The Lewis Legacy Series Box Set: 4-in-1 Special Edition Page 21

When Lexa gave her a curious stare, Rebekah shrugged with a small, mysterious, smile.

  Chapter 27

  Sam frowned and let out a loud grunt of frustration as he helped one of the men position the heavy hose. They aimed it in the direction of the flames licking at the walls of the first house they’d constructed. “Lord, don’t let all our work here be in vain,” he muttered under his breath. “It can’t all have been for nothing.” He shuddered, remembering the splintering sound he’d heard. It must have been lightning striking one of the houses, igniting the fire.

  “Help us drag that line over to the next house,” one of the firefighters yelled to Josh above the din all around them. Sam watched through narrowed eyes as Josh sprang into action on command, helping some of the other firefighters haul the heavy line a few hundred yards. Even though the rain was relentless as it pelted down on them, rivers of sweat coursed down Josh’s face.

  Sam swiped one arm across his brow as he released the hose. His eyes roamed across the worksite to where Kevin and some of the other TeamWork men worked alongside the firefighters as they hosed down another home. He was proud of his men. They were brave, every one of them, not afraid to jump in and help in any way they could.

  He should have somehow prepared an emergency plan of action for something like this. Rampant wildfire was always a possibility in this region, especially because it had been so dry the last few weeks. This was the first rain since Lexa arrived at the camp. Funny how all his thoughts came back to the petite blonde.

  “Pull it over a few more feet to the left!” the firefighter hollered to Sam. Following the man’s lead, Sam did his best. Even though there were plenty of trained firefighters engaged in the battle, he couldn’t stand idle while the fruits of their labor evaporated in a black cloud of smoke and flame. Even if it meant losing everything, he had to help, had to be a part of it. They needed to do whatever possible to try and save the houses.

  At least one of the houses was already gone, seared down to the foundation, and another one was in serious danger, but it looked like the rest of the houses would survive relatively intact. It would take considerable manpower to start again on the burned houses and finish them before the end of the project in only a couple of weeks. Otherwise, he’d have to stay longer and do it himself. Which meant that he’d also need to take even more leave from his own work. Sam frowned at the thought although it was something he’d been considering.

  An hour later, Josh and Sam stood shoulder-to-shoulder, surveying the damage. The rain subsided and only spit on them intermittently now. Lazy smoke curled in an upward trail from the smoldering remains of the two homes, an unwelcome reminder of their loss. But it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and for that, Sam was thankful. All the firefighters had departed, along with the rest of the TeamWork crew he’d sent back to the camp once they’d contained the fires.

  Josh insisted on staying behind with Sam until the very end. Their clothes were drenched, and both of them were beaten down. Sam knew he must look as haggard as Josh after their efforts on the battleground front lines. He appreciated his help, but felt more disgruntled than ever. Working with Josh only seemed to exacerbate an already volatile situation.

  “I’m sorry, Sam. Guess it’s not as bad as it could have been, though. Only two are totally gone.”

  Sam didn’t answer. He didn’t trust himself. His feelings were too raw. He didn’t like the attention Josh paid Lexa. He acted way too familiar with her, and Sam regretted not banishing him from the TeamWork camp three years ago. He started back in the direction of the station wagon with Josh close behind.

  “Hey, wait up, Sam!”

  The ride back to the camp was silent. After a few attempts, Josh finally gave up trying to engage him in conversation. Sam knew Josh wondered why he was so brooding and non-responsive, but other than saying a quick prayer under his breath, he couldn’t muster anything more.

  “Hey, man, it’s not the end of the world.” Josh slapped him on the shoulder as soon as Sam pulled the car into the makeshift parking space behind his office.

  Looking down at Josh’s hand on his shoulder, Sam fixed him with a cold, hard stare.

  “Whaaaat?” Josh pulled back and lifted both hands in the air in mock surrender. “What’s eating you, Sam? We’ll rebuild those houses quickly.”

  “It’s not the houses I’m worried about.” Sam’s voice was barely civil, his teeth clenched.

  “Well, then, what’s up?”

