Rodeo Family

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Turn to page 294.” The pianist began playing and thankfully, she kept it slow so the words could hopefully sink into the soul.

  On the first verse, a young couple came forward. They’d visited each service consistently in the two weeks he’d been here. Probably considering joining.

  Verse two brought a teen girl to the altar. The young couple stood and a deacon joined them as the pastor’s wife knelt at the altar with the girl.

  Verse three. The congregation boomed the song—the words written on their hearts. They didn’t need him.

  Brant stopped singing, descended the stage and knelt at the altar. Come on, Lord, do your work on Tori. I know she needs you. And if there are any other unsaved souls here, please don’t let them leave without your saving grace. Pressure built in his chest—a physical burden for lost souls.

  He stood and found his place in the song. A few more people had come forward. He glanced toward Tori. She was gone. Had she left? No, Jenna was gone, too. He searched the kneeling figures at the altar.

  Tori was there. With Jenna by her side.

  Chapter 3

  Tori’s insides would surely explode. “What do I say?” she whispered to Jenna.

  “Just tell Him you’re sorry for all your sins and you need Him in your life.”

  All her sins. Could Jesus forgive her for the drinking, the men, the marriage she’d broken up?

  “Jesus, I don’t know how to do this,” she whispered. “I know my life is a mess and I probably deserved Russ’s beatings for the bad I’ve done. I don’t want to live like this anymore. Help me.”

  Some of the ugliness she felt inside seeped away. The roiling in her stomach and pressure in her chest eased. “I don’t know if you’re real. And if you are, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But if you’re real, I need you in my life. I need you to fix the mess I’ve made.”

  Weak with release, she sagged toward the altar and clutched the wood for support. Words escaped her. But she knew He was real. And He was doing something inside her. Taking all the ugliness out and filling her with something else. Peace. Billowy, soft peace. Strength filled her. Jenna whispered a prayer by her side. And Tori realized the pastor knelt on her other side.

  She should stay there for days. It would take months, maybe even years for Jesus to make her clean. But somehow, she knew, He’d already finished. The sins of her entire twenty-eight years had been swept away in just minutes.

  Blinking away tears, she turned to the pastor and whispered, “I think I’m a Christian now.”

  * * *

  Brant tried to focus on Garrett’s conversation, but he’d give anything to be in the office with Tori. Had she accepted Christ? The pastor had closed the service and taken his wife, Jenna and Tori to his office.

  “We managed to get a great song director and now in a few weeks, we’ll have no pianist.” Garrett shook his head. “It’s always something.”

  “Why don’t you play for us?” Brant leaned against the end of the pew. “I know you can.”

  “For the same reason I didn’t step into the song director slot. I don’t want to distract anyone and I still tour.”

  At the moment, Brant didn’t care if he had a piano player. He could do a cappella. Had before. The only thing that mattered was happening in the office. But he should seem concerned about the pianist situation. “Does anyone else in the congregation play?”

  “Two older ladies. But one has arthritis and the other is an in-home caregiver for her mother, so she doesn’t always make services. We may have to get you to play your guitar.”

  “I’m game.” Brant glanced toward the office. “What do you think they’re doing in there?”

  “My guess is Tori’s got some questions. Jenna’s been witnessing to her for a long time. I hope it took tonight.”

  “Me, too. Maybe that bully at the store scared her to her knees. How did she end up with a guy like that?”

  “Tori’s been ‘looking for love in all the wrong places’ for as long as Jenna’s known her.”

  “I remember that song.” Brant snapped his fingers. “It had a happy ending. I hope Tori gets a happy ending. She seems like a nice girl.”

  “I think she’s gonna be okay. Jenna and I will support her in any way we can.”

  Jenna headed in their direction with Tori close behind. Both ladies wore smiles.

  “Tori accepted Jesus.” Jenna launched herself into her husband’s arms.

  “It’s about time.” Garrett let go of Jenna long enough to hug Tori. “Congrats.”

  “Thanks.” Tori’s brilliant smile reached her eyes as she met Brant’s gaze.

  Should he hug her? Normally, he would welcome a new soul to the fold. But he’d been drawn to Tori from the beginning. Felt protective of her. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of a relationship with her because she wasn’t a Christian.

  But now, she was on equal footing with him in the spiritual realm. Was she ready for a relationship? She’d just come out of an abusive situation. He should probably keep his distance, let her learn who she was in Christ before she got involved with anyone. Why was he even thinking this way?

  “Welcome to the family.” He gave her a quick, stiff hug.

  “Family?”

  “Of God.” Jenna put an arm around Tori’s shoulders. “Once we accept Christ, we’re all children of God.”

  “I’ve got so much to learn.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll get you a Bible. If you read it and keep coming to church, you’ll be amazed at how fast you catch up.”

  A Bible. Tori didn’t have one? How could anyone go through life without a Bible?

  He’d have to fix that. It was the least he could do for her.

  * * *

  “Tori?” Jenna’s voice tugged her out of her reverie.

  “Hmm?” She’d zoned out again with her feather duster frozen in place on a bronze statue. She whisked the duster over the piece.

