By Summer's End (Christian Fiction)

by Rosemarie Naramore

“What sorts of things do they do?” Brianna asked with interest.

  “Well, they study the Bible, of course, but they also take fun trips. One time, my youth group visited a farm and we went on hay rides. Another time, we all got together to go sledding.”

  She sent Brianna a quick glance, fully expecting to see her rolling her eyes, but she appeared interested. Holly was delighted to see it and continued, “My favorite trip was one that involved an orphan outreach. We raised funds and several of us traveled to Honduras to help build a school for the children in the particular region we visited. We had collected loads and loads of new shoes and clothing, which we took along with us.”

  “Wow,” Brianna said. “Your mother allowed you to travel out of the country.”

  Holly nodded. “She was worried, I’m sure, but my mother had a strong faith in God.”

  “What other things did you do in youth group?”

  Holly searched her memory. “Well, my youth group hosted harvest parties for neighborhood kids. Sometimes, we got together at our church and watched movies. A few times, we had slumber parties—boys on one side of the church, girls on the other,” she was quick to add.

  Brianna smiled. “It does kind of sound like fun.”

  “It was. For me, anyway.” She suddenly realized she’d made youth group sound like mostly fun and games. “But first and foremost, youth group is a means to learn more about Christ—to foster a closer relationship with Him.”

  “Maybe I’ll consider joining,” Brianna said. “I’ll have to see.”

  “Good enough,” Holly said, and spotted the church up ahead. She studied the large, newer building, with the massive cross atop, set within a niche beneath the peaked roof. The nearby parking spaces were filling fast. She found a space and parked.

  “It looks pretty big,” Brianna commented. “I guess I expected a small, country church.”

  “Did you?”

  “Yeah. Sort of.”

  “Would you prefer that—a small country church? Because honey, we’re simply visiting today. We’re not making a commitment as yet. When we pick a church, it must feel right for both of us.”

  “Okay.”

  They climbed out of the car, and as they approached the main entrance, Holly spotted Jim. He was standing alone. When he spotted her, he grinned widely, and hurried toward her.

  She’d called him yesterday to tell him she wouldn’t need a ride to church. He had been very gracious about it and had said he would wait for her outside of the church so that he could show her around.

  “Hello. Welcome,” he said, smiling at both women. “I’m so glad you both could come.”

  “Thank you,” Holly said. “Jim, this is my sister, Brianna.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I really hope you’ll enjoy your time with us today. We have a lot of kids your age here, and a terrific youth group.”

  He directed the women to the sanctuary, which had filled up fast with both church members and visitors. “Please find a seat and I’ll join you later,” he said with a smile. “I have usher duties today.”

  Holly smiled, though she was surprised to learn he intended to sit with them during the service. Brianna appeared surprised as well, since she gave her a speculative glance. “I think he likes you,” she whispered, as he hurried away. She watched after him as she and Holly scooted along a pew and took a seat.

  “Oh, he does not,” Holly scoffed. “He’s just being kind. We’re new here and he’s trying to make us feel welcome.”

  “Oh! Hey, look! I see Annabelle and Ryan up ahead.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, see.” She pointed toward the front of the church, where Ryan and Annabelle were moving toward an open section of a pew. “We should sit with them.”

  Brianna rose from her seat, but Holly clutched her arm. “We should stay here. It wouldn’t be polite to leave Jim wondering where we went off to, since he expects to find us here later.”

  “Do you like him?” Brianna whispered.

  “Who?”

  “Jim.”

  “No!” she answered a bit too harshly. Why her sister was so fixated on her feelings for Ryan, and now Jim, baffled her. She took her voice down a notch and forced a smile. “Brianna, we’re at church. I’m not here to find a man.”

  Brianna glanced around her. “But there are so many.” She grinned. “Frankly, if I were you, I’d sit by Ryan. He gets my vote, if it counts for anything.”

