Lamp Unto Her Feet

by Paula Mowery

  “Will you join us for lunch?” Her voice was sweet and low. “After worship, of course.”

  How could he say no? “That would be great.”

  “Lila said you were acquainted with her favorite Mexican place.”

  “Yep. I’ll meet you there.”

  Kenzie smiled and joined Lila, walking into the hallway.

  Trevor hung back for a few moments. He strolled to the sanctuary and his eyes immediately spotted Kenzie. Not why you’re here, dude. He heaved a sigh and settled into a pew in the opposite section. What was it about Kenzie that knocked him off balance? I’m not sure I’m ready for a relationship after the train wreck of the last one.

  After the worship service, Bob, the guy in charge of greeters, stopped him. “Hey Trevor, have you thought about becoming a permanent member of the greeter team?”

  “Well, Bob, I would love to help you out. You realize there are times I can’t be here.”

  “Sure. I make a schedule so you aren’t required to do it every Sunday. I think it’s one of your gifts. You make a good greeter.”

  “Thanks, Bob. Sure, put me on the rotation. I’ll let you know if I have a conflict.”

  Bob slapped Trevor on the back. “Great. Thanks.”

  Trevor jogged to his truck. As he drove toward the restaurant, he considered how Kenzie had averted her eyes from him this morning. He needed to clear that up. But right now, he was running late. Sliding into a space in the parking lot, he jumped out and hurried inside.

  He spotted his dining partners and parked himself in the booth across from Kenzie and Lila. Though he tried to meet Kenzie’s gaze, she continued to avoid his eyes. “You know, Kenzie, I hope I didn’t over-step any boundaries, so to speak, with the Brett ordeal. You needn’t feel uneasy around me or ashamed of what happened.” He leaned closer. “I just sense something.” He shrugged.

  Kenzie’s gaze finally met his. “Oh, no. I’m sorry.” She touched his arm with her hand. “I’m more embarrassed about being so naïve. I mean, Brett was a stranger. I assumed since he attended church, he was a good guy. But...”

  Her warm hand on his arm distracted him. “Don’t be embarrassed. You should be able to assume that. It’s an honest mistake. I learned my lesson.”

  “What do you mean?” Kenzie’s brow crinkled. It was adorable and she had the slightest dimple in her chin.

  Trevor shook his head slightly and blinked, struggling to keep to the subject at hand. “Back in Colorado, I dated this gal from church. She seemed OK, and I got really involved. When she started to drink alcohol on our dates, I thought, ‘Who am I to judge?’ Then, one evening, I met her at a party after work. She was doing drugs.” Trevor sighed and shook his head. “It took a long time to clear my name because of guilt by association, you know? I decided then and there to really live it. No more faking it. No more hypocrisy. My parents had taught me better and modeled it even more so.”

  “It’s a good philosophy, but it can get lonely. Most people our age seem to want to live that double life.” Kenzie’s voice and expression were pensive.

  Lila stirred her soda with her straw. “But my parents taught me the same thing, Trevor.”

  “Not mine.” Kenzie’s voice was low and quivered slightly. “My parents live that double life. If it hadn’t been for my Nana Nita, I would be the same way.” She rubbed her forehead. “I wish I still had her to help me.” Her eyes glistened with tears.

  Trevor’s chest tightened. Kenzie was so innocent and vulnerable. No one would hurt her or lead her astray on Trevor Wallen’s watch.

  ~*~

  Kenzie settled on the couch, thinking about lunch. Not lunch so much as Trevor. With her track record so far, she needed to refrain from getting involved with a man. She couldn’t trust her choices. How did a person know who was right and sincere? She reached for Nana’s Bible and placed it on her lap. Could God’s Word guide her in this too? She flipped to the next highlighted passage, which was in Ruth. She read the verses and contemplated their meaning.

  Boaz told Ruth to glean collected leftover grain in the safety of his fields. Ruth said Boaz comforted her and was friendly to her even though she was a stranger.

  Kenzie covered her gaping mouth. Could Trevor be her Boaz? He had comforted her and been friendly to her though the two of them were virtually strangers. Kenzie scanned the page, locating Nana’s note.