  Getting out of the car and slamming the door hard, Sam paused. “Look, Josh, thanks for your help. I appreciate it.” He inhaled a deep breath, forcing his voice to remain calm. “And yes, with God’s help, we’ll get the houses rebuilt in time.”

  “Sure, we will. Listen, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk with you about.” Josh followed Sam as he headed toward the office.

  “Shoot.” Sam flung the screen door open, not bothering to wait.

  “It’s about Lexa.”

  At Josh’s words, Sam whirled around and stepped back outside. He fixed the slightly shorter man with a hard, icy glare. “What about Lexa?” Sam’s mouth formed a grim line, his curled fists moving down to his sides.

  “Are you through with her? I mean, if you are, do you mind if I have a go at her?”

  Sam’s blood coursed through him. Lunging forward like a hungry lion, he tackled Josh. Pinning his torso between his knees, Sam pounded him with hard fists and grunted with each blow. A rage deep inside triggered, one never touched before that propelled him over the limit. Although he should stop, he couldn’t. God help him, but Josh’s reckless behavior had to be stopped. He needed to learn a lesson. Sam’s relentless fist made solid contact with Josh’s jaw.

  “Get off me, Sam!” Josh growled as he tried to shove him away. “Stop it! Hey, man . . .” A thin line of blood trickled down the side of his mouth. Pushing against Sam with all his might, Josh rolled over on top of him and started to return the favor.

  “Stop! Break it up, you two!” Kevin ran over to them, hauling Josh off him. Holding both men apart with considerable effort, he stared at Sam, wide-eyed. “What’s going on here, guys?” The look Kevin directed his way conveyed his shock that he’d engaged in such a childish display of bad attitude and lost temper.

  “You tell me and then we’ll both know.” Josh wiped one hand across his bleeding lip and glared at Sam. “Care to answer the man, Sam?”

  He pointed a shaky finger at Josh. “You leave Lexa alone. I don’t want to catch you near her again, Josh Grant.” He tasted blood in the corner of his mouth.

  “Oh yeah?” Josh fired back. “I’d like to see you make me do that. It’s a free country, last time I checked. Why don’t we let the lady make the decision?” he challenged, his voice full of contempt.

  “Like you let Shelby make her decision?” Sam demanded.

  Josh stared at him and then waved his hand at Kevin, dismissing him. “We’ll take it from here, Kevin. Go. Sam and I need to talk privately.”

  Kevin had barely known Shelby, and had no idea what instigated their brawl. He looked over at Sam for his agreement. When he silently nodded, Kevin shook his head without another word and departed. He was such a quiet, peaceful man. He’d have to talk privately with Kevin later. Sam’s heart sank even lower. How could he explain his actions without revealing more than he should?

  He beckoned for Josh to follow him into the office. Even though they’d fought like wild dogs, he had to consider his position with TeamWork and deal with this situation like any other—in as calm, rational and objective a manner as possible.

  “Sit down, Josh.” It wasn’t a request.

  Dropping into a chair, Josh faced Sam across the wide expanse of the desk. Both were drenched through to the skin and caked in mud. They stared at one another, their breathing fast and labored.

  “You weren’t the only one who lost Shelby, Sam.” Josh’s voice sounded ragged, broken.

  Sam’s eyes narrowed and bore into Josh’s. “I real
ize that. We all did. But how could you betray me, Josh? More importantly, how could you betray your own twin sister?”

  “I didn’t betray Beck. Shelby was going to come clean. We both were. We were going to confess our affair the next day. I swear it. You have to believe me. You . . .” he faltered. “You didn’t know, did you?” Josh’s green eyes widened.

  “Know what?” His voice was a low growl, his jaws so tight he thought they’d snap.

  “Shelby wasn’t the sweet innocent you thought. She had lots of boyfriends before you.” Josh fixed Sam with the intensity of his gaze. “I wasn’t her first.”

  “I don’t want to listen to this!” Sam brought his fist down hard on the desk. “Shelby’s gone, so don’t try to make yourself feel better by denigrating her memory. It’s beneath you, and you don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had to stop now or he’d erupt further. Closing his eyes tight, Sam prayed for the strength to deal with Josh. He clasped his hands together and tried to steady their shaking.

