A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) (10 page)

The pastor raised his Bible to chest level and lowered his head to read.
“‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Another nearby passage was referenced, and all across the hushed sanctuary pages whispered.
“Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.”

Dakota's eyes honed in on the verses once more.
Lord, what do You want me to learn today?

She closed her eyes and waited, at last finding a place of peace. God was with her no matter where she went. He'd never failed to provide for her. This time would be no different.

The pastor moved from one side of the pulpit to the other. “As God's church, our decisions affect each other. They also affect a watching world who needs to know Jesus. So we must make decisions based on what Christ wants. He sets us free from slavery to sin, making us free indeed. But our lives are not our own. We've been bought at a price.”

Dakota quickly grabbed a pen from her pocket and scribbled a few notes on the back of the order of service.

“Some decisions in life are pretty straight forward, or appear to be at first glance.” He smiled from the pulpit. “But just because something is permissible doesn’t mean it’s beneficial. So the first question we need to ask ourselves when making decisions: Is this helpful?”

Dakota turned the question over in her mind. It would be helpful to have a place to live and a working farm, a dream come true in every sense of the word. What an answer to prayer to stop running and put down permanent roots. To have the friends she so desperately needed. But would it be helpful for Chance as well? She rubbed her forehead. That's where this got difficult. Only he could make that call.

The pastor continued. “Look at the second part of 1 Corinthians 6:12 again.
‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Some things look so good. They seem beneficial. But once we let them in our lives, we find that they take on a life of their own. And rather than us owning them, they own us and bring us under their control rather than the Spirit's control. So our second question in making decisions is this: Will it bring me under its power?”

Hmm. A little harder to answer. She skewed her lips to one side. Past addictions proved that anything had the potential to enslave. In this case, the work to the farmhouse and even Chance could possibly consume her. If she stayed, it would mean a constant heart check to make sure she stayed in step with God's Spirit.

“Our third question is: Does it hurt others and cause them to stumble, or does it demonstrate an attitude of love and concern for my fellow man?”

Another reminder that her decision also affected Chance. Dakota frowned. He hadn’t been happy about the prospect of working with her on the farm. He’d made that more than clear in Andy Tyler’s office. She couldn't arbitrarily make the decision to stay, knowing it would cost him time, money and effort, all things he might not ever recoup.

“All we do should bring glory to God. So this last point is really a combination of questions. Will this choice bring glory to God? Or, will it bring Him dishonor and hinder my walk?” He looked up briefly. “One more thing I need to mention is the enemy. When we try to align ourselves with what God wants, Satan will fight back. One way he fights is with a weapon called fear. We cannot base our decisions on fear rather than faith.”

The words ricocheted in her brain. How many of her decisions had been prompted by fear? At some point she had to stop being so afraid. And whether staying in Miller's Creek or setting out for someplace new, her choice needed to be one of faith.

The pastor closed his Bible and moved down the steps to stand in front of the pulpit as soft music sounded from a guitar. “Really all decisions--whether big or small--boil down to this one thing." He held up one finger to emphasize his point. "Are we going to go our own way or follow Him?”

Heart overflowing, Dakota's chin dropped to her chest.
Oh, Lord Jesus, thank You that I don’t have to make this decision alone. Thank You for being there to guide me. Help me make decisions that are godly and helpful and won’t lead to slavery. Help me make choices that take others into consideration and bring You the honor and glory You so richly deserve. Amen.

Dakota breathed easier than she had in several days. Yes, she still hadn’t reached a final decision, but at least she knew what she needed to do next. When the service ended a few minutes later, she didn’t hurry out like she'd originally planned. Instead, she shook hands with those who stopped her and even shared her name. She’d just finished speaking with the lady who called herself Mama Beth, when Grace Tyler stepped forward, a man in baggy jeans and a brightly-colored t-shirt at her side. He looked very much like Andy Tyler, only more laid back.

“Hey, Dakota. So glad to see you. This is my husband Matt.”

Matt’s hearty grin and handshake immediately melted away all Dakota's timidity. "Nice to meet you.”

“You, too. Your brother’s an attorney. Your wife’s an attorney. Are y—?”

Infectious laughter fell from his mouth. “Hardly.” He motioned to his clothes. “Do I look like one of those uptight lawyer types?”

Grace elbowed him. "Watch it."

Dakota giggled. “Not even close.”

“Whew!” Matt wiped pretend sweat from his brow. “Had me scared there for a second.” He reached in his pants pocket and handed her a business card, slightly wrinkled and bent at the corners. “Actually, I'm a counselor here at the church. If you ever need anything, Gracie and I are here to help.”

Dakota felt an immediate connection to the couple. Would she get the opportunity for those roots to push through the ground into full-blown friendship?

Chance sauntered up to join them. He made eye contact with her for the first time in forever, and a soft smile curved his lips.

Matt patted her arm, then pointed to the card and latched onto his wife’s hand. “You have my number if you need it.” Both he and Gracie waved as they moved on down the aisle.

She turned her attention to Chance. “Hi.”

He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot for a moment. “Listen, about the other day. I was a real jerk. I’m sorry.”

His words affected her in a way she couldn't explain. Apologizing was hard for anyone, but for someone with Chance's personality, it must be doubly hard. His judgmental pride had been part of the force that drove her away in the first place. “No worries. I know you had lots on your mind.”

He shook his head, his lips firm. “That doesn't excuse my behavior. Would you like to go to lunch with me? It might help to talk through things, especially after that sermon, on decision-making.” His eyes softened.

