Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

their youngest son, seventeen-year-old David, in a tragic car accident, and Everett made it a mission to reach out to them. Although his aim was admirable and compassionate, it was one Karen questioned in the secret parts, and prayed about often.
    Everett had come from such a different world than hers—a tough, nasty, troubled, rebellious world. He was a new Christian, still a little jagged around the edges, and greatly in need of her encouragement, energy, and support.
    How’s he going to react when he hears the news?
    Would he determine Karen’s infertility to be his fault? Some kind of cruel payback for his past sins? He was still prone to guilt at times, and she didn’t know if she had the strength to deal with his reaction.
    The headlights of Everett’s Audi popped over the hill about a half-mile away. The sky was darkening fast.
    Give me strength.
    Karen climbed the slope approaching their home at the top of the plateau and prepared herself for the scene that was about to unfold. Everett would be anxious to talk about the concert. She would let him share first—determined to listen and encourage.
    The sickening news that churned like acid in her stomach would wait until later in the evening. If she could hold out that long.
     
    Before Karen could eke out a greeting, Everett marched into the kitchen, hoisted her into the air, and spun her in a half-dozen circles.
    “Where’ve you been?” He swallowed her up in his muscular arms. “I didn’t see you at the show. I’ve been calling—”
    “The appointment lasted longer than I thought.” She rested her arms across his broad shoulders. “I just came home. I’ve been outside—I didn’t have the phone.”
    He lowered her feet back to the floor, grabbed her hands, and held her at arm’s length. “How did it go?”
    She was thankful he asked. But after the momentum with which he’d sprung into the house, his question was like asking the First Lady about her new dress when the President was about to announce a cure for cancer.
    “I want to know what you’re so fired up about first.” She assured him with a half smile. “Talk to me.”
    “Babe, it was so incredible. Come here.” He led her by the hand into the den, turned on a lamp, and brought her down next to him on the couch. “The crowd was insane. There were nasty signs, people throwing stuff, drugs, mosh pits—”
    “Oh my gosh. What’d you do?”
    “We just got out there and jammed. It was amazing. Honey, there must have been two hundred people who came forward near the end.”
    “Praise God, Ev.”
    “People were screamin’ in their faces, but they just kept coming.” His voice succumbed to the sentiment, and he buried his head against her shoulder. “This is what I’m supposed to be doing,” came his muffled voice. “I just know it. This is why I’m here.”
    Karen held him, stroked the back of his short wavy hair—and waited. Dusk had passed, and the antique lamp cast a warm golden glow over their favorite room. Rosey and Millie moseyed in and curled up on the floor.
    Everett pulled back from her and wiped his face with the back of his hands. “These people are so desperate, hon. I could so relate to them…”
    “You’ve been there.”
    He nodded and laughed. “I was so emotional sharing my story, by the end, they were fighting their way down front, praying.”
    Karen reached her arms around him and latched on tightly, celebrating with him, seeking the comfort she so desperately needed.
    “I know it wasn’t any Billy Graham crusade—”
    “But it was good,” she whispered.
    “Oh, it felt so right, babe. Think about it. We’re gonna see those people in heaven!”
    Karen nodded. With their faces nestled close, they rocked silently in each other’s arms.
    Souls were saved today. Isn’t that all that matters?
    Could it be that God didn’t want them to have children because of what lay ahead? Concerts much of the year? Worldwide travel? Menacing crowds? Danger?