Leaving Oxford Page 8

  Jess moved to Sarah Beth’s side and nudged her. “At least you have to sing better than that.”

  “Ha-ha, very funny. You should be a comedian.”

  “Whoa, touchy.”

  Sarah Beth and Katie took a seat on the porch swing with the puppy latched onto a bottle, while Jess and Nick pulled over two white wicker rocking chairs.

  “Ms. Sarah Beth?”

  Refocusing her attention from the puppy to Katie, Sarah Beth smiled. “Yes?”

  “Are you sure that’s a dog?”

  A muffled laugh came from Sarah Beth’s throat. “That’s what I asked the vet, and she assured me it is a canine.”

  “What’s a canine?”

  “That’s the proper name for a dog.”

  “Are you going to call it Canine?”

  Jess hooted. “Maybe you should, so people will know what it is.”

  “I haven’t named her yet, but I don’t think so.”

  Standing, Nick stretched out his arms toward Katie. “We better go, Princess.”

  Jess battled to make himself leave. “Me, too. But I’ll see you tonight. At the concert.” With a chuckle, he took one last glance back at Sarah Beth’s bewildered expression and that strange mutt in her arms. Tonight should be entertaining, at least. He could hardly wait.

  Chapter 13

  Five Years Earlier

  Sarah Beth emptied supplies from her cubicle into boxes, rolled them on a cart to the elevator, and ascended to her new corner office. A dream come true—a real desk and windows offering a view of the city. Moving from the cubicle to an office in a company as prestigious as this one was huge. Now, rather than being one of the underlings, she’d have staff working for her. She wheeled around the corner to find a stunning blond woman already settled into the reception desk.

  The woman stood and smiled, extending her hand. “Hi, I’m Jill Martin. They transferred me from upstairs.”

  “I’m Sarah Beth.”

  Rumor had it that the executive Jill had worked for had difficulty keeping his hands to himself, and this woman was stunning. Explained why she’d requested a transfer.

  Returning the smile, Sarah Beth shook Jill’s hand. “You probably know your job better than I do, so instruct me.”

  Jill breathed a sigh. “I’m happy to be working for you, and I’ve heard good things. The main thing I’ll need to know is whose calls get through no matter what. Give me the names of your parents, husband, kids, that kind of thing.”

  A familiar pang clawed at Sarah Beth’s ribcage. “No parents or husband or kids, but I have a brother, Mark, a boyfriend, Adam, and a former professor, Dean Latham. They have my cell number, so you’ll probably never talk to them.” She forced a hollow laugh. “I’m not sure my boyfriend even remembers what company I work for.”

  “I hear you. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.” Jill’s expression and tone became more serious. “That’s why I needed to keep this job. I finally got the nerve to leave the rich boyfriend and try to make it on my own.”

  Relief settled over Sarah Beth as she situated files and equipment into their new home. She and Jill seemed to get each other. “You will not fail. I won’t let you. I think we’re going to get along fine.”

  Other staff would handle logistics, implementation, and documentation. She only needed to hire someone to be her right-hand man. Or woman. Everyone she interviewed seemed to be actor or actress wannabes. She needed someone looking to have a career with the company, someone who wouldn’t leave as soon as she’d trained them.

  At four-thirty, Sarah Beth rested her head on her hands. How could finding the right person be so hard?

  A short, wiry Hispanic man knocked on her door. “I’m sorry, but your receptionist must have stepped down the hall. I’m here to interview for the marketing assistant position.” He extended his hand to shake hers. “My name is Juan Moreira.”

  “I’m Sarah Beth LeClair, and I’m really tired of trying to find an assistant.” She let out a deep sigh. “Tell me why I should hire you.”

  “Ms. LeClair, I have been working as a parking attendant at the Ritz. I can talk to the very wealthy, but I can also talk to the average guy. I am completing a marketing degree in the evenings and online. I have a wife and three kids. I am loyal and hardworking. I’m hoping for the chance to grow and learn with this company.”

  She eyed the small man in the gray suit. “I have three questions. Can you use a computer? Can you take orders from a woman? Oh, and by any chance, can you teach me Spanish?”