  This situation was unlike anything he’d ever faced. This time it was too personal. He needed to apply biblical principles, now more than ever. That was also the hardest part. Sometimes all the prayer and Bible reading in the world couldn’t stop his thoughts. He was human and failed so often. Sam lowered his head. Lord, please help me find the right words.

  When he finally lifted his head again, Sam met the tears in Josh’s eyes. Tears of an actor or tears of contrition, Sam couldn’t be sure.

  “I never meant to hurt anyone.” Josh shrugged and shot Sam a helpless look. “Shelby was so beautiful. We were both consenting adults. It just happened.”

  The words were there, but Sam couldn’t tell whether Josh felt true remorse. Had he confessed his sins to the Lord, asked forgiveness? That’s what he needed more than anything else.

  “I can’t believe you just talked so callously about Shelby and Lexa. Women aren’t playthings, to be bandied about and used, Josh. They’re precious women God entrusted us to protect, honor and respect.”

  Josh shrugged again, but his green-eyed stare suddenly hardened. The look in his eyes was wild. “Man, has she ever got you twisted around her finger.” His voice dripped sarcasm. “Lexa’s just like Shelby,” he taunted, “vulnerable and ready to be loved. What’s wrong with showing them how gorgeous they are? Helping them see how womanly they can be?”

  His grin was maddening, and it took everything within Sam not to strike the man down again. Finally, Josh’s inner nature had emerged, and Sam glimpsed a different side of him he’d never seen before. A side that scared him, a facet of Josh’s character that needed the kind of help Sam couldn’t provide. Help from a trained professional, and more than a little from the good Lord Himself.

  “Get out of my office, Josh. Leave my camp.” It was hard to get out the words from between clenched jaws. “Don’t bother reapplying for a TeamWork position unless you can prove you’ve repented and changed your ways. Go. Get the help you need.” Shoving his chair back, scraping against the wooden floor, Sam rose to his feet. He stood his ground, facing him eye-to-eye.

  “What are you talking about?” Josh demanded. “You can’t throw me out of the camp!” He planted his hands on the desk. “Obviously, I gave Shelby something you couldn’t, and I dare say Lexa . . .”

  “Don’t you dare say another word about Lexa!” Sam slammed his fist down hard again. “Enough! No more. As far as throwing you out of my camp, I can, and I am.” Sam moved around the desk and hovered over the younger man, besting him by an inch. He fought to keep his hands at his sides. “It’s something I should have done a long time ago. You don’t deserve to be here. Now, get out before I have you thrown out!”

  “I thought we were friends, Sam.” Still no remorse.

  “We are. I consider you my brother.” His voice cracked. Sam stopped, swallowing hard. Josh had no idea how hard this was. It cut him like a knife that he didn’t understand how much he’d hurt himself and others. Throwing him out of the camp was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He cringed as he realized how much it would hurt Rebekah. “You have a deep problem, but you’re too blind to see it. You need the kind of help I can’t give you. Know I’ll be praying for you, Josh. Always praying.”

  Josh refused his outstretched hand. That cut almost as deep as the betrayal. The Lord would have to deal with him now.

  “I’ll leave as soon as I get my things together.” Yanking his TeamWork identification card out of his wallet, Josh shoved it under Sam’s nose. “Looks like I won’t be needing this anytime soon.” When Sam didn’t flinch and made no move to take the card, he slammed it down on the desk.

  “One question.” Josh hesitated at the door, his look hard and unyielding.

  Sam’s jaw tightened. “I’m listening.” His eyes met those of his young friend one final time.

  “Who’s telling Rebekah?”

  Chapter 28

  Lexa was completely dumbfounded. She had no idea what to make of the latest turn of events. Josh was gone, and according to the latest rumor, he’d been thrown out by a very angry Sam. Rebekah was sullen and weepy since her twin left, and the general mood of the camp was down. It was whispered that Kevin knew something about the quarrel between the two men that precipitated Josh’s abrupt departure, but he was too discreet to say a word. Lexa hated the air of distrust and unspoken accusations so heavy in the air that affected everyone’s mood.

