“Tami,” he said, “a lot of clerks have worked here during the thirty-eight years I’ve been practicing law. But I must say you’re one of the most unusual who has ever spent the summer with us.”
Being called unusual was nothing new to me.
“It’s fortunate that you came along now instead of ten or fifteen years ago. You have an aggressive, independent streak that probably would have led to your firing if I didn’t have the experience that enabled me to look beyond your insubordination and see a piece of coal with potential.”
Being called a piece of coal was new. I liked jaguar better. Mr. Carpenter continued.
“What happens to a piece of coal if it’s placed under intense heat and pressure?”
I knew it either burned up or became a diamond.
“It becomes a diamond?” I responded hopefully.
“Exactly.” Mr. Carpenter beamed like a professor who’d helped a dense student understand a new legal principle. “And we believe you have that kind of potential as an attorney. Assuming you complete your third year of law school and successfully pass the bar exam, we would like to offer you a position as an associate here at the firm. The terms of our offer are summarized in this memo. Vince just accepted a position so the two of you would have to fight over the two empty offices upstairs.”
My mouth dropped open slightly. I remembered Maggie Smith’s words that no female clerk had ever parlayed a summer job at Braddock, Appleby, and Carpenter into a permanent position. My mind sent an instant message to my mouth to accept immediately. I glanced down at the sheet and saw a salary for more money than Daddy made in three years as a supervisor at the chicken plant. And that was just the starting point for the future.
“Thank you very much,” I said, making sure I made quick eye contact with all the partners. “I’ll take your offer under consider-ation. When do I need to let you know?”
The surprise on Mr. Carpenter’s face likely mirrored the shock on my own. I’d not been able to say yes to the job. I put my hand to my mouth. Mr. Carpenter turned to Mr. Appleby.
“December 1 would be fine,” Mr. Appleby replied.
“I agree,” Mr. Carpenter replied, regaining his composure. “There’s no rush for an answer. Have a good year at school. That’s all for now.”
I folded the offer sheet in half and stood.
“Thank you for everything,” I said, not sure if I was making sense or not.
I stumbled from the room. I met Julie in the hallway as she was being led toward the conference room by one of the other partners. We couldn’t speak to each other, but I could see from the puzzled look on her face that she couldn’t tell from my expression what had just happened to me. I slipped into the library. Zach was standing near one of the research terminals.
“Well?” he asked.
I held up the sheet of paper.
Zach nodded. “You’ve got a job.”
“Not really,” I said, collapsing into the nearest chair. “I didn’t accept, at least not on the spot. I asked for more time, and they agreed to give me until December 1.”
Zach grinned. “You’re giving Mr. Carpenter fits.”
“He mentioned that right before he offered me the position. What did they ask you?”
“Background information about your family. Apparently there was concern you might be a religious fanatic.”
“I am.”
“True, but I reassured them your beliefs and convictions would make you a better employee because you’re honest, a hard worker, and very loyal.”
“That’s nice.” I tried to give Zach a look of appreciation.
“And true,” he added. “What kept you from accepting?”
“I couldn’t say the words. It was strange. My head had one idea, my mouth another.”
“And your heart?”
“Yes, it was my heart that hesitated.” I put my hand on my chest. “I have to know in here that this is the right thing to do.”
“I’d not expect anything less.” Zach grinned. “It would be worth being a partner to see Mr. Carpenter’s reaction. Did he tell you which area of the firm you’d be assigned to?”
“No.”
“They’d probably move you around for a while to see what worked best.”
“So I might work with you and Mr. Appleby?”
“Or with Mr. Carpenter.”
I sighed. “I need to talk to my parents.”
“Yes, but you know what?”
I saw the answer in his eyes. “I’m going to have to pray and decide this myself?”
“Yep.”
The door opened. It was Julie. She drew her finger across her throat.
“They let me down easy with a bunch of compliments, but rejection is a cousin to death. What about you?”
I held up the offer sheet again. “They want me.”
“I’m not surprised,” Julie responded. “Everybody does, including some people who aren’t in this room.”
IT WAS MY LAST SUNDAY in Savannah. I left Mrs. Fairmont watching the white-haired TV preacher with the colorful choir and drove to Sister Dabney’s church. On the way, I passed an office building Julie and Maggie Smith were considering for their new practice. Maggie had confirmed her offer of a job to me in an e-mail I printed out and immediately deleted from the computer before leaving Braddock, Appleby, and Carpenter. The two sheets of paper summarizing the terms of the two jobs were stuck inside my Bible where I wished God would miraculously stamp one “Yes” and the other “No.”