  “I enjoy learning new uses for the computer, my wife sent me to this interview, and sí.”

  Chapter 14

  Sarah Beth stood by Bryan as he addressed the crowd of CSU students. “We’re singing ‘King of Glory.’ Join us if you know the words.”

  Please do. Sarah Beth captured a huge breath as the song began, shaking off the nervousness that had her heart pumping hard. Tremors coursed through her and filled her soul as the students joined in fervent praise to the Father. Again she lost herself in the music and the praise.

  Why would I ever have wanted to miss this? Sorry, Lord, for letting my fear hold me back. Again. Thank You for not giving up on me.

  They closed with a Chris Tomlin worship song. Peace, tranquility—even joy enveloped her. Bryan’s warm eyes smiled as he harmonized with her. When the last note left her tongue, a face came into view.

  Jess.

  He leaned against a pole in the back corner of the old building. Her heart rate quickened. Good thing she hadn’t seen him before she’d started. She might’ve never gotten a word out. An expression she couldn’t place crossed Jess’s face. Then he smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. The look vanished.

  Bryan caught Sarah Beth in a hug. Students swarmed to talk to her. Struggling through the crowd as fast as possible without being rude, she made her way over to where Jess seemed to be hiding in a corner. She caught him as he edged to the door.

  “Jess, wait up. Where are you going?”

  His eyes darted from Sarah Beth to the exit and back. “Nowhere. Home.”

  “Can you stay and meet Chris? He’s a huge fan. I’m sure he’d love to meet you.”

  “I don’t know.” He eyed the door again.

  Chris would be a much better influence than she ever could. “Please?” She gave her best puppy dog look and poked out her bottom lip.

  He let out a laughing sigh. “How can I say no to that face? Lead the way.”

  As they crossed the room to join Chris and Bryan near the coffee bar, coeds smiled and waved at Jess. One guy asked how spring training was going, and another wanted to know if Cole Sanders was ready for the next season. A series of students requested to have their picture taken with the famous Coach McCoy.

  “Okay, guys,” Sarah Beth said, “let’s give Coach a break. He’s our guest.” This was like a mild version of being around Dylan Conner. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about your semi-celebrity status.”

  “What do you mean, semi?” He gave Sarah Beth a nudge with his elbow. “Just kidding. They’re fans of the team, no big deal.”

  She cupped her hand to the side of her mouth. “Not sure those girls waving at you are just fans of the team.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, they think you’re attractive.”

  His brown eyes met hers head on. “Do you?”

  Warmth flooded her neck and face. She’d stepped into that one. Suddenly, he seemed to be standing very close, and her lips suffered from some sort of paralysis.

  “Sarah Beth, I asked you a question.”

  She produced a stiff laugh, then patted his arm. “Of course, you’re a very attractive man. I’d have to be brain dead not to notice, silly.” Foot in mouth. Again. “Chris, hey, I’ve been trying to get over to introduce you to my new friend, Coach Jess McCoy.”

  Chris stepped out from behind the coffee bar, staring with eyes wide but quickly recovering. “Glad you joined us tonight.”

  Sarah B
eth pointed toward the bar. “I’ll go put on more coffee while you guys talk.”

  At the coffee pot, Bryan slipped up beside her. “Ms. Professor, you’ve been keeping secrets.”

  “I told you guys I’d gone skiing with new friends from work.”

  “You’re hanging out with the hot football coach.”

  She held back a smile. “You think he’s hot?”

  “Shut up. I don’t. Just all the women in the South.” Bryan slapped his hand over his mouth. “Oops, sorry, Ms. Professor. I didn’t mean to tell you to shut up.”

  “This is why I didn’t mention it.” She grabbed a cup of the fresh brew dripping through the filter. “I need this. I’m beat.” She took a sip and grimaced, the bitter taste overwhelming her tongue. “Too strong.” She dumped in a pile of sugar and stirred.

  Jess joined them at the counter. “Can I get a cup of that?”

