Maya And The Tough Guy by Carter Ashby Read Free Book Online Page A

word.”
    “I teach from the scripture, Kylie. Are you questioning scripture?”
    “I’m questioning any doctrine that makes women feel that their needs are secondary to a man’s.”
    “Amen,” Addy said, sharing a sisterly nod with Kylie.
    “The Bible is very clear about a woman’s place in the church and in the home,” Mrs. Kratz said.
    “The Bible is a collection of ancient manuscripts,” Addy said, “that were not intended to be used as a list of rules for our lives. Jesus’ teachings are all about the heart, and since Jesus himself treated women with extreme respect for the times, I have to believe he wouldn’t be opposed to us, in this class, offering support to the struggling women around us. Like Maya or Kylie’s sister. Wouldn’t our time be better spent praying and working towards practical solutions for these women rather than sitting around and judging them?”
    “I’m not judging anyone, Addison, the Bible is,” Mrs. Kratz replied.  
    “I agree with Addy,” Lesley said. “I mean, I do believe the Bible gives us guidelines for our behavior, but I don’t believe we’re to turn a blind eye to atrocities like domestic abuse because of our own beliefs about these guidelines. I mean, if I’m wrong to encourage an abused woman to leave her husband, I think God will forgive that because my heart is definitely in the right place.”
    Mrs. Kratz opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
    Maya leaned forward. “Kylie, is there anything I can do to help your sister? I mean, I’m still getting on my feet, but I can help her find resources. There’s a Monday night support group I’m just starting attending. I have a wonderful therapist. And the kids and I have been taken in by the local women’s shelter on several occasions, so I can tell her all about that.”
    Kylie slid her phone down the table toward Maya. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take your phone number. I’d like to arrange a lunch, or something, so you and I can talk to her.”
    Maya programmed her number into Kylie’s phone and slid it back to her. “Anytime,” Maya said.
    “Thank you.”
    The buzzer signaling the end of class buzzed. Everyone rose and milled toward the exit. Maya noticed that Mrs. Kratz remained seated, her shoulders slumped. Once the room was cleared, Maya took a breath to bolster her nerves, and took a seat to Mrs. Kratz’s right. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to hijack your class. I just wanted to be heard, you know?”
    Mrs. Kratz raised her eyes to Maya, and there wasn’t an ounce of understanding in them. “You endangered these women’s souls today,” she said.
    Maya swallowed down a lump of nerves. She was feeling a little shaky. Confrontation like this was no easy thing. “I really don’t believe that’s the case.”
    “I don’t really care what you believe, Mrs. Bradley, it’s what the Lord believes that matters.” She stood and gathered her books to her chest. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t attend my class anymore.” With that, she spun on her heel and left the room.
    Maya stared down at her shaking hands. She fisted them to stop the shaking, and then stood and stepped into the hallway. Addy was there, waiting, and grabbed her for a hug. “I’m so freaking proud of you, Maya.”
    Maya stepped back. “I got excommunicated from Sunday morning ladies class.”
    Addy laughed. “Maybe we’ll start our own class. For people who want to be part of the solution, huh?” She looped her arm in Maya’s. “Come on, let’s go get your kids.”

CHAPTER SIX

    Jayce’s church was an old warehouse that he’d bought with two other guys and converted into a gym years ago. He’d hired a manager to run the place and used the same accountant, Zoey, for the gym as he did for the bar. He came here most mornings to work out, since he didn’t have a woman to take care of or any semblance of a social life.
    Usually his best friend, Kellen, would be holding onto the punching bag. But