by Taylor Hart
Martha put her hand on Larry’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out.”
Larry smiled at her. “Yes, we will.”
Sara's heart raced. Larry needed to ask Martha out. It was clear how much they liked each other.
Martha turned to her. “Don’t worry, sweetie, your Jonathon will be home soon and everything will be as it should.” She winked. “But maybe you could find someone else to help out with the lessons.”
Her heart raced and she thought of Beau. Dang it, she didn’t want to think of Beau.
But, maybe he would help her out.
Chapter 11
Sara walked into the coffee house and inhaled the scent of the fresh brew. She never drank coffee, but it reminded her of her favorite neighbor’s house, Mrs. Johnson, back in Montana. Sara’s family would help her with the cattle roundup every year.
Sara’s ankle was wrapped, but she could walk on it fine now. She sat at an empty table near the back and noticed Rob’s band at the front of the coffee house. On Wednesday, after class, Rob and Sara had been talking.
She’d confided in him about Jonathon.
Rob had been extremely interested in the fact that Jonathon had devoted a year of his life to helping others in South Africa.
They had talked a long time and Rob had told Sara that he had grown up involved with a Christian church. His grandparents had always taught him about the bible, but his parents had discouraged any belief in God. When his parents had divorced, he’d quit going with his grandparents.
He also confided that he felt alone and like he didn’t have a lot of friends. But, he hadn’t acted desperate, he’d also told her that he was grateful for his music.
Sara felt like she might be someone who could help Rob back to God. The thought made her feel happy. At least, she could do her part to be a friend to him. She’d made a deal with him that if he came to church with her this Sunday, she would come listen to him play today.
Sara couldn’t wait to tell Jonathon about this in her next skype call. He was always telling her how they needed more members to simply reach out to those who needed God in their lives.
“It seems I can’t get away from you.” Beau slid into the seat next to her, waking her from her thoughts.
Every part of her froze. “What are you doing here?”
He sputtered out a laugh. “’Well, hello, Beau, how are you? Fine, Sara, how are you?’” His lip turned down. “That’s how normal people have a conversation.
She couldn’t help but smile at the way he’d done different voices for himself and then for her. “Oh, what else would we say?”
He looked caught, then he smiled. “Never mind.”
She laughed, again. It made her slightly happy that this seemingly overly polished man wasn’t polished all the time. Butterflies erupted in her stomach and she didn’t like the idea that he made her nervous. His blonde hair was sticking up here and there. It was all messy gelled, like some kind of male model.
No.
She wouldn’t think that.
He was not a male model, for heaven’s sake.
She tried to focus. “Rob must have been generous in his invite.”
Beau snorted. “Wow, and the snark comes out quick.”
Yes, she had to focus on snark, not on how this guy made her nervous.
For a few moments neither of them said anything.
The music was good.
She let herself relax and just enjoy it.
Beau turned to her. “I guess you’re still smarting from our discussion today in class?”
“If you mean still smarting because you told me my idea was stupid—then, yes.” She looked away.
“I never said your idea was stupid.”
“Just because you didn’t say those words, doesn’t mean that’s not what you were saying.”
“No, I wasn’t saying that,” he said, his tone more serious.
She rolled her eyes, not wanting to feel vulnerable around this man. The truth was, she wanted to stay away from this man as much as possible, but that plan didn’t seem to be working out.
He hesitated. “How’s the ankle?”
“My ankle is fine, thanks.” She said the last word with some distaste. Why was he sitting next to her?
Beau laughed. “You have the hardest time saying thanks, don’t you?” He took another sip from his cup.
Sara flipped her head back to look at the band but kept her voice steady. “You don’t seem to have a problem telling people what you think. Especially in front of a classroom full of people. You are great at that.”
Beau looked surprised and took another sip. He didn’t talk for a minute and clicked his tongue. “So judgmental,” he said, shaking his head back and forth. “Really, Ms. Fairbanks.” He sighed. “I think your idea is good, but you need to just leave the helping people thing out.”
His comment made her erupt. “Why can’t I help poor, disabled children get the wheelchairs they need? You didn’t let me get to the part where I have been calling around and discovering that there are actually grants in place that would help supplement some of the cost—.”
Beau put his hand up to stop her. “A business is about making money, not begging governments for it.”
Sara sighed and shook her head. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t even giving her a chance to explain it clearly. “Isn’t there something against you fraternizing with students?”
Beau scoffed. “Believe me, I’m not fraternizing.”
Their eyes met and something sizzled between them.
She looked at his lips, then refocused to the band. This man was so annoying!
“You can’t save the world, Sara. Just focus on making money with your business.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
Silence descended for a few minutes.
Rob lifted his hand and pointed at her. Then called into the mic. “Sara came!”
People in the place turned to look at her.
She laughed and couldn’t believe he’d just done that. She caught Beau’s eyes.
He lifted his cup to her.
Rob continued singing.
“I wouldn’t say he’s great, but he has potential.” Beau said.
She really wished Beau would just move somewhere else. “I think he’s pretty good.”