  Her heart skittered again. “Sure. You may need to add cream and sugar. I didn’t get something quite right.”

  He grinned. “I like sugar, remember?”

  Bryan’s smile dipped a fraction as he offered his hand to Jess. “How’s it going, Coach? I’m Bryan.”

  Jess bobbed his head. “You’re a gifted musician.”

  “Thanks.” Bryan’s forehead creased as he processed the compliment.

  Jess took a sip of his coffee, then let out a muffled cough. “I should take this to go.”

  “I’ll walk you out.” Sarah Beth handed him a lid for his cup. “There’s a back door we can slip out so you can skip the adoring fans and picture-taking, if you like.”

  Jess gazed at her. “I like.” He glanced back at Bryan. “Nice to meet you, Bryan.”

  Outside, stiff humidity hung in the spring air, but a vibrant panorama of stars gleamed. As they reached his truck, Jess stopped without opening his door. “How about you tell me more of that long story?”

  An uncomfortable tingling ran through her limbs, as if she stood looking off the edge of a high dive. “What story?”

  “Your story.” Jess answered without looking at her and took a small sip of his coffee.

  “You want to let your tailgate down, and we can sit a while?”

  “Sounds good.” He pulled the handle, and the metal unfolded with a clank.

  Sarah Beth scooted to the opposite side as far as she could to avoid his distracting presence. Lord, help me. “Where did I leave off?”

  “You told me that you were a prodigal, but you never told me how that happened. You said you had good parents, but you told Katie they were in heaven.”

  “Yeah. Mom and Dad were great. They taught us to fish, ski, laugh, and more importantly, to pray. The house I live in now was left to me by my grandmother. Mom grew up here. My father grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He called it ‘God’s Country’ and insisted they move back when he graduated. Mom said that the coast may be ‘God’s Country’ but Oxford was the ‘next best thing to heaven,’ so we spent a lot of time here, too.

  “Mom and Dad taught us to have good, clean fun and about living our lives for the Lord. Not only that, they modeled it.” She paused. The memories pinched, but she could do this. “One summer they sent us up to Oxford to stay with Gram for a week. They joked that they were having a date week. Mark and I’d been in Oxford for only one night when we got the call. They never figured out why it happened, but our house burned to the ground with Mom and Dad in it. I was fourteen.” Even now the loss twisted her stomach and sparked tears.

  “Sarah Beth, I am sorry. That had to be so difficult. Who could blame you for making a few mistakes?”

  A breeze stirred the damp air. “The mistakes didn’t start then. Gram was our strength, like an anchor.”

  “So you were okay for a while?”

  She managed a small nod and swallowed. “Until I was a freshman in college. Gram wasn’t feeling well. The doctors here couldn’t figure out what was wrong, so we took her to the hospital in Jackson. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The good and the bad of her illness was that it was quick. At least with Gram, we got to say goodbye.”

  “You and Mark were alone.”

  “Yes. But by that time, Mark was married to Holly. I felt God had taken almost everyone that I loved. I was angry with Him. It took a while for me to move past the hurt.” Way too long. Her shoulders slumped forward. “Does that make sense?”

  “Makes perfect sense.”

  She slid off the tailgate feeling exhausted on so many levels, but relieved and clean and whole in other ways she couldn’t explain. Something told her to wait to tell him more. “Jess?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can we finish this next time?”

  He slid to his feet and faced her. “Yeah. I’m sorry I dredged this up. I shouldn’t have.”

  “No, no. I want to—I need to share my story. It’s been a long day, and my coffee’s not doing the trick.”

  “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  She should invite him for Tuesday night. Courage. She needed a shot of it instead of this horrible coffee. “Um. You and Nick could come to family night at Chris’s on Tuesday for burgers. We could talk then.”

  “Chris invited me. I’ll think about it.” He edged away.

  “That’s great.” His cup still rested on the tailgate. She picked it up and held it out. “Hey, you forgot this.”

  “Right.” He reached for the cup.

  “Too strong, wasn’t it? You can be honest. I’ll pour it out.”

