crossing the church parking lot, her head down and her steps determined.
Adrie’s stomach twisted, and she sank lower in the seat. Oh, Lord, I am about to get an earful, and I probably deserve it.
Nana pulled open the car door, slid into the driver’s seat and took the keys from her purse. Rather than starting the car, she dropped her hand to her lap and turned to Adrie. “Honey, you know I love you, but I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“What do you mean?”
Nana tipped her head, not fooled by Adrie’s questions. “It’s obvious you weren’t happy about Geoff inviting Ross to play with the worship team.”
“Geoff doesn’t even know Ross. If I hadn’t said something, he would’ve let him skip the whole tryout process. That’s not right.”
“Maybe not, but it’s your attitude that concerns me.”
“My attitude?”
“Yes. Don’t you see? If Ross can use his musical talents here at church, it might help him get connected and grow spiritually.”
“But what about all the other people who’d love to play with us on Sunday mornings? Is it fair to bring someone on the team who is so new to the church?”
Nana’s expression softened. “Is that really what’s bothering you?”
Adrie shrugged, feeling more miserable by the minute. Where were all these conflicting feelings about Ross coming from? “I just don’t understand why everyone is treating him like he’s been our friend for years.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Well, it’s not true. We’ve only known him for a couple weeks.”
“But he has an engaging personality and a wonderful way with people. And that makes you feel like you’ve known him much longer.”
“See, that’s what I mean. You love him. Everyone loves him.”
“And that’s a problem for you because…?”
She drummed her fingers on the passenger door. Why did it bother her so much? What was really behind all this?
“Honestly, Adrie, you should be welcoming Ross with open arms. He’s doing a wonderful job taking over as manager. He spent a good deal of his free time getting that new inventory system up and running, something that would’ve been impossible for me. He’s not too proud to sweep the sidewalk or climb up ladders to change lightbulbs. I appreciate that, and you should, too.”
Adrie laid her head back and sighed. “I suppose you’re right. But I just can’t shake these doubts I have about him.”
Her grandma pursed her lips and leveled her gaze at Adrie. “I wonder if this has more to do with you feeling replaced by Ross than with him fitting in so well.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Could that be true? Was she feeling threatened by the way he’d swept in and taken over so many areas of her life?
“Perhaps you’re even a little jealous of him?”
“Jealous?” She shook her head, but the statement pierced her heart.
“Well, every time I praise him for doing well at the bookstore, you roll your eyes. And look what just happened with Geoff.”
Was jealousy at the root of her struggle?
“Adrie, honey, listen to me. I believe God sent Ross to us. His personality and talents are a gift. Soon he’ll be ready to take over the store for me, and you’ll be free to go pursue your music. Isn’t that what you want?”
The question hung in the air as Adrie rubbed her forehead. Was her grandmother right? Had she been looking at Ross as a competitor rather than a blessing?
Another thought struck, chilling her heart and peeling away another layer of her defenses.
Would anyone care if she left?
Closing her eyes, she blew out a deep breath. That was it—the truth of this torment. She was afraid Ross would replace her and no one would care when she finally left Fairhaven.
Adrie slid into a booth at Dos Padres across from her friend Rachel Clark. “So how are the wedding plans coming?”
“Pretty well. Only twelve days to go. I’m just making the final calls to confirm things with people and finishing up a few details
Adrie’s stomach twisted, and she sank lower in the seat. Oh, Lord, I am about to get an earful, and I probably deserve it.
Nana pulled open the car door, slid into the driver’s seat and took the keys from her purse. Rather than starting the car, she dropped her hand to her lap and turned to Adrie. “Honey, you know I love you, but I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“What do you mean?”
Nana tipped her head, not fooled by Adrie’s questions. “It’s obvious you weren’t happy about Geoff inviting Ross to play with the worship team.”
“Geoff doesn’t even know Ross. If I hadn’t said something, he would’ve let him skip the whole tryout process. That’s not right.”
“Maybe not, but it’s your attitude that concerns me.”
“My attitude?”
“Yes. Don’t you see? If Ross can use his musical talents here at church, it might help him get connected and grow spiritually.”
“But what about all the other people who’d love to play with us on Sunday mornings? Is it fair to bring someone on the team who is so new to the church?”
Nana’s expression softened. “Is that really what’s bothering you?”
Adrie shrugged, feeling more miserable by the minute. Where were all these conflicting feelings about Ross coming from? “I just don’t understand why everyone is treating him like he’s been our friend for years.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Well, it’s not true. We’ve only known him for a couple weeks.”
“But he has an engaging personality and a wonderful way with people. And that makes you feel like you’ve known him much longer.”
“See, that’s what I mean. You love him. Everyone loves him.”
“And that’s a problem for you because…?”
She drummed her fingers on the passenger door. Why did it bother her so much? What was really behind all this?
“Honestly, Adrie, you should be welcoming Ross with open arms. He’s doing a wonderful job taking over as manager. He spent a good deal of his free time getting that new inventory system up and running, something that would’ve been impossible for me. He’s not too proud to sweep the sidewalk or climb up ladders to change lightbulbs. I appreciate that, and you should, too.”
Adrie laid her head back and sighed. “I suppose you’re right. But I just can’t shake these doubts I have about him.”
Her grandma pursed her lips and leveled her gaze at Adrie. “I wonder if this has more to do with you feeling replaced by Ross than with him fitting in so well.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Could that be true? Was she feeling threatened by the way he’d swept in and taken over so many areas of her life?
“Perhaps you’re even a little jealous of him?”
“Jealous?” She shook her head, but the statement pierced her heart.
“Well, every time I praise him for doing well at the bookstore, you roll your eyes. And look what just happened with Geoff.”
Was jealousy at the root of her struggle?
“Adrie, honey, listen to me. I believe God sent Ross to us. His personality and talents are a gift. Soon he’ll be ready to take over the store for me, and you’ll be free to go pursue your music. Isn’t that what you want?”
The question hung in the air as Adrie rubbed her forehead. Was her grandmother right? Had she been looking at Ross as a competitor rather than a blessing?
Another thought struck, chilling her heart and peeling away another layer of her defenses.
Would anyone care if she left?
Closing her eyes, she blew out a deep breath. That was it—the truth of this torment. She was afraid Ross would replace her and no one would care when she finally left Fairhaven.
Adrie slid into a booth at Dos Padres across from her friend Rachel Clark. “So how are the wedding plans coming?”
“Pretty well. Only twelve days to go. I’m just making the final calls to confirm things with people and finishing up a few details
Similar Books
