Other kids agreed.
“True, but you have teachers and coaches. One day you’ll have a boss, unless you start your own company or win the lottery. Trust me, they’ll tell you what they want you to do. You might get married and have a spouse who wants things done a certain way.”
Several boys groaned.
Ash bit back his smile. He remembered the marriage preparation class he and Jenna had been required to take at church. The ropes course would be good for a couple to do together before planning their big wedding day and setting up their gift registry.
Rob stood, brushed his hands against each other. “Pick a new leader for the next element and show me what you’ve learned.”
Ash took the rear to keep stragglers from falling behind.
“Come on.” Jenna’s voice carried from the lower ropes course, where she and her group worked with their guide. Lack of elevation didn’t make a task easier. She clapped, the sound carrying on the warm air. “You’ve got this.”
Her enthusiasm and cheerleader attitude didn’t surprise Ash. But her chaperoning the more difficult group did. None of her teens acted like they wanted to be here.
Two boys dressed in black, with bangs hanging over their faces and shoulders hunched like they’d escaped from a nineties MTV show, had been looking for a place to hide since stepping off the bus. One girl’s eyes gleamed as if she might burst into tears with a wrong word or glance. Another girl complained about the lack of a cellular phone signal.
Had Jenna purposely chosen the more difficult path today? Ash didn’t know, but she hadn’t been that way before.
She clapped again. Whistled. “I know you can do it.”
On the ground, the noise level rose. The guide shouted directions. Jenna offered encouraging words.
Rob stopped to watch. “I don’t believe it.”
The I’d-rather-be-anywhere-but-here teens were killing the most difficult task on the course. Succeeding where the other groups had failed. At the end, the group of misfits and addicted texters high-fived, hugged, and shouted woot woots.
Rob pointed toward Jenna’s group. “That’s teamwork in action. The most efficient groups don’t always have the strongest individuals, but everyone working together and doing their part makes up for skills they lack.”
Jenna also knew how to encourage people to move beyond themselves and their comfort levels. When they were dating, she’d encouraged Ash to offer pro bono legal services through a community group. As soon as they broke up, he’d stopped. Lack of time due to his new job and too many memories of her, even though he’d found the volunteering fulfilling. Maybe he should start again.
Rob led the group to the next element. He grabbed hold of a safety tether. “This final challenge is called On The Edge. Working together and pushing yourself is key to completing the task. Who’s ready?”
Everyone, including Ash, raised hands. As soon as they took a break, he wanted to ask Rob to do a trust-building exercise with Jenna. One that might help Ash’s cause.
He liked the changes in her. The Jenna he’d known went along with whatever he’d said. The new Jenna was stronger, more confident, and not afraid to put herself out there or say what was on her mind.
Friends helped each other. He was going to do whatever he could for her.
During a break from the ropes course, Jenna stood leaning against a tree trunk. The teens lounged on the grass and ate Popsicles. She glanced at Rob, the guide who’d worked with Ash’s group. “You want me to do what?”
“The Trust Fall. You climb up on the platform and fall backwards.” He motioned to the adults. “They’ll catch you.”
Sam would catch her. She had no doubt about him. Toby and the guides too. But Amber would be worried about breaking a fingernail. And Ash . . .
No way.
Jenna forced a lighthearted smile. That was better than a save-me-now-Jesus gasp she held back. She knew He was with her, but she didn’t feel up to this. “Let someone else have a go. I’ll catch them.”
“You were picked.” Rob’s gaze narrowed. “Tell me what’s holding you back.”
They would be here all day. “I’ve never done something like this.”
That much was true, as were her reservations about Ash and Amber.
“The kids will be doing the exercise next.” Rob lowered his voice. “Seeing you do this will help them overcome any fears or doubts they might have.”
Why me? Why now? Jenna wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.
“You haven’t backed down from any challenge.” Toby sat five feet away. Amber was at his side. The two had only been apart when they were with their respective groups.
“Come on. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Amber asked.
Could everyone hear this discussion?
Ash gave Jenna an encouraging smile. “We’re not going to drop you.”