Cherished

by Kim Cash Tate

  “Hello. Miles Reed.”

  Brian shook his hand. “Good to meet you, Miles. I’m Brian Howard.”

  Kelli saw the name register. Miles nodded, letting loose his hand.

  She made eye contact with Brian, who acknowledged her, then looked away.

  Cedric took Cyd’s hand and moved to the door. “We should go in.”

  As they filed in, Stephanie tapped Kelli and motioned for her to look behind them. Brian was headed to the far side of the sanctuary, back to his old seat.

  A little farther down the aisle, Cyd stopped in her tracks. “Is that Hayes?”

  “Oh my goodness.” Stephanie shielded her eyes to see better, as if the sun were shining. “Phyllis didn’t mention he was coming?”

  “Knowing Hayes, he decided last minute.”

  They continued to the pew as the congregation stood for praise and worship. Cedric and Lindell greeted Hayes with warm handshakes, Stephanie and Cyd with big hugs. Kelli shook his hand. “It’s nice to see you here,” she said.

  Hayes gave a thoughtful nod. “It’s good to be here.”

  Phyllis was hugging her friends, and Kelli was sure she had lots she wanted to say. For now, she simply smiled.

  Kelli hurriedly introduced Miles to Phyllis and Hayes, then to Dana and Scott. Then she closed her eyes and did her best to focus on worshipping God as a bevy of emotions knocked around inside.

  What is wrong with me, Lord? Why am I reacting this way to Miles being here? Help me feel good about it. I pray he gets something out of the service. And Hayes too.

  Miles leaned over during announcements. “So that was your old boyfriend?”

  Kelli gave a faint nod.

  “What’s up with him wearing jeans to church?”

  The question threw her. She looked around. “Miles, there are lots of people wearing jeans.” She saw no need to tell him Brian was serving at the youth picnic after church.

  “I have to admit something to you.”

  Kelli leaned closer to him.

  “I figured Brian was with you at Six Flags, and I got a little jealous, knowing you were near him again. That’s what prompted me to come.” He paused. “That’s also why I wanted to come to church with you, since you mentioned he was a member. You had told me he was into science, so I pictured this dapper guy on his way to making a name for himself.”

  Kelli bit her tongue. The “better attitude” was growing more elusive.

  “But now that I’ve seen him and know he’s a rapper?” He made a face. “I’m no longer worried.”

  She swallowed hard, glad the choir gave her an escape as she turned his words over in her head. Miles’s measuring worth by one’s career again was bad enough, but it was more than that. It was the reaction she felt deep within, wanting to defend Brian.

  “Actually,” she said, unable to bite her tongue, “he’s still into science. The jeans are probably more a part of who he is as a lab guy than a rap guy. He’s in a biochem PhD program at Wash U.”

  Miles took that in. “Oh.”

  Much as she tried to focus on the sermon, Kelli couldn’t stop thinking about Miles—and Hayes. She stole a couple of glances at Hayes, thinking about things she’d heard Phyllis say, how she’d been praying for him for years. Is that the sort of future she wanted with Miles? Praying for him to have a serious relationship with God? To have a real desire to come to church?

  The more she thought about it, the clearer her thoughts became. She would pray for Miles, that this sermon would speak to him, that he’d find a church home in Dallas. But she needed to pray also for the words to tell him that this would be the last weekend they’d ever spend together.

  As the choir sang the last song, Kelli pulled her purse into her lap and eased her hand inside. She was becoming a pro at clandestine texting. Seconds later she had a reply, just as the service ended.

  As they made their way into the aisle, Kelli saw Phyllis and Hayes head to the front, where Pastor Lyles was talking with people. Moments later Pastor Lyles led them off to the side, their heads close together.

  “I don’t even know what to say,” Cedric said. “God is good.”

  Cyd and Dana both looked ahead. “Seven years of DF prayers,” Cyd said.

  “How often did we pray for that picture,” Dana asked, “for Hayes to be willing to talk to Pastor Lyles?”

