by Paula Mowery
His eyes popped open. Why would one of his fellow officers be calling him now? “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Kev. He had a run in with one of those young punks. Shot him in the arm. He’s gonna be OK, but I didn’t want you to hear it someplace else.”
“Thanks, Glen. Did they catch the guy?”
“’Fraid not.”
These guys were getting bold or desperate. He bolted from the bed. Kevin was just a rookie. He was sure to be shaken by this incident. Trevor would pay him a visit.
Trevor knocked on the hospital room door. “Can I come in?”
“Come in,” a voice called from inside.
He stepped in and stopped at the end of the bed. “What are you doing here, Kev?” Trevor employed a teasing tone.
Kevin shrugged one shoulder. “Had a little run-in with a kid.”
“I heard. Are you doing OK?”
Kevin diverted his gaze from Trevor and fiddled with the sheet. “I suppose.”
Trevor patted his foot. “Hey man, it’s normal and OK to be a bit shook up.”
Kevin looked Trevor in the eyes. “Really? Makes you rethink what you’re doing becoming a cop.”
“Of course, it does. But, if you were bad at it, you probably wouldn’t have come out with just an arm injury.”
Kevin’s eyes widened. “I’ll admit that I wondered if this made me look like I don’t know what I’m doing. And my mom and fiancée freaked out.”
Trevor sucked air through his teeth. “Yeah. Mamas don’t take too kindly to their boy getting hurt. I don’t know about the fiancée part, but I’d say it’s pretty much the same.” Trevor slipped into the chair beside the bed and leaned forward. “It comes down to this, Kev. You have to decide if this is what God has set you aside to do. If it is, you jump right back on that horse and do it to the best of your ability.”
Kevin nodded. “I do think, even with a scare like this, that I am supposed to be a police officer.”
“And you’re a mighty fine one.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
“I won’t tell you anything that I don’t truly believe. I’m not one to blow smoke.” Trevor stood. “Now, if you should need anything, even just to talk, call me.” He extended his hand and shook Kevin’s firmly. “Good luck with those women.” He winked.
He headed home but couldn’t help thinking about his date with Kenzie later. Passing the small flower shop, he wheeled around the block and pulled into a space at the front door. He propped on the front counter and studied the various arrangements. What did he think he was doing? He had no idea about buying flowers for a woman.
“Can I help you?” A petite woman smiled at him from behind the counter.
“I hope so. I have no idea about these things.” He gestured toward the plethora of choices.
“Well now, what’s the occasion?” Despite the tell-tale sign of white hair that announced her advanced age, her voice was peppy.
“Just a date.” He paused. “With a sweet lady.”
The woman cocked one eyebrow. “I see.” She flipped around to the flower display case and pulled open the door. “Hmm. Now let me see. Aha.” She snagged a bunch of flowers from the bottom shelf and let the door slam shut. Wheeling about, she spread the bouquet on the counter. “These are an assortment. Aren’t the colors exquisite?”
Trevor eyed the flowers. They were quite eye-catching. Almost cheery. “I think that will be perfect.”
“Splendid. I’ll wrap them in some paper and throw in a little Baby’s Breath. Unless you would like a vase?”
“No, I think just the bouquet.”
“I’ll be right back.” The little lady whisked through a curtain and returned a few moments later. “Your lady-friend will adore these. I just know it.” She giggled.
Trevor paid, tromped to his truck, and laid the flowers gently on the passenger seat. He drove straight back home and carried the flowers inside. Would they wilt before he could give them to Kenzie? He glanced at his watch. Two hours before he was supposed to pick her up. Maybe he should have gotten the vase.
Dropping onto the couch, he picked up his iPad and brought up the local movie theatre. When he’d suggested a movie, he hadn’t a clue what was showing. Satisfied with a couple of clean comedies to offer, he opted for another shower.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he toweled off his head. He eyed himself in the mirror and shook his head. “Kenzie, you have driven me to taking multiple showers and wearing cologne.” He chuckled and rolled his eyes.
