Love's Image (13 page)

Two hours later, he called her, panic evident in his voice. “You called?”

“Yes, I was wondering if we could get together and study. You know, like we used to.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine. Why?”

He blew out an audible breath. “Oh, man, you had me worried. Your message said it was urgent and to call as soon as possible.”

She hadn’t thought about how her message would sound, but she had wanted to talk to him soon. “I’m really sorry, Judd. It’s just that when I get my mind set on something, I don’t like to waste time.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Why don’t we meet somewhere?”

“I thought we could study here.”

“Maybe it would be better if I met you somewhere, like halfway.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. His tone had changed, and it worried her.

Maybe being out in public with Shannon would keep his mind off his feelings toward her. All Judd had been able to think about since meeting her was how he was starting to fall head-over-heels for her. In fact, for the first time in his life, he understood what it meant when people said they’d “fallen” in love. That was exactly how he felt—like he’d fallen and couldn’t get up.

They made arrangements to meet at the Dunk ‘n Dine, at her suggestion. “For old times’ sake,” she’d said. “We can eat pancakes until they’re coming out our ears.”

Judd concentrated hard on the current week’s Bible study. He took turns with Shannon, looking up the answers. She smiled often, and he had to restrain himself, when all he wanted to do was reach across the table and touch her.

At the end of the lesson, they agreed to meet weekly, since they were at the same level of understanding. Shannon hesitated, looking at him with questioning eyes, but she didn’t ask anything as she turned to leave. He felt like a piece of his heart left with her.

Over time, Judd was able to be around Shannon and still focus on the Bible study lesson, but there were times when their hands brushed and he got a tightening sensation in his chest. It was a feeling of anticipation, of excitement, and of wondering if the other person felt it, too.

Something else Judd had noticed was that Shannon’s scar had begun to fade. In fact, he had to look hard to see it, and the only reason he could was because he knew it was there. He wasn’t sure she was aware how it had almost disappeared, because she still, on occasion, touched her cheek with her fingertips. He wanted to reach out and cover her hand with his, but he didn’t dare.

Judd delighted as Shannon’s faith grew and she became more confident in her knowledge of scripture. She had become bolder in speaking up about her faith, and when they had new members or visitors, she was often one of the first people to greet them. She didn’t hesitate to speak out about her newly discovered faith, and when they were in the question-and-answer part of their study, she spoke out as often as anyone else in the room. That also quickened Judd’s heart. He loved watching the transformation. He also knew that Shannon was responsible for his own faith growing to the level where it was. She’d challenged him by asking questions, making him study harder, and proving that a person could come from rock bottom to the top by allowing Jesus to touch her heart. Jesus had worked a miracle in both of them, something Judd was grateful for.

“I have something special to discuss with you next time we get together to study,” Shannon said as they walked out to the church parking lot together. “I know you like to go to the Dunk ‘n Dine, but I was wondering if we could study at my place.”

Judd thought for a few seconds before nodding. “Sure. That would be fine.” After all, he’d gotten used to the feelings she never ceased to awaken in him. He could manage the heart palpitations at her place as much as he could at the Dunk ‘n Dine, couldn’t he?

The first thing he noticed when she yanked open the door was the twinkle in her eye that showed her mischievous side. She was up to something, he could tell.

The instant he sat down, she plopped into the oversized chair across from him, tucked her legs under herself, and leaned forward. “We need to talk,” she said.

Judd gulped. What had he done now?

“Okay,” he said slowly, almost wishing they were at the Dunk ‘n Dine rather than her cozy living room. “What’s on your mind?”

“I’ve got all this time on my hands, and I’m starting to get antsy. I feel like I need to do something.”

“Any thoughts about what?”

She shrugged. “I’ve thought about getting a job, but there’s not much I’m trained to do.”

“You could always go back to modeling.”

On cue, her hand flew up to her cheek as she shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Any other ideas?”

“Since I have a little money stashed away, I don’t have to get a job. Not yet, anyway. I was sort of thinking I might want to volunteer. I’d like to help others.”