  God would have you be with a godly man. A man of integrity. Settle for nothing less.

  A shiver shook her body. These Bible passages followed her life so closely there was no way this was just a coincidence. She rubbed at the goose bumps on her arms. She turned quickly to the next passage indicated, 1 Samuel 17:45-50. The story of David and Goliath? How could that relate to her life? She didn’t know any threatening giants, but she read the passage again and noted Nana’s comments about God being bigger than any challenge to be faced and to trust His guidance.

  When she finally laid her head on her pillow, she struggled to sleep. Could her story turn out like Ruth’s story? If these Bible passages mapped out her life, Trevor would be the one. But that idea, however pleasant to consider, was a far-fetched dream. Was she putting way too much stock in these scripture passages? Something written thousands of years ago, surely couldn’t affect her life today. Could it?

  ~*~

  The next morning, as Kenzie greeted her four-year-old students, the Bible verses and her thoughts from the night before reverberated in the back of her mind.

  Later when she went to the playground to retrieve the little ones, she spotted a man near the fence who appeared to be calling out to one of the children. She hurried over, directing her class toward the door. “Sir, can I help you?”

  “Yes.” His answer was abrupt, and he turned wild eyes her way. “I’m here for my kids.”

  Kenzie took a cleansing breath, making sure her voice remained calm. “I’m sorry, if you’re here to pick up a child, you must go to the office.”

  “I don’t want to go to no office. I want my kids.” He gripped the fence and growled his words.

  Kenzie’s stomach tightened. “That’s the policy, sir.”

  She whirled about and hurried the children inside, allowing the door to lock behind them. She let out the breath she’d been holding and composed herself for the children’s sake.

  In the stir of afternoon activities, Kenzie allowed the incident to slide to the back of her mind. After the children were headed safely home with approved parents and guardians, she stopped by the principal’s office. Mrs. McCloud waved her in.

  “Miss Murrah, how were things in Pre-K today?”

  “Good. I wanted to inform you of an incident on the playground.” Kenzie filled her in on the demanding man.

  “Hmm, I can almost guess who that might be. It’s one of our fathers. He’s been in and out of jail for drugs. He hasn’t seen his kids for a long time. Thank you for letting me know. You did the right thing.”

  Kenzie put the incident out of her mind since Mrs. McCloud didn’t seem concerned.

  Three days later, Friday had arrived and Kenzie’s mind kept drifting to Trevor. Silently, she scolded herself. Nana may have noted that she hold out for a godly man of integrity, but Kenzie Murrah believed she had little to offer such a man. She walked through her buzzing classroom. The children were engaged in center-time play. A bright reflection on the back wall caught her eye. She turned toward the opposite wall and scanned outside through the waist-high windows to investigate. The man from the playground! Her pulse sped up. She diverted her eyes from gazing directly at him, hoping he might just walk away. Her stomach wrenched. In her peripheral vision, she spotted what caused the mysterious reflection. A gun. She attempted to slow her breathing. The children mustn’t be alarmed.

  Your God is bigger than any giant. The Scripture passage. She silently pleaded. God, You’re bigger. Help me.

  Immediately, she gathered the children into a line at the classroom door leading to the hallway. She spoke in a low voice, su
rprised there was no quiver in it. “Miss Mary, please lead us into the hallway.”

  Though Kenzie’s assistant shot her a puzzled expression, she followed the directive. Kenzie stood between the children and the man outside the window, though her back seared hot, aching as if anticipating a bullet. She stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Swallowing at the bile in her throat, she sped to the front of the line, leading the children to the other end of the hallway in front of Principal McCloud’s office door. Kenzie motioned for them to sit down with their backs against the wall. Not bothering to knock, her adrenaline pushed her to barge right into the principal’s office.

  Mrs. McCloud glanced up. “Miss Murrah, I’m in a…” She halted and stood, looking at the man and woman seated in front of her desk. “Will you excuse me a moment?” She stepped into the hallway. “Miss Murrah, what is it? You appear pale.” Her eyes darted behind Kenzie, obviously noticing the children. Her gaze returned to Kenzie.

