Seeking His Love
“So are you and God back on speaking terms?”
“We’re working on it.” Cam took some popcorn and munched for a few seconds. “I got together with my pastor this week.”
Rachel wanted to shout yes! but forced herself to sit still. “How did that go?”
A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “It’ll take a while to rebuild our friendship, but we’re both committed to that.”
She nodded. “Sounds like you’re on a good path, Cam. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. It’s taken me a while, but I think I’m ready for whatever God has in store for me in this next phase of life.” The look in his eyes told her he wasn’t only thinking about getting closer to God. He was talking about a relationship with her.
Her heartbeat quickened. Was she ready to take the next step with Cam?
There was no need to make any decisions tonight. She had time to see what would develop. But she realized her heart had already made up its mind….
Books by Carrie Turansky
Love Inspired
Along Came Love
Seeking His Love
CARRIE TURANSKY
and her husband, Scott, live in beautiful central New Jersey. They are blessed with five great kids, a lovely daughter-in-law and an adorable grandson. Carrie home schools her two youngest children, teaches women’s Bible studies and enjoys reading, gardening and walking around the lake near their home. After her family lived in Kenya as missionaries for a year, Carrie missed Africa so much she decided to write a novel set there to relive her experiences. That novel sits on a shelf and will probably never be published, but it stirred her desire to tell stories that touch hearts with God’s love. Along Came Love was Carrie’s debut novel with Steeple Hill. She loves hearing from her readers. You may e-mail her at carrie@carrieturansky.com. You’re also invited to visit her Web site at www.carrieturansky.com.
Seeking His Love
Carrie Turansky
“Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.”
—Psalms 119:2
To my friends Cathy Gohlke and Terri Gillespie for their love and encouragement on my writing journey.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Letter to Reader
Questions for Discussion
Chapter One
Rachel Clark stepped into the dark auditorium of the old Fairhaven School, and a shiver of anticipation raced up her back. Cool air ushered a dusty smell toward her, teasing her nose. With only the dim glow of the exit signs to show her the path, she walked down the sloping aisle toward the stage.
The house lights came up. She blinked at the sudden brightness and took in the scene. Rows of padded folding seats in three sections filled the cavernous hall. Two carpeted aisles led to a large stage with a plush burgundy curtain.
Warmth and wonder tingled through her. “This is perfect.” She turned and searched for Hannah Bodine.
The silver-haired curator of the local historical museum poked her head out from the sound booth at the back. Dressed in a flowing tropical-print blouse and coral capri pants, she stepped into the aisle. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s exactly what we’re looking for.” Rachel hurried forward and mounted the steps. Waltzing to the middle of the stage, she scanned the auditorium. “Do you know how many seats there are?”
“Let’s see.” Hannah strolled forward, counting the rows of burgundy chairs. “Looks like almost four hundred.”
Rachel smiled and nodded. “That’s a hundred more than we have now.” With a larger house they could increase their ticket sales and income, something she and her small staff desperately needed if they were going to hold on to their jobs.
“I think this would be a good home for your group,” Hannah added. “Why don’t I take you to meet Cameron McKenna, and you can make arrangements to speak to everyone at the co-op meeting tonight.”
“That would be great.” Rachel ran her hand along the velvet curtain as she crossed the stage, memories of past performances making her smile. She descended the wooden steps and met her friend down in front.
“Thanks, Hannah. I was beginning to think we were going to be a homeless theater company.” Rachel crossed her arms and rubbed away a chill at that thought.
“It works out well for all of us. The school district is raising our rent.” Hannah sighed and shook her head as she led the way up the aisle. “You’d think they’d be happy to receive any income from this old building. It sat empty for two years before we got together to rent it. We’ve made a lot of improvements, but if we want to hold on to it, we have to rent the remaining space.”
Rachel nodded. It sounded like the Fairhaven Artists’ Co-op needed her as much as she needed them. She blew out a deep breath and tried to relax her tense shoulders. This would work. It had to.
Finding the position as director of Northcoast Christian Youth Theater had been an amazing answer to prayer. She didn’t want to think about disbanding and looking for an other job. Returning to teaching wasn’t an option, not after everything that had happened. She pushed those painful memories away and followed Hannah into the main hallway.
“That’s Cam’s frame shop.” Hannah motioned toward the open door across the hall. “He handles all the finances for the co-op. He can give you the particulars about renting with us.”
Rachel stepped forward, eager to meet him and discuss the details.
Hannah held out her hand to slow her down. “Cam might be a bit resistant to the idea. He’s a little…” She bit her lip. “Well, I suppose I should let you make up your own mind. Just be patient with him, dear.”
Rachel smiled and nodded, certain she’d have no trouble winning him over. Persuasion was her middle name. Her exasperated mother used to say she could sell a dozen umbrellas to a desert nomad with no trouble at all.
