Picket Fence Pursuit

by Jennifer Johnson

  “Lots of people know Tyler.” Robin scanned the room and then poked Ryan in the back. He cringed. Tyler was a great guy, but there was no way Ryan wanted to be in on this discussion. “Ryan, do you know Tyler Pettry?”

  “Uh, yeah.” Ryan took a slow drink of his pop.

  “Is he a serial murderer?”

  Ryan choked back his laugh. “I hope not. He leads our youth.”

  Robin patted Kylie’s back. “There you have it. Probably not a serial murderer.”

  Kylie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Fine. At least the utilities are paid this month, so if you don’t come home because”—Kylie unfolded her arms and pointed to her chest—“I told you so, then at least I won’t have to pay them by myself.”

  Ryan smiled at Kylie’s dramatics.

  Robin punched Ryan’s arm and then hugged Kylie. “I’ll see you tonight, girlfriend.”

  Ryan watched as Robin walked out of the building with Tyler. He gazed back at Kylie, whose expression was sour as a lemon drop.

  “I think I’ll head on home,” Kylie muttered. She opened her purse and searched inside. “Oh, no.”

  “What is it?”

  “Robin drove today, and she didn’t leave me her car keys.”

  “I’ll see if I can catch them.” Ryan raced out the door as Tyler’s Camry turned onto the main road. He walked back to Kylie. “They’re gone.”

  Kylie placed her cell phone back in her purse. “Robin doesn’t have her phone on.” She slouched into a chair and placed her hand on her head.

  “I’ll take you home, Ki.”

  “What did you call me?”

  Ryan tried to replay what he’d said. “I don’t know.”

  “You called me Ki. I haven’t heard that since before my granny died.”

  “I’m sorry.” Ryan shoved his hands into his pockets. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “It’s all right.” Kylie picked at a chip in her fingernail polish. “It was kind of nice to hear it again.”

  Ryan grabbed her hand and helped her up from the chair. Her skin, soft beneath his, felt nice and warm. “I’ll take you home.”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  She’d softened somehow. Despite their disagreement about the verse, despite Robin’s leaving with a serial murderer/youth minister. Ryan found himself drawn to this side of the woman.

  Kylie was smart. She was beautiful with her long, silky blond hair, sprinkling of freckles beneath blue eyes, and the cutest dimple in her chin he’d ever seen. She was loyal to family and friends, and he could sense her love for the Lord, even if her understanding of scripture seemed quite misguided.

  Which is exactly why I must keep up my guard. The last thing I need is another well-meaning woman like Vanessa Bailey in my life and heart.

  Yes, he’d have to stay alert when it came to Kylie Andrews. Ryan had believed Vanessa to be his one and only, and she was sweet as honey until she learned of Ryan’s true material worth. Ryan had no intention of lording his wealth over others. After spending his preteen years watching his dad slave away at a logging company, God gave Ryan the machine idea that made cutting logs less strenuous for the workers and still more efficient for the owners. God also allowed him to sell the blueprints to an Alaskan company. And it was God who blessed him with the revenue that could have been squandered in a year or two’s time had it not been for his investing-savvy grandfather who’d put chunks of money in several good stocks and bonds and taught Ryan how to manage his assets and make them grow.

  Ryan wasn’t rich, but he would never want for anything, either. Because he loved giving to others, he took small jobs like at the amusement park and as a Santa at the mall in Evansville during Christmas. He didn’t want others to know. The gifts, the ministry trips—they were between him and God.

  “You want to grab a bite of dinner on the way?”

  He watched as Kylie tensed as she seemed to contemplate the offer. “Robin and I desperately need to go to the grocery, so I think I’ll take you up on that.”

  They began to walk toward his car. “Mind if I drive by the house and pick up Gramps?”

  Kylie smiled and relaxed. “That would be great.”

  Ryan opened her door. As she slid into the passenger seat, Ryan caught a whiff of her hair. The floral scent was nice. He imagined running his fingers through the length of it. Get a grip, man. He shut the door and moved to the driver’s side.