  The pews were clearing, and their group began moving up the aisle. Kelli spoke with Cedric a moment, then turned to Miles. “We need to talk.”

  “Here? Can’t we talk on the way to the airport?”

  “I don’t see any reason to delay this.” She directed him to an empty pew.

  Miles sat, his eyes on Kelli. “I don’t like the way this is sounding.”

  Kelli gazed downward, searching for words. “You’ve been a special part of my life, Miles . . .” She brought her eyes to his. “But it’s suddenly clear to me that we don’t have a lot in common anymore. I wanted to believe we could deepen our relationship, but I honestly just can’t see it. And I don’t want to pretend with you. I’m sorry.”

  He said nothing for long seconds. “Well, this is a first. Don’t think anyone’s ever broken up with me in church. It’s about Brian after all, isn’t it?”

  “No, Miles, it’s not. It’s about you and me.”

  He blew out a sigh. “I came all this way to spend time with you, for you to dump me?”

  She gave him a knowing eye. “Actually, you came all this way to check up on me. But it worked out for the best.” She touched his hand. “I don’t see it as dumping you, Miles. You’re still my friend. We just don’t need to fool ourselves into thinking it can be more.”

  “‘We can still be friends.’” He shook his head, moving his hand. “That’s classic, Kelli.”

  “I meant it, Miles.”

  “Yeah. Okay.” He stood. “So we get to ride to the airport as ‘friends’?”

  Kelli stood as well. “Actually, I asked Cedric if he and Cyd could take you. They’re waiting in the foyer and can get your bag out of my car. If you don’t mind.”

  He hesitated, taking her in. “I prefer it, actually. Take care, Kelli.” He started up the aisle without her.

  Kelli noticed the pastor, Hayes, and Phyllis still talking in hushed tones. She looked upward, sighing thanks. The conversation with Miles wasn’t easy, but it would’ve only gotten harder with time. She headed to the café area, which was brimming with people enjoying coffee, tea, and fellowship between services. Brian sat at a tall pedestal table, talking with a guy who’d walked up beside him. Kelli slid into the seat on the other side, waiting for them to finish. When they were done, Brian turned to her.

  “I was surprised to get your text.”

  “Why?” She knew why, but she felt like fishing.

  “I thought you and Romeo—”

  “Miles.”

  “—would have plans after church.”

  “He had to catch his flight.”

  Brian gave a shrug of a nod. “So why’d you want to see me?”

  “To give you an invitation.”

  He glanced at her hands, looking for a piece of paper. “To what?”

  “To sit with us each week. I . . .” Where did the sudden emotion come from? “I don’t want you to have to sit alone.”

  “I appreciate the invite, but what would Ro—uh, Miles think about that?”

  “Does it matter?”

  Brian simply looked at her.

  “I broke up with him. Okay?”

  He came forward on his elbows. “And you’re telling me, as if it’s my business?”

  Kelli took a napkin from the table, balled it up, and threw it at him. It sailed far right.

  “You never were a good shot.”

  “You make me sick.”

  Brian smiled, his eyes penetrating. “I know.”

  She stared at him a second, memories flooding her soul. She brushed them aside. “So you’ve got the youth picnic after second service?”

  “Yeah
, should be fun. We’ve got lots of games set up outside.” His brow crinkled as if an idea hit him. “You should join us.”

  Kelli narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

  “Oh, I don’t know . . . just broke up with your boyfriend, might be a little shaken. Some fun and games would do you good.”

  “Are you trying to be funny?” Kelli felt nowhere near shaken by the breakup, and she was fairly certain Brian knew that.

  “Nope, not trying to be funny at all . . . although . . . it might be true that I’m looking for an excuse to get you to hang with me today.”

  She couldn’t hide the smile in her heart. “You don’t need an excuse, Brian. I actually think it’d be fun. I just need to go home and change.”

  “How about I treat you to breakfast first . . . which was where I was headed anyway, because I’m starving.”

  She twisted her mouth as she considered. “Pancake house?”

  “Where else? I can drive and bring you back.”

  Kelli followed him to his car. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked me what happened.”