  “The man from the playground the other day is outside my classroom windows with a gun,” Kenzie whispered.

  Mrs. McCloud’s eyes widened. She whirled around and raced into her office, propping the door open. “We’ll need to reschedule. I have an emergency.” Mrs. McCloud’s gaze met Kenzie’s. “I’d advise you not leave the building, however.” She punched three numbers into her cell phone. “Betty, come here please.”

  As the secretary entered, Mrs. McCloud held up her hand, speaking into her phone. “Yes, ma’am, I’m Mrs. McCloud, principal at Westend Elementary. We have a possible gunman outside. Thank you. I will remain on the line, but I need to give some other instructions to clear the front of the building.” Leaving her cell phone mashed to her ear, she picked up her desk phone and called the other front classrooms, instructing each teacher to vacate to the hallway.

  Several of Kenzie’s children started to whimper and cry. She knelt in front of them. “It’s OK. We’re safe. Calm down.” She patted each child on the arm or leg to further reassure them. They flocked around her like a bunch of chicks.

  The front entrance doors buzzed, and a uniformed man burst through, scanning the hallway. His gaze settled on Kenzie, and his expression softened. Trevor. He lifted his hat, swiped his forehead with the back of his hand, and replaced the cap.

  Mrs. McCloud’s voice rang out over the intercom system. “Those in the hallway, please take your students to the cafeteria. Further instructions to follow.”

  Kenzie stood, corralling her students back into a line.

  “Miss Murrah?” She turned to find the principal. “Please send your children on ahead with your assistant. The police want to speak with you about what you witnessed.”

  Kenzie nodded. She stepped into Mrs. McCloud’s office, heading toward a chair. Just as she reached to grasp its back, her body began to shake and her stomach roiled. A cold sweat swept from her head down her arms and back. She swallowed and drew in a deep breath. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, gently guiding her to sit down. When her eyes met Trevor’s, she flung her arms around his neck and held on.

  The tears gushed as did a wailing sound. As Trevor held her close, stroking her hair and speaking softly into her ear, a calmness returned. Reluctantly, Kenzie let go of Trevor and fell into the chair back. She rubbed her hands down her face. “Sorry.”

  Trevor shook his head. “No need to be sorry.”

  As he rose from his kneeling position in front of her, she caught a glimpse of his eyes. Were those tears?

  He sniffed and opened a notebook. “Are you OK? Could I ask you to describe what you saw?”

  She nodded. As she recounted the man with the gun and her actions, she admired Trevor. Who wouldn’t fall for a knight in shining armor? What man didn’t appear more attractive in a uniform? He had saved her twice now. What girl wouldn’t be infatuated with a man who did that? But was there more? Would God let him be like Boaz? Her Boaz?

  6

  Trevor plopped into his recliner, closed his eyes, and steadied his breathing. Finally home, he had a moment to process what happened this afternoon at the school. Fear had coursed through his veins like ice when he discovered Kenzie was in danger. At the sight of her unharmed in the school hallway, he thanked God over and over for answering his prayer. Thank goodness she fell into his arms, because he couldn’t resist the urge to embrace her, hold her close. The sheer terror in her eyes broke his heart. He desired nothing more than to beat the man to a pulp who had placed that fear in her. Where were these strong emotions coming from? He had been a cop long enough that he could distance himself and not experience residual effects or feelings. When it came to Kenzie Murrah, all that was flipped inside out. In fact, his very heart was turned inside out, feeling for her, worrying over her, needing to protect her.

  Was he losing his edge?

  Was he losing his mind?

  Or was it his heart?

  His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, and he jumped. Digging it out, he glanced at the call name. Kenzie. His heart seemed to stop.

  “Kenzie? Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, I think. I don’t know.” She sniffed.

  Was she crying? Trevor sat up straight. “What’s wrong?”

  “I…I’m a nervous wreck. I’m jumping at every sound. I’m sorry to call you. I just…”

  “Don’t be sorry. Kenzie, what happened today would shake anybody up.” His chest ached. How could he help her? “Have you eaten?”

