Love's Image (14 page)

“You were saying you wanted to do something constructive with your life. I’ve got some ideas.”

“Is that what you were thinking about?”

“Yeah, how about you? It’s your turn.”

Shannon briefly pondered letting him know what was really on her mind, but she figured it was best left unsaid. “Nothing, really. My mind was racing about everything, and I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

“I’m patient. I’m also a good listener.”

“Yes, I know, but we can talk about that later.” Shannon sucked in a breath, then slowly blew it out. “What ideas did you have for me?”

“Well, there are a couple of things the church is involved in, plus some secular stuff downtown Atlanta.”

Shannon thought for a moment. “What all is the church involved in?”

“One thing I think you might like is the ‘Room at the Inn’ program.”

“Room at the Inn? What’s that?”

Judd explained how the homeless shelters always filled up early, which left hundreds of families on the streets during the cold winter nights. Area churches coordinated sponsoring “Room at the Inn” nights, where they let homeless individuals and families stay in sanctuaries, fellowship halls, and classrooms. People from each church provided meals, clothing, and messages about Christ’s love.

“Sounds wonderful,” Shannon replied. “I’d love to get involved. What do I need to do?”

“Uncle Garrett told me about it. I think our church has a turn coming up in a few weeks. I’ll find out who’s coordinating it.”

“Let me know, okay?”

“Sure thing,” Judd replied. “How’re you feeling?”

“You were here just a little while ago. You saw me.”

Yes, Judd saw her. That was for sure. He saw her long, blond hair flowing freely around her face, her sparkling eyes lighting up as they discussed anything and everything.

“Judd?”

Shaking himself back to the moment, Judd said, “I’m getting tired. I just wanted to call and make sure you were okay.”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

As they hung up, Judd thought about the real reason for his call. After he left her apartment, all he could think about was the kiss. It still lingered on his lips. He doubted he’d get any sleep, thinking about Shannon and how she affected him.

This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Judd had plans, which didn’t include falling for a woman—at least not yet. He’d just started to get his feet on the ground, and he wanted to do a few things for himself before meeting someone he could get serious with.

Who was he kidding? Getting serious with Shannon McNab would be like trying to grab a star with his bare hands. It would be impossible and way too much for him to handle. Women like Shannon didn’t fall for men like him.

He ran his tongue over his lips and tried to force her out of his mind. He’d be much better off staying away from her, but he knew it would be impossible. All she had to do was call, and he’d be there for her.

The week went by quickly for Judd, due to the reading fair he was hosting at the school. He barely had time to do the exercises in the workbook to get ready for the Bible study.

Shannon was at the church when he first arrived, getting the coffee ready. “I tried calling you,” she said as she glanced over her shoulder. “You’re never home anymore, and you didn’t pick up your cell phone.”

“Sorry,” he said, hovering a few feet away. “I’ve been busy.”

“That’s what I thought. Janie came over, and we went over the lesson.”

Suddenly, Janie stuck her head in the door. “Did someone say my name?”

Shannon chuckled. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“Yes.” Janie came all the way into the room, carrying a tall box that was obviously heavy.

“Let me get that,” Judd said as he quickly moved to her side.

As Janie tried to hand Judd the box, she tripped over the place where the carpet met the tiled floor, and the box fell with a loud bang before Judd could get a grip on it.

Janie gasped and all eyes quickly turned to Shannon, who stood there, stunned for a few seconds. Shannon’s heart raced, but she was okay. She slowly allowed a shaky smile as she moved toward Janie.

“I’m so sorry,” Janie said as she reached out to Shannon. “You okay?”

Shannon glanced over at Judd, who stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her, concern evident in his expression. But he wasn’t making a move toward her. It was as if he wasn’t sure what to do.

“I’m fine. It scared me, but nothing like before. I think I’m starting to heal on the inside.”

Janie, Judd, and the couple of people who’d drifted into the room let out a collective sigh of relief.

The Bible study was brief, since everyone seemed to be in a hurry. Judd darted out of the fellowship hall before Shannon had a chance to chat with him. Janie eyed her but waited until Judd was gone to approach.

“Wanna do something, since we’re out early?” she asked.

Shannon nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”

“How about a snack?”

“I’m putting on a bunch of weight.”

Janie’s gaze raked her from head to toe, but she didn’t say anything.

“A snack sounds good,” Shannon finally said after an uncomfortable silence. “Where do you want to go?”

Janie shrugged. “How about the Dunk ‘n Dine?”

Shannon paused, thinking about how she and Judd liked to go there. She’d begun to think of that as their place, but that was silly.

“I’ll meet you there in fifteen minutes. I need to help clean up here first.”

“You can go on,” Paul said. “I can finish up here.”

“No, I want to help.”

Paul handed her a broom. “You’re a good woman, Shannon. I hope you decide to stick around. We like having you being part of the group.”

“I like it here, too,” she said with a smile.

“Oh, and before you leave, there’s a wet rag on the table. If you don’t mind—”

“I’ll wipe everything off before I leave,” she said before he got the words out.

“I need to run this coffee urn to the kitchen, then I’m outta here.”

“See you next week, Paul.”

