that I don’t trust you. You were given a glowing recommendation by someone I hold in respect, so it isn’t personal. We just have to take extra precautions.”
Jase understood. During his tour of the church building yesterday, he’d determined there was plenty of room in the fellowship hall for activities, and even the smaller room designated for the youth was adequate for Bible study and small-group meetings. In all honesty, he didn’t mind keeping his apartment his private domain.
He smiled. “No worries. I wouldn’t want to open the door to any kind of scandal or ill conjectures toward Beech Street Bible Fellowship. Or you, by default. I’ll plan to hold all our activities at the church.”
“Good.” A breath of relief eased from the preacher’s mouth. He picked up a short stack of flattened boxes and opened the door. “Let’s get these things cleared out so you won’t have to trip over them, and then we’ll head into the city. I told Ronnie to expect us at his dealership around two. He’s got a couple of cars picked out for you to give the once-over. I’ll take my car, you drive the U-Haul, and I’ll lead the way.”
Jase scooped up an armful of cardboard. “Sounds good. I’ll follow.”
“I’ll follow.” Isn’t that what he’d said the night at church when he went forward with Rachel and committed himself to becoming a church planter? And look where God had led. He hoped Brother Kraft would prove more trustworthy than God was.
Wichita
Kenzie
Kenzie plopped the last bag of clothes in the middle of her living room floor. Six trash bags meant two trips each for her, Lori, and Ruby. The pile astounded her, and her mind spun, imagining the stack of rugs that would grow from this generous donation. She put her hands on her hips and heaved out a mighty “Wow.”
“ ‘Wow’ is right.” Lori sagged onto Kenzie’s floral love seat, reminding Kenzie of the way Caleb collapsed on the lawn after a long day of playing. “Girl, you really need to live in a first-floor apartment. Or bug the landlord to put in an elevator. Carrying those things up the flight of stairs did me in.”
Ruby shook her finger at Lori. “I’m more than double your age, and you don’t hear me complaining.”
Lori rolled her eyes, snickering. “Yeah, well, you boomers have a stronger constitution than us spoiled millennials.”
“You got that right.”
Kenzie grinned at her boss and coworker. Although she never participated in the teasing sparring matches that played out between them, she enjoyed spectating. “I appreciate your help bringing it all up. And, Ruby, I’ve decided to write an anonymous thank-you note to your Texas sister. May I put the store’s address on the envelope for the sender instead of mine?”
Ruby shrugged and headed for the door. “That’d be fine. In one of those bags is an envelope with a note from her. If her address isn’t written in it somewhere, let me know and I’ll get it to you.”
“Thanks.”
“And for now…” Ruby opened the door with a flamboyant gesture. “I’m outta here. Strong constitution or not, I’m pooped.”
Lori and Kenzie waved goodbye. Then Lori slid from the couch and sat cross legged on the floor. She began untying a bag’s plastic strings. “I’ll make a deal with you.”
Kenzie reached for the ties on the bag closest to her. “What’s that?”
Lori gestured toward the kitchen. “I’ve helped you often enough to know how to categorize by color and type of fabric. Fix us some sandwiches and then bake a pan of brownies while I organize these clothes into stacks.”
Kenzie raised her eyebrows. “You really think a couple of sandwiches and a pan of brownies is a fair exchange for…” She flapped her hands at the mountain of bags.
Lori laughed. “You underestimate the scrumptiousness of your brownies. Honestly, Kenz, I’ve never had richer, fudgier, more chocolatey brownies than yours. You could patent the recipe.” She dug into the first bag. “What’s your secret?”
Kenzie hunched her shoulders. “If I tell, then it won’t be a secret anymore.”
Lori gaped at Kenzie for several seconds and then hooted with laughter. “Did you just joke with me?”
Kenzie blinked several times, replaying her last comment. She tapped her chin with her finger, the way Ruby often did when she was thinking. “Um…did I?”
Lori laughed harder.
Kenzie couldn’t help but smile, even though she hadn’t intended to make a joke. She’d learned the brownie recipe from her mother, who learned it from her mother. Kenzie intended to pass it on