She entered the shop where framed prints, photos and original artwork lined the walls. Rows of mat and frame samples hung in a neat display on the back wall.
A tall man with broad shoulders and blond curly hair leaned over a workbench at the rear of the shop. He held a pair of needle-nose pliers in his hand. The muscles on his forearm rippled as he twisted a sturdy wire to create a hanger across the back of a large frame lying facedown on the workbench. He looked up, and his piercing blue gaze connected with hers.
A shiver of awareness traveled through her. She straightened and returned his steady gaze. He looked about thirty-five, with a strong chin and Roman nose. No doubt he’d be handsome if he didn’t wear such a scowl.
“Good morning, Cam.” Hannah crossed to the workbench and Rachel followed.
“Morning.” He nodded to Hannah.
“This is Rachel Clark. She’s interested in renting space with us.”
His scowl softened, and he lifted his golden brows. “What kind of artwork do you do?”
“I’m the director of a theater group. We’re interested in renting the auditorium, two classrooms and an office.”
“That’s a lot of space.” He laid aside the pliers. “Is this a new group, or are you already established?”
“We’re about four years old.” Unea
siness prickled through her. She’d only been working as the director since the beginning of March, a little more than two months. But she had six years of teaching high school drama and three summers with N.C.Y.T. as the assistant director. So she wasn’t stretching the truth too far when she included herself in that four-year history.
He looked her over more carefully. “Where are you meeting now?”
“We use Grace Community Church in North Bellingham, but they’re opening a preschool, so we need to be out by the end of May.”
Recognition flickered in his eyes. “Is Sheldon James the pastor there?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“We’re old friends.”
“He and the church have been very supportive.”
“Sheldon is a good man.” He wiped his hand on a cloth. “So what kind of shows do you do?”
“They’re all musicals. Our last two were Annie and Oklahoma. This summer we’re doing Anne of Green Gables.”
He continued to appraise her with his sharp gaze. “What do you call yourselves?”
She hesitated a split second, sending off a silent prayer. “Northcoast Christian Youth Theater.”
His eyes widened, and a stormy expression broke over his face. “Youth? As in children?”
“Yes. Our students are ten to eighteen. We hold afterschool drama classes September to May, and morning drama camps in the summer, along with afternoon and evening rehearsals for our musicals.”
He gave a swift shake of his head. “That would never work here.”
A shot of panic skittered along her nerves. “But you have the space. And, from what Hannah said, you need to rent it.”
He sent Hannah a disapproving glance, then turned back to Rachel. “We’re serious artists. Our shops are filled with expensive pieces. We can’t have kids running all over the building.”
Heat flashed into Rachel’s face. “I can assure you my students are well supervised.”
“Sorry. I can’t take that risk.”
Rachel pulled in a calming breath. “I’m sure when you learn more about our program, you’ll see how valuable we are to the community.”
“It may be a good program, but it would be a bad idea to bring it here.”
Hannah laid her hand on the workbench. “Cam, my granddaughter attends the summer camp and has been in two shows. I’ve seen the performances. They’re a wonderful group of kids.”
Rachel sent Hannah a grateful smile, then turned to Cam. “Renting to us would bring in more customers.”
He huffed. “The kids are going to buy artwork?”
“No, but their parents bring them to classes and rehearsals, and that would be the perfect opportunity for them to visit the shops and galleries. Plus you’d be connecting with all the friends and family who attend our performances. More than half our shows sold out last year. We’ve built a great reputation.” Her enthusiasm mounted as she continued. “Maybe we could hold a special opening-night reception and invite everyone to come early and tour the building.”
“I still don’t see how you can mix a children’s theater group with professional artists.”
“Then let me come to the meeting tonight and make my presentation. I’m sure you’ll want to move ahead when you see how this can benefit everyone.” She held her breath. Lord, please, please let him agree.
Crossing his arms, he studied her for a few more nerve-racking seconds.
She maintained eye contact, though she could feel her left eyelid begin to twitch.
Finally, he blew out a deep breath. “All right. You can come. But I’m not promising anything.”
Triumph pulsed through her, and she could barely keep from pumping her fist in the air and shouting, “Yes!”
Cam paced across the shop to the window. Leaning on the counter covering the radiator, he watched Rachel Clark stride toward the parking lot, her dark brown hair swishing against her shoulders. She had spunk and determination. He could see it in the tilt of her chin and hear it in her voice. And those big brown eyes of hers could melt any guy’s heart.
But he couldn’t let that get to him. No way would he let a pack of wild kids take over the building and jeopardize his business. Hopefully the rest of his friends in the co-op would agree. But he suspected Rachel would spin her story in a way that made him look like a hard-hearted jerk if he said no to her. Well, that couldn’t be helped. He had to do what was best for the co-op, even if he ended up looking like the bad guy.