When Shannon finished cleaning the meeting room, she went straight to the Dunk ‘n Dine, where she saw Janie waiting at a booth toward the front. Good. At least she wasn’t in the back, where Judd liked to sit.

“We need to talk,” Janie said the second she sat down.

“You don’t waste any time, do you?”

“No, I try not to. What’s going on between you and Judd?”

Shannon pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she thought for a moment. “I wish I knew.”

“What happened? Did you have an argument?”

“No, he came over one night last week, and suddenly, he acted like someone had bitten him on the foot. One minute we were talking about what I should do with the rest of my life, he kissed me, and than suddenly, he couldn’t wait to leave.”

“Wait a minute. Slow down.” Janie leaned toward her, her eyebrows pulled together in a tight line. “He kissed you?”

Shannon smiled and nodded. She felt as shy as she had in junior high when Bobby Anderson had told everyone he loved her.

“Yeah.”

“You never told me.”

“It was just a kiss.”

“With guys like Judd, it’s never just a kiss. Maybe you’re used to faster men, but in our crowd, guys don’t kiss women unless they mean it.”

“I know,” Shannon admitted. “That’s what makes it so strange.”

“And what’s this talk about what you want to do with the rest of your life? Are you planning something I should know about?”

Leave it to Janie to know where to dig, and then get right to the point. She was smart, and she wasn’t the type to leave anything alone.

“I feel like my life doesn’t have meaning. Judd was trying to help me figure out where to go from here.”

“Somehow, I don’t think Judd’s the type to tell you what to do. Have you come up with any ideas?”

“I think I might like to do some volunteer work.”

“Volunteering is good. Any thoughts about where?”

“Judd mentioned something about Room at the Inn.”

“That’s a good start,” Janie said, “but it’s only for one week a year. That’s an excellent ministry, though, so it’s a worthwhile thing to do. Gretta coordinates it. I’ll tell her you’re interested.”

“I haven’t thought about what to do besides that.”

“You’re a very talented woman, Shannon.”

“Only when it comes to fashion. But somehow, I don’t know if I can figure out how to work fashion into a ministry.”

“You want to do something in the ministry?”

“I’m not sure yet. I thought I might.”

“Look, Shannon,” Janie said as she fidgeted with her napkin, “I don’t want to discourage you from doing the Lord’s work. But you’ve only recently started studying the Bible. There are many ways you can put your talents to work that will please God. All work, if done to His glory, can be a ministry.”

Shannon listened to the wisdom of Janie’s words. “I just don’t know where to start.”

“Why don’t you go back to school? Remember how you always said you’d like to work with animals?”

“That was a long time ago. I’m not sure if I’m up to going back to school.”

“You don’t have to go full-time until you’re ready. I do think you should sign up for one class next semester. It would get you out, and you can explore options.”

“I’ll have to think about it.”

“In the meantime, if I come up with any brilliant ideas, I’ll let you know.”

Shannon smiled at Janie, knowing she would have more than one brilliant idea. She always did. Janie had always been the type of friend who didn’t let up. If there was a problem, she set out to solve it, and she didn’t quit until she’d accomplished her mission.

After she ate her salad, Shannon went to her apartment. Judd had called and left a message, but it was too late to return his call. She knew he had to get up extra early for school because the book fair was still going on at the school. He put in long days for those kids, which endeared him to her even more. The man was so selfless that she felt small and insignificant next to him.

He called her the next day around noon. “I was worried about you last night,” he said, not even bothering to identify himself.

“Janie and I went out for a snack after the Bible study.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to feel like you had to account for every minute.”

“I didn’t take it that way.”

Shannon was actually flattered that he cared enough to worry.

“Good. I’d never want to do that to you.”

“How’s the book fair?”

“As much fun as it’s been, and I feel bad for saying this, I’m glad it’s almost over.”

“You’ve put a lot of work into it.”

“Yes,” he said, “I have. At least I’ve documented everything that needs to be done, so next year it should be much easier.”

A few seconds of silence filled the phone line before Shannon spoke. “Would you like to come over soon?”

“To study?”

That wasn’t what she had in mind, but she couldn’t tell him she just wanted to look at him and hope for another kiss. “Yeah, to study.”

He paused, allowing a feeling of concern to wash over Shannon. “Sure,” he finally replied. “How about the day after tomorrow?”

“Sounds good.”

She called Janie later because she’d promised to let her know if she talked to Judd. Why, she wasn’t sure, but it seemed important to Janie.

“Remember he’s not used to women like you,” Janie reminded her.

“Women like me?”

“Yeah. Women who can get any man they want with the snap of her finger.”

“That’s silly. I’ve never snapped my finger at a man.”

“Maybe not, but you could if you wanted to.” Shannon laughed out loud, but after hanging up, she thought about what Janie had said. It seemed odd that people would think that just because she was a model, deep down she was any different from the rest of the women in the world. Quite the contrary. Shannon had the same desire for love and acceptance anyone else had.

Her mother paid her a visit the next morning. “Shannon, honey, have you looked in the mirror recently?”

“Of course I have. I look in it every morning when I brush my teeth.”

Gently nudging Shannon toward the bathroom, she said, “Go take a look at your cheek.”

“What about my cheek?”

“The scar is almost gone. I can’t believe it healed so well without surgery, but it looks like you were right.”