His Plan: Book 2 in the Crossing Midian Series - A Small-Town Christian Romance

Chapter 13

"Honestly, who does he even think he is?" Lenore seethed as she paced back and forth across the length of Eric's office.

After the monumental argument she'd had with Beau in the youth room, Lenore had waited a few minutes before leaving the room, hoping to avoid having to see the man again on her way upstairs. That hadn't been an issue though, because apparently Beau had left.

Not that she'd looked for him or anything. She simply noticed he wasn't there, that's all.

When the service was over and everyone had gone home, Lenore stayed behind, wanting to talk to her dad about Beau.

Which Lenore had done, in great detail. She'd vented her frustration with Beau and the situation for the last twenty minutes as Eric sat calmly behind his desk, letting her get it all out.

"He stood there Friday night and told them that this was their decision. Their choice. But then when they finally decide on something, he tells them no. And did he give a reason? No!" Lenore's eyes flashed as she reached the wall and whirled around. "Then when I asked him why, he snapped at me! As if I'm the one with the problem. He told me it wasn't my business and to stay out of it."

She crossed the room again before turning back to face Eric.

"Can you believe that?"

"I—"

Lenore cut off whatever Eric was about to say as she went on, "I mean, I thought we were supposed to be a team, but apparently, the Great Beau Anderson doesn't want or need anyone's help. It makes me wonder why you even put him over the youth in the first place, Dad."

Lenore watched as Eric heaved a deep sigh as he scrubbed a hand across his jaw. He pushed himself up from his leather-backed chair and walked over to the window.

Eric looked out, then tilted his head toward the window and said, "Come here. Look out there and tell me what you see."

Curious, Lenore moved closer and looked to where Eric was pointing. Even from this distance, she recognized Beau, still in his church clothes, working in the garden.

"I thought he left," she said.

Eric shook his head. "Did I tell you about the garden?" he asked.

"Beau said it was a youth project from a couple of years ago." Lenore continued to watch as Beau worked, unable to take her eyes off him.

"It was," Eric confirmed. "It was the first one, actually. Beau found out that a family here at the church was struggling financially. They had fallen on hard times, but they hadn't wanted to be a burden on anyone, but they were especially struggling with not having enough to eat. When he found out, Beau immediately came to me."

Lenore tore her eyes away to look at Eric. What was he saying?

"The whole church got together to help meet their needs, but Beau wanted to do more. He wanted to find a long-term solution, and he came up with the idea to have the youth do the community service projects. He chose the first one, and it was the garden. Beau wanted it to be a group effort with the youth, so that they could all pitch in, but anyone who needed fresh vegetables would have access to them."

Lenore hung on every word. Beau hadn't said any of that. When she'd mentioned it, he had made it seem as if it were no big deal. He certainly hadn't said it was his own idea.

"In the past three years," Eric went on, "that garden has helped so many people. Even outside the church." He turned away from the window and leaned back against the wall. "Now, I know Beau has his faults just like everyone else, but I have no doubts whatsoever that he will come around to the camp idea. Knowing him the way I do, I know there's more to this than he probably even wants to admit. But Beau Anderson is a good man, and I would appreciate it if you didn't talk about him like he's not. I won't hear it, Lenore."