it still gripped his posture. “You have nothing to apologize for. This isn’t the first time and I doubt it will be the last, either.” He stared again at the water lapping against the shore near his feet, just missing soaking his tennis shoes.

  She sidled up next to him, her gaze trained on a couple of skiffs on the lake a few hundred yards out, their occupants participating in the fishing rodeo. “What did Zach have to say?” Although she had intended for her voice to be casual, she winced at the intensity in the question.

  “About the same as you, except he was more specific. He was apologizing for his father’s rude behavior.”

  “He shouldn’t apologize. Wilbur should.”

  “That’s not gonna happen. Wilbur thinks he’s protecting the people of this good town.”

  Tanya snorted. “From you? Wilbur is a busybody who needs to mind his own business.” Even though his body language screamed stay away, Tanya slipped her arm through his. “And Jim Proctor needs to take care of his own problems. His daughter is a menace.”

  He chuckled, relaxing some more. “Remind me not to get on your bad side. You’re fierce when riled.” He twisted toward her, so near his clean scent laced the air between them and mingled with the more earthy odors surrounding them. “But I don’t need you to fight my battles.”

  “First Crystal and now you. Will no one let me help them?”

  “The best way to deal with the Wilburs and Jims of this world is to ignore them and prove them wrong by doing the best job you can.”

  She caressed his face, feeling the slightly rough texture of his jawline. “But you aren’t ignoring them really. I saw the look of hurt in your eyes.”

  Those eyes crinkled with humor now. “I didn’t say I had mastered the best way yet. I’m still working on it.” He searched her features, as though seeking some answers to questions she didn’t know. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  She fit her hand within his, and they started along the path that followed the shoreline. The aroma of grilled hamburgers floated to her, and she realized some of the men were cooking lunch. Even though hunger pangs tightened her stomach, she wouldn’t be any other place but beside Chance. Maybe this would be the time he would let her inside, and she would be able to help him.

  The large oaks, maples and pines that lined the trail shielded them from the sun, but an occasional ray fought its way through the multicolored canopy of fall leaves and struck the dirt path with its brightness. The coolness of the forest cloaked Tanya as she waited for Chance to break the silence.

  “What did Crystal say about doing a portrait of Nate and Cindy?”

  “I haven’t said anything to her about Jesse’s offer.”

  He slanted a look at her. “Why not?”

  “Because…because…” Tanya couldn’t get the words past her lips. Wasn’t it obvious she was protecting her daughter?

  “Tanya, what’s going on? Crystal would do an excellent job.”

  “I’m sure she would.”

  “Then why haven’t you told her?”

  She swallowed several times. “Because it could open her up to more ridicule. She’s got enough to deal with at the moment.”

  He stopped, angling toward her and clasping her arms. “What happened to you to make you hide your talent?”

  “I made the mistake of entering an art contest at school and winning against a girl who was very popular and had many friends. She wasn’t a gracious loser. She made my life a living nightmare for the rest of the year until we moved here to Sweetwater.”

  “And so you stopped drawing.”

  “I drew. Just no one saw my drawings after that. Look what happened when Holly saw Crystal at the art lesson at the center. Can you imagine what that girl would do if Crystal starting earning money with her art?”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Yes, I can imagine. But shouldn’t Crystal make up her own mind what she needs to do? She wants to earn some money and that would be a good way for her to do something with her talent.”

  Tanya thought back to Crystal in the middle of the crowd earlier, telling Jim Proctor she would tutor his daughter for free. In her mind’s eye she pictured the lift of her daughter’s chin, the determination in her eyes and knew that Crystal meant every word she had uttered. She was turning the other cheek so to speak, doing what Christ would want her to do.

  “I’ll tell her this evening. It’ll be her choice.”

  Chance brushed her hair behind her ears, his gaze riveted to hers. Her mouth went dry, her heartbeat pounding in her ears and drowning out all sounds. All her senses focused on him only inches from her, a tingling awareness blanketing her.

  He leaned in and feathered his lips over hers. They reacted by parting. His mouth came down on hers possessing it as though there were no tomorrows. His arms entwined about her and pressed her against him while she surrendered to his kiss.

  A good minute later he raised his head, the tight band of his embrace loosening slightly. A corner of his mouth lifted, his cheeks dimpling.

  She brushed her finger over each indentation. “You know this was supposed to be a conversation about you and somehow we ended up discussing me. Chance Taylor, you’re quite good at changing the subject.”

  “I’m glad I’m good at something.”

  “Oh, there are a number of things you are good at,” she said, reliving the kiss he had just gi
ven her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Tanya opened the drawer in the bathroom and found her medications for manic depression. She’d been feeling so well lately. In spite of all that had happened the past year, she’d done well mentally. Maybe she didn’t have to take her two medicines anymore.

  Fingering one of the bottles, she remembered the past few weeks since the Last Chance Picnic. Crystal seemed happier, especially with her and Amanda becoming closer as friends. She didn’t think there had been another incident with those girls harassing her.

  Thank You, Lord, for that.

  Contentment shimmied down Tanya’s length. She picked up the bottle, rolling it between her hands, the plastic container cool in her palms. Then there was Chance. Even though the weather had turned nasty, becoming colder than usual for this time of year, they jogged almost every evening after work along the lighted streets in the neighborhood. They often shared a dinner or two each week after he and Crystal tutored at the center. That was the least she could do since he was watching out for her daughter while there.

  She stared at the white bottle. She hated depending on the pills to keep her even keel. The past three weeks had been near perfect. Maybe she could try not taking them today and see what would happen. If she could stop taking her medications for manic depression, then everything would really be perfect.

  She tossed up the plastic container and snatched it from the air, the temptation growing within her. To be free, not sick, would be wonderful. To be whole for Chance.

  “Mom, Chance is here.”

  Her daughter’s shout penetrated the small bathroom. Sighing, she twisted the cap and shook a pill into her palm. Then she picked up the other bottle and removed her correct dose. She closed her fist around the medication. Better not take a chance with it being Thanksgiving. But perhaps she could speak with her doctor about it.