  If nothing else, the productivity of the TeamWork members increased. They’d already made good headway in rebuilding the two homes destroyed by the fire. From what Lexa heard, Sam hollered out orders and worked himself senseless, pounding away with a hammer and painting at all hours of the day and night. He barely ate, hardly slept. Sam must be trying to lose himself in his work. She wondered if Sam’s insane work spurt might have something to do with their own tenuous relationship.

  One afternoon, after dismissal of the classes at the makeshift schoolroom, Lexa walked over to the worksite with some of the other women. They wanted to help so they had a shot at finishing all the homes before the end of the mission. Rebekah opted to go back to the dorm. Lexa and Winnie tried to coax her into going with them, but she declined. Although Rebekah didn’t say anything, Lexa suspected she wanted to stay as far away from the TeamWork director as possible.

  One of the guys put them in charge of painting, and the girls set about their task as cheerfully as possible. Not wanting to appear obvious, Lexa looked around for Sam, but she overheard one of the men telling another that he’d gone into town.

  It was much too quiet in the house. Dipping her paint roller into the pan, Lexa decided to get something started. “Anybody hear any good jokes lately?” She winked at Amy since she was the most outgoing. Being a journalist, she always seemed to have a good story or joke.

  Taking the hint, Amy launched into an amusing story. Soon, the women and several of the men painting in an adjacent room shared a rousing exchange of everything from favorite old television stars and movie plots to the merits of televised football. They all laughed and joked as usual, the mood much more relaxed. It was a welcome change, and Lexa smiled with quiet satisfaction as she worked.

  “Sam sure is a changed man,” Natalie commented as they walked back to the campsite a couple of hours later. “Whatever happened between he and Josh must have been a real doozy.” She shook her head. “Two Christian men should be able to work out their differences. I wouldn’t have thought Sam had it in him to act so childish.”

  Lexa’s spine stiffened at the comment, not wanting to pass judgment without knowing the facts. “I think Sam’s eaten up about it. You’ve seen how despondent and withdrawn he is lately. It must have been something serious for him to force Josh to leave. Heaven knows, he needs all the workers he can get right now—especially good, faithful workers like Josh.”

  “What are you saying?” Winnie shot her a curious look.

  Lexa shrugged. “I’m sure Sam had his reasons. If nothing else, I’ve learned he�
��s a fair man. He may be a bit judgmental at times, certainly stubborn, perhaps impetuous . . . and grouchy,” she murmured, shaking her head. “But overall, he’s not a man to jump to conclusions and make rash decisions. That much I do know.” Well, he had jumped to a conclusion about her, but that was an entirely different situation. How ironic.

  “I take it you and Sam aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

  Lexa gaped at Winnie, not bothering to hide her surprise.

  “What? Like you don’t know you and Sam are the talk of the camp?”

  “We are? I had no idea . . .” Lexa shook her head, dumbfounded. She shouldn’t be surprised.

  “Come on, Lexa,” Winnie chided. “It was plain as day that you two were headed for the hot romance of the summer. For the record, I’m really sorry things didn’t work out.”

  Lexa was silent, humiliated everyone in the camp knew her personal business. She imagined there’d also been speculation about why her relationship with Sam had soured. It was human nature to gossip, after all, even in the TeamWork camp.

  Perhaps she should be grateful Josh’s departure had taken precedence in the minds of the other volunteers in recent days and distracted their attention. She personally missed Josh’s easygoing manner and his friendship. Her footsteps quickened, seized with the overwhelming urge to get as far away from the others as possible. She needed to distance herself so she could think and pray alone.

  Lexa took off for the tree, bidding the others good-bye as they headed for the dorm. Sliding down to a sitting position, she crossed her arms on her knees.

  “Oh Father, help Sam. I don’t know what happened between him and Josh, but I know it must have been something very serious to have caused such a rift between them. Help them to look to you for guidance and wisdom in mending their fences and coming to a mutual understanding of how great you truly are. Help them know that you are the great healer of relationships. You can make things right again if they’d just get over their stubbornness long enough to see it.”