After dressing, Trevor hurried in to survey the bouquet. The flowers still appeared fresh. He grabbed his keys, hopped in his truck, and started his short drive to Kenzie’s apartment.
What would he possibly say? “Evening, Kenzie. These flowers reminded me of you. No. These flowers are for you. Well, yeah.” He rubbed his hand down his face. “Good grief.”
He pulled into a space in front of her building and grabbed the bouquet. By the time he arrived at her front door, she was standing with it open.
Kenzie smiled. “Oh, what beautiful flowers. For me?”
“Yes.” His practiced speech didn’t fit. “Um, yeah. I wasn’t sure if you liked flowers or not.”
She tilted her head and shrugged one shoulder. “What girl doesn’t like flowers? Come in. I’d better put them in something.” She whirled around.
He followed her, pushing the door closed behind him. “The lady asked me if I needed a vase.” He stepped over to the kitchen counter.
“Nah. I have one.” She filled the glass container with water and unwrapped the bouquet, letting the flowers drop stem first into the vase. Taking the bow that held the package together, she tied it around the neck of the vase and stood back. “Very pretty.” She turned her gaze to him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
They looked into each other’s eyes in silence. His pulse pounded in his ears. He finally pulled his gaze away from her. “I guess we better get going if we want to have time for dinner and a movie.”
“Of course.” She grabbed her purse.
They walked down the walk toward his truck. “Have you tried O’Grady’s?”
Kenzie stopped. “Well…” She wrinkled her nose. “I’d prefer some other place, if there’s another place you like to go.”
“OK.” His reply came out mixed with a bit of confusion.
“That’s where Brett took me.”
“No other explanation needed.” He hadn’t even considered where that jerk had taken her.
He assisted her into the passenger seat and hopped into the driver’s seat and turned toward her. “I’ll take you to a great local eatery. The Green Tomato Grill. How about that?”
“Sounds good. Thanks for understanding.”
He certainly didn’t want to remind her of a bad situation.
As they entered the local grill, the owner greeted Trevor.
“This is Kenzie. I don’t believe she’s had the privilege of trying your good home cooking.”
“Well then, do come in.” The woman led the way to a booth in the back. “We’re having our rib special tonight.” She smiled and rushed back to the hostess post.
During the course of eating and chatting, he told Kenzie about Kevin being shot. He regretted telling her immediately. A distressed expression fell over her face. “You have a dangerous job. I bet your mother worries about you.”
Trevor shrugged, hoping to alleviate her pained expression. “My mother would worry no matter what I did.” He chuckled.
She didn’t join him in laughing, instead, she gnawed her lower lip and fidgeted with her hands.
He reached across the table and stilled her hands. She met his gaze. “Don’t worry.”
She grinned sheepishly. “I probably have that in common with your mother.”
“I’ll tell you like I tell her. Being a police officer is my calling. God will take care of me.”
“He better. I don’t want to see you hurt. I couldn’t take it.”
> A warmth rushed through his chest. He really didn’t want her to worry, but he didn’t mind that she cared.
“Thing is, like I mentioned the other night, my dad is a police officer.”
“So, you followed in his footsteps. Gracious me, I can’t imagine the worry your mother experiences.” Kenzie laid her hand on her chest dramatically.
“I could never fully follow in his footsteps. He’s such a great dad and a really good officer. I guess, Mom’s learned to deal with our chosen line of work. She’s pretty tough too.”
Kenzie smiled and leaned her chin on her hand. “They sound wonderful, and you obviously have lots of respect for them.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Were you expected to become a cop?”
That question threw him off a bit. “No, I was never pressured into going into criminal law, if that’s what you mean.”
“Hmm.” She nodded.
~*~
They were still laughing from the comedy movie when he walked her to her apartment door.
“Thanks for tonight.” Kenzie’s eyes sparkled in the dim lighting of her small lamplight outside her door.
