If only she could believe him. But she didn’t. Uncertainty kept her from stepping forward. “Maybe not on purpose.”
“Eight people are required to catch you. The chaperones, then guides will fill in.”
Rob’s casual tone made this sound like no big deal. Maybe to him, but not to her. What he asked was huge.
Teens and adults stared at Jenna like she was performing center stage at worship service. That was the last place anyone would find her. But backing down would have repercussions. Teens might say no when their turn came, and she didn’t want that to happen. She was, in a word, stuck.
Her stomach sunk to her feet. Splat, how she would hit the ground if someone didn’t catch her.
Jenna recognized the benefit of the Trust Fall. Her hesitation told her she needed to do this even if she didn’t want to.
Slowing her breathing didn’t help calm her nerves. “You’ve done this before, right?”
“Many times.” Rob’s smile didn’t waver. “This is a mental challenge, not a physical one. Walk by faith.”
Jenna understood. She’d been living that way since she stumbled into Pastor Dan’s church that rainy afternoon. She trusted her group, aka the detention crew, to catch her more than Ash and Amber. Not that either would let something happen to Jenna on purpose, but subconsciously . . .
Guilt coated her dry mouth. She shouldn’t think that.
“Do it, do it,” the teens chanted.
She looked at Sam. He winked, then grinned. Some friend he was.
“I’ll be there to catch you.” Sam’s tongue was bright orange from eating a Popsicle. “No worries.”
Easy for him to say. Her heart pounded like a timpani while her pulse resembled a snare roll.
Ash walked toward her, his steps purposeful. “You can do this.”
A lump formed in her throat. “Not sure I can.”
He stopped next to her, placed his mouth by her ear. His warm breath blew against her skin, soft like a caress. If she turned her face to the right, his mouth would be nearly touching her lips.
Bad idea.
“I won’t let you fall,” he whispered. “I promise.”
Oh, how she wanted to believe him. She’d believed him before, only to be dropped by him in the worst possible way. In public, for all to witness. She’d survived that. She didn’t know if she could survive again.
Jenna trembled, but she had to keep the youth group kids in mind. She’d worked with the teens and Sam for over a year. The program grew from the kids’ word of mouth. She couldn’t allow her fear to jeopardize Sam’s hard work.
Ash’s gaze remained on her, a connection she wasn’t sure how to define. “Climb up there.”
Praying for courage, she made her way to the four-foot-high platform and climbed the ladder. Her legs trembled with each rung. The kids applauded. On top, she gave a bow, but her insides twisted like curling ribbon on a gift.
Logically the chances of being dropped were slim. The course elements they’d finished had been more challenging, yet doing the Trust Fall was taking every ounce of strength and courage she could muster.
Ash took his place, crossed his arms with Sam’s. Toby did the same across from Amber. Pairs of guides stood on either side of the four.
Rob hopped onto the platform. “See how they’ve made a canopy to catch you.”
She nodded. Her voice would sound too shaky if she spoke.
“Turn around,” Rob said.
Her gaze lingered on Ash, then she turned.
Rob gave her an I-know-you-can-do-this smile. “Now fall backwards.”
Jenna tried to relax her tense muscles. She shook her hands, as if that would make any difference about being caught. And then she realized she had no reason to worry or be afraid.
Knowing who had their arms crossed waiting for her to fall didn’t matter. She had nothing to fear. She trusted He would be there to catch her the way He had been so far.
She closed her eyes, leaned back, and fell into the air.
Later that afternoon, Ash sat in a booth at a café in downtown Sweetwater. Empty plates once full of appetizers covered the table. He and Jenna sat on a bench seat opposite Toby and Amber. Sam had a date so he’d headed home, even though he, too, had been starving after the ropes course.
Toby set his glass of iced tea on the table. “I’m never going to forget the look on Amber’s face when she realized she had to catch Jenna. Pure panic.”
“Well, I honestly didn’t think you’d do it.” Amber studied her fingernails. “I was sure you’d back out at the last minute.”
“That’s okay. I had doubts myself.” Jenna’s eyes shone brightly. “But I’m glad I went through with it.”
The Trust Fall had been a struggle for her, but Ash couldn’t have been prouder of Jenna. He picked up his huckleberry lemonade, the café’s specialty. The condensation from the glass felt good against his palm after a hot day outside, working and playing.
“Not as glad as Rob.” Ash laughed. “The guy was sweating bullets until you got on that platform.”