Cherished - By Kim Cash Tate Page 0,99
know you’re excited about this opportunity you might have with Peyton Vine, and we’re just small potatoes here in Normal, Illinois. But I thought I’d put that bug in your ear.”
It had only been three days, but Heather had hoped to hear from Peyton by now. She’d been checking her phone all weekend to see if she’d missed any calls.
“I can tell you one thing,” she said. “Small-potatoes Normal sure ain’t normal.” She smiled. “Normal knows how to worship. I loved visiting your church.”
“We loved having you,” Ian said. “Will you tell Diane you visited?”
Heather thought a moment. “Not yet. I mentioned we’d gotten back in touch, and she changed the subject pretty quickly. I think deep down she wishes she’d done more to get to know you when you were younger. She doesn’t know what to do with you now.”
“I get the feeling she may feel guilty, too, but I wish she wouldn’t. I grew up a happy kid. I’ll just keep praying for her.”
“Me too,” Heather said. She hugged her brother. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Ian looked her in the eye. “God’s got awesome plans for you, Heather. Just you wait and see.”
thirty-two
THE WIND HAD DEFINITELY GONE OUT OF KELLI’S SAILS.
After working so intensely with Brian on the album, she’d hardly seen him the last three weeks. After the funeral he’d had successive weekend concert dates around the country, and during the week he’d been busy with one thing or another related to the album release. They’d gotten together for the taping of the Choices video—which left everyone on the set speechless—but he pretty much disappeared again when it was over. After the fun days at Six Flags and the youth picnic, she’d thought they’d fall into a routine of spending time together like the old days. Now she found herself feeling deflated.
And downright sad.
“Heather, you’re actually moving?”
They were back at the Cheesecake Factory, just the two of them.
Heather sliced into her strawberry cheesecake. “I know. I’m sad and elated at the same time. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. But it’s not like we’ll never talk.”
“I know I should be thrilled for you—and I am—but it’s happening so quickly.”
“I would’ve been moving right about now anyway, if the Peyton Vine thing had come through.”
Kelli looked at her. “I’m still bummed about that. I had such high hopes.”
“Well, you know it took me awhile to get over it. I could see myself on that stage with her. But it was like God had a cushion ready for my fall—Ian and Becky and their kids.”
“That’s for sure.” Kelli forked up some chocolate mousse cheesecake. “And a spot on the youth worship team.”
“You know what’s funny?” Heather asked. “After singing with a nationally known choir at Living Word and auditioning for Peyton Vine, I never would’ve thought I’d end up in youth worship at a much smaller church in Normal, Illinois. And yet, I’m excited.”
Kelli smiled at her. “We’ve been praying for a church home for you. Didn’t know God would give you family to boot.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “So when do you leave?”
“Stop that.”
Kelli laughed.
“I’m giving myself about two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” Kelli set her fork down and leaned back on the cushion. “Wow.” She came forward again suddenly. “What about the album release party? You’ll come back for that, won’t you? It’s a Saturday, October 28th. The album releases the following Tuesday.”
“I hope so. But I know one thing. I’m downloading my copy on iTunes when the clock strikes midnight.”
“You’ll already have your copy.”
“I’m buying it anyway, for support.”
The server refreshed Kelli’s decaf, and she added cream and sugar. She glanced up at Heather. “Have you told Logan?”
Heather’s eyes went to her cheesecake. “He knew it was a possibility, but I only told the church yes this afternoon.” She looked up. “It’s Thursday, though.”
“I think it’s so cute that you two still sing together after choir rehearsal.”
“Yeah.” Heather glanced downward. “I’ll definitely miss that.”
“What about Logan? Think you’ll miss him?”
She angled her head downward. “He’s my closest friend besides you. But we could’ve been separated either way. He’s still waiting to hear from that church in Florida.” She sighed. “We’ll have the phone, e-mail, and all that.”
“Won’t be the same, though.”
“No. Won’t be the same.” Heather pushed the remains aside. “I’m stuffed. So what about you and Brian? How are things?”
Kelli raised a brow. “There is no ‘me and Brian.’”
“From what I could see, you two had gotten kind of close by the time