  “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “You’ll come to the house for Easter, right?”

  “We’re not even quite done with February and Easter is early April.”

  “But you know I plan ahead. So will you come?”

  “Thanks, but I’ll probably spend Easter with Aunt Loretta.”

  “Invite her, too. The more the merrier.”

  The bell above the door rang and Tori whirled around. A woman entered the store.

  “May I help you?” Jenna hurried to assist her potential customer.

  Even though Russ hadn’t made bail yet and Tori had gotten a restraining order against him in case he did, her unease wouldn’t go away. She jumped every time the bell above the door rang. Russ would get out. And restraining order or not, he was livid.

  While Jenna was busy with the customer, Tori’s thoughts went back to running wild with what Russ would do to her. Dusting shelves didn’t require enough of her brain.

  What had happened to all the peace she had yesterday—her first Sunday morning and evening in church? Less than twenty-four hours later, the real world had intruded. She’d gone to grab lunch and heard three songs about letting your passions rule you. Then, she’d caught a whiff of beer on a cowboy who’d taken the time to look her up and down real slow.

  If only she could live at church, maybe this Christian thing could stick. She mentally recited the verse Pastor Thomas had shown her, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

  The bell rang over the door and she jumped again. A man entered, but he wore a cowboy hat instead of a ball cap. Not Russ. Great, exactly what she needed. A distraction. She stashed the duster and hurried toward the door. “May I help you?”

  Br
ant. Her steps stalled. Not exactly the distraction she had in mind.

  “Um. I happened to be at a Christian bookstore this morning.” He cleared his throat. “And I heard Jenna say you didn’t have a Bible. So here.” He shoved a gift-wrapped book-shaped item toward Tori. Gold ribbon, cream-colored paper with the words Amazing Grace in swirled cursive writing.

  Gift wrapped? Just happened to be at the Christian bookstore?

  Her face warmed as she took the package from him. “Thank you,” she mumbled as she untied the ribbon and slid her nail into the taped seam. The paper slid away to reveal a black book with the words Holy Bible imprinted in gold.

  “Well I knew you needed it now. I mean—you needed it before.” Brant winced. “That didn’t come out right.”

  “I did need it. Before and now.” She smiled. “My aunt gave me a Bible years ago, but I left it at her house accidentally on purpose.”

  “Accidentally on purpose, huh?” He chuckled. “I thought I cornered that market.”

  She ran her hand over the soft, supple cover. Real leather? “I’ll treasure it—I mean—I’ll read it, too. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He adjusted his cowboy hat. “My church in Pleasant Valley gave new believers a Bible. I’m going to suggest that in Aubrey.”

  “I’m getting baptized Sunday and joining the church.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “I really enjoyed your singing yesterday. You have a great voice. I play piano.” Why had she told him that last bit?

  “Really?” His eyebrows went up. “Do you read music?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s awesome. Maybe you could be our new pianist.”

  She started shaking her head before he even finished the words. “I don’t know why I told you that. I can’t be the pianist.”

  “Why? You read music. If you’re rusty, I bet a little practice would get you polished up.”

  “Don’t you have to be a preacher’s wife? Or have been a Christian for years and years?” Or at least a virgin. All her regrets clogged in her throat.

  “Nobody’s perfect. Not the preacher. Or the song director. Or the pianist. I think all that’s required is the ability to play the piano and a heart that belongs to Jesus.”

  Tori didn’t say anything as she traced the smooth gold lettering with her fingers.

  The bell above the door jingled as a customer left.

  “Hey, Brant.” Jenna joined them.

  “He brought me a Bible.” Tori cradled the book as if it were treasure. And it was.

  Jenna’s left eyebrow rose. “Very sweet of him.”

  “I’m trying to talk Tori into playing piano at church.”

  “I had no idea she played.” Jenna’s gaze pinged back to Tori.

  “It never came up.” Tori shrugged. “And it’s been years.”

  “There’s a grand piano and a keyboard at Garrett’s sound studio on the ranch and he’s not recording for a couple of weeks. Maybe you and Brant can meet there and go over a few songs. See what you got.” Jenna turned back to Brant. “You’ve got the rodeo Friday and Saturday. Got any plans tonight?”

  “My sister’s birthday is today. I’m having dinner with her. But we’ll set up something soon.”

  “Sure.” Tori should protest, but she didn’t.

  “Sounds good.” Brant headed for the door.

  Try as she might, she couldn’t stop grinning.

  * * *

  The door flew open as Brant knocked and his six-year-old nephew Hunter plowed into him.

  “Hey, bud.” Brant’s heart warmed as he hugged the child. “You’re supposed to ask who it is before you answer.”

  “I seen you out the window.”

  “Saw.” Raquel ruffled Hunter’s hair. “Let go of Uncle Brant, so he can come in.”

  “Happy Birthday, sis.” He kissed her cheek and set the gift-wrapped devotional book and that fancy perfume she liked on the coffee table.

  “Thanks.”

  “Smells good.” He sniffed the air. Garlic, tomato, cheese. Lasagna. “I’d have gladly taken you out.”

