by JoAnn Durgin
She returned his wave before moving over to her bunk, the first one closest to the door. She should go brush her teeth before going to bed, but for once, she decided against it. Getting used to the sharing arrangement for the facilities might take some doing and she didn’t want to run into one of the men in the bathroom by accident. Not going to happen.
After undressing quickly, Marta tugged her nightshirt over her head and then slipped under the sheets. What a night.
As if I have a prayer of sleeping now, Mr. Marchand.
~~♥~~
Tossing and turning in her bed, Angelina frowned. In her unrest, she’d managed to dislodge the fitted sheet. She climbed out of the bed and quickly tugged it back over the top right corner of the mattress. As she worked, her fingers touched something stuck between the mattress and the steel bed frame. Felt like a book. Dislodging it, she pulled out a small, well-worn paperback.
The pages were yellowed, some dog-eared. The woman on the cover was falling out of the top of her dress. A bare-chested, well-muscled man stood behind her, and the woman’s chin was raised as if anticipating his kiss. The expressions on their faces, and the positioning of the man’s hands, left little to the imagination. She might be naïve in some respects, but she’d seen this kind of book before. It definitely wasn’t a Christian-themed romance. If they sold this kind of book in the grocery store where anyone—even kids could pick them up—could it really be all that bad?
Dare she open the book? No, she couldn’t. Mama would kill her. Angelina darted a glance at her mom, fast asleep in the bed next to her. The light from the moon filtering through the window beside her bed illuminated the pages. With shaking fingers, Angelina opened it. What she read on the first page of the novel made her gasp. Covering her mouth, she looked around the room, satisfied everyone else was asleep—even Marta, the last one to come in tonight. She’d be humiliated if one of the ladies found her reading this…smut. Of course, she’d heard about books like this. Half the girls in her school talked about them. The guys had their magazines with pictures, and the girls had books that painted pictures with words.
Drawn by an irresistible urge, Angelina flipped through the book, pausing at a few of the folded pages. Her eyes widened and her pulse raced. She wanted to keep reading. Scary thought. Closing the book, she tucked it back where she’d found it. Maybe she should go take a shower but that wouldn’t wash away what she’d read. What a mistake. Now the images and words might be stuck in her brain. It’d been written to grab attention, and it accomplished that purpose. Was this what pornography was all about? Wow. This stuff could definitely play with your mind.
Snuggling under the blanket, she closed her eyes tight and tried to concentrate. Lord, I know I shouldn’t look at that book. I’m sorry. I’ve never read anything like that before, and I know it’s wrong. Why do people write things like that and why would anyone pay to read it? I don’t understand it. Maybe they don’t know any better. They don’t know you the way I do, and that’s why I need to stay away from it. Help me to be good. I don’t want to think bad thoughts. Be with Felipe, too, Father. He’s asking questions about you. He needs you. Help me to be patient and not too sarcastic with him. Help Felipe to keep his mind and his heart open to you. And help me to be his friend.
“An-Angie? Ev-ev-ever-ry-th-th-ing o-ok-kay?”
She froze at her mother’s words. “I’m fine, Mama. Sorry if I woke you up. Go back to sleep. I love you.”
“I-I l-l-ove y-y-you, t-too, sw-sw-sweetie. S-s-see y-you in th-the m-mor-morning.”
That was close. She had to find a way to get rid of that dumb book.
~~♥~~
Standing on the front porch, his elbows crossed on the railing, Sam heard a sound from inside. He turned, half-expecting one of the kids needed a drink of water or a hug of reassurance since they were away from their familiar environment.
Lexa stood on the threshold. She held the screen door open, waiting for him. “Everyone accounted for and tucked in for the night?”
He nodded. “Finally. I thought you’d fallen asleep.”
“All your loud thinking out here kept me up.” Giving him a small smile, she beckoned to him. She wore her favorite white cotton nightgown, also one of his favorites. Her beautiful blonde hair flowed around her shoulders and trailed down her back. Taking her hand, Sam ducked beneath the doorway and closed the door behind him.