“Thanks for going.” Should he kiss her? He wanted to in a bad way. He craved the nearness again. But the gossip girls might be watching. He didn’t dare give cause for more tongue-wagging. He cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Guess I’ll see you Sunday.”
Kenzie nodded. “Night.” She slipped inside and slowly closed the door.
He meandered back to his car and slid into the driver’s seat, tempted to return to Kenzie’s door, knock, and ask her out for tomorrow night too. Trevor Wallen, you’re going to scare this girl away if you don’t get under control.
~*~
Kenzie’s pulse sped up when Trevor walked through the door of their Sunday School classroom. She breathed in deep, trying to calm her insides. Just the sight of him caused her body to automatically react. Was it obvious to anyone else? She was sure to make a fool of herself. What did she understand about relationships with men? But one thing she did know. She was attracted to Trevor Wallen. He was a total distraction.
He ended up beside her during the worship service. She lowered her voice during the hymn singing to listen to his baritone. Finally, they were seated, and the pastor began his sermon. Trevor elbowed her arm gently, and she caught the hint. The pastor’s scripture was none other than the prayer of Jabez. Her ears perked.
After the benediction, she stood and spun toward Trevor. “Yikes, I’m not sure I’m ready to be so bold as to pray that prayer or not.
“Aw, come on, sure you are.” He grinned and winked.
Lila leaned around Kenzie. “Our usual Sunday lunch bunch?”
Kenzie shrugged, glancing at Trevor.
“Of course. It wouldn’t be Sunday without lunching with you two.”
The three piled into the restaurant booth, Lila and Kenzie sitting across from Trevor. Kenzie debated whether she would scoot in beside him but much preferred the view of him across the table.
Lila straightened in the seat. “So this prayer of Jabez—I’m thinking this is mighty bold thinking, especially after the preacher’s sermon this morning.”
Trevor stroked his chin. “I understand what you mean. Praying for God to expand your territory, your influence for Him—what might that look like?”
“That’s what I’ve been thinking about since I read the verses in Nana’s Bible. I about fell out of my seat when the pastor started preaching on the same passage. How coincidental is that?” Kenzie glanced from Lila to Trevor.
Lila twisted to face Kenzie. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
Kenzie chuckled, but Lila’s face remained serious. “What do you mean? You don’t think there are crazy, random things that happen?”
Lila shook her head. “No, I don’t. I think God orchestrates our paths. How can things be a coincidence when you consider that?”
Kenzie shrugged.
“I agree.” Trevor leaned forward and gazed into her eyes. “When God is trying to get something across to me, He often has things show up in different parts of my life. Like you read the passage and then the sermon was on that same passage. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read something in my Bible and it comes up in Sunday school or in the sermon or even in conversation with other Christians.”
Kenzie heaved a heavy sigh. “So, what do I do? I’m still trying to get a handle on being led through Scripture.”
Lila crossed her arms over her chest dramatically. “I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna pray that little prayer. I would like to see what God would use me to do.”
“I’m with you, Lila. I think I can use this as a new step in my trust in Him. So what do ya think? You in, Kenzie?”
She bit her fingernail before dropping her hand onto the table. “I’m in. I’m much too intrigued not to give the prayer a try.”
By the end of their meal, the three of them made a pact. Each would pray the prayer of Jabez for themselves for a month to see what would happen.
~*~
Only two weeks had passed since their Jabez prayer pact. But Kenzie could hardly wait to share with Lila and Trevor about her stellar evaluation at school and the accompanying compliments from the principal. Then there was the call from the children’s minister at church asking for her help in the Wednesday night children’s programs.
Was it the Jabez prayer? She had certainly been blessed and had her influence stretched.
They were meeting at Trevor’s condo tonight for supper. Lila was bringing her new love interest, Joel. When she pulled her small car into a space near Trevor’s truck, she didn’t see Lila’s car. Kenzie hopped out and jogged up to the front door. Her hand was poised to knock when the door swung open.
