line at the fresh lemonade stand, continuing the banter, when Kelli’s phone rang. She glanced at it . . . and let it go to voice mail.
When it rang again, she remembered she’d told Miles she’d be available to listen to a draft proposal he’d written for work—but that was yesterday, before the Six Flags opportunity. She faced away from the others and answered. “Miles, hi.”
“I’m glad I tried you again. I’d really like your input on this— where are you? Do I hear screaming?”
“I’m, uh, actually at an amusement park. It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing with some friends from church.” Kelli moved up with the rest in line, keeping a slight distance.
“An amusement park? So . . . you’re with your girlfriends?”
“Just a group of friends, no big deal.” Kelli tried to keep her voice light.
“Sounds fun.” He paused. “Wish I could be there with you.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
“I’ve been thinking more about that lately, that we need to plan a visit. I think it would be nice to come to St. Louis and see your favorite spots, since I’ve never been.”
“Definitely. Let’s plan that.” Suddenly, the thought of Miles in St. Louis seemed a little more complicated. Couldn’t happen while she and Brian were working on the album, that was for sure.
“I’ll let you go,” Miles said. “Call me later?”
“Absolutely.”
Brian handed her a tall plastic cup of lemonade.
“You didn’t have to get that for me. Thank you.”
They moved out of line, waiting for Logan and Heather.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“Tell you what?” She inserted her straw.
“You have a boyfriend, Kel?”
Her stomach dipped. “Brian, it’s really kind of private.”
“Private? You can’t even tell me yes or no?”
Heather and Logan walked up, but when they saw Kelli’s and Brian’s faces, kept moving and stopped at a baseball hat kiosk.
Kelli nodded. “Yes, I have a boyfriend.”
“So, I say again, why didn’t you tell me?”
“There was no need to tell you, Brian. It’s none of your business.” Kelli felt like she had a split personality, part of her defensive about his questioning her, the other part wishing he hadn’t found out.
Brian looked away, wearing that look Kelli knew like the back of her hand. His feelings were hurt.
“You’re right.” He still wouldn’t look at her. “It’s none of my business.”
Kelli sighed. “I wasn’t trying to be mean. I was just—”
He held up his hand. “My fault, Kelli, I shouldn’t have asked.” He yelled over to Heather and Logan. “Y’all ready?”
The pairings shifted again, Kelli and Heather, Brian and Logan.
Logan had the map out, trying to find the quickest route to the newer wooden roller coaster, when a couple with three children came toward them. They slowed, whispering, and Kelli saw Heather turn slightly away from them.
The woman approached. “Logan? What a surprise to see you here.”
“Oh, hey, Sue”—Logan nodded to her husband—“Herb. You guys having fun with the kids?”
“Having a great time. But . . . can we talk to you a minute?”
“Sure.” Logan followed them a few feet.
The couple’s faces registered concern, and the more they talked, the more bothered Logan appeared.
“What do you think’s going on?” Kelli asked. “Do you know them?”
Heather sighed. “They’re in the choir. They’re talking about me.”
Kelli frowned. “Why?”
Heather gave her a look.
Moments later the family continued on, and Logan returned, staring after them.
“You all right?” Brian asked.
Logan gave a quick shake of his head. “I don’t get people. We say we’re followers of Christ. We say we believe in forgiveness and redemption. And yet . . .”
“They said you shouldn’t be here with me, didn’t they?”
“Let’s just say they questioned my judgment. But please don’t let it upset you. We’re having way too much fun.”
“I’m not upset. I’m in too good a mood after talking to Ian and spending time with y’all. And anyway, they think I’m the old Heather, but I know who I am.”
“There you go.” Kelli high-fived her. “You’re not the same. Remember the twins.”
Logan arched an eyebrow. “Twins?”
Heather nodded. “Cyd likes to say, ‘Nothing like those twins Grace and Mercy.’”
“I like that,” Logan said.
Brian sounded a quiet, “Amen.”
They began walking slowly again, three of them. Kelli remained in place, listening.
“Girl,” Heather said, turning, “I started talking, thinking you were beside me.”
Kelli heard her, but she had to get this. Head angled to the side, bobbing, she focused a few seconds more. She looked up finally, into inquisitive faces. “Let me try a melody out on you guys. I only have the first couple lines, but here goes . .