  “No, I hadn’t even thought about it.”

  “Would it be all right for me to pick up a couple of chicken sandwiches and stop by?”

  “Oh, would you?” Her tone was filled with an eagerness mixed with a sigh of relief.

  “Sure. I’ll be there in ten.”

  As Trevor approached her apartment, Kenzie waited, leaning against the open door. Her face held a sheepish grin. “Hey, am I pitiful?”

  “No, you’re not.” But completely adorable.

  She led him into her living room, carrying the take-out bag from him. “Make yourself comfortable. Be right back.” She scurried off. “Diet soda?” she called.

  “Water’s good. Need any help?”

  “Nope.”

  Trevor glanced around the small living room and spotted two framed pictures perched on a shelf. One pictured a couple. From the resemblance of the woman to Kenzie, they must have been her parents. The other frame held a picture of a younger Kenzie and an older woman with a pleasant smile.

  “OK, here we go.” She handed him a plate and a bottled water.

  “Thanks.”

  “Do you like chocolate chip cookies? I have some fresh ones for dessert?” Her eyes danced.

  “Oh, yeah, I do.”

  She sat across from him and bowed her head. After a moment of silence, she peeked at him. Prayer, that’s what she was waiting for. Trevor bowed and rattled off a prayer, thanking God for their food. “Feeling better?”

  She flashed a smile and nodded.

  After downing too many cookies, Trevor gazed at Kenzie. Her eyes stared across the room, and she sat motionless. He slid forward on the sofa. “Hey, what are you thinking?”

  She shook her head slightly and turned her gaze on him. “If I share something with you, will you promise not to think I’m completely crazy?”

  Strange question, but her pleading eyes compelled him. “OK.”

  She picked up a worn Bible and plopped next to him on the couch. “My Nana left me this Bible. She passed a few months ago.” Focusing on the Bible, her bottom lip quivered. She closed her eyes and breathed in, letting the air out slowly. Then she opened her eyes and looked at Trevor. “She has marked verses and passages, making notes to me in the margins. And then she indicates the address for the next scriptures she highlights.”

  “That doesn’t sound crazy at all.”

  “Because that’s not the crazy part.” She angled more toward him and touched his forearm with her hand.

  The warmth spread up his arm. Stay focused.

  �
��Nana wanted me to learn that the Bible would guide my life.”

  Trevor nodded, hoping she wouldn’t remove her hand.

  “Well, the passages I read thus far have more than guided my life. They’ve been my life.” Her eyes widened.

  “The Bible is timeless. It speaks to our circumstances.” He shrugged.

  “So specifically that it follows my circumstances?” She opened the Bible and flipped some pages. “Like here. After I read about Abraham, Lila called about the job. I was neglecting my church attendance, and there was remember the Sabbath. I went out with Brett and was pressured right when I read about keeping the commandments.” She paused. “Before the incident at school today, my passage was David and Goliath, letting the Lord conquer.”

  Trevor stroked his chin. “Hmm.”

  “You promised you wouldn’t think it was crazy.”

  Trevor laid his arm around her shoulders. He froze momentarily. Was that too forward? But Kenzie seemed to lean into his arm instead. “I don’t think you’re crazy.”

  “I’m reading too much into this, right?”

  “I didn’t say that either.”

  A little crinkle popped up in the middle of her forehead.

  “Don’t fight it. Just follow it. You can’t go wrong. It’s God’s Word.”

  “I guess you’re right.” She yawned. “I’m sorry.”

  Trevor glanced at his watch. “No wonder you’re yawning. It’s late. After your ordeal today, you need to get some sleep.”

  Reluctantly, he stood and headed for the door. When he stopped and whirled around, she almost crashed into him. She took a swift step back.

  “Can I call and check on you tomorrow?”

  Her gaze met his, and she nodded.

  He should turn and go, but he didn’t. Instead, he reached to embrace her in a hug. He half-expected her body to stiffen in reaction to his forward action, but she leaned in. Her head rested gently onto his chest, and her arms encircled his waist. His pulse picked up. Hopefully, Kenzie hadn’t noticed.