With a deep sigh, he moved his hands around Lexa’s waist and pulled her into his arms. He loved her softness, her curves, her warmth. He’d been waiting all day for some quiet time with his wife. When she raised her chin, inviting him, he lowered his mouth to hers. “In case I haven’t told you lately, I love you,” he said when they parted. “You’ve worked hard to get this mission off to a great start. I couldn’t do what I do without you.”
“Same to you.” Easing out of his arms, Lexa climbed into the bed. “We wouldn’t be here without you. I’m so proud of you for getting this mission together. It’s going to be great.”
Sam removed his Stetson and placed it on the small dresser. “By the way, Mom and Dad called this afternoon. They wanted to make sure the rest of the TeamWork crew arrived safely.”
“That’s nice.” Lexa yawned and slid under the covers. “One of these days, I hope we can convince them to join us on another mission. They’re the most active people I know for their ages.”
Pulling his wallet and keys out of his pocket, Sam set them on the dresser. “That would be great, wouldn’t it? They raised us kids on mission trips, after all.” Along with his five brothers and sisters, he’d worked on TeamWork Missions projects in ten countries by the time he’d reached high school. “However,” he said, unbuttoning the shirt he’d put on for dinner, “at the moment, they have a personal mission to pray some sense into my younger brother.”
A slight frown furrowed Lexa’s brow. “Let me guess. The astronaut brother?”
“You got it.” Dropping into a chair, he began to unlace his work boots. “The Earth to Will Project is what Mom’s calling it. I told her he’ll come around. Right now he’s caught up in the prestige and hoopla of being named as a shuttle commander for an upcoming mission. When we get back to Houston—speaking of hospitality—I’m going to invite Will and Carson on an overnight camping trip. Get the three of us together to go fishing like we used to growing up.” After tugging the boots from his feet, Sam tucked them under the chair.
Lexa watched as he finished undressing and draped his clothes over the chair. “I think that’s a great plan. Which reminds me, I should call your sisters and see how they’re doing. Time to catch up. Now, switching gears for a minute”—she gave him a smile he found enticing although he knew that wasn’t her intent—“based on what I’ve witnessed today, we have three new romances—or at least the potential for them—going on in our camp.”
“Hold that thought.” After checking on the kids sleeping in the adjacent room, Sam pulled on his sleep shorts and a T-shirt before climbing into bed beside his wife. Stretching out to his full length, he chuckled when his feet dangled over the edge of the mattress.
Lexa laughed softly. “Another bed made by the Lilliputians.”
“Not a problem. That just means I’ll have to spoon my beautiful wife.” He crossed his arms behind his head. “Eliot came to see me here in the office before dinner. He’s ready to take the step with Marta, but he has some apprehensions. Valid apprehensions, as it turns out.”
“Well, apprehensions aside, it’s about time. I understand why he might be hesitant, but everyone can see how much he cares for Marta.” Her brow furrowed. “Eliot needs to give himself permission to fall in love.”
“Is that right? Like I was hesitant about starting something with you?”
Lexa playfully poked him in the ribs. “You needed permission, huh? Even if you did, look where that landed us.”
Rolling toward her, he kissed the tip of her nose. “No place I’d rather be.”
When she snuggled against him,
Sam wrapped his arms around her. “Not to change the subject, but your meatloaf was a big hit tonight. I heard Cassie say there’s only enough left for a handful of sandwiches if anyone wanders into the dining hall looking for a midnight snack.”
“Thanks,” she murmured before yawning again. “Did you thank Leah and Hannah for helping make your peach cobbler?”
“I did.” Sam ran his thumb lightly up and down her arm. “I’m sure they had fun, and it tasted great.” He chuckled, taking care to keep it quiet since Leah was a light sleeper. “I told them love was their special secret ingredient, but I didn’t breathe a word about the carrots in the meatloaf.”
“Smart man.” Lexa stroked gentle fingers through his hair. “What you said tonight about extending hospitality was so heartfelt. I’m afraid it’s a dying art with today’s younger generation.”
