Trusting Him Read Online Free PDF Page A

P.D. and with your parole officer. You need to keep them all in the loop in case he does contact you. No reason to let them believe the wrong thing."
    "Sure. Sounds good."
    "It'll all work out." Noah's parting words as Michael walked to the door.
    Michael turned, sharing a long look with his brother. Did Noah really think that it would all work out? Michael wasn't as sure. He definitely knew that it wouldn't be as easy as saying the words.
    "I know it will. I'll be in touch."

    * * *
    "Why do we need to plant flowers?" Chance, always the most questioning of Maggie's teens, glanced over his shoulder to make eye contact with her. "I mean, really, Mrs. Ahrens never even comes outside. And I could be doing something else."
    It was Saturday, which was why Maggie had only managed to lasso one kid for the project. She had thought it was such a good idea to plant flowers for an elderly neighbor.
    "She looks out her windows, Chance. It would be nice if she had something to look at." Maggie glanced up and saw the curtain on the front window of the house move. "She's watching right now."
    Chance looked up and waved. He flashed a brilliant smile, knowing his own charm. If he didn't learn to control that, she'd have serious problems with him and the girls in the group. It was definitely time for another abstinence class.
    "So, when is the druggie going to start being a part of the group?"
    Maggie sat back on her heels and pulled off her gardening gloves. "Druggie?"
    She couldn't have heard him right.
    "Yeah, the ex-con dealer."
    "Chance, you're going to have to lose your attitude. I'm not sure why you're here if everything we do is so absurd to you."
    He shrugged. "I come for the food?"
    "I don't think so."
    "Sorry."
    "He isn't a 'druggie.' He's a guy who made a mistake."
    "Call it what you want." Chance dug another small hole and carefully tipped a flower from the plastic cup that held it. "You know, I really do like planting flowers."
    "I won't tell."
    Maggie's attention was caught by the red sports car that pulled into the driveway. Michael. She sighed, knowing this wouldn't be easy. Chance and Michael. Oil and water?
    "Speak of the— "
    She raised a hand to cut the words before Chance could say them. "Don't even say it."
    Chance laughed as he patted dirt around the flower and then picked up the water can to give it a good start. Maggie watched for a second and then she stood to greet their visitor.
    "Michael."
    "Pastor Banks said I would find you here." He glanced in Chance's direction, offering the teen a smile that Chance wasn't keen on accepting. "I was looking for materials on the adult Bible study."
    "Oh, I have an extra copy. Or you can get one from Don. He leads the group."
    "Good. I tried the bookstores, but they're sold out."
    And for this he needed to hunt her down? Maggie wasn't buying it.
    "Michael, this is Chance. He's one of our kids." She hoped her smile would be contagious and Chance would give a little.
    He did. He stood and held out a slightly dirty hand for Michael to shake. Michael took it in a hearty grip. So, he wasn't afraid of dirt.
    "Nice to meet you, Chance."
    "Same to you, man." Chance stood a few inches shorter than Michael. His body was gangly, like most teens, and his blond hair needed to be cut. Or at least that was Maggie's unasked-for opinion.
    "Do you need help with the flowers?" Michael's attention turned to focus on the box of plants still waiting.
    "No, we're fine, and you aren't really dressed for this."
    "I don't mind getting dirty."
    Chance laughed, but Maggie ignored him. "No need. Really. We're good."
    He stood in front of her for several long seconds before he finally nodded. "I understand. Well, I have somewhere I have to be, anyway."
    "See you Sunday at church?"
    He nodded and walked away. Maggie felt like an idiot. He wanted to help. She could have let him. Instead he backed out of the drive and she let him go.

    * * *
    It didn't bother him. Michael told himself that as he drove away from