Beau nudged her. “Does he know he’s up against a guy that is practically sainted?”
His comment caught her off guard. She faced him. “Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s not like that.” She kept watching Rob.
Beau kept his gaze on Rob. “Hmm. No, it doesn’t ever seem to be like that with you.”
Sara turned all of her attention on Beau. “What’s your deal?”
Beau leaned forward. “There is no deal.”
Sara shook her head in frustration. “Why do you insist on being everywhere and driving me crazy? And, just so you know, if you expect me to be all ‘Oh, Mr. Hennings you are amazing and blah-blah’ well, don’t hold your breath.” She thought about her project. “And what have you got against helping people? I can help people and make money.”
Beau raised his eyebrows. “Once again,” he said turning to glance at Rob for a second. “Another guy that you’d never seriously consider.” His voice was low but intense. “Safe—but not five-year plan material. Kind of like Carey.”
Sara laughed and glared at him, hating that he could get under her skin so easily. “Why do you even care?”
Beau put his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. “Actually, I don’t.”
“I’m not dating him. In fact,” she said, putting her chin in the air, “I’m bringing him back to God if you must know.”
Beau looked confused, then grunted. “Hmm.”
Sara looked back to Rob’s band, watching Rob bang his head with the music.
Beau followed her gaze.
“He’s coming to church with me this Sunday, as a matter-of-fact
. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Awesome, good work.” He rolled his eyes and raised his cup to her.
She hated that this guy sounded so patronizing. And why did he even care?
The music ended. Rob moved toward them.
“Sara.” His eyes lit up. “Professor Hennings.” He nodded to Beau. “Thanks for coming, guys.”
He knuckle bumped both of them.
“Call me Beau.”
Rob laughed and seemed pumped up. “Okay.”
Rob looked between them.
“We didn’t come together or anything.” Sara put her hands up like she’d been caught stealing.
Rob shifted uncomfortably. “Uhh—okay.”
Beau ignored her. “You were good. Your guys were good, too.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, feeling like she should have spoken up sooner.
A goofy smile washed over Rob’s face. “Dudes, I don’t mind saying that we are on tonight.”
She laughed. “Seriously, you guys are good.”
Rob reached out and gently took her hand, then released it. “Thanks.”
Nervous energy filled her. Did Rob think she liked him?
A tiny smile played on Beau’s lips. He turned to Rob. “I liked the change to B-flat during the second verse.”
Rob’s smile widened. “You noticed that? I thought it was awesome when Stew first did it. He’s the main guitarist, and he is like out of this world kinda good. And, the drummer is Ed, he’s the one with the goatee. I can drum, but . . .” He pointed to himself in explanation. “I’m a singer.” A drumbeat came from the stage. Rob looked to the stage and then back to her. “Did Linda say anything about coming?”
Sara was surprised at his question. “No.” She was also slightly relieved. Linda and Rob had been talking when Sara had left class. “But I’ll tell her how awesome you guys are when you come to church with me.”
Rob smiled and Sara thought that he was definitely too shy for the stage name Duke. He pointed between them. “Hey, maybe you guys can come to our gig at the Cowboy next Friday?”
Sara hesitated.
Beau smiled at Rob. “Sure, we’ll be there.”
He looked between them and shrugged, turning back to his band. “Great. Uh, see ya in class.”
“Nice kid.” Beau finished off his drink and stood.
Sara tried to control her anger. “Why did you say that we’d be there? You don’t get to speak for me.”
Beau looked patronizingly at her. “Sara, you need to talk to your patron saint Jonathon. I’m sure he’d tell you that sometimes you have to fellowship people in the way they need fellowshipped to bring them to God.”
She felt caught. And she thought of what he’d said the first time she’d met him about God; how he never showed up for people. She wanted to ask him a million questions about it, but she didn’t know how. Sara gripped the edge of the table to help her to stand without putting pressure on her ankle.
He reached his hand out to her. “Let me help you.”
She turned. “No.”
A man patted Beau’s back. “Hey, look who’s come home?”
Beau seemed to relax. “Hey, Lou.”
The man turned to her, then back to Beau. “Glad to have you home, son. Your momma needs you.”
Beau nodded. “Yeah, it’s good to be home.”
Instantly, she wondered what was wrong with his mother.
Lou gave him another pat then walked to another table, talking to others.
Beau swung to face her, all of his previous smirk gone. “I’ll see you later.”
“Are you okay?”
He met her gaze. “Fine.” He cleared his throat. “Just fine.”
But she could tell that whatever was going on with his mother was not fine. Not fine at all.
Chapter 12
Sunday, she and Genova walked into the Christian Intervarsity building holding some potluck dishes. They were meeting with the other students for dinner.
Sara had been teasing Genova about how Kevin would propose to her.
“Shut it,” Genova gritted her teeth. “He will not do it at a football game.”
Sara teased, knowing her friend hated football and hated public proposals like that. “Yep—I think he’ll have a plane write your name above the stadium. That would be awesome.”