  “Your vote always matters,” Holly assured her, but followed by groaning with exasperation. “But we’re not talking about men. Honey, today is about fellowship…”

  Brianna grinned. “You can have fellowship with Ryan,” she teased.

  “Brianna! I’m here to spend time with God,” she said, meeting her gaze. “I’m here because I love Him and because He died for my sins.”

  Brianna gave her a bewildered glance. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  To Holly’s relief, the pastor soon began the service with a prayer, followed by the church choir singing several beautiful hymns. When he said it was his intent to talk about the salvation plan, about how one can invite Jesus into his heart and life and be transformed, she was relieved. Perhaps Brianna would gain some understanding that would enable them to begin a dialogue about Christ.

  Holly wanted her sister to experience a relationship with God. To turn to Him for everything. To realize He was the answer to life’s questions—the path to real happiness and fulfillment.

  Brianna was still young. Holly hoped she wasn’t too jaded by her parents’ lack of regard for those who believed in Christ.

  As the pastor spoke, she found herself listening intently. When she glanced over at Brianna, it was apparent the man held her rapt attention. She offered a silent prayer for her sister—that she would leave today with both an understanding as to what she had heard and a desire to learn more.

  Jim suddenly slipped into the pew and sat down beside her. “Sorry, usher duties kept me away,” he said with a smile.

  She returned his smile and directed her focus back on the pastor’s sermon. She remained fixed on him and his words, but found herself searching for Ryan and Annabelle. She spotted them up ahead. Suddenly, Ryan turned and seemed to scan the congregants’ faces. His eyes immediately found hers and he broke into a smile.

  Her heart leapt with pleasure. She swallowed and then smiled back. She was quite surprised he’d spotted her. The sanctuary was overflowing with people. He gave a small wave and a nod, and seemed to hesitate, before turning back to face forward.

  Holly forced herself to refocus on the pastor’s message. Earlier she’d scolded Brianna for fixating on her love life—or in truth, the lack thereof. Brianna had suggested that Jim ‘liked’ her. Previously, she had suggested that Ryan had feelings for her. Was it possible that two men found her appealing?

  She gave herself a shake. She was as bad as her sister. While she knew that neither man had known her long enough to feel anything for her, she couldn’t deny that she felt … something … for Ryan.

  Holly forced away all thoughts of both Ryan and Jim, and settled in to listen intently to the pastor’s sermon. Later, when he finished with a prayer, she rose with the other parishioners and filed out of the pew. Brianna followed close behind.

  Jim took her arm and directed her out of the sanctuary and down a long hallway. People surrounded them, all heading in the same direction. “I forgot to mention it, but we’re having a get-together in the fellowship hall,” he said. “We’d love for you to join us for good food and fellowship.”

  She turned back to Brianna. “They’re having a luncheon here today. Would you like to stay?”

  “Sure,” she said agreeably. “I could eat.”

  Soon, they joined the other congregants in the fellowship hall, which was a huge, sunny room. A kitchen on one wall was buzzing with activity, as women pulled meals from a commercial-grade refrigerator and began setting them out on a long banquet table. Holly noted Brianna had he
r eyes on the dessert table, which was already overflowing with delectable treats.

  Jim directed them to an open table. They sat down, but Brianna promptly jumped from her seat and began waving at Annabelle and Ryan, who had just stepped into the room. They spotted her and moved toward their table, as Brianna eagerly gestured them over. “Sit with us!” she invited, with a cheery smile.

  “Thank you,” Annabelle said. “It’s so wonderful to see you both.”

  “Hello,” Ryan said, smiling first at Holly, and then Brianna.

  When he turned to greet Jim, it was apparent the other man was surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?” he said, and then appeared to realize what had just come out of his mouth. “I mean…” He smiled ruefully. “Since when do you…?” He grimaced and extended his hand. “Welcome, Ryan.”

  “Thanks,” Ryan said, eyeing him speculatively.