  “I don’t live too far away.” He put the keys in the ignition and started the car. “Gramps will enjoy having someone besides me to talk to.”

  “You don’t get along?”

  Ryan laughed. “We just see a lot of each other.”

  He turned onto the secluded road that led to his house. Anxiety welled inside him as he drove nearer. What would Kylie think of his home? Why did it matter what she thought?

  Within moments, the top of his white, colonial-style house came into sight. It wasn’t overly large, but Ryan had built a good-sized home, one that would, hopefully, be filled with children someday. Full-grown trees dotted his property. Flowers and bushes, strawberry vines and blackberry bushes, even a vegetable garden spotted the front and backyard. Gramps loved to work with nature.

  His wraparound porch sported a swing, wicker furniture, and rocking chairs. Gramps sat in one of the chairs, reading a science-fiction novel as he rocked back and forth.

  He glanced at Kylie. An expression of pleasant awe covered her face. “This place is amazing. It’s beautiful.”

  “Thanks.” Ryan relaxed in his seat. He had no choice but to admit it. What she thought meant a whole lot.

  ❧

  Kylie hesitantly waved at Ryan’s grandfather as she stepped out of the car. The man smacked his book shut and hopped up from the rocking chair.

  “Well, hello there, Kylie. It’s great to see you. Wonderful evening, don’t you think?” Gramps covered the distance between them and shook her hand.

  “Yes. The weather’s very nice.” She looked from him to Ryan. “You have a beautiful home.”

  Ryan’s gaze fell to the ground, then back up to hers. “Thank you.”

  His eyes seemed to penetrate her soul, sending tingles through her body. “You’re welcome.”

  Ryan turned toward his grandfather. “Gramps, we were heading to town for a bite to eat. Thought you might like to go.”

  “I just fixed up a big pot of vegetable soup. The corn bread’ll be done in about ten minutes. Why don’t you two just stay here and eat?”

  Kylie grinned at the older man. What a sweetie. She’d fall flat on her face if she ever walked into her parents’ house and found her daddy or one of her three brothers fixing a meal. Of course, Ryan and Gramps did live alone. “I’d love to stay.”

  Ryan lifted his eyebrows. His look of surprise made Kylie realize she hadn’t been her true self around the man. She’d remedy that today.

  “Great.” Gramps grabbed her hand and led her into the house. “Ryan, take her on a tour, and I’ll get the corn bread out of the oven.”

  For the first time embarrassment and uncertainty wrapped Ryan’s features. He motioned for her to follow him into one room after the other. She loved the homey feel of the house, although it definitely had a bachelor’s edge. He took her into a room upstairs. Pictures from a tropical-looking region sat on a table and hung on the walls. She leaned down and looked at a picture of a family standing in front of a small home.

  “That’s a family from Belize.” Ryan picked up the frame and handed it to her.

  “Belize?”

  “Yes, it’s a small country in Central America. I go there with a group on missions trips.”

  “Oh.” Kylie studied the man before her. He gave away ice-cream cones and went on missions trips. What other secrets would she discover about the man?

  “Our group fixed their home. It had been damaged by a storm.”

  “That’s really neat. I’ve always wanted to go on a missions trip.”

  “We’
re having a meeting next week. We’ll be going again in January.”

  “Really?”

  “I’d love to have you go with us.”

  “I think I’d like to go.” She peered up at Ryan, realizing there was more to him than she’d originally thought. I’m actually looking forward to getting to know him better.

  Five

  Kylie watched as the missions trip video showed a doctor examining a small boy’s mouth. She listened as the speaker shared about the multitude of children in Belize who received medication and vitamins from the ministry’s effort.

  A single tear slipped down Kylie’s cheek before the picture switched to show a clown making animal balloons for a group of children. Her heart pounded within her chest when a boy jumped up and down, then smiled fully for the camera when the clown handed him a red giraffe.

