Free Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) by Andrea Boeshaar Page A

and found work in a tavern, serving food and drinks. Sometimes she even sang with the jukebox and entertained the patrons. That’s what she’d wanted―a stage career. However, it never came to pass the way she’d envisioned.
    Eventually she found her way into an escort service where Cynthia made more money than she knew what to do with. Young, pretty, and sought after, she quickly learned how to please a man. As a result, she kept her customers coming back for more.
    Ah, yes, those were the days.
    A warm, dreamy feeling flowed through her body. The narcotic was working its magic on her body as she remembered even more.
    Money, yes the stuff that made the world go ‘round At the point in her life that she had money, she also had power. She could have any man she wanted.
    Now all she had was pain.
    * * *
    Walking down the hallway, Logan spotted Marliee leading her class outside for recess. She spotted him, smiled, and waved a greeting.
    Logan couldn’t contain the urge to tease her. “Forsooth, fair maiden, your presence here at the castle warms this knight’s heart,” he said in a Shakespearean accent. He topped off his theatrics with a gallant bow.
    “This isn’t a castle,” one little girl in pigtails was quick to point out. “This is just plain school.”
    Shouts of agreement went up from the munchkin mob.
    Marilee now wore a pretty blush and her dimples winked at Logan. “Oh, never mind Pastor Callahan, boys and girls. He likes to joke around a lot. That’s why he’s the youth pastor.”
    With hands on hips, he frowned, unsure of whether he’d just been insulted.
    “I can’t wait till I’m in the youth group.” One of the boys pushed up his glasses. Logan tousled the kid’s dark hair, but the childish expression of adoration didn’t go unnoticed. “My sister says you’re the best youth pastor ever!”
    “I’m glad she thinks so. I have Jesus to thank for that.”
    Despite his upbeat reply, Logan cast a troubled glance at Marilee. The teenage girls’ idol-like worship of him had become a growing concern. Logan wanted them to adore Christ―not their young pastor.
    Marilee didn’t seem to notice his frown. She merely smiled back. “He is the best youth pastor ever, Michael.” Her expression mirrored the teen girls’ and, coming from Marilee, it pleased Logan to no end. “All right, class, now get back in line or there’ll be no recess this afternoon.”
    Like a soldier in boot camp, Logan saluted and clicked his heels together. The children giggled and hooted. Then once he felt like he’d caused Marilee enough havoc for the time being, he went on his way. He enjoyed pestering her, that’s for sure. Whenever he ran into her in the school hallway, Logan made it his personal challenge to get her to blush. Once the mission was accomplished, he felt a special little joy in his heart that words couldn’t describe.
    Is this what it felt like to be in love?
    Pondering the question, Logan returned to the church office suites where five teenage girls cut out postcards for an upcoming outreach, which consisted of volleyball on the beach and a bonfire afterwards. He planned to have a few of the teens give their salvation testimonies and, afterward, one of the senior high guys could preach a short message. Of course, there would be plenty of food. Couldn’t entertain teenagers without it.
    He approached the girls. “All done?” They sat around a table in the conference room across from his office.
    “Yep, all done.” Kim Bernette swung strands of her blond hair over her shoulder before lifting her gaze to Logan. He didn’t miss the dreamy spark in her blue eyes. “Anything else we can do?”
    “Ah…no. Nothing. Thanks.” Oh, good grief. Recently, he’d been informed that several of the youth group girls had “crushes” on him, but Logan hadn’t wanted to believe it. However, he believed it now, ever since they started flocking into his office during their seventh hour study hall, asking