Genova nudged her side. “Maybe Beatrice’s next article should be on how to make proposals intimate and private and romantic.”
Sara grimaced. “Ahh, Beatrice. If everyone would follow her advice, how great the world would be.”
“And who is Beatrice?” Suddenly Beau appeared next to her. He opened the door and held it.
Sara hated that her heart sped up a notch.
Genova smiled between the two of them. “Hey.” She paused. “I’m Genova Killion, by the way.”
Beau shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Genova winked at her and took her dish. “I’ll put these in the kitchen.” She grinned at Beau. “Nice to officially meet you.”
“Yes, it is” Beau agreed, waiting for Sara to walk through the door.
Genova giggled and walked faster down the hallway.
Sara would make her pay later. She walked through the door. “Thank you.”
“Sure.” Beau fell into step with her. “So who is Beatrice?”
Sara decided to play her own game. “Haven’t you heard? She’s our fabulous UW Dear Abby type of columnist. Great advice.” She nodded her head with mock seriousness. “You should read her. It’d probably help you get a date.” She flashed him an obnoxious grin.
“Hmm.” Beau stayed next to her.
The general meeting room was packed with students who were already eating.
“Gosh, this is busy,” she said, looking around.
“It is.”
Carey nudged past her, slightly bumping her shoulder. Sara was surprised to see Michelle by his side, and they were holding hands.
Carey paused and his face reddened. “Hey.”
She didn’t respond.
He quickly walked to the other tables across the gym.
Sara was at a complete loss. Anger clinched her chest.
“That guy is smooth.”
She grunted. “And to think I was actually feeling like I did something wrong that gave him the wrong idea.” She walked to the food line.
Beau stayed next to her. “I think guys like that prey on girls like you.” He picked up a plate and some silverware.
This surprised her. “What does that mean?” She grabbed her own paper products.
“Nothing.”
More annoyance filled her. “No, you meant something.”
Beau surveyed the table and then picked up a roll and put it on his plate. “Not everything means something, Ms. Fairbanks.”
Why did he use her last name? Her heart raced and she tried to focus on the food and not on Beau.
They both put things on their plate. At the end of the line, she picked up some dessert and started for the table Genova and Kevin were at.
Beau followed and sat next to Kevin, introducing himself officially.
Sara wanted to point out that Beau didn’t have to sit by them, but she knew she couldn’t without sounding like an idiot.
Sara was surprised when Rob sat next to her and Linda sat across from Beau. “Hey girl, what’s sup?” Rob put his hand out to knuckle bump with her.
She laughed and did the knuckle bump back.
“Hey guys.” Linda smiled at all of them, looking a little unsure of Beau.
Sara realized that most of the students were probably a little intimidated with trying to hang out with him since he was a professor.
“I’m glad to see you here,” Sara said to Rob.
“Didn’t you hear?” Rob gave her a mock ‘you’re so behind’ look. “I’m part of the Christian fellowship. So I can invite myself.” He smiled and took a forkful of food and stuffed it in his mouth.
She grinned back at him. “Y
es, you are.”
He spoke with his mouth full. “I figured I should come. I mean, it’s free food.” He scratched his goatee and glanced at Linda.
Linda smiled at him.
Oh, look at this matchmaking happening right before her eyes. She looked between them. “Awesome.”
Linda smiled shyly at Rob. “It is awesome.”
Sara noticed that Rob’s face reddened at Linda’s praise. She couldn’t help but feel happy for them. She couldn’t wait to tell Jonathon about it on their skype call. They were supposed to talk tonight. She thought about how nonexistent their calls had been lately because Jonathon had been busy or the internet was out.
She couldn’t wait until he was home already.
For most of the meal, they all chatted. She couldn’t help notice how easy Beau actually fit in with all of them.
She wondered what his age was? He couldn’t be more than five years older than her, could he?
After they ate, Sara sauntered around the room, talking to friends and catching up on their lives. The Intervarsity center was close-knit, and she’d missed that camaraderie over the summer. She went to the hallway and found Rob talking with Pastor Paul. They looked like they were having a meaningful talk so she went the other way to give them privacy.
Linda was leaning against the wall in the hallway, on her phone. She put her phone down and beamed at Sara. “It’s so cool, huh, that Rob is here.” She flashed a grin. “I think he’s really glad to be back around believers.”
Sara felt a little defensive of Rob, maybe because she’d been the one to get him to come to church in the first place. “As long as he is really interested in God, not just a pretty face.” Her voice was soft, but she tried to sound firm.
Linda frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Sara turned to make sure Rob didn’t hear. “I just mean, let him find his own way back to God before you put him under your spell, okay.”
Linda raised her eyebrow. “My spell? I think you give me too much credit.” Linda peeked into the hall to check on Rob.
Sara wished she wouldn’t have said anything. “Never mind.”
“Anytime someone comes closer to God it’s a good thing,” Linda retorted.
She noddd. “True.” She jerked a thumb to the exit. “I’m going to go, see you.”