Book 1-Annie Adams and the Mystery Club Detectives

Annie Adams and the Mystery Club Detectives

                                                                                   Chapter 13

                                                                            Believing is Seeing

    ( Readers, have of this chapter was lost somehow.  But I'm rectifying my or someone else mistake now.  I'm sorry that this incomplete portion made no sense.  It will now....hopefully.  Also, I apologize for the terrible punctuation you've had to put up with in some of this story.  I only discovered lately that when I typed a word wrong or replaced punctuation, I had to save it all the time.  But I have done that as of late.  Again, thank you for reading and your patience.)

     Collin and Zack did indeed triumph over Daphne and Patti.  Daphne was so upset by the loss that she threw her racket in her anger and it broke in two when it hit a large oak tree.  As was the custom of good sportsmanship, Collin and Zack offered to shake hands with both girls after the match.  Patti shook hands, although with a sour look on her face, but Daphne stalked off without the handshake, leaving the busted racket on the ground.

     Sheriff Cooper had stayed to watch the match and left right after, saying he would keep in touch.  Zack replayed the match to the group as they strolled over to the volley ball courts and the matches there.  Katie, Beth, and Trisha were part of the girls' team on one side and Collin, Zack and Jamie were on the other with their Ridgewest buddies.  That left only Charlie and Annie sitting on the blanket watching their friends trying to score points for their side.

     The two of them had just watched Jamie bat the ball so hard that it sailed out of bounds.  Annie and Charlie laughed along with everyone else.  Then Charlie turned a serious face to Annie and said, "You know Collin's crazy about you, right?"  He then turned back to the game, feeling embarrassed.  "Yeah, I guess."  Annie said, turning red.

     Then she shyly admitted, "I like him too."  Charlie smiled.  "He's a good guy."  Annie quickly decided to change the subject.  She wasn't prepared to talk about her feelings for Collin.  So she asked, "How's your Bible reading coming?"  Charlie looked over at her with a big smile on her face.  "It's good.  I read the Gospels and all the way to James."

     "I'm going to read Revelation and then begin again with Genesis."  He saw the wondering look on Annie's face.  She had given him a New Testament to read. He smiled and said, "A guy loaned me his Bible.  He has two.  The one he gave me  is a paraphrase that is easier to understand."  "That's great!"  Annie said beaming at him.

     "I'm glad I met you Annie.  If it weren't for you I wouldn't have met Jesus.  He's really changed my life.  I have peace now; no more guilt," Charlie told her, his face glowing.  "I'm so glad Charlie,"  Annie said, her eyes filling with happy tears.  Charlie hugged her as Annie said, "I'm so grateful you're my friend Charlie."  Then he gently pulled away and gave her a warm smile.

     Then he gulped and asked nervously, "Um, can I asked you something?  It's not a spiritual question."  Annie figured that.  She didn't think he would be so shy if that were the case.  "Sure," she said, beaming at him.  "Well, um, er,....he stuttered.  It's about Katie."  Annie had to stifle a smile.  "What about her?"  Annie asked casually.

     Suddenly, Charlie became very interested in his shoes.  Annie peeped up at him under his bangs, while thinking that she was going to make this easier for him.  "Katie likes you too Charlie."  He jerked his head up and stared at her, his gray eyes wide.  "She does?"  he said in wonder, a grin spreading across his face.  A smiling Annie nodded at him.