  Ryan leaned close and whispered in her ear, “That’s me.”

  “That’s you?” She turned toward him and studied his profile. Who are you, Ryan Watkins? I’ve never met anyone like you.

  She watched wrinkles form at the corners of his eyes as his smile grew. Pleasure in serving “the least of these” surrounded his face and seemed to seep from his very pores. “Yeah. I love to see the children’s faces light up when I make balloon art for them.”

  “I’m sure it’s wonderful.”

  “The children have almost nothing. They get so excited over the smallest gifts.”

  She looked back at the video. In the film, Ryan the clown turned toward the camera, making a honking noise as he squeezed his oversize, red-ball nose. He waved as he lifted a toddling child in his arms. The child squeezed his nose, as well.

  God, I want what Ryan has. I’ve loved and served You for as long as I can remember, but there’s something different about him. Something—more.

  The video ended and Kylie listened as a pastor from a sister church talked about ministry opportunities available for people who would like to join their trip to Belize. “Of course, the people need to be examined by nurses, doctors, and dentists. We need carpenters, electricians, and plumbers to help with home and church needs.”

  The pastor grabbed a packet filled with crayons, glue, scissors, and other items. He held it up before the group of potential short-term missionaries. “But we also hold a vacation Bible school. If you can color with a child, help a mother by holding her baby so she can teach Bible school, or even dress up like a clown—”

  Ryan clenched his fists over his head and pumped his arms as if he’d just won a race. Kylie giggled and pushed him with her shoulder.

  The pastor laughed. “As I was saying, you could dress up like a clown as our good friend Ryan does on every trip.”

  Kylie looked at Ryan. “You’ve gone on every trip?”

  He nodded. “Every one.”

  The pastor continued. “Anything you can do is a huge help. Simply telling others what Christ has done for you is the greatest ministry you can give.”

  Kylie leaned back in her chair. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d shared her faith with someone. The idea of it sent nervous but excited tingles through her body.

  The pastor’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Remember in scripture when Peter and John went to the temple in Jerusalem. There was a lame beggar sitting in front of the gate called Beautiful.”

  Kylie crossed her legs and touched her chin in contemplation. There were several beggar stories in scripture. She wasn’t sure which one he referred to.

  The pastor went on. “Peter told the beggar he didn’t have any silver or gold.” He lifted his finger in the air. “But Peter said what he could give, he would. So he healed the man in Christ’s name that very moment.” The pastor spread his arms open. “Friends, God has given us different talents and abilities. What we can give, let’s give.”

  Kylie’s stomach turned and her heart raced. She wanted to go on this missions trip. She didn’t have any medical or construction talents, but she could definitely hold a baby.

  A middle-aged woman walked to the front of the group. “Understand, friends, funding has to be raised on an individual basis. Our ministry is not supported by any federal or state missions boards.” She showed a presentation that broke down the cost of the trip.

  Kylie gasped when the woman reached the final total. Money! Her heart plummeted. It’s always about money.

  ❧

  “Well, what did you think?” Ryan started the car and pulled onto the road.

  “It sounds wonderful.”

  Ryan could hear the hesitation in her voice. Why, he wasn’t sure. He saw the lone tear slide down her cheek during the video. Her excitement was evident, magnetic even.

  “But?” Ryan took in the look of frustration wrapping her features. “There’s a problem, huh?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “It can’t be school. You’ll graduate in December.”

  “That’s true.”

  He pulled into her apartment building’s parking lot and turned off the car. Shifting in his seat, he looked at her. She’d pulled her long hair into a ponytail. The wind allowed several blond strands to escape around her ears and the nape of her neck. Baby hairs, he’d once heard someone call them. Her skin, so light, looked almost porcelain, like the sun had never touched it. She was a true beauty on the outside. The more time he spent with her, he saw it on the inside, too.

  So, why wouldn’t she want to go? The truth hit him in an instant. “Is it the money?”

  “It’s always the money.” She didn’t look at him but kept her gaze focused on the windshield.

