Coming Home by Audrey Stover Read Free Book Online Page B

funny all night long?
    She cast a quick glance at Craig and saw that his head was
bowed and he was agreeing with something the man praying was saying. She bowed
her head, but kept her eyes opened and tried to listen to the prayer, but the
sound of the surf behind her and the crackling of the fire in front of her
proved to be too distracting.
    When the prayer was finally over everyone started talking
and standing so Susan started to rise when she looked up and saw Craig holding
out a hand to help her.
    "Thanks," she said and took his hand. He pulled
her up easily but didn't let go of her hand right away. Her gaze flew up to his
face.
    "I can't tell you how glad I am that you came tonight,
Susan." He looked down at their joined hands and he squeezed hers before
letting it go, "If you have any questions about what Mike said tonight,
don't hesitate to ask me. I don't know everything, but I can find the answers
if I don't know them."
    Susan racked her brain for something to say. She didn't
even have a clue what Mike had talked about, let alone having questions. 
“Okay," she said lamely.
    He looked at her expectantly. She looked around at the
group of kids who were preparing to leave. "Well," she said, "it
looks like the party is breaking up. I guess that is my cue to go too."
    Craig glanced around then back at her, "You don't have
to go yet."
    "Aren't you leaving?"
    He shook his head, "I usually stay until everyone has
left making sure we don't leave anything behind. Then I sit by the fire and
pray for a while." At her shuttered look he added quickly, "But we
could sit here and talk.
    Susan rubbed her arms and moved a little closer to the
dying fire, "It's already pretty cold out here."
    "I have jackets," he said with a smile.
    She shook her head a little, "I don't think so,
Craig." She hated the disappointed look on his face, but she didn't want
to give him false hope either. He was really deep into this religious thing of
his and obviously it wasn't going to change. It had been over twelve years and
if anything he was more into it, not less. "Thanks for inviting me. I
appreciate it."
    "I'm glad you came. And remember, if you have any
questions at all, ask me."
    "I don't have any, Craig." She turned to walk up
the beach to her car.
     
    Craig watched Susan leave and felt his heart break. Didn't
she hear anything tonight, Lord? Did she hear how much You love her? How much
we all need You?
    "By Craig, see you Sunday." A couple of girls
said as they headed toward the parking lot where their parents were waiting for
them.
    "Bye, Sally and Tina. Have a good week."
    He rubbed his forehead wondering what it would take to
break through the wall that Susan had built around herself regarding anything
Christian. Craig said good-bye to the last of the students and leaders as they
left and then plopped down on the sand by the fire pit. He gazed into the
glowing embers and prayed that God would put a spark of spiritual interest into
Susan's heart. "It only takes one little spark Lord. Whether it is
something that I say or do or something else, please give her an interest in
learning more about You and Your Son, Jesus. She needs you."
    He stayed there praying until the fire was nothing but
smoldering coals.

CHAPTER
5
     
     
    The following Saturday Susan was actually helping out on
the floor because three of her employees had called in sick.  She looked up as
a family came in. The oldest girl looked familiar, but she wasn't sure. She saw
her say something to her parents then made a bee-line for Susan.
    "Hi, Ms. Johnson," she said with a toothy smile.
"I'm Abby from Cornerstone Church.  Craig is one of our leaders.”
    Susan felt a light bulb go on in her brain, "Oh,
right. Hi, Abby."
    "I told you I would get my parents in here. They even
brought my sister and me."
    "Oh, well, I would love to meet your family,"
Susan said as Abby started to lead the way to the table where her parents and
sister had been seated. "Mom, Dad, this is Ms.