  The corners of his eyes crinkled as he gave her a mischievous smile. “Worst coffee I’ve ever had. Nothing like the coffee in your office.”

  She grinned. “Yeah, I thought so, too.”

  “Good night, Sarah Beth.”

  “Goodbye, Jess.”

  Now she had to fret until Tuesday about how to go on with her life story. What would he think? Would it make a difference in his faith, anyone’s faith? Juan seemed to think it would. He always talked about “beauty for ashes,” that great scripture from Isaiah. But did that apply to her life? To her story?

  ~~~

  Jess closed the truck door, turned the key, and squeezed the steering wheel. How could one woman suffer so much? Yet she still sang songs of praise. He followed her taillights out of the parking lot. A yearning to make sure she got home safely pulled at him.

  He trailed her SUV until she parked at her house, then circled the block and came back by. Lights on. Good. He continued the few blocks to his own home.

  The songs Sarah Beth and Bryan had sung replayed in his head. The music unearthed something in him. Something deeper than he’d ever been willing to dig. His relationships with women for one. He’d never allowed himself to give much thought to their feelings. Not that he ever gave any particular woman much time or a reason to think he was interested in a relationship. A few dates to functions, then he’d drift away, ask someone else the next time. Even in high school—the same thing. Probably because of Sophia.

  Sophia. If only he’d said no to her the first time. If only he didn’t enjoy the things—no. No more. He was putting a stop to that.

  Something or Someone had pricked his soul tonight. He finally grasped how wrong he’d lived his life. Things were going to change. He wanted to be a better man.

  Chapter 15

  Two years earlier

  Sarah Beth stared out from the wall of windows in her office over the city of Los Angeles. The setting sun reflected off the glass panes across the street, magenta painting the sky behind the towering skyscrapers. Jill and Juan’s laughter floated through her open office door. They’d become so dear to her. Juan with delightful stories of his wife and children, and Jill, the leggy blue-eyed blond, with the hysterical predicaments her looks got her into, were like family. She’d ignored Juan’s invitations to his community church, but he’d continued to ask.

  Working countless hours on the latest blockbuster film had only brought them closer. There were dozens of “artistic” types to satisfy in the movie in
dustry, but they’d done it. In the outer office, Juan cracked one of his jokes about being taken hostage by two Amazons. He was such a trip.

  Slipping quietly to the door, Sarah Beth leaned on the frame and scrunched her face into a mock frown. “Is any work going on out here?”

  Jill punched her hands to her hips. “We’re finished with everything, you slave-driver.”

  A wide smile lifted Juan’s lips, revealing what seemed like all his teeth, white against his tan skin. “I was thinking about how God has blessed you with a talent to use for His glory.”

  “You sound exactly like my brother.”

  “He is a good man.” He shook a finger at her. “You should listen to him.”

  “He’s coming out with Holly and Drew soon, and I can’t wait to see my little nephew.”

  Jill sighed. “Why can’t I find a good guy like your brother?”

  Mischief flashed in Juan’s eyes as he cleared his throat rather loudly.

  “Oops.” One of Jill’s eyebrows went up. “Why can’t I find a man like your brother or like Juan, only taller?”

  A wadded paper flew across the room toward Jill. “That’s right. Pick on the short guy.”

  She tossed it back. “Like Amazon is a compliment?”

  Sarah Beth laughed and pointed at herself. “By the way, this Amazon has to attend that Hollywood award thing. I need wardrobe assistance. Jill, are you up for shopping?”

  “Are you for real?” Jill’s blue eyes twinkled as she hopped to her feet. “You’re going?”

  “The big boss says I have to.”

  “I’d kill to go.” A second later, Jill slung open her desk drawer, grabbed her purse, and dragged Sarah Beth toward the door. “We have to get you fixed up. This is going to be so much fun. Juan, we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Juan bowed his head with a grin. “Yes, my masters.”

  ~~~

  A pathology book lay on the floor beside the couch where Adam snoozed. His chest rose and fell in slow rhythm, his breathing loud.

  Sarah Beth bent and kissed his cheek. “Hey, sleepyhead. Guess what?”