Needing Him (Him Series Book #3)

Katie arrived at the last day of Vacation Bible School with a heavy heart.

She'd considered not going, but people depended on her and she couldn't do that to the kids. Though she thought about making a run for it when she saw Katie and Izzy waiting for her at the entrance. Katie wasn't sure she could face them. Her heart was too battered, and it was too much.

"You're here. Thank the Lord!" Lucy stepped forward and folded her arms around Katie. "I've called you several times."

Katie was frozen with shock.

Izzy put a comforting hand on her back. "You're here now. That's what matters."

Suddenly, she realized her closest friends thought she'd be a no-show. "You didn't I'd show today?" Katie asked, pulling away from Lucy.

Lucy didn't hesitate. "We knew you'd be here. You're reliable like that," she said with a smile.

Izzy stepped toward her. "You're always there when we need you, Katie. It's time we showed up for you."

"I'm sorry." Katie blinked confused. She looked from Lucy to Katie, trying to figure out what was happening. "I didn't think I'd be welcome here."

"Everyone's welcome here." Izzy was adamant, as if daring anyone to say differently. "It's God's house, not ours."

Lucy nodded. "Laura feels terrible about what happened."

"She does?" Katie was shocked.

"Yes, she does. And she wants to meet up and talk to you," Izzy said, opening the door, and motioning for Katie to enter.

Katie did not move. "You're joking. Wait. This isn't like in high school where girls wanted to meet up and talk, which was code for girl fight."

Lucy and Izzy laughed softly like all three of them used to do all the time.

"I didn't mean to upset her," Katie tried to explain, embarrassed and hurt. "I just wanted some answers and..." It felt like too much.

"Jase told everyone about the anonymous calls. And the voicemail." Lucy put her hand on Katie's shoulder. "I wish you would have come to us. We'd have helped you."

"I, uh, I don't know what to say."

"Promise, you'll let us help you. We love you, Katie." Izzy put her arm around Katie.

Katie fought tears. "I love both of you too."

"We understand why you thought it was Laura," Izzy said gently. "She does too. Don't feel bad it was a misunderstanding."

"Thank you. I appreciate that." Katie wasn't sure what else to say, and all three of them went inside. She'd never meant to hurt Laura, but a part of her still believed Laura sent that message. There was no one else it could be.

But no one at the church would even consider that one of their own could be guilty of doing something like that. Katie felt helpless. Even Paul chastised Christians in his letters. Being a follower of Christ doesn't make you perfect!

It makes you forgiven.

"Have either of you read Acts?" Katie asked, regretting the impulsive question as soon as Tom, Janie, and Jesse walked up.

"We did a Bible Study on it last Spring," Lucy answered. "Paul wrote letters to the church that packed a mighty punch."

"He did," Katie said, hoping she wasn't overstepping. "Being a Christian didn't make any believers immune to sin. Maybe it's different nowadays. What do I know."