Lone Star Hero. Jolene Navarro

we are so afraid of change, we tune God out.” He gave her one of his lopsided smiles. “I’ve been guilty of that and almost lost my chance with Lorrie Ann.”

      Vickie sighed and looked back over the field at all the male bonding. Jake turned and grinned. Saying a few words, he left the group and started walking toward them.

      “Vickie, God doesn’t guilt you or manipulate you into a relationship with him. People will, but God wants you to be there of your own free will. Everything else will fall into place.”

      She had done her best to manipulate everyone around her because of her own misery. In the end, Pastor John and Lorrie Ann’s love had won the day. Now she needed to grow up and focus on loving her children.

      Pastor John’s voice pulled her back to him. “Jake’s a good man.”

      “Yes, he is, but we both know I’ve never been known for being a good or kind woman.”

      “Vickie, you were made in the image of God. Sometimes all the other voices confuse us and take us off the path God intended. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get back on, sometimes with even a greater understanding of our purpose.”

      Pastor John had always believed in her even when she didn’t deserve it.

      Jake joined them and slapped John on the shoulder. “Good game today, John.” He turned to her. “Vickie, thanks for the cookies.” He pushed his hair back and smiled. “Seth did great today.”

      “Thank you so much for bringing him. I haven’t seen him this excited about anything in a while.”

      “I’ll see y’all later.” Pastor John jogged across the field and talked to the players as they started to leave.

      Seth ran over to her, followed by Ashley, his voice high with excitement. “Mom, can we go to the drugstore? Some of the guys are going to get a soda. They invited me. Can I go?”

      Jake’s knees popped as he sat on his heels next to Ashley. “You want to go? I’ll treat you and your mom to a Coke float.”

      Now her daughter was jumping around. It had been a while since they had gone out. “Mommy, please?”

      Jake stood and gave her his best smile. “How about it?”

      She had promised herself to keep her distance from Jake, but she looked at the kids, their faces glowing. “Okay.”

      Seth whooped and ran back to the small group of teenage boys.

      “I’m so glad to see him making friends.” She was doing this for Seth. “Since moving back, Rachel seemed to be the only friend he had, and I don’t think Pastor John was too happy about it.”

      Jake laughed and tossed the football to Ashley. “I can’t imagine any father being happy about boys hanging around his daughter.”

      * * *

      Jake found himself smiling. He buried the urge to take Vickie’s hand as they walked toward the cars. Seth had taken the ball from his sister and tossed it in the air, talking nonstop. All the while, Ashley walked next to Vickie, teasing her brother. Vickie laughed at one of his replies, and it was all Jake could do to not pull her into his arms. This felt so right.

      He dreamed of having this family when he allowed his dreams to go there.

      Seth bounded into his truck, and they followed Vickie’s Ford to the Main Street Drugstore. He noticed the tires were new.