I slipped into one of the pews to the rear of the church. The music had already started. They were singing their anthem. Sister Dabney was in her usual place, sitting in the purple rocker on the platform with her eyes closed. When the music faded, I streamed forward with the rest of the congregation for prayer. I didn’t try to attract Sister Dabney’s attention; however, the thought crossed my mind that she might be God’s messenger delivering direction for my future. It would be an efficient way to handle my dilemma. God could use Sister Dabney to tell me where I should work and whom I should marry. But nothing happened. The preacher called out two other people and prayed over them. I remained invisible. But I told myself not to get frustrated. I’d come to hear the message of the morning, and I knew a sermon that changes the heart can be more valuable than specific instructions for the next stop on life’s journey.
After the offering was collected, Sister Dabney rose to her feet. She looked directly at me. For once, I didn’t feel fear.
“I usually preach to save you from your sins,” she said. “Today will be different. I’m going to tell you what God has done for me. Open your Bibles and turn to John chapter eleven, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.” She directed her gaze away from me while the pages of Bibles rustled across the room. “How many of you believe Jesus’ words are as powerful today as when he first spoke them and called Lazarus forth from the grave?”
There was a smattering of agreement across the room. Chills ran across my arms.
“How many of you believe those words can set you free from the tombs of this world?” she said, her voice rising.
The ripple of assent increased in volume. I sat up straighter.
“How many of you want to get rid of the grave clothes that bind your hearts, choke your faith, and suffocate your hope?”
Several people shouted. Sister Dabney’s eyes flashed with fire.
“He’s done great things for me! He can do great things for you! Get ready to hear the Word of the Lord!”
Acknowledgments
I received unwavering encouragement and practical help in writing this novel from Ami McConnell, Allen Arnold, and Deborah Wiseman. Special thanks to my wife, Kathy, a wonderful source of hope in my life.
Reading Group Guide Questions
1. When Tami brings Zach home with her to meet her parents, he’s not what they expected or had wished for their daughter. In what ways does he overcome their first impressions? Do you think he is able to stay true to himse
lf in order to convince her parents that he is worthy to court Tami? How or how not? Have you ever found yourself in similar situations where you didn’t meet someone’s expectations? How did you overcome their first impression?
2. Although Zach does gain permission to court Tami, he still encourages her to find her own path away from her parents’. Do you think that Tami should stay true to her upbringing or should she follow his advice and break away a bit? In your opinion, would Tami be dishonoring her parents should she break away from their faith? Could she still honor them and break away from them? Have you had to make some of the same decisions as Tami?
3. Tami’s mother tends to lead with her head whereas Zach tends to lead with his heart. What are some examples of how they do this? What are some examples when they don’t? What are the advantages and disadvantages of leading with one’s heart and one’s head? How do you lead, with your head or your heart?
4. Tami’s mother describes Tami as a sum of her parents’ parts. What characteristics has she inherited from her mother? From her father? Who else has had an influence on who she is? What characters is Tami helping to shape? Whose parts would you say you are a sum of?
5. Sister Dabney has a unique way of ministering to the needs of her church. What are the different ways she provides for those in need in her community? Do you think that she is effective as the head of a church? How do most people view her—in a positive or negative way? How does Tami feel about her at the end of the book? Is it what you expected?
6. It is obvious from the glimpses we see into Sister Dabney that she does have a gift for knowing the sins and troubles at the heart of those around her. Why do you think she couldn’t see the sins of her husband? Do you think she is able to see her own sins? How would you react to someone who listed the sins in your past? This is a pretty powerful ability. How does she handle the power that comes along with the ability? How would you handle it?
7. Julie and Tami come from very different backgrounds. How are they able to strengthen each other (professionally, spiritually, socially)? Do they ever weaken each other; if so, how? Why does Tami come to rely on Julie for this case? What does Tami hope to gain from this friendship? Have you had friendships similar to theirs? What have you gained from those friendships?
8. Describe the character of Mrs. Fairmont. How does she change throughout this novel? What does Tami learn from her? Do you have someone like Mrs. Fairmont in your life? Describe her/him and what you have learned from that person.
9. Tami witnesses Mrs. Fairmont’s and Mr. Callahan’s glimpses of God. Describe both of those experiences. How are they similar and how do they differ? Why was Zach hesitant to tell anyone about his part in Mr. Callahan’s experience? What does Tami learn about herself and her faith from these moments? Have you ever had one of those glimpses of God or witnessed someone having one? How did you react?
10. Tami finds herself in tense situations, both personally and professionally, throughout this novel. What hope does she receive in the midst of those situations? Where does that hope come from? Does she always recognize it for what it is?
Enjoy the best-selling first book in
the TIDES OF TRUTH series.
A complex mix of betrayal and deception quickly weaves its way through Tami’s life—and the case she’s working on—as she uncovers dark secrets about the man she’s defending . . . and the senior partners of the firm.
Higher Hope Page 39