Judd smiled. He loved how Shannon thought about other people. Janie had told him how she’d sent money to the family of the man who’d crashed his car into hers. He was amazed at her ability to forgive and show compassion for those less fortunate.

“Any idea what you’d like to do?”

She made a funny face as she shook her head. “That’s the problem. I don’t even know where to start. What does a former model know how to do that can help society?”

“I’m sure there are lots of things. Why don’t we start with your gifts?”

“Janie told me to look in Romans chapter twelve. I think my gift is serving.”

“I can see that,” Judd said.

He’d noticed how quickly she volunteered to help out when someone was needed to deliver food to homebound members of the church. And she didn’t hesitate to visit people in the nursing home.

“I think you’re also an encourager,” he added.

“You think so?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Funny you should say that. Janie told me the same thing. Okay, now what do I do?”

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you think your gifts are, Judd?”

“Well, I am a teacher, and it seems like a good fit. The kids in my classes are all doing well, and they’re pretty happy—most of the time, anyway.”

Shannon nodded. “I have no doubt teaching is one of your gifts. You know, I think you might be an encourager, too.”

“Hmm. I never thought about being anything other than a teacher,” he said.

“Look at it this way. You encouraged me to keep going to the Bible study. You encourage people in the group to participate. And one of the reasons you’re such an effective teacher, I bet, is that you encourage the kids to be the best they possibly can.”

“Good point.”

Shannon lifted her hands and let them fall back to her lap. “Now what?”

“I guess we should figure out where we fit best.”

“We?” Shannon asked, her head tilted to one side.

“Yes, we. I’d like to volunteer, too.”

“Are you just saying it because that’s what I want?”

“No. I’ll admit you thought of it first, but I have time and the desire to help others, too.”

A slow grin took over Shannon’s face. “It’ll be wonderful to do something together, Judd.” She jumped up, crossed over to where he sat, and threw her arms around him. “You always know the answers.”

“Not always,” he argued as he tried to squirm away from her warmth.

She leaned back and gave him a puzzled look.

“For me, you do. Whenever I’m stumped, you always come through for me.”

She’d pulled away from him a little more, but he could still feel her closeness. The urge to reach out and touch her was too strong to resist. Tentatively at first, he touched the side of her face with his fingertips. Then, slowly and deliberately, he slid his hand to the back of her head, his fingers getting caught in her tangle of long, blond hair. Her eyes widened as he pulled her to him for a kiss.

Shannon’s breath suddenly felt shaky. She’d kissed Armand countless times, but he’d never had this effect on her. But then again, Judd’s kiss had so much more meaning than any of Armand’s kisses ever had.

“I’m sorry, Shannon,” Judd said as he suddenly let go of her. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

She struggled to find her voice. “Don’t be sorry. I liked it.”

“You did?”

Nodding, she had to swallow to find her voice again. “Yes. Very much.”

He grinned. “Knowing that makes me happy.”

Shannon wasn’t sure if he had any idea how she felt. He’d distanced himself pretty quickly after the kiss—almost as if he was afraid to stay close to her.

After Judd left, Shannon leaned against the wall. Something significant had just happened, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. That one simple kiss had changed things between them. He’d kissed her before, but the emotion behind this was incredible. She wondered if he felt it, too.

As the minutes ticked by, and then the hours, feelings of doubt began to take over the excitement of the kiss. What if he’d only meant it as a gesture of friendship? Or perhaps he didn’t mean anything at all. Which would be worse? Given the fact that she thought she might be falling in love, neither appealed to her. She wanted him to care as much for her as she did him. The very thought of her love being one-sided sent her heart into a free fall and then landed in a giant thud.

Shannon wasn’t sleepy, so she decided to do a little channel surfing, hoping to make her eyelids heavy. When the phone rang, she glanced up at the clock. Who could be calling at this hour?

“Shannon?”

“Judd? It’s late.”

“Were you sleeping?”

She paused before replying, “No, I was watching TV.”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“So have I,” Shannon quickly replied. “What were you thinking about?”

“You tell me first.”

“No, you called me.”

She heard him inhale before clearing his throat. “I was thinking about what you said.”

She thought for a moment and tried to remember anything she said that would elicit a late-night phone call. “What did I say?”