“I know. Me too.”

“So you’ll have lunch with me?” He seemed surprised.

Dakota nodded. “I’d love to.” Then she immediately launched into another silent prayer for the wisdom and courage they needed to reach a decision.
And please, Lord, protect my heart.

* * *

Chance hadn’t quite believed his eyes when he’d looked up at the conclusion of the church service and seen Dakota in front of him in the center aisle chatting with Matt and Gracie. Of all people, she was the last person he’d expected to see at church. But the still, small voice inside him had prompted, so he'd asked her to lunch for the purpose of making a serious decision. A decision that would impact both of them.

Now she sat quietly, red ringlets framing her face, still clutching the armrest like she did last week on their trip to the hospital.

“I promise not to speed this time.”

A faint smile touched her lips. “Good.”

“So you can let go of the armrest.”

“Oh.” She glanced down at her white knuckles and peeled them from the door. “Habit, I guess.”

Yeah, definitely a habit for her to be ready to bolt, like a jackrabbit on constant high alert. “You don’t have to be afraid, Dakota.”

She faced him, frowning and eyes troubled. “I’m working on it.”

“What makes you afraid?”

Now she turned away. “Nothing I can be specific about.”

Okay. Guess that topic was off-limits.

“I miss J.C. so much.” The words fell from her gently parted lips, her gaze trained somewhere in the distance. “I miss his friendship and his wisdom. He could always help me figure things out. Now I have this huge decision to make, and he's not here.”

Her forlorn words tugged hard at his heartstrings. How many times over the past week had he felt the same way? But as his friends had not-s0-delicately pointed out last night, his wise old grandfather had a reason for what he’d done. Perhaps that was the answer. “I feel the same. Don't know how to say this other than to just come right out and say it. For whatever reason, Grampa thought fixing up the farmhouse and farm was important for both of us.”

Her head snapped his direction, eyes wide. “I hadn’t really thought of it in that light.”

“Please don’t jump to conclusions or read anything into it. I’m not trying to sway us to one side or the other.”

She frowned and nodded, then immediately worked her cheek and lips, most likely gnawing away at the inside of her cheek like she always did when deep in thought. Finally she spoke. “I think J.C. was concerned for me and wanted to make sure I was taken care of.”

“Agreed.” And he’d wanted Chance to consider the possibility of a deeper relationship with Dakota. But could he make it past--well, her past?

People change.

The words of the still, small voice within were similar to what Trish had said last night. “Do you mind me asking about your relationship with God?” The question popped out rather abruptly.

Dakota’s mouth fell open, and her eyes grew round and large.

“Not trying to pry or anything, but you prayed in the waiting room last weekend, and then you were at church today.”

“I’m a believer, Chance. I gave my life to Christ a few years ago.” Her green eyes pierced his soul. “Do you find it impossible that a bad girl with a reputation could possibly be a Christian?”

“No.” After all, Christ had forgiven Mary Magdalene and others like her, changing their lives for the better. Chance sighed through his nose. But he did have a hard time understanding why Dakota was still on the run unless she had something to hide. Or was it someone to hide from? And how could he voice his questions without setting her off?

Her lips clenched for a moment. “Just so you know, I had no intention of going to church this morning. But I felt like I was supposed to, like God wanted me to hear the message on making decisions. I believe He meant for us to eat lunch together today to make this decision. Neither of us can make it on our own, because it affects both of us.”

He nodded. Well, at least they were on the same page, a thought that both scared and shocked him. They reached the parking lot of the Montana steakhouse. Chance located an empty space, pulled in, and killed the engine. “Ready for some lunch?”

She stared at the restaurant sign. “I’ve never eaten here before. Is it, uh, expensive?”

“Not too bad.” He climbed from the driver’s side and moved to the front of the pickup to wait for her. She joined him a second later, and he used the remote to lock the truck.

Once inside and seated with menus and water, Dakota scoured the choices.

Chance sipped his water. “Made up your mind yet?”

Dakota shook her head. “Nope. I have a really hard time deciding.”

“Well, everything’s good.”

“But not necessarily beneficial.”

A laugh erupted from his throat, joining with the dining room chatter. “Well, someone listened to the sermon this morning.” He glanced around the dining room while Dakota perused the menu. A big burly guy at a table not too far away had his beady eyes latched onto Dakota’s every move. Chance was just about to get the guy’s attention when the waitress appeared and blocked his view. “Hi, y’all. You ready to order?”

“Dakota, you go first.”

“No, you. I still haven’t decided.”

“I’ll just have water to drink, but for my meal I’d like the rib-eye, cooked medium, with a garden salad, honey mustard dressing. And instead of a baked potato, could I substitute the grilled vegetable medley?”

The waitress smiled flirtatiously. “You betcha. A man who knows what he wants. I like that.”

Across the table from him, Dakota rolled her eyes in disgust.

“And you, Hon? What would you like?”

“First, I’d like a separate ticket.”

Chance almost choked on his water. “That’s not necessary.”

“I insist.” Dakota gazed directly at the waitress. “Can I still order from the breakfast menu?”

The woman nodded.

“Okay, then I’ll take an order of biscuits and gravy.”

Biscuits and gravy? A heart attack on a plate? Then reality sank in. Her order was probably the cheapest thing on the menu. For the first time he noticed her clothes, one of two outfits she’d worn every time he’d seen her. She was more financially destitute than he’d realized.