Page 12 of Rekindled

“I know those types of guys, Dad. I learned that lesson all-to-well from my time with Spencer Conrad. He was the biggest user of all.”

Her father shook his head. “It was rotten what he did to you, Molly, but he was young. He’s changed over the years, for the better I might add. We work together at the Boys and Girls Club. He shows up every week and helps tutor the kids there.”

Molly couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her father was defending the man who ruined her life and drove her from Bayfield. “Did you ever think he’s just really good at putting on a façade? After all, that’s what he did with me. He was great at pretending to get what he wants.”

“And what exactly does he get from volunteering to help those kids?”

“I’m sure the press loves it, not to mention it makes great conversation fodder for all the women he entertains. Add in the fact it looks great on his résumé, and it’s obvious why he does it.”

“I’ve never heard him brag about it. We go to church with him too. I also want to point out, he doesn’t go around town with women either. I’m telling you, Molly, Spencer Conrad is a different man from the boy who hurt you.”

Molly didn’t know what to think. Her father had wanted to throttle Spencer when he hurt Molly a decade ago. The fact that he was defending him now made her think there had to be some validity to what he was telling her. How did she reconcile that with what her job required her to do? Simple; if he was guilty of violating his duties as a public defender, it was her job to expose it. Over all of her years of digging for the truth, one thing became clear. Everyone had secrets; the key was too find out what they were and decide if it was worth reporting.

* * *

Spencer thoughtabout how he was going to find a date by tomorrow night. He didn’t like the idea of cold-calling someone to ask them to go out with him, especially under the circumstances. He didn’t want to give an unsuspecting woman the wrong impression.

Not that he had a chance with Molly since she had a boyfriend, but he at least wanted to show her he’d changed in hopes of building a friendship.

It had been hard not having her in his life. They had become close the few short months they spent together, and he had learned to rely on her as a sounding board. She had been the first person to see him as more than just a jock. She helped him to make the choice to do something else with his life, rather than just blindingly follow the plan everyone else had for him. The least he could do was take her out to dinner after all she did for him when they were young.

If calling a random woman up was out of the question, what other options did he have? Work was definitely out of the question. He never mixed business with pleasure; he saw too many colleagues get into huge trouble over it. He did have Bible study tonight. Was there anyone there he could ask to go with him?

Sarah Martin came to mind. She had grown up with them in Bayfield, but she hadn’t run in the popular crowd. She had been in band and had gone to church, so Molly would probably be comfortable around Sarah. The other good thing about Sarah was that they had worked on a couple of projects together at the church. They built sets together for the Christmas play, helped hand out candy at the annual trunk-or-treat event, and regularly passed out the communion elements together. The best part was that she wasn’t interested in dating anyone, because she was leaving to volunteer overseas in a month.

As he arrived at the church, he went over what he was going to say to Sarah. It was important he explain the situation to her so she would be discreet.

Several Bible study members greeted Spencer as he entered the church. He looked around, but couldn’t find Sarah anywhere. Was she not coming tonight? If she wasn’t, what would he do? He started running through the list of the other women in the group. None of them would do. Two had outright flirted with him, and the other had a boyfriend.

Silently, Spencer sent up a prayer, asking God to help him figure out what to do. If he couldn’t find a date, he would end up having to cancel, and that would just prove to Molly he hadn’t changed. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

He sat down in one of the seats behind a table and waited for everyone else to do the same. A few minutes later, the small group leader, Josh Benson, took his seat at the front of the group.

He was a short man with brown hair and eyes, and most people would move right over him in a crowd. A few years back, Spencer wouldn’t have been any different.

The funny thing was, Josh was one of the nicest guys Spencer had ever met. Once he gave Josh a chance, they became fast friends. It was funny how life worked out sometimes. The people Spencer least expected to get along with became some of the most important.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m glad to see most of our regular members were able to make it tonight. We’re missing a couple of people though, so let’s pray they are all okay, as well as for tonight’s study,” Josh stated with a smile. “Dear Lord, thank You for this day. We ask that You protect our brother, Paul, and sister, Sarah, since they can’t be with us tonight. If anything is wrong with them, I pray that You help them and keep them safe. We also ask that You bless our study tonight. Open our hearts and ears to hear what You have to say to us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

Josh bent over and pulled out his Bible, along with a notepad, from his backpack. He placed the items on the table as he said, “Last week, we were talking about Moses’ time in the desert before he came back and freed the Israelites. We discussed how the time apart from his people changed him and prepared him for when he went back. He was better equipped to listen to God and stand up for what was right in a Godly way.” Gesturing towards another member of the group, Josh directed, “Why don’t you read the next set of Scriptures for us, Jonathan.”

Just as Jonathan finished reading the scripture, the door opened to the room and Sarah rushed in.

“Sorry, I’m late,” she said with a sheepish look. “I got a flat tire and had to call a tow truck to help me out. It was a fiasco, but I made it.”

“We’re just glad you’re okay, and that you were able to get here,” Josh said with a friendly smile. “Go ahead and take a seat.”

Sarah slid into a seat next to Spencer, giving him a smile as she pulled out her Bible.

Spencer leaned over and whispered, “I need to speak with you after Bible study.”

She nodded her head. “Okay,” she whispered back.

After the Bible study ended, Spencer and Sarah stepped off to the side.

“So, what’s up?” Sarah asked, pushing her auburn hair behind her ear.

“I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

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