Saturday morning, Jenna stood in the parking lot outside the Sweetwater Community Church with Sam Carson, the youth pastor in charge of today’s outing. Birds chirped from nearby trees. The sun shone bright. Soon heat would reflect off the asphalt. Only two cars—hers and Sam’s—and the church’s bus were in the parking lot. She’d arrived early to help him prepare.
Placing water bottles into a large ice chest, she yawned, tired from working a wedding last night. A restless sleep hadn’t helped. Thoughts of seeing Ash had kept her awake long after her body wanted rest.
Sam removed the plastic wrap from a case of water bottles. “You’re exhausted. You should have slept in this morning. Go take a nap in my office.”
“You’re as bad as Colton.”
“He asked me to look out for you when he was here on leave.”
“No wonder I feel like I have two brothers.” She stifled another yawn.
Sam gave her a look.
“I’m fine.” She was. Just a little wigged out about seeing Ash this morning.
He’d sent a check, as promised, for the full amount plus interest. She’d expected a portion, half at most, and had been surprised. Stunned, really. Once the check cleared, she would be free from credit card payments and able to repay Colton. Out of debt with money in a savings account. An exciting, new place to be, but that didn’t stop another yawn. A nap on the hour-long bus ride to the ropes course might be in order, if the teens let her sleep.
Sam dumped the water bottles into an ice chest. “You work too hard.”
“Do you want to be the pot or the kettle? The choice is yours.” She didn’t expect him to answer. “It’s going to be hot today.”
“The trees will keep us shaded, but I brought extra sunscreen and grabbed a few more cases of water last night, just in case.”
“We should be good then.”
“Especially with your extra volunteers coming along.” Sam’s grin took ten years off his face. The twenty-six-year-old looked more like a teen than the group’s leader. “Thanks for finding more chaperones. The kids have been looking forward to this outing. I’m relieved we didn’t have to cancel.”
“Me too.” Except the thought of spending the entire day with Ash jangled her nerves. She poured half a bag of crushed ice over the water bottles. “Everything worked out.”
“Easy-peasy, smooth as French silk pie, as Trish would say.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Jenna’s mouth. “I can hear her say those words. And Pastor Dan laugh.”
“Yep. Only I’m not kidding.” Sam closed the lid on the ice chest as if accentuating his point. “Your three volunteers showed up at my office the day after you texted me and filled out the background check form. That’s usually the stumbling block to getting help.”
“I knew we needed more adults.”
Sam carried the ice chest he’d filled to the bus. “So what’s it like having your ex-fiancé back in your life?”
Her past wasn’t a secret. Pastor Dan had asked her to give a testimonial after joining the church. Sam was one of her closer friends, so he knew a few extra details. “I wouldn’t say Ash is back. I’ve only seen him the day he apologized.”
“Gutsy.”
“Ash realized he was wrong.”
“Takes courage to admit that.”
“Yes. He’s contacted people who took his side and explained what really happened. I’ve booked photography shoots with a couple of them. He’s gone above and beyond to make things up to me.”
“But you wish he hadn’t needed proof.”
She straightened. “I didn’t say that.”
“Still true.”
“Maybe.”
Sam shot her a curious glance. “Thinking about getting back together?”
The water bottle in her hand slipped, crashed into the ice chest. “No.”
“Sure about that?”
“Yes. Definitely.” Though Jenna wished she wouldn’t think about Ash so much. “I’m not the same person who dated him. Working here, attending services, making new friends . . . I don’t want to go backwards to who I was with him.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself.”
“No. It’s the truth.” She wanted to do the right thing and not get hurt again. “I’m photographing his sister’s wedding. That’s all.”
“Nice of you, under the circumstances.”
“An act of forgiveness.” That was how she’d explained her decision to shoot Amber’s wedding to Colton. He wanted Jenna far, far away from Ash. She assured her brother that her heart was immune. Come June twenty-eighth, the day after Amber and Toby’s wedding, she would never see Ash again.
“But I’ll be honest.” Jenna knew Sam would never judge her actions. “Agreeing to photograph the wedding isn’t completely altruistic. I knew the youth group needed volunteers, so I made that part of the deal, and Ash offered to double my normal rate.”
“That’s a win-win-win. If you’re going to have an ex, sounds like Ashton Vance is one to have.”
Jenna half-laughed. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Glad you agree, because he’s here.”