“Hi,” Trevor said with a large grin.
A shiver sped down her spine. “Hi. Lila and Joel make it yet?”
“Nope. Come on in.” He stepped to the side. “I was finishing up the salad.” He closed the door and gazed into her eyes. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Her pulse kicked into high speed. He brushed a light kiss on her cheek. Heat radiated up her neck.
“Can I help you with anything?”
“Sure. I’ll get you to butter our French bread.”
She nodded and followed him to the kitchen. Those jeans again. She nearly bumped into Trevor as he stopped at the kitchen counter. Pull yourself together, Kenzie Murrah. Good grief. A delicious whiff of something floated from the oven. She sniffed deeper. “Mm, what is that?”
“Lasagna. My mom’s recipe.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
He could cook too? Could this guy get any more perfect? Everything she learned about Trevor Wallen seemed to put him more and more out of her league. Just as she began buttering the bread slices, a knock resounded from the door.
Trevor put up his index finger. “I’ll be right back.”
In his absence, Kenzie calmed herself with a couple of deep breaths. He returned, followed by Lila and her new significant other. Part of the reason they were having dinner tonight was to meet him.
Lila’s faced glowed. “You two, I’d like you to meet Joel. This is Trevor and Kenzie.”
“It’s great to finally meet y’all. Lila has told me so much about you two. I feel like I know you already.” Joel slipped his arm around Lila’s shoulders. She giggled.
Oh, my. That smitten expression on Lila’s face couldn’t be missed. Aren’t we two peas in a pod?
“Make yourselves at home. We’re almost ready here.” Trevor gestured toward the fridge. “Go ahead and find you something to drink.”
Kenzie stared in amazement as Trevor deftly pulled the lasagna out of the oven and whipped the bread in.
After devouring the delicious meal, the four of them sat in Trevor’s living room sharing about their Jabez challenge.
Kenzie reported her principal’s compliments and the new job helping in the children’s department at church.
Lila scooted to the edge of the couch, eyes dancing. “Kenzie, I haven’t even had the chance to tell you about the special team I was asked to join at school. It’s almost like a research and task force delving into ways to bring up writing scores.”
“Lila, that’s great. Definitely right up your alley,” Kenzie said.
“I filled Joel in on our challenge the other day. He’s thinking about taking up the challenge too.” Lila patted Joel’s leg and he grinned. “What about you, Trevor?”
“Believe it or not, I’ve been put on a special detail at work, focused on the recent drug problems we’ve experienced.”
Kenzie’s insides stiffened. “That sounds dangerous.”
Trevor tilted his head and gazed into her eyes. “God’s got my back, remember?”
She nodded, but deep inside, she wasn’t convinced. Still, she was amazed at God’s leading. He really did guide through His Word and prayer.
~*~
Trevor walked Lila and Joel out and returned to find Kenzie rinsing dishes and stowing them in the dishwasher. He crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you doing?”
She glanced at him. “I’m cleaning up. It’s the least I can do.” She flipped back to the sink.
He moved behind her and slipped his arms around her, restricting her washing progress. With the warmth of her back permeating his chest, he rested his chin on top of her head. “I’ll take care of these later.”
“Are you sure? It’s no problem.” Her voice caught.
He turned her around, grasping her shoulders to keep her close. “What’s the matter?”
Eyes closed, she shook her head. “Nothing.” She looked him in the eyes, lips tight in a forced smile.
“I shouldn’t have told you about the drug detail.”
“I’m sorry. I realize you see it as expanding your territory, but it sounds dangerous to me.” Her bottom lip trembled.
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her petite body. His chest warmed when her head nuzzled there and her arms wound around his waist. Trevor disliked causing her to worry. But the fact that she cared enough to fear for his safety touched him down deep. In fact, he’d allowed her into places he had never risked before. What Kenzie should fear wasn’t his police detail but how hard he was falling for her.