Page 26 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

Miley refused to be ignored, stepping beside him and shoving her hands on her hips. “I want to meet her.”

He widened his eyes. “You will. At Pete and Emma’s wedding.” Not a day sooner. Becky was nice. She didn’t need to deal with Miley’s inappropriate behavior.

“When I meet her, I’ll know she’s a real person.”

He drew in a breath and focused on coffee, shutting Miley out, something he should have done years ago. Miley’s snide remark didn’t deserve an answer. It was Pete’s words from Monday night that lingered in his mind. According to Pete, the honeymoon phase of Matt and Miley’s marriage had worn thin. Miley was trouble that Sam didn’t want or need.

* * *

On a chilly first day of February, Becky’s morning class finished and she shut down her laptop. Two hours disappeared fast when the teacher was entertaining and engaged their students in fruitful discussions. Her brain was full from taking notes and planning how to tackle her Old Testament history essay.

She placed her laptop in her oversized purse, ready for a relaxing one-hour lunch break. She’d arranged to meet Cindy in the cafeteria rather than trekking back to the dorm.

Becky stood and rolled her shoulders, feeling the kinks from slouching and sitting for too long. Maybe she should stop being lazy and drag herself to the gym on campus. Some core stretches might fix her posture.

Back in Sydney, she’d considered going to the gym a chore. The best part was catching up with friends in a coffee shop afterwards. She preferred her long and cold early morning walks to working out in the gym.

Corey, a guy she recognized from church, waved from across the room.

“Hey, Becky.” He moved to her side. “How’s things?”

“Busy.” She shrugged on her coat, slung her purse over her shoulder, and walked with Corey to the door. “I’m trying to get ahead on my assignments before the passion play kicks off.”

“Opening night is soon.”

She nodded. “Only a few weeks away.”

“It’s an experience. The core group of volunteers work hard to pull it together. I volunteered last year. Highly recommend it. It’s good for your resume, too.”

She lengthened her strides in the hall, trying to ignore her hunger pangs. “My resume isn’t a high priority.”

He kept pace beside her. “Aren’t you looking for ministry work?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” That was the truth. When she returned to Australia in a few months, she’d pray and see what opportunities arose.

“Which king have you chosen for your essay?”

“David.” They’d spent the morning studying 1 Kings, which confirmed her decision to write about David. She’d research the warrior king angle and focus on David’s relationship with God.

“I’m going to write about Solomon and his wisdom.”

“Okay.” She exited the building and walked along the path toward the cafeteria. Corey stuck to her side like industrial-strength glue. Why? It was weird. Sometimes they’d chat for a few minutes when they ran into each other in classes and at church. This felt different.

“I have an idea,” Corey said. “Why don’t we work on King Solomon essays together?”

“Huh.” She paused and shuffled to the edge of the wide walkway. Groups of people passed by. “Why would I do that?”

“Solomon will be easier than David. I can help you get a better grade.”

She met his earnest gaze. “My grades are fine.” She wasn’t chasing high marks. Her goal was to learn more about the Bible and grow in her walk with Jesus. The essay question may be a better fit for Solomon. Whatever. She’d made up her mind.

He held her gaze. “It would be a better use of our time if we worked together. More efficient.”

She broke eye contact, stepped off the path, and held her purse in both hands. Laptops were lighter now than when she was younger but were still heavy to lug around. “I’m good, Corey. Really.” She wanted lunch more than she wanted to continue this conversation.

“King David will be a lot of work.”

“I’m up for the challenge.” She’d scheduled time to complete the assignment. Essay writing was one of her strengths.

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