  “With what?”

  “Me and Miles.”

  He glanced at her. “Would you have told me?”

  “Probably not.”

  He opened her door, and when she got in, he looked down at her. “Is it important?”

  “Not really.”

  He walked around to the driver’s side and got in. “Kel, all I really care about is that we’re forming a real friendship.” He started the engine, then looked at her. “Or am I assuming too much again?”

  She returned his gaze, but barely . . . afraid what her own might reveal. “No. You’re not assuming too much.”

  twenty-nine

  HEATHER PUSHED HER CART DOWN THE AISLE OF Schnuck’s, loading up for the week. She’d been grocery shopping on Sundays for months now, but it still felt weird, like she was unplugged. She’d begun thinking this morning that maybe she should be visiting churches rather than testing them out online. But which ones were worth visiting? She always ended up in the same place. Stuck.

  Her phone rang, and it took her a minute to find it in her purse. Kelli called every Sunday with news about the service, and Heather was especially eager to hear from her today and find out what had happened with Miles.

  She blinked three times to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. The name on the caller ID said Ace. Heather’s heart hammered in her chest. Was it really him? Why? Should she ignore the call?

  “H-hello?”

  “Hey, beautiful. How’ve you been?”

  His voice was smooth as ever. She closed her eyes, gripping the handle of the cart. “How have I been? As if you care.”

  “Listen, I hated what happened. I had planned to spend the weekend with you, remember? I couldn’t help that Angela showed up.”

  “Ace, you slept with me, then put me out. And then sat in that conference the next day acting holier-than-thou. You’re a hypocrite.”

  “You’re not judging me, are you now, Heather? You were right in that bed with me.”

  She didn’t know what to say. I gave my life to Jesus afterward?

  Ace continued. “But seeing you the next day did tear me up. I’m telling you right here and now I’m sorry it had to go down like that.”

  Heather pressed her lips together. “After all this time? Save it. What do you really want?”

  “What I want is to make it up to you.”

  She pushed her cart further aside and stood against it. “What do you mean?”

  “I made you a promise. I said I’d introduce you to some artists and try to help you become a background singer. Didn’t I?”

  Her heart was still hammering. “Yeah. That’s what you said.”

  “And that’s what I meant. Turned out it couldn’t happen that weekend, but I haven’t forgotten. I’ve got an opportunity for you.”

  She needed to tell him she didn’t want to hear it and hang up, but her adrenaline was pumping. “What?”

  “My band’s playing in St. Charles tonight, and Peyton Vine is on the ticket. She told me she’s looking for two background singers for her upcoming tour. She said she’d be willing to listen to you.”

  Heather’s hand was shaking on the cart handle. She loved Peyton’s music, often imitated her voice. She knew her stats too— from Alabama, a couple years older than Heather, got her start in country music with a gospel twang and moved over to CCM with her last album.

  Heather shook her head, trying to make sense of what was happening. “Ace, I drove all the way to Indianapolis based on the last thing you told me. Now I’m supposed to believe this? I don’t think so.”

  “First of all, I wasn’t lying last time. Things just didn’t work out as planned. And second, what do you have to lose? You don’t have to drive far at all. And Peyton will be there. You can look it up yourself on the Internet.”

  “Doesn’t mean she agreed to see me.”

  “Hang on a sec.”

  Heather stood straight. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m getting her on the line.”

  He clicked over, and Heather blew out a long breath. Was this really happening? Seconds later, she heard Ace and a female talking.

  “Heather, you there?”

  “I’m here.”

  “Hi, Heather. This is Peyton Vine.”

  Either Ace was a psychopath who already had someone on standby to impersonate Peyton, or this was really Peyton Vine. Heather had heard and seen enough interviews to recognize her voice.

  “Hi, Peyton,” she said. “Pleasure to meet you, sort of.”

  “Peyton, like I said, Heather doesn’t believe you’ve agreed to listen to her sing tonight. Would you please confirm?”

  “It’s true, Heather. I’m looking for background singers to tour with me, and Ace said you’re awesome. Honestly, it’s not a big burden for me to listen for a few minutes. I’m glad to do it.”

