Yesterday's Stardust (48 page)

Nicky nodded.

“He gives you the credit for helping him figure out how God has gifted him.” Todd looked at Dani. “The kid just needed a Nicky in his life.”

“I know the feeling.” She leaned against Nicky’s chest and sighed as his arms wrapped around her. “So did I.”

“Not everybody agrees.” Nicky nodded toward a cluster of kids across the street. Cigarette smoke drifted over their heads. Occasional four-letter words cut the air. Yamile, Leah, and C.J. were just a few of the faces Dani recognized.

Todd, Street Level’s community liaison, waved to the group. “We’re watching them. Consider them potential clients.”

Come on over, C.J., I bought Oreos just for you. Someday, maybe.

Todd clapped Nicky on the back. “Gotta go back to schmoozing the money people.”

He walked away, and Nicky leaned close to Dani’s ear. “Come with me.” He took her hand and led her through the garage door. The space once occupied by the Model T, now on display at the public museum, was filled with aisles displaying artwork. Across the room, Rena picked up her guitar, adjusted her mic, and began to sing. Dani’s throat tightened as they walked through the workroom everyone referred to as “Francie’s Room.” On the wall next to the storm picture were framed pages of the
Kenosha Times
—freelanced stories of kids at risk and the tale of a young girl’s diary—with Dani’s byline. Nicky led her up the now-lit stairway.

So many unanswered questions still lingered in the old building. Pondering why Francie had never returned for the diamonds had become a favorite date-night activity.

The upstairs was empty. Sawdust and two-by-fours littered the floor. Still, it took her breath away. Like Nicky, she heard the tinkle of glasses and the soft strains of a Frank Sinatra song every time she walked in.

Nicky cleared his throat and took her hands in his. “That dress, the one Francie made…”

“Right there.” She pointed to a corner. “It’s cleaned and ready. It’ll look perfect right there.”

“Yeah. It will. But I was wondering. With a little work…would it fit you?”

Dani swallowed so hard it was audible. “Yes.”

“Good.” He let go of her hands and framed her face with his. His lips skimmed hers. “Because I’ve seen the way you stare at it, and I keep thinking how amazing it would look on you, and I was also thinking that maybe the first reception I book at the Stardust…should be ours.”

B
ECKY
M
ELBY
has been married to Bill, her high school sweetheart, for forty years. They have four married sons and eleven grandchildren. Becky has co-authored nine books for Heartsong Presents and is working on her third novella for Barbour Publishing.
Yesterday’s Stardust
is the second of three stories in The Lost Sanctuary series. Becky’s favorite pastimes are spoiling grandkids and taking trips with Bill in their RV or on their Honda Gold Wing. To find out more about Becky or her books, or to let her know your thoughts on
Yesterday’s Stardust,
visit
www.beckymelby.com
.

1. Dani could have responded to China’s phone call in many ways other than trying to jump in and rescue. She could have called the police or a suicide hotline or taken someone with her when she went to China’s apartment. Some people shut down in a crisis. How do you think you would have reacted?

2. While Dani jumps in feet first to save China, Nicky has the opposite reaction. What advice would you give people like Nicky, who don’t want to get involved because past hurts have built a wall around their hearts? If you are self-protective because you’ve been wounded in the past, what’s a baby step you can take toward breaking down those walls and learning to trust others—and the Lord?

3. As a young boy, Nicky vowed to become a different man than his father, yet he sees tendencies toward his father’s weaknesses in himself. Are there destructive cycles in your family? How are you trying to be part of breaking the cycle?

4. When Dani’s boss says, “You’ll go far in this business
if
you can separate journalism from social work,” Evan reminds her, “We work for God first.” What situations have you faced where you knew you had to listen to God rather than man?

5. Dani rationalizes going incognito for the sake of a story by saying, “It wasn’t a lie, it was research.” Would you struggle with an ethical dilemma if disguising your identity were part of your job description? In what ways do you hide your “real self” at home, work, or church?

6. Did Francie’s story frustrate you at points? Did you find yourself thinking, “There must be some way she can break free?” In her shoes, what would you have done?

7. We only see glimpses of Evan’s life story—hints of an abusive father and a lifestyle he has left behind by the grace of God. Evan is a stable, encouraging counterpart to Dani’s impulsiveness. How has God used the pain and scars in someone else’s life to teach or strengthen you? How has he used your wounds to comfort others?

8. Francie grew up attending Sunday school and hearing her mother read the Bible, yet the truth of God’s forgiveness as a free gift didn’t “click” until she was at a desperate point in her life. When did you reach that point? If you haven’t yet, do you long, like Francie, to drop to your knees and hear the words “God has set you free. You are safe in His arms”? (No matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, it’s never too late.)

9. We can assume Frank ended up with a substantial sum of money from selling the rings and diamonds. With a “You can’t take it with you” attitude, he chose to give it all away. If you were gifted with a million dollars and told you had to give it all away, who would you bless?

10. The Bible portrays several mentoring relationships—Jesus and his disciples, Paul and Timothy—and encourages us to teach those who are younger and to share each other’s joys and burdens. Do you know of someone who “Needs a Nicky in his life?” Could you be that person?

11. The cry of Dani’s heart is, “I want to make a difference.” What causes or ministries are you passionate about? Is there an area of service God might be calling you to? What would allow you to take part in an organization championing your cause—or help to start one? Money? Faith? More time on your knees? (Challenge: Brainstorm ministry ideas with your family, friends, or study group. Discuss a plan for making a difference in your community or in the world. Share your thoughts with other readers at
www.beckymelby.com
.)

12. It’s fun to dream of the future—even for fictional characters! What do you think the future holds for Nicky and Dani, Evan and Rena, and the kids Street Level hopes to reach?