  “I know. But you know, I love to cook.”

  “It doesn’t seem right cooking your own birthday dinner.”

  “An excuse to cook all my favorites.”

  “Lasagna.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “I’m gonna get my birthday gift for Mama.” Hunter scurried toward his room.

  “Anybody else coming?”

  “Like who?” Raquel shot him the look.

  “Forgive me for hoping you might be seeing someone.” He held his hands up in surrender. “What happened to Cody?”

  “Cody Warren?” She rolled her eyes. “Mitch forced me into that. I only went out with him twice. And it’s been over a year.”

  “What was wrong with him?”

  “He wasn’t Dylan.”

  The sadness in her voice twisted his insides.

  “Cody’s a nice guy, but we’re just friends.” Raquel shivered. “He travels the rodeo circuit, riding bulls. If I get involved with someone, it’ll be someone who’s home every night and has a nice safe job.”

  Brant wouldn’t do it. He would not point out the fact that her Texas Ranger husband died in an off duty car accident. If she was willing to entertain the thought of someone new, and his having a safe job would make her feel better, so be it. Brant just wanted her happy again.

  “What about you?” Should have known Raquel would turn the tables on him. “Seeing anyone?”

  Not really. But he’d like to.

  She zoned in on him. “There is someone.”

  “A new friend. That’s all.” For now.

  “From the looks of the goofy grin on your face, I’d say she’s more than a friend.”

  “I’ve only known her a week or so.”

  “The lasagna comes out in ten minutes.” Raquel plopped on the couch and patted the seat beside her. “So, tell me about her.”

  He sat down. “She’s been through a lot—had an abusive boyfriend and just got saved last Wednesday.”

  “Pretty hefty baggage.”

  “He’s in jail.” My statement helped put him there. But she didn’t need to worry about that.

  “That’s good.”

  “I’ll have to take things slow. Give her time to heal.”

  “Time to open presents.” Hunter careened into the room holding a misshapen gift covered in wadded wrapping.

  Perfect timing. Brant wasn’t ready to get into his mixed-up feelings for Tori. Just talking about her pooled his insides. He didn’t even know if she’d stick around the church and change her lifestyle for sure. How could a woman he’d met a mere ten days ago draw him like a magnet?

  * * *

  Tori sat at the long table at Moms on Main with damp hair. At least she’d brought a change of clothes for after her baptism. Especially since Jenna had insisted they celebrate it with lunch. No telling what the early March breeze had done to her hair. A week ago, no way would she have gone out to eat with wild hair and running makeup.

  But now, peace filled her. And joy put a downright giddiness in her soul. A new start. A new life. A new person. Could God really remake her?

  Somehow, she wasn’t afraid of Russ anymore. If he came after her, she knew in the end, she’d still be okay.

  Aunt Loretta had come for the service and sat beside her now. Jenna approached the table, but left a spot between them. For Garrett? For Brant?

  After the service, members of the church had welcomed her with hugs and handshakes. It was all a blur, except for Brant’s hug. She could still feel his arms around her. Such gentle strength.

  He approached the table. Their eyes met. Her face warmed.

  “Here,
Brant, you sit here.” Jenna gestured to the empty chair between her and Tori. Lord, help me to focus on You instead of those jade eyes.

  Several other church members lined the table, including Jenna’s parents, aunt and uncle, her cousin Caitlyn, and Caitlyn’s husband, Mitch. Tori used to feel so uncomfortable around the pristine family, but today it was different. Like she was one of them. Even though Mitch knew way too much about her personal life.

  “So, Aunt Loretta, where do you live?” Jenna sipped her tea.

  “In Ponder.”

  “Really?” Jenna peered around Brant at Tori. “I didn’t know you had any family near.”

  “Tori lived with me during her last two years of high school and during design school.”

  “I need to pick your brain. We met in design school and Tori has worked for me since shortly after we graduated, but she’s been very tight-lipped.”

  Tori hurried to fill the silence. “Aunt Loretta is the only family I have left.”

  Aunt Loretta’s mouth tightened, but she didn’t let the tarantula out of its cage. “I’m so glad to know Tori has a church home and good friends. I’ve worried so over this girl.”

  “Did Tori invite you to our Easter dinner?”

  “No.”

  “I asked her weeks ago.” Jenna shot Tori a look. “Garrett and I would love if you both came to our house after morning services.”

  So Jenna could pump her aunt for info.

  “We could do that.” Aunt Loretta sipped her tea. “I’ll come the night before and stay at the guesthouse with Tori again.”

  “Good, it’s settled.” Jenna clapped her hands.

  The food began arriving and thankfully everyone’s attention turned to Brant’s prayer.

  Tori didn’t want to get into the subject of her dad. Her upbringing. The violence. Her mom’s death. Her stomach took a dive.

  No. All that was behind her. She was starting new.

  If anyone had told her a month ago that she’d be sitting at a long table in the midst of a church group—after her baptism, no less—she’d have suggested they seek help. She scanned the other tables, the antiques on the walls and a long shelf overhead. Smiles and laughter warmed the room. And she was part of this.