Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts

your occupation the day we met.”
    â€œYou’re right, I should have told you. I have to wonder though, if you would have given me the time of day if I’d admitted I was a pastor. What happened in your life to turn you so against religion?”
    Natalie gritted her teeth. “Nothing happened. Maybe that’s my problem.”
    Unable to face Jared, she concentrated on a pair of bluebirds fluttering in and out of a nearby birdhouse. The man’s eyes bore into her, all sympathetic and kind, as though she needed his help and wouldn’t survive without it.
    â€œI’ve been to church.” The words flew from her mouth. “I’ve watched people at altar calls who gave their lives to Jesus, who swore it made a difference…but honestly, I don’t get it.”
    â€œYou mean you don’t want to get it.” Jared swallowed the last of his water, then squeezed the empty bottle until it crackled between his fingers. “God calls on those who listen. I’d love to help you, Natalie, but you have to want the help. It’s like those bluebirds over there. Sometimes you have to completely stop what you’re doing in order to hear their song.”
    She watched him saunter back to the church with his head down and his hands in his pockets. Who did he think he was to speak to her that way? And what did he expect? For her to break out in song and admit all her faults and weaknesses, concede everything she’d ever done wrong and beg for God’s help and forgiveness? Well, Jared Logan could wait for hell to freeze over as far as she was concerned. She’d made it this far in life without anyone’s help, she’d manage her current troubles too—and would be all the wiser for it.

FIFTEEN
    â€œI HEARD YOU HAD SOME EXCITEMENT HERE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.” GEORGE Hobart’s thick frame hovered over Jared’s desk early Saturday morning.
    Jared glanced at the three grim-faced elders, prepared to give account for the recent problems with the youth, though he could think of a hundred things he’d rather be doing this weekend.
    Bob Douglas cleared his throat and took a seat on the couch. “We hated to call a meeting, but after talking to Mr. Sanders, we thought it best to get your version.”
    â€œI assure you I handled the problem with discretion.” Jared loathed his need for explanation. “As soon as I learned of the alcohol, I took the girls to my office—away from the other kids.”
    â€œWere the others aware the girls had been drinking?”
    Jared rubbed his chin. “According to Mrs. Trevor there was a lot of whispering.”
    â€œWhat about this other girl with Sarah Sanders?” George asked, inches from Jared’s face. “What do you know about her?”
    â€œSarah brought a friend to the meeting—Chelsey Adams. I’m sure you’ve heard how Chelsey recently lost her father in a tractor accident. I met Chelsey’s family two weeks ago.”
    â€œAdams? That’s the rodeo queen gal, isn’t it?” Carl spoke up from the other side of the room.
    Jared leaned back in his chair. “Chelsey’s sister. The three of them have no family, no church home. Considering their troubles, I thought it best to handle the matter quietly.”
    â€œYou were trying to protect the family.” George crossed his arms and nodded his approval to the other men.
    â€œI’ve visited them a couple of times,” Jared continued. “I believe it’s our responsibility to help them if we can.”
    â€œMrs. Sanders is none too happy about your form of discipline.” Bob shifted on the couch. “She thinks Sarah got pulled into this mess and believes you’re trying to make an example of her daughter by punishing her the same as the Adams’ girl.”
    Jared exhaled slowly. “Sarah and Chelsey were guilty of the same act, no matter whose idea it was to take that first