  “No prob—” Ryan stopped. He longed to tell her he’d pay her way, to tell her money was not an inkling of an issue. But he couldn’t. Not yet. “I’ll help you raise the money.”

  Kylie huffed. “What about yours? Don’t you have to raise your own?”

  “God always provides.”

  “I wish I had your faith.” She grabbed her purse off the floorboard and opened the car door. “Look,” she said, turning back toward him, “I really want to go. And you are right. If God wants me there, He will provide.”

  She shut the door. Ryan watched as she walked up the sidewalk. She unlocked the door, then waved back at him. “Thanks for taking me, Ryan.”

  She disappeared into the apartment. Ryan sat for several seconds. Kylie wasn’t like any other woman he knew. Her love for the Lord was there, evident, and that quality meant more to him than anything else. She also had a wonderful personality, and she cared—truly cared—for the people in her life, like her family and Robin. And her looks? There was no question he was physically attracted to her.

  But the money. He knew she’d grown up poor. Knew she had a passel of sisters and brothers. Knew life had been tough for her. She’d shared as much with him, but what was her hang-up? Many people grew up in financially difficult situations, but they didn’t resent their pasts or gear their futures on account of it. Ryan growled at the steering wheel. “She stated the problem from her own lips. For some people, it’s always about the money.”

  Six

  “I can’t believe you landed an interview at Miller Enterprises.” Robin grabbed Kylie’s arm and shook it in excitement.

  Kylie laughed. “I know. It’s my dream job. I didn’t think I’d have a chance for an interview like this until I’d worked ten years or more.”

  “And you’re not even graduated!”

  “I know! I figured I’d do the books for some mom-and-pop store for a while, get some experience, then maybe land a good interview somewhere. But Miller takes care of all the accounting for several major businesses in Evansville.” Kylie’s hand shook as she took her lipstick from her makeup case and applied it to her lips. “I think you need to pinch me or something.”

  “No, I just need to borrow your pink flip-flops.” Robin raced into the other room.

  “What?”

  Robin held up Kylie’s hot pink, daisy-covered sandals. “These.”

  “Okay, but why?”

&n
bsp; “Tyler and I are taking Bransom on a picnic.”

  Kylie studied her friend’s reflection in the mirror. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Tyler.”

  “I know.” Robin combed her curls, then fluffed them back into place.

  “A lot of time.”

  Robin turned toward Kylie. “I’m going to honest; I like Tyler—a lot. A lot, lot.”

  “You know when school starts back you won’t have as much time for—”

  “I’m not even thinking about when school starts back. I haven’t been as focused as you. I still have a full two years ahead of me if I figure out what major I want.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m not saying anything.”

  “It sounds to me like you’re saying something.”

  “Kylie, I’m not thinking about school. I’m not as gung ho as you. I’m taking life one day at a time.” She wrapped her arms around Kylie. “I don’t want to talk about this. You go to that interview and knock their socks off.”

  “But, Robin—”

  Robin pulled away, grabbing both of Kylie’s forearms. “It’s not the time for us to talk about this. You go to that interview and show them what a wonderful person you are.”

  Kylie let out a long breath and smiled as she squeezed her friend in a tight hug. She let go and grabbed her keys from the bathroom counter. “You’re right, but we are going to talk later.”

  As she bounded through the apartment, she grabbed her briefcase off the couch and headed out the door. “God,” she whispered, “You know all things. You know how much I want to help my family. This feels like my chance.”

  ❧

  “Come on in,” Gramps’s voice sounded from the entry.

  Ryan grabbed an oven mitt, opened the oven door, and lifted out the yeast rolls. Whoever had stopped for a visit was in for a treat. Ryan had grilled thick T-bone steaks and aluminum-wrapped potatoes, green peppers, and onions mixed with butter and garlic salt. Gramps had boiled corn on the cob and tossed a salad.

  “Take off that little sweater you got on. We’re about to have supper, and you’re staying,” Gramps’s voice boomed through the house.