  Annabelle, who had watched the exchange, chuckled. “I understand your surprise, Jim,” she said, by way of easing his embarrassment. “Getting Ryan to church generally involves either threats or a crow bar.”

  Ryan gasped. “That’s … not true.”

  “Yes, it is,” Annabelle said. “But… I, for one, am glad to see you here again. Regardless of who … er, I mean … what brought you here.”

  Ryan glared at her briefly, but turned when a voice declared loudly that lunch was ready.

  “I’m starving,” Annabelle said, and reached for Brianna’s hand. “Let’s go. Maybe we can be first in line.”

  Brianna laughed. “Okay. Let’s hurry. I’m starving too.”

  The two women hurried off. Holly rose to follow, but was surprised when both Ryan and Jim reached for her, each taking an elbow. When both men registered what the other had done, they glared at one another. They remained locked in a sort of visual mortal combat. Holly felt wholly uncomfortable and gently tugged her arms away from them.

  “Wow, I’m starving too,” she declared, and scurried away.

  She joined Annabelle and Brianna in line. Not a moment later, the men joined them. An awkwardness ensued, when each offered to retrieve Holly a glass of punch.

  “Oh, please. Fill up your plates first. We can get our beverages after,” she said, smiling.

  Annabelle turned in line to snare her brother’s gaze. “You can get my punch if you’d like.”

  “Get your own punch,” he mumbled.

  She laughed and nudged Brianna in the side. “I believe we have a couple men here who are sweet on your big sister.”

  To Holly’s horror, both men overheard and each turned an impressive hue of red. She suspected she had, as well.

  Brianna turned and gave her a smug smile. She had already discerned that the men were interested in Holly. She now had her proof. She was delighted. Holly deserved a man in her life. But which one?

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “Well, what’d you think of church?” Holly asked Brianna, as the two rode home together mid-afternoon.

  “I liked it,” she said without hesitation. “What did you think about it?”

  “I liked it too,” she said. “It really wasn’t what I expected.”

  “Really? What did you expect?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I figured it would be like some of the stuff I used to see on TV—you know, fire and brimstone. Maybe that’ll be next week. We’ll see.”

  “We’ll see? So … you plan on going back?”

  “I think so. You want to, don’t you?”

  “Sure”

  Brianna giggled. “Must have been good for your ego—having both Ryan and Jim fawning all over you.”

  “Brianna! They did not!”

  “Even Annabelle noticed. It was hysterical the way they both kept asking if you needed anything else from the buffet table.”

  “Oh, Brianna,” she said with a sigh. “They were just being polite. They don’t even know me. And as I said before, I don’t attend church to meet men.”

  “Why not?” she said, sounding genuinely surprised. “You’re a Christian, right? If you want to meet another Christian, it seems to me that church is the place to go.”

  “Your logic is sound,” Holly said, sounding fatigued.

  “So, which one do you like better?”

  “Which one … what?”

  “Which guy? Ryan or Jim? Personally, I like Ryan. Jim is a nice guy but Ryan… He’s so hot.”

  “Brianna!”

  “It’s true.” She abruptly frowned. “I did get the sense that Ryan hasn’t been to church for awhile. I wonder why.” She narrowed her eyes and stroked her jaw, as if sleuthing some hidden truth. “And I have to wonder, why of all days, did he decide to attend today?” She raised a pointer finger and arched her brows. “Aha! I’ve solved the mystery. He went because he knew you were going.”

  “I’m sure you’re wrong.”

  “I’m right,” she said smugly.

  “Let’s talk about something else. What did you think about the sermon? Do you have any questions for me?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  Holly had hoped her sister might have questions for her, which would enable them to have a dialogue about salvation. But she decided not to push. She desperately wanted her sister to love the Lord and didn’t want to do anything that might sabotage her journey to Christ. She resolved to give her all the time she needed.

  “I meant to ask about youth group for you,” Holly told her.

  “I saw a poster about it. They meet on Wednesdays at seven.”

  “Do you plan to go?”

