Swept Away by Nicole O'Dell Read Free Book Online Page B

This time the lights were bright, and people were just looking around like it was no big deal.
    Amber checked her fingernails, then counted the lights hanging from the ceiling while the pastor prayed for the people up front and the band continued to play and sing soft repeats of the choruses they had already sung. The music finally ended, the pastor prayed again, the offering baskets passed from hand to hand, then, finally, sermon time. Half down, half to go.
    Amber wished she’d mastered the art of sleeping with her eyes open. But wait. She wanted to try to take it all in, didn’t she?
I want to find God, right?
She sat up straighter and popped a piece of gum into her mouth hoping the sugar would perk her up.
    “… still small voice that He uses to call out to you in your life.” Pastor Johnson paced across the stage while he spoke. “It always seems like the devil, our enemy, shouts at us with temptations, taunts, sarcasm, while the Holy Spirit of God whispers through the storm. You see, He’s one classy guy. He doesn’t need to shout, beg, or make deals with us. He just speaks truth, quietly. He knows we’ll hear it when we’re ready to listen for it.” He paused and looked around at the people.
    He’s right
. Those voices, those battles she’d been having since the White Horse concert came to Amber’s mind. Why did the wrong things always look more appealing, more fun, but the right choices were quiet, difficult, and not nearly as shiny?
I thought I was the only one who felt that way
.
    Pastor Johnson continued. “There is not one thing new under the sun. This isn’t any surprise to God, and it shouldn’t be any surprise to us. The Bible tells us how our enemy operates. It also tells us we need to shut off his access to us by not giving him an ear. Learn the sound of the voice of God, and meditate on His truths so you can’t mistake an imposter.”
    The rest of the service moved swiftly, and they stood for the last chorus before Amber knew it.
Time for shopping
.
    After they dropped Mr. and Mrs. Kim off at home, Brittany turned the car in the direction of the mall. “So?” She looked at Amber, her eyes big with hope. “Did you hate it this time?”
    “Surprisingly, no.” Amber shook her head and thought hard about her answer. “In fact, there were a few things I’ll have to think about.” She didn’t want Brittany to get the wrong idea, though. “But, Britt. Come on, the music and stuff? That’s a little much for me.” She shook her head. “It’s like my mom and dad’s church goes to one extreme and yours goes to the other.”
    “Yeah, it probably seems that way. You’d get used to it in time and eventually start to enjoy it, I promise.” Brittany looked thoughtful. “Hey, speaking of your parents’ church—between the two, which do you prefer?”
    “Oh, no contest. If I had to choose, yours! Hands down.” Amber feigned horror at the thought. “That’s like asking if you prefer a funeral or a baby shower.” Both girls laughed.
    Amber turned toward the window and realized they had passed the mall. “Where are we going? I thought we were going shopping.”
    “We are. We’re going for the good stuff on Mom and Dad—forget the mall.” She pulled into the parking lot of a high-end strip center.
    “Britt, I can’t let your parents pay for clothes for me. I don’t really need anything, anyway.” Amber reached for the door handle. “I’m calling this a window-shopping trip for me.”
    “Come on. Don’t be silly.” Brittany waved the gold card in the air like a dangling carrot taunting Amber.
    Amber laughed and shrugged. “We’ll see.”
    They wandered through the stores, felt the rich fabrics, and tried on several outfits. Then they saw them. The perfect pair of Lucky Brand jeans—long, dark, just-right wash. Perfect.
    “Amber, you need to try these on. They’ll never fit me.” Brittany shoved the hanger at her.
    Amber lifted the price tag, then peered at it through