Kicking Eternity by Ann Lee Miller Page A

Somehow the suffering won’t be wasted.”
    The truth of Drew’s words sunk in. How, Lord? Show me. “You didn’t hear this in a sermon, did you?”
    Drew cracked a smile. “Hardly. I’ll tell you about it one of these days.”
    She held his gaze. “Yes you will.”
    Drew chuckled.
    She stepped around a mound of seaweed. “About Africa—can I honor my parents, but go to Africa against their wishes?”
    “I guess you have to listen to your conscience.”
    “Dad says he’s my authority till I marry. What does the Bible say about it?”
    “I’ll check it out, but you’re still going to have to submit to me one of these days—if I decide to accept your proposal, that is. ”
    She smacked him in the arm.
    “Hey!”
    “What? You’re the one who’s throwing something in my face I didn’t mean. ”
    “You’ve got some serious muscle for a girl.”
    Drew stopped and grabbed her forearm. He ran the back of his finger over the swell of her biceps. “Pump iron?”
    “Ice cream.” She yanked her arm away. “My last job was dipping ice cream. And I didn’t hit you that hard. Wus s .”
    “Are we twelve again?”
    She ignored him.
    “The guy you marry better get the list—doesn’t submit well, might be stronger than you, name calling—”
    “Jud didn’t need your list to change his mind about marrying me.”
    Drew’s chin whipped back toward her. “Wh—what?
    “My sick sense of humor. Jud was headed for the pastorate. He thought he’d be the one to change my mind about Africa.”
    “But he didn’t.”
    “No. And evidently no other guys at Mid Florida Bible College wanted to go to Africa because I didn’t have another date for the next three years of college.”
    “He broke your heart?” Drew ’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he peered at her .
    “I thought so at the time.” She waved it away.
    “How do you feel about going to Africa single?”
    “I sure don’t have the gift of celibacy.”
    One corner of Drew’s mouth twitched.
    She blushed.
    “How do you know? This I want to hear!”
    She looked out to sea. “If God loves me—and I know He does—He will either give me a husband in the next,” she looked at her watch, “two months, one week, three days, six hours. Or H e has the guy waiting for me in Africa. Or He will be enough for me.” She crossed her arms and walked into the wind ahead of Drew.
    When Drew caught up to her, she looked over at him. “What about you?”
    “Race you to the jetty!” Drew took off at a dead run.
    She laughed and ran after him. “You wait and see, Drew Martin, I’ll get the truth out of you!”
     

Chapter 9
     
    Raine watched the campers and their counselors filter toward the road. In the light from the dying campfire, Jesse crouched beside Kallie with Jillian asleep in her lap. Firelight reflected off the blond of Kallie’s hair.
    What would it be like to have a husband, a child? She shook the thought off. Lord, I believe You will get me to Africa over the obstacles of my father, and Cal—
    As if he’d heard her prayer, Cal hunkered down beside her on the sand. She looked up at the glow of yellow flame on Cal’s face . Her heart pick ed up speed. She’d never seen him attend campfire. What was he doing here?
    Night shadowed his eyes. “Stick around a few?”
    She leaned forward, about to stand. “I, uh, I have to get going.”
    “Just a couple of minutes. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
    What could she say? ‘No’ would be rude. “Just a few minutes.”
    “Jess,” Cal called to his brother, “I’ll douse the fire.” He popped up and walked toward Jesse.
    Jesse looked up, surprised.
    Cal reached for the bucket. “You get your girls home.” Cal jutted his chin toward Kallie who was rubbing her back with one hand.
    Jesse grinned at Cal. “Thanks, bro!”
    Cal headed toward the water. Jesse scooped up Jillian and draped her limp form over one shoulder. He held a hand out to Kallie. She grabbed it and hefted