Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts

Author:Deborah Vogts [Deborah Vogts]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780310564089
Publisher: Zondervan

TWENTY-EIGHT

“NO ONE IS THINKING THAT, CHELSEY.” JARED OPENED THE PASSENGER door for Libby, hating that all their work this week would end on such a sour note and possibly destroy the progress made in the teen’s troubled life.

“That’s right, young lady. Nobody’s going to compare you to this woman.” Willard confiscated a near-empty bottle of dark liquor from the floorboard of the truck. “She’s been gone so long no one even remembers her. Not even here a week, and already she’s causing problems.” The man ground the words out through his teeth and set the bottle in the back of the truck.

“You never did like me, did you, old man.” Libby climbed into the cab, shoving past any help offered her. “But that’s okay, ‘cause I never liked you much either.” She scooted to the middle of the seat allowing room for Chelsey to join her.

“I know you love your mom and want to help her,” Jared told Chelsey as she entered the cab. “We want to help too. You believe that, don’t you?”

Chelsey stared back, confused and on guard.

“We’ll get home a lot faster if you’ll quit jabbering,” Libby bellowed, and Jared gently shut the door on the woman’s loud mouth.

He caught up to Natalie as she made her way to the driver’s side. “You’re always welcome here, Natalie. You and your family.” He cast a quick glance at his parishioners. A few still watched from the lawn. “Remember what I told you, none of us are perfect—we’re all sinners and all in need of Jesus’ forgiveness and salvation.”

Natalie turned to him and exhaled. “I don’t know, Jared. Somehow I get the feeling we don’t fit in with this crowd.”

Jared clasped her hand within his own. “I’m not here to judge you, Natalie.”

“Can you say the same about them?” She nodded toward his congregation.

“Test us and see. Come to church on Sunday. Bring Chelsey and Dillon, Libby too, if she has a mind to attend.”

Dillon appeared at Natalie’s side, his arms loaded with lawn chairs. She helped stack them in the bed of the truck, then waited for her brother to squeeze in beside Chelsey. “Thanks for inviting us tonight,” Natalie situated herself behind the wheel and rolled down the window. “But I wouldn’t count on seeing us in church on Sunday.”

“I’m not giving up that easy.” Jared watched as Natalie backed out of the parking lot and called out to Dillon. “I haven’t forgotten about our fishing trip, either. Best start digging some worms.”

Willard patted Jared’s shoulder as Natalie drove off. “Don’t give up on them. Remember, the prayers of a righteous man availeth much.”

Jared nodded, glad for the man’s support. “I’m sure by now my ice cream has melted. Want to join me for seconds?”

Willard let out a deep chuckle and patted his stomach. “Does it look like I’ve ever turned down seconds?”

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