Kids were okay. He could tolerate them, but he tried to avoid them most of the time.
It had taken four years to distance himself from the painful experiences that had altered his life. He didn’t want to rub those wounds raw again. For his own sanity, he couldn’t.
Focusing out the window once more, he watched Rachel climb into a white Toyota that looked like it had seen too many miles down the freeway. She glanced back at the building, and even at a distance he could see the longing on her face.
He clamped his jaw against his softening resolve and stepped back from the window. He wasn’t going to destroy his dreams just for a pair of pretty brown eyes.
He’d be voting against Rachel Clark tonight, and if he had his way, so would everyone else.
Chapter Two
Cam grabbed photographer Ross Peterson by the elbow the second he walked through the door and steered him toward the front corner of Lilly Wong’s gallery. The co-op meeting would start as soon as Hannah and Rachel arrived. He’d have to make this fast.
Cam scanned the room to be sure no one was looking, then he tugged Ross behind a display partition.
Ross pushed his black-framed glasses up his thin nose and sent Cam a quizzical look. “What’s going on?”
“I need to fill you in before the meeting starts.”
“Okay, but could you let go of me? You’re cutting off my circulation.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Cam dropped Ross’s arm and took a quick glance over his shoulder. “There’s a woman coming tonight to talk to us about renting some space.”
“So, that’s good, isn’t it?”
“No! It’s definitely not good. We don’t want to rent to her.”
“But we’ve got to fill the building, or we’ll never get out of the red.”
“She wants to bring in a children’s theater group.” A movement in the hallway caught Cam’s attention. “There she is,” he whispered.
Rachel and Hannah walked in together, looking like old friends. Hannah laughed at something Rachel said, then crossed the room and introduced her to Lilly and Melanie Howard, two of the other co-op artists.
Ross fixed his gaze on Rachel, and his expression grew mellow. “Wow. Where’s my camera when I need it?”
Cam grabbed his friend’s shoulder. “Ross, pay attention! She wants to rent about a third of the building.”
“That would be great.” Ross watched her with a dumb-struck smile on his face.
“Are you kidding? We’re talking about herds of kids swarming all over the place. We’ve got to get rid of her.”
Ross pulled back and squinted at him. “There is something seriously wrong with you.”
“Why? Because I don’t want to turn our building into a day care center?”
“No, because we’ve got to rent that space, and we don’t have any other prospects. I’m sure we can work something out.”
“But she’s—”
Melanie looked around the end of the partition. “Oh, there you are. Everyone’s here. We should get started.”
“Be right there.” Cam shot a warning look at Ross. “Don’t let her sentimental stories sway you. This is a dangerous idea.”
Amusement lit Ross’s eyes, and he patted Cam on the back. “Come on. Let’s grab some coffee and a few of Lilly’s brownies. Maybe the caffeine jolt will get your brain back on track.”
Cam scoffed but followed Ross toward the coffeepot. He filled a tall ceramic mug with steaming brew, then added plenty of cream and sugar. Maybe he was overreacting a littl
e, but how else could he convince his friend that renting to Rachel Clark would spell disaster for the co-op?
He took a sip and glanced across the top of his mug. Rachel sure didn’t fit his image of a drama director. No flamboyant colors or avant-garde style. Just simple black pants that showed off her long slim legs and a soft blue sweater that accentuated her feminine figure.
He pulled his gaze away and took a big gulp of hot coffee. Maintain your focus. It doesn’t matter that she’s attractive. His first concern had to be protecting the interests of the co-op. That was his priority, not helping Rachel Clark.
“Okay. Let’s all take a seat and get started.” Cam motioned toward the large rectangular table in the center of Lilly’s gallery. She had cleared away her paintings so they could gather around the table for their meeting. Cam settled in a leather desk chair at one end, and Ross sat on his right. Melanie took the chair on his left, and Lilly sat beside Melanie.
Hannah motioned for Rachel to sit at the end of the table opposite Cam, and then she took the last open seat next to her.
Cam grimaced. He didn’t relish the idea of facing Rachel all evening, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Frowning, he opened a file and shuffled a stack of papers. Maybe he would let her give her spiel first and get it over with. Then they could get on to more important business and hopefully get something done tonight.
Cam cleared his throat and gazed down the length of the table at Rachel. “All right. We have several items on the agenda, but first let’s hear from Rachel Clark.”
Rachel blinked and sucked in a quick breath. No intro? No explanation? She’d at least hoped for a few minutes to observe the group before she began her presentation. It looked like she’d just have to dive in and hope the current didn’t wash her away.
Drawing on her theatrical training, she stood and put on a confident smile. “Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you tonight. As Mr. McKenna said, my name is Rachel Clark. I’m the director of Northcoast Christian Youth Theater, and we’re looking for a new location.”