Closing his eyes, Sam sighed with appreciation. “Ah, that feels good.” He heard Lexa’s soft laughter. “What’s funny?”
“I was thinking how old I sound talking about the younger generation.”
His eyes fluttered open. “You’re not old, baby. You’re beautiful. Always.” He kissed her again, being careful not to get anything started. Not tonight. They both needed sleep.
Lexa rested her head on his chest and snuggled closer. “I hate to say it, but if I try to pray tonight, I’ll probably fall asleep in the middle of it.” Lexa covered her mouth as she yawned.
“I’ve got it covered, baby.” He felt Lexa’s smile in the lift of her cheek where it rested on his chest. “Now,” he said, patting her, “we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Let’s get some sleep. We can continue this pillow talk tomorrow night.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Love you, Sam.” Her lids were heavy with sleep. With a final kiss, she turned in the opposite direction.
“Love you more, Lexa.” Within the minute, Sam heard the sound of her light, steady breathing. Curling himself around her, he spooned his wife. Then he continued his prayer, ending with the same one he’d prayed earlier in the afternoon.
Lord, remind us why we’re here and what you want us to do.
Chapter 11
Day 2, Tuesday
~~♥~~
Felipe nudged Angelina’s shoulder as he sat beside her at the breakfast table. “What’s on your mind?”
She gave him a half-smile around a spoonful of milk-drenched cereal. “You think you know me so well, don’t you?”
That increasingly familiar grin creased his face. “Yeah, I think I do.”
“I found something hidden in my bed last night.” Against her better judgment, she wanted to tell him to gauge his reaction. Telling the adults wasn’t an option and no way would she ever let any of the kids see that book. That alone was reason to get rid of it.
“And?”
Felipe slathered a ton of butter on a blueberry muffin, making her frown. “You might want to take it easy with the butter. It’ll clog your arteries and give you a heart attack.”
“Yeah, right. When I’m like fifty. That’s sweet of you to care about my heart health, Button Nose. So tell me what you found. I’m guessing it’s not something dangerous like a knife or a gun or anything. Now a diamond ring? That’d be pretty sweet.”
He could go on all day with that line of speculation. Inhaling a quick breath, Angelina plunged ahead. “It was one of those romance books that’s really a…well, it’s a sex book.” Her last two words came out more of a whispered hiss.
“A what?” Felipe’s shocked expression almost made her laugh. He wolfed down half the muffin in a couple of bites. Thank goodness he didn’t choke on his food or repeat the “s” word out loud. That would definitely send one of the well-meaning TeamWork volunteers over to their table. Not that they were exactly watchdogs, like Felipe had called them, and they were giving them time to themselves. So, that must mean they sort of trusted her even if they didn’t trust Felipe. Even Mama had backed off a little and that was a minor miracle.
“You heard me.” She stared at the fresh fruit floating in her bowl of mostly milk since she’d finished the cereal. Using her spoon, Angelina pushed the lone strawberry around the bowl. Then she fished out the last banana slice and plopped it in her mouth.
“Did you read any of it?” Felipe watched her as he chased down his muffin with a second large cup of milk. No wonder he had such great teeth. The boy definitely got his calcium. Just like Mama.
“Not really, but I saw enough to know what it was.” Angelina told him about the dog-eared, yellowed pages. “It was written like twenty years ago. I can’t believe people wrote nasty books like that so long ago.”
Felipe shrugged. “Why not? Sex has been around since the beginning of time. Adam and Eve had kids, right?”
“Yes,” she said, spooning the strawberry into her mouth. “And one of their sons hated the other and killed him.”
Felipe chewed a bite of sausage and eyed her. “What’s that got to do with anything? You trying to change the subject on me?” When he caught her smirk, he laughed. “Okay, I’ll play along. Why’d he kill his brother?”
“Mostly because he was jealous.”
“So you’re saying that murder has been around since the beginning of time? Like the world’s oldest profession?” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “That’s prostitution, you know.”