  “I think I’ll check it out.” She grinned. “I saw some cute guys my age too.”

  “Brianna!”

  The younger girl laughed. “I’m just giving you a hard time. I’m not interested in finding a boyfriend right now. I’m going to be so busy helping the McGraws with their horses, I really wouldn’t have time for a guy. It just wouldn’t be fair to him or the horses.”

  Holly somehow managed to keep a straight face when she agreed with her, wholeheartedly, that it wouldn’t be fair to shortchange either a boyfriend or the horses by spending too little time with either. She also decided she would look into getting Brianna her own horse, if it meant steering her away from the drama of young love. She desperately wanted Brianna to have a future that included college.

  “What time are you going over to the McGraws’ tomorrow?” she asked.

  “Annabelle said she wants me over at eight most mornings. She said she may need me earlier on some days, but that she’s not really a morning person, so eight is early enough.”

  “Are you—a morning person, I mean?” Holly asked with a smile. She knew Brianna slept in well past her own six a.m. wakeup time.

  “I am now,” she said with a wry smile. “If it means spending time with horses, I’ll get up as early as she needs me.”

  “I’ve been thinking…”

  “About what?”

  “Aren’t you going to need cowboy boots?”

  Brianna’s eyes widened. “Why do you ask?”

  “Well, you don’t have any, do you?”

  “Nooooo,” she answered, drawing out the word and watching her hopefully.

  “I was thinking that you and I could stop by the western wear store in Battle Ground and see if we can find you a pair.”

  “Holly, that would be great. It’s been so long since I’ve had a pair.” She hesitated. “Are you sure we can afford it?”

  “I think so. Since we haven’t had to pay rent, I’ve managed to put away more money than usual. I think we can splurge.”

  As they pulled into the drive of their home, Brianna was still smiling as she exited the car. Holly’s heart surged at the sight of her sister, seeming so content. They had made such progress together. She offered up a prayer to the Lord that they would continue to grow in their relationship, just as she hoped that both she and Brianna would grow in their relationships with Him.

  ***

  “Ryan, you are so transparent,” Annab
elle said with a gleeful laugh.

  “What are you talking about?” he asked in a surly tone, as he walked into the family room and sat down in his favorite chair.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “No, really. As is usual, you confound me. Enlighten me.”

  “Jim almost fainted at the sight of you in church.”

  “He did not,” he said, giving his sister a frustrated glare. “Why would he? It hasn’t been that long since I’ve gone.”

  “It’s been over a year, Ryan,” she said pointedly.

  The truth was, he hadn’t attended since Ben got sick and they’d learned his prognosis was grim. He picked up the television remote and made a play of ignoring her. She wouldn’t be dissuaded from their conversation.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you went. It’s just…”

  “What?”

  “I know why, that’s all. You knew Holly was going to be there, and my guess is, you had a sense that Jim might be interested in her, so you had to run interference to assure Jim didn’t get access.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Is it?” She pinned him with a stare. “Ryan, if you have feelings for her, and I’m fairly certain you do, you’d better come clean about the property, and fast.”

  He sighed and met her gaze. “I really blew it, Annabelle. I should have just told her from the beginning. Now…”

  “She’s going to be devastated, and angry—probably furious with you. But the sooner you tell her, the sooner you can explain to her why you kept the information from her.”

  “But…” He threw his hands in the air. “I don’t know why I kept the news from her!”

  Annabelle dropped onto the sofa and picked up a pillow. She drew it to her chest and watched her brother. Her heart broke for him. He was so lost after Ben’s death, and had so much guilt for leaving behind the one man on earth who had always been there for him.

  Originally, Annabelle had been furious with him for taking his trip, even after learning about Ben’s illness. But on some level, she understood. Ryan had been a lost soul—was still reeling from lack of purpose and direction. He simply wasn’t cut out for the family business and she regretted that he’d stepped into his father’s role in the business when he was old enough. It had been stifling for him—its mission against his very nature.