Free Always Tried and Proven by Nancy Hopper

me what you can.”
         Callie shook her head.  She couldn’t believe it, but she found herself agreeing to do it again.  “All right.  One day at a time.  But, Sam, what are you going to do when your adoring public finds out I’m an unsaved bar fly?”
         “Let me worry about that.”  He answered gently.  “You just show up and sing.”
         Callie rolled her eyes and shook her head.  “Okay, Sam.  But don’t you ever say I didn’t warn you.”
         “I will take full responsibility.  Callie, thank you.”  He said quietly.
         She got up and walked to the window, hugging herself.  “Sam, I don’t know.  It doesn’t make any sense.”  She complained.
         “It doesn’t have to.  It was phenomenal!”  Sam explained.  “We only have to give the Lord a place to move, and people to move through.  It’s up to Him to make it work.  He chose to work through you.  And you don’t fool me.  I know you could feel it, too, love.”
          Callie sighed and blinked back sudden tears.  He was right behind her; his hands rested gently on her arms.  “The tent is going to become incredibly big and successful, isn’t it?”
          “Yes.”  Sam answered humbly.  He appeared to be without selfish pride.
          She turned and looked up at him, and smiled.  “I’m glad for you, Sam.  I really am.”
         He smiled down at her.  She felt his eyes on her lips and she blushed, tensing.  He moved closer, and pulled her into a hug. 
          “Not yet, eh?  All right, Callie.  I can wait a bit longer.” He said with a chuckle.  He kissed her forehead and then, he released her.  “I’ll say goodnight, and let you get some rest.”
           She looked up at him shyly.  “Goodnight, Sam.”
           He gave her a crooked smile, and went out the door.
     
          Sam sat alone in the dark.  It was quiet, in the still before dawn; even in the heart of New York.  He couldn't seem to sleep.  Not usually a problem for him, he thought with a chuckle.  He worked long, hard hours like every member of the team did.  Most of the time, they all fell into bed exhausted, and slept hard enough that a hurricane could come through without notice.  But, not tonight.  Not for him.
          He'd been dead, inside;  dead, for so long, to the idea of being a man.  He didn't recall ever desiring a woman before;  not without drugs.  When he did drugs, the women were there, just waiting for him.  Wanting him.   He'd always succumbed without complaint.  What man wouldn't take sugar when his defenses were subdued, and the women were gathered, waiting?
           He hadn't desired them as lovers; they were just women to have sex with.  It wouldn't have mattered if they'd had no names, and been unable to speak.  They were only receptacles for his use, under the influence of drugs.  Nothing more.
          He shook his head.  He didn't want to think about that.  This was different.  This was the first time he'd been truly captivated by a beautiful girl.  The first time he'd ever allowed himself to look, and see what was there to see, since...
         Ten years.  Ten years, he'd been so alone.  Waiting, and lately, rather hoping that someday, somewhere, there would be someone.  Some woman that would wake him up.  Someone he would feel something for.  He was so lonely in this area.  He'd just buried his head in the sand, and served God tirelessly.  He'd always thought it would be enough.  But now, there was Callie.  He knew  that it was a risk.  Wasn't it always, though?  There are no guarantees in life!
          He sighed heavily, and leaned back in the chair.  She'd caught him off guard, that's for sure.  That heavy curtain of incredibly long, flowing hair so rich brown in color, with highlights of shimmering gold and red.  Then, her eyes.  So clear, and piercing with color so bright it took his