Seeking His Love by Carrie Turansky Page A

and actually looked pained by the idea. “Definitely not.”
    Rachel smiled. “That’s…good to know.”
     
    Cam led Shannon and Kayla down the hall, then pushed open the door to Kayla’s room. “Here you go.” He stepped back so his sister and niece could enter.
    Kayla stood in the doorway, silently staring straight ahead. Her pinched expression and mottled skin made it clear she’d been crying on the drive from Seattle.
    When she didn’t speak up, Shannon placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “It’s lovely, Cam. Such pretty colors. Isn’t it great, Kayla?” The forced brightness in Shannon’s voice didn’t fool either of them.
    His niece nodded, but she looked about as happy as a patient waiting for a root canal.
    Shannon squeezed her arm. “Come on, now. This is a great room, and your uncle went out of his way to make it special for you.” She nodded to her daughter, silently urging her to speak up.
    “Thanks, Uncle Cam,” Kayla mumbled, then walked over to the bed and trailed her hand over the puffy comforter.
    “Really, Cam, you outdid yourself. Everything looks so pulled together.” Shannon chuckled. “Sorry, I’m just surprised. Did you watch a home decorating show or something?”
    “My upstairs tenant helped me pick everything out. She’s got great taste.” He smiled, remembering how Rachel had scouted out the best bargains and matched up all the furnitureand accessories. Then she’d spent this morning, helping him arrange furniture and hang curtains.
    “She?” Shannon’s brows rose, and she sent him a questioning smile.
    “Yes. She runs the kids’ drama program at the Arts Center.”
    Shannon nodded and sent him a knowing smile.
    “Don’t give me that look. We’re just friends.”
    Shannon held up her hand. “Okay. I’m just glad to hear you have a friend.”
    He huffed and glared at her. “Thanks.”
    Shannon winked. Then she glanced at her watch, and worry lines gathered around her eyes again. “I’ve got to go, Kayla.” She crossed the room and stood next to her daughter. “Dad and I are meeting with our small group for prayer tonight, then we leave first thing tomorrow morning.” She gathered Kayla in a tight hug. Closing her eyes, she rocked back and forth. “I love you, baby girl. Promise me you won’t forget that.”
    Kayla sniffed. “I promise.” She clutched her mom and pressed her face against Shannon’s shoulder.
    When Shannon stepped back, tears glistened in her eyes. “You be good, and have some fun this summer.” She lifted her daughter’s trembling chin. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Everything’s going to be fine.”
    Kayla grabbed her mother in a tight embrace once more as tears coursed down her cheeks.
    Cam swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. What made him think he could handle a situation like this? How would he comfort Kayla and help her deal with all the emotions she was feeling? How would he answer her questions? How could he explain why terrible things like this happened to a wonderful woman like Shannon?
     
    Rachel took a fortifying gulp of her French vanilla coffee and motioned Chandra over to the classroom doorway. “Could you take my group for a few minutes. I need to make a phone call.”
    “Sure. Everything okay?”
    “I’m having a hard time straightening out my bill with the storage company. They want to charge me for June, even though I moved everything out by the end of last month. I was hoping if I called them first thing this morning, I might catch someone in a better mood.”
    Chandra sent her a sympathetic smile. “I’ll pray for you.”
    “Thanks. I need it. It’s not a huge amount of money, but right now, it’s the difference between eating real food or macaroni and cheese for the rest of the month.”
    Chandra squeezed Rachel’s shoulder. “Let me know how it goes. And remember, my fridge is your fridge. Come over any time.”
    “Thanks. I may take you up on that.” Rachel sent her friend a grateful