“You’re disgusting. Is that all you can think about?” Angelina dropped her spoon into her bowl, splashing milk over the edge. Taking her napkin, she absorbed the spill.
“Hey, you’re the one talking about that dirty book. Why’d you tell me, anyway?”
“It’s not like there’s anyone else here to tell,” she mumbled. “I was just surprised to find it in a Bible camp. You know, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, that started the whole sin thing. It’s gone downhill from there.” With one finger, she rotated it to represent a downward spiral.
After draining the last of his milk, Felipe set the cup on the table and smacked his lips. “These TeamWork ladies sure know how to cook.”
“They should since Lexa and Winnie own a catering business.”
“Sounds about right. Okay, Angel.” Turning to face her, he propped one knee on the bench. “You want to give me a Bible lesson? Go ahead. Start with telling me what you mean by the whole sin thing?”
Sometimes she forgot Felipe really knew nothing about the Bible. In a way, he was like a child. Well, except for this group. The TeamWork kids probably knew Bible verses from the time they could talk. Not that they were little know-it-alls. They were all sweet and sometimes they said things that made the adults think. Mama told her that Christians were always learning and being refined and sharpened by each other in order to better understand how God works. That made sense.
Angelina wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Have you heard the story about Eve eating the forbidden fruit?”
“Back to Eve again, huh? Yeah, I’ve heard that story.” Leaning one elbow on the table, he gave her his full attention.
“God told Adam and Eve they could enjoy anything in the Garden of Eden they wanted. There were two trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The only thing he told them not to do was eat from the good and evil tree. But they disobeyed God and did it, anyway. And then they were banished from the Garden of Eden forever.”
“Why?”
“First the serpent deceived…them”—probably best not to play the blame game with Felipe as to whether it was Eve or Adam’s fault—“and told them if they ate from that tree, they’d be like God and know the difference between good and evil.” Angelina shrugged. “They were curious, like most people. It was exciting and unknown, so it was tempting to do something they’d been warned against.”
Felipe frowned. “So sin is disobeying what God says to do or not do?”
Angelina eyed him over the top rim of her cup as she took a long drink of juice. “Pretty much.”
“Okay, then, I have another question. Did you sin by reading that bo
ok? Couldn’t you tell what kind of book it was by the cover? Couldn’t you see that it wasn’t what you should be reading as a”—he made air quote marks with his fingers—“‘good, Bible-believing Christian’?”
She blanched. He’d caught her on that one. “Um, I guess I did. But that’s not my point. And I didn’t really read it. Only a little. You’ve heard of the Ten Commandments, haven’t you?”
“A little or a lot, you still read that book. What’s the difference? Sin is sin, right? I thought that’s what you told me with your whole black and white speech.”
“As I remember it, you’re the one who brought up that up,” she said. “Not me. You believe in the gray areas.”
“Wait a second.” Felipe stared her down. “You don’t think I know what you’re trying to do here?” Something in his dark eyes dimmed. He didn’t sound angry, but he looked plenty perturbed.
“What?” Angelina lowered her cup to the table. “Felipe?” Her jaw gaped after he jumped up from the bench and stalked out of the dining hall. He didn’t stop or look back, not once, even when Joe called out to him. What had she said?
Noting that Marta watched her, Angelina sighed. “What is it with guys, anyway?”
Marta shrugged. “I’m sure they say the same thing about us. Want to help clear and wipe down the tables with me?”
“Sure.” She rose from the table, hoping she could focus on her work at the church this morning and not dwell on the conversation with Felipe. Maybe, just maybe, it was possible she needed an attitude adjustment every bit as much as he did.
Lord, keep working on me.
~~♥~~
Eliot stopped the drill and grabbed another nail. Positioning it on the bookshelf in the Sunday school room, he paused as he heard someone—or something—cry out. When he didn’t hear anything for another few seconds, he raised the drill, ready to resume his work. Then he heard it again. A loud whimper came from somewhere nearby. Was it animal or human? Someone, or something, was in pain. Putting the drill on the ground, he ran the back of his hand over his forehead and listened for more sounds.