  Excitement began to course through Heather’s veins. “Seriously? You’re serious?”

  Peyton laughed. “Girl, I’m serious!”

  “Thank you so much.”

  “No problem,” Peyton said. “I’ve got to jump off because I’m about to catch my flight into St. Louis, but I look forward to meeting you.”

  “You too.”

  Peyton hung up, leaving Ace and Heather. He made a point of clearing his throat. “You can thank me too.”

  Her mind was racing. “Thanks, Ace. Really. This is huge. How do I meet up with you all?”

  Ace told her the time and location and the name to ask for once she arrived. She’d have backstage access throughout the concert.

  “Thanks again, Ace.”

  “You’re welcome. Look forward to seeing you.”

  Heather could barely push the cart as she thought about the evening ahead. No way could she finish shopping. She had most of what she needed anyway, so she moved to the checkout line and called Kelli as she waited. Voice mail kicked in.

  She couldn’t call Logan because he was still in second service. Besides, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. He’d be worried about her seeing Ace again—understandably—but this wasn’t about Ace. This was about Heather finally getting a chance to live her dream. No wonder she’d been feeling the pull to sing of late. God had to be preparing her heart for this, letting her know it was okay to pursue it.

  Somehow she got her groceries home and put them away. She double-checked the concert date online just to be sure, rummaged through her closet for the right outfit, and started cooking an early dinner, all while intermittently calling Kelli—where was she?—and playing her entire collection of Peyton Vine tunes.

  Late afternoon her phone rang, and she almost broke her neck to get to it. “Kelli—finally! Where have you been?”

  “I’ve been going since this morning. Some things happened with Miles, ended up having breakfast with Brian, then went with him to the youth picnic, so we were playing lots of games and I didn’t have my phone. We’re headed to the s
tudio now, and I saw you called like a thousand times. What’s going on?”

  “I totally heard you say something happened with Miles and you spent the day with Brian, and you know I’m coming back to all that, but I’ve got to get this out or I’ll burst. I’m auditioning tonight to be a background singer for Peyton Vine!”

  “Are you serious?”

  Heather laughed. “That’s what I said.”

  “Where?”

  “She’s doing a concert in St. Charles, and she said she’d listen to me sing. I actually talked to her.”

  “Okay, girl. Back up. What were you doing on the phone with Peyton Vine?”

  Heather hesitated. “I got a call from Ace. But before you say anything, he apologized for what happened in Indy and said he was keeping his promise to help me break into the business. He’s the one who set things up with Peyton and got her on the phone.”

  “Mm-hmm. How do you know it was her?”

  “Kelli, have you heard her speak? She has a distinctive voice. I have no doubt. Plus I checked the website, and she’s definitely scheduled to be here.”

  “What’s the venue?”

  “Webster Family Arena.” Heather waited. “Kelli?”

  “I’m here.” She sighed. “I want to be excited with you, but I just don’t know. I have zero respect for Ace. What did he apologize for—putting you out or the fact that he shouldn’t have had his mind set on plying you with alcohol and getting you into bed? He’s sleazy, and I don’t think he’d do this without something in it for himself. If I didn’t have to be in the studio, I’d go with you. I think you should get Logan to go.”

  “If I tell Logan, he’ll advise me not to go at all.”

  “Why would he do that? The opportunity with Peyton might be legit. Logan would just be there to make sure Ace doesn’t try anything.”

  “I’ll think about it. I do wish you could go, but will you be praying for me?”

  “Of course I’ll be praying. Call me the minute it’s over.”

  Heather forced herself to take a catnap so she’d be fresh for the evening, but she woke up realizing she’d napped longer than planned. It was six o’clock. She jumped up, showered and dressed, and started the twenty-minute drive to the venue, her phone staring at her from the console. She knew she needed to call Logan, let him know what she was doing, but she didn’t feel like being defensive about her plans. She wanted to stay upbeat. Better to tell him afterward, when—she hoped—they’d be celebrating.