Amazing Love by Mae Nunn Page A

best laugh he’d had in weeks.
    â€œYou think I can’t do it?” She took offense.
    He wiped his eyes with the heels of both hands. “You, dear girl, can do anything you set your mind to. But don’t you think there’s a more Christian way to handle this?”
    â€œYeah, I guess so,” she admitted.
    Luke stood and lightly touched Dana’s shoulder to guide her toward the door. “You’ve done your part. I’ll take it from here.”
    Her clunky black boots tromped down the metal ramp he used to roll heavy equipment on and off the trailer. Luke spotted Pastor Ken’s truck in its usual spot, closed and locked the door and headed toward the building.
    He slipped into the back of the sanctuary and stood in the dim light to watch for a bit. The Sons were supposed to be running through the playlist Luke had arranged for them. They were ten days from recording and the dozen songs would have to be rehearsed hundreds of times.
    Eric was seated on the apron of the stage, his long legs dangling. He was working on something with Brian, who seemed less surly and more at ease today. The brothers were beginning to believe in thepotential of the group and their chance to get out from under the control of their volatile father. Eric was developing into a fine leader, mimicking Luke’s coaching style, encouraging and probing, insisting on mastering the basics. He felt the flutter of what must have been a fatherly sense of pride.
    â€œThank You for leading me here,” Luke whispered.
    He glanced toward the back of the platform. Chad stood behind his electric keyboard, brows knit in concentration as he practiced the fingering of a tricky bridge. And Zach, the focus of a girl who wanted a hunk of his hand for a keepsake, practiced some fingering of his own as he twirled his drumsticks, tossing them high in the air for effect.
    â€œZach, work on your grooves and save the drum major routine for later,” Luke barked as he trudged forward. Each boy snapped out of his personal fog and turned toward Luke’s voice. He had their attention, might as well get some work done.
    â€œChad, let’s hear that bridge from the top and lead straight into the last verse. Eric, the kids already know this song and they love it. Don’t stress over your Spanish accent. Give it the emotion you do when you sing it in English and you’ll have them at hola .”
    â€œMuchas gracias, senor.” Eric rolled his R’s and grinned.
    â€œBrian, I want to hear more bass in the closingmeasures. You’re exceptional on this number so bring it on, okay? You be the show-off brother for a change.” He glared at Eric, who’d become almost overconfident in his stage presentation. Another similarity between Luke and this boy.
    Brian ducked his head but nodded agreement. A little color rose in his pale cheeks indicating his pleasure. They picked up the number where Luke instructed. Downright impressed, he gave the Sons two thumbs up and motioned to continue as he left them to practice.
    At midday the large lobby of the church was empty. He paused at the open door to Ken’s study. Notes and candy wrappers spread across his desk, the pastor tapped away on his laptop.
    â€œAm I interrupting?”
    â€œNever,” Ken answered without missing a keystroke. “Come on in, I’m at a good stopping place.” He finished and snapped the lid down. “What’s on your mind?”
    â€œI’m in a situation I don’t know how to handle and I could use some guidance and prayer,” Luke said.
    Had it really been less than a week since he’d sat in this room thinking he’d be the last person to make that admission? God did indeed work in strange ways, but Luke had accepted that long ago. He glanced up and down the hall to make sure no one was watching and then quietly closed the door.
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    As he drove, Luke surreptitiously examined his appearance and flipped