Read Online Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts - Free Book Online Page B

this
Christmas season. He especially liked singing with Kazlyn. Her voice was as
sweet as the rest of her. After the service she introduced him to Pastor John,
a tall, middle-aged man.
    “Pastor
John was there for me after my dad died,” Kazlyn explained without preamble.
    The
pastor patted her arm. “This angel is an easy one to be there for.”
    “She
is definitely an angel,” Ty agreed.
    The
pastor sized him up. “I see the light in your eyes, Son. Promise me you’ll
treat Kazlyn the way the Lord would want you to.”
    Ty
reached out and solemnly shook the older man’s hand. “I promise.”
    Pastor
John smiled. “I see good things for you two.”
    Ty
hoped the preacher was right, but he knew how driven Kazlyn was. Even if they
did become a couple, he was leaving for Europe and she would want to finish her
schooling here. Would she want a long-distance relationship? As much as he
craved being with her, could he handle years apart? It was too early to even be
wondering, but he couldn’t help himself.
    They
said their goodbyes, headed toward the huge wooden doors, and exited into the
brisk mountain air.
    “Hey,
April,” Kazlyn said to a pretty blonde hurrying toward the church. “How are
you?”
    The
girl’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Okay. You?”
    “Wonderful.”
Kazlyn smiled up at Ty and his heart thumped faster.
    “Are
you home for a bit?” April asked.
    “Two
weeks.”
    “Me,
too. Can we chat later? I need to talk to Pastor John quick.”
    “Sure.”
Kazlyn gave the girl a quick hug and they walked away without her introducing
Ty. “I hope everything’s okay.” Kazlyn stared after her friend. She finally
glanced up at Ty. “At least she’s meeting with Pastor John. He always helped
all of us when we were upset.”
    Ty
smiled, grateful she’d had a spiritual leader like that in her life.
    Throughout
the drive home and a dinner of delicious roast beef, potatoes, corn, and
homemade rolls, Ty continued to get drilled with questions from Porter and
Rebecca. Luke kept pretty quiet, seeming to appraise every response and
inflection of Ty’s voice.
    “How
old were you when your dad died?” Porter asked quietly after Ty had shared a
bit about his family.
    “Eight.”
Ty set his napkin on his plate.
    Rebecca
inhaled sharply. “Young.”
    “Yeah.”
He nodded.
    Luke’s
utensils clanked against his plate as he set them down and stared at Ty.
    “Is
that why you said you grew up quick?” Kazlyn asked.
    Ty
turned in his seat toward her. “Yeah.”
    “Did
you have to provide for your family?”
    He
shook his head. The gravy and rolls that had smelled so enticing now turned his
stomach. He needed to explain to Kazlyn. “My dad had a good job and my mom is a
school teacher, but we couldn’t get on top of the medical bills after dad died and
my mom would never accept governmental help or family handouts. We had to move
to a small apartment in downtown Huntsville. My uncle owned a grocery store. He
had me stock shelves and run errands for him. Between that and basketball
practice, things were busy, but we were able to pay off the medical bills the
year before I started college.”
    Everyone
stared at him.
    Kazlyn
reached over and took his hand. “You’re an impressive man, you know that?”
    He
smiled.
    Rebecca
nodded. “Have you always had to work?”
    “Until
I got the scholarship to USU and couldn’t fit it in. I saved most of my money
the last year of high school, so at least I’m able to eat now.”
    Luke
appraised him. “USU doesn’t cover everything?”
    “They
do. I just like to have extra money to help my sisters. When they need a prom
dress or want to go to a volleyball camp or something like that…” He shifted,
embarrassed to be telling all of them about his financial situation.
    “That’s
really sweet of you,” Kazlyn gazed up at him with such admiration in her eyes.
He wished he could kiss her.
    “Will
your mom approve of you dating a white girl?” Luke interrupted and