Page 34 of Tactical Revival

“Absolutely not. You sit yourself down and let me handle it. My grandmother wouldn’t hear of me letting an exhausted single mother make tea for me when I’m perfectly capable of doing it.”

A familiar pang of grief over the loss of Andie’s grandmother, Edna, hits me straight in the chest. “I miss your gran.”

“You and me both.” She sighs and continues filling two stainless steel tea ball infusers, then sets them in mugs and takes a seat at the small, circular table alongside me. “So, tell me. How are things with Jaxson?”

“What do you mean? There’s nothing more than friendship there.”

“Uh-huh. Sure. Then why does Elijah think something’s going on?”

“He does?”

She wiggles her brows. “He thinks you two are dancing around each other like two lovebirds.”

I can’t help myself—I laugh. “There is no way that came out of Elijah’s mouth.” I may have only known him for a few years, but I cannot imagine him saying any such thing.

“Fine. I said it and he grunted in agreement.” She leans back. “So, spill.”

I open my mouth to respond, then close it. What am I supposed to say? Lie and say I feel nothing for the incredibly handsome, strong, protective, loyal detective? Tell the truth and spill the beans on the fact that I can’t get him out of my head? That every time we make contact—a brush of the hand, a light touch—it feels like my skin is going to catch fire?

“Girl. You have it bad don’t you?” Andie gapes at me. “Does Michael know?”

“No. I don’t have it bad. He’s just—he’s cute.” The moment I say the word, my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Andie laughs. "Cute? What are we, in middle school?”

“Please no. I can’t go through the awkward braces phase again.”

She snorts. “You and me both. But seriously. Spill. What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on. Look, I like Jaxson. He’s handsome and kind and maybe there is a bit of a crush there, but that’s all it is. I’m lonely. I went from having someone around all the time, to it only being Matty and me.”

“Then why don’t you talk to Jaxson? Be open with him and see if he feels the same?”

“Because things are too complicated. The fight with Chad is just getting started, and I have more baggage than I care to share.” And he loaned me twenty thousand dollars.

She reaches over and covers my hand. “You know I have my own issues. Things I’m still working through. And Elijah has been there at my side every step of the way, just like I am for him. Just because Chad turned out to be a dirtbag doesn’t mean you don’t get a second chance.”

“Doesn’t it? I only wanted to get married once, Andie. One time.”

“Sometimes things don’t work out the way we planned,” Andie replies, then gets to her feet as the kettle beeps. “And sometimes, when they fall back into place, they’re better than we could have ever imagined.”

CHAPTER 9

Jaxson

When I was young and living on the streets taking care of my little brother, I’d often pass by this large, impressive church near downtown LA. Its huge vaulted pillars, large ornate doorway, and colorful stained-glass windows made the church feel like something straight out of my imagination.

I remember being afraid of it, but feeling so drawn that on Sunday mornings, I’d walk my brother closer, then we’d sit on the bus bench across the street as families left the church after the service.

I’d wanted so badly to be one of them. To be someone who could belong in a place like that. And I had been so young that I didn’t realize it’s exactly where I belonged. That even though I felt terrified and alone, I wasn’t.

Even though my dad bailed on me, my Father didn’t.

It wasn’t until I met Lance that I started really looking for my faith and trying to build my relationship with God.

Yet here I sit, trying to understand how He could allow something like this to happen. Because even though I know it’s people who drive the terrible things that happen in the world, it’s so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that Lanetti is out there somewhere, suffering.

“Lanetti is one of us,” Pastor Redding says as he stands behind his podium. “She’s a daughter of Hope Springs. A sister. A friend.” He looks sympathetically at her mother who is sitting a few pews in front of me. “And as we close today, I want to remind everyone that when everything feels like it’s falling apart around us, all we can do is turn to the Lord and fall to our knees. Because the greatest battles are fought through prayer.” He’s silent a few moments, then bows his head. “Let us pray. Heavenly Father, please be with us as we go into this week. Please remind us to always keep our eyes on You, and that even when things are at their bleakest, we need to reach to You for comfort. Please, God, be with Lanetti and her family. Please bring her home safely, Lord. In Your Heavenly name we pray, Amen.” He looks up again and closes with, “Go in peace.”

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