Appointment at Christmas Bay by Chase Diane

Author:Chase, Diane [Chase, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2013-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

After a restful night’s sleep, Juliette woke early on Monday, checked on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and took Skipper for a long walk. When they returned, Lexi was sitting on the front porch reading a paperback.

Juliette sank to a wicker chair. “I need to run a few errands and thought you might come along, maybe buy a Bible. You‘ll need one to look up those scriptures Asher gave to you.” She narrowed her eyes. “Unless you know someone nice enough to lend you one.”

Lexi pushed up her glasses and smiled a little. “I already printed them from the internet.”

“What do you think your mom will say about all this?” Something about their new common ground made it easier to talk.

The girl’s gaze fell to the book in her lap. “I’m not sure.”

“Are you worried about it?”

“Mom lets me do what I want. If she knew Jesus, she might feel better.”

“You’re lucky to know what you do at your age.” Juliette got up and squeezed the girl’s shoulder on the way to the front door. “Really lucky.”

****

For the first time on a Tuesday night, Bible study went without a hitch. Juliette stowed her books in a fifties-era straw bag embroidered with palm trees and hula dancers.

Pepper Burke stopped them on the way out. “I almost called you guys yesterday.” She slid her arm around Lexi’s shoulder. “We’ve got lots of things brewing this summer that might interest a bored girl. Juliette and Lexi chuckled at the accurate description.

Pepper’s position with the church wasn’t exactly clear. In the study group, she seemed more like an observer than participant, a co-facilitator or something, but Juliette couldn’t help but notice the easy way she had with Lexi. The attractive woman handed the girl a neon-green flyer.

“We have Teen Mania starting this Monday, and it lasts two weeks. I need help tomorrow setting up if you’re interested. A few other girls are coming in about ten. We going to make posters and sort out the snacks and supplies.”

Lexi passed Juliette the bulletin with a variety of all-day events that included worship, study, hayrides, surfing lessons, and horseback riding. One of Harry’s liability lecture came to mind.

“Did you see the jewelry making session?” Pepper asked. She smiled at an older woman who waited by them. “Are you ready to go, Ms. Martin?”

“Take your time,” the woman said.

“We need to be on our way, too.” Juliette took a few steps toward the door.

The woman and Pepper walked with them through the hallway. “So what do you guys think?”

“Yeah, definitely! And I want to help you tomorrow. Can I Juliette?” Lexi hadn’t been so excited since Lauren’s visits.

“Sure. We just need to let Mai know.”

Lexi slowed down, and her face fell. “Why?”

“I’m sure she’ll agree.”

“Right.” The beam on Lexi’s face could have lit an underground mine. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow, Pepper.”

Juliette felt the delight along with her. It’d be good for the girl to hang out with real kids rather than the virtual ones on the computer and have some structure beyond her school project and cleaning.

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