Free By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition by Jennifer Johnson

you smile, your whole face lights up.”
    Abby sneaked a quick peek. “You think so?”
    Victoria nodded. “Definitely.”
    Abby exhaled and tapped her fingers on the dash. “Okay, fine. I’ll be your project.”
    “What?” Victoria stepped back in surprise.
    “But only if you promise not to boss me around. I hate it when Chris does that. I’m seventeen years old. I’m not a baby.”
    “No, you’re not a baby.”
    Victoria thought for a moment, unsure how to respond. She didn’t have any experience mentoring a teenager.
    “That is why Chris brought your over here to meet me, right?” Abby’s tone took on a sarcastic flare. “Because I need a good female role model.”
    The truth shall set you free
. The scripture sang in Victoria’s heart. If she intended to mentor Abby, she planned to be as honest and genuine as she could be. They’d have to learn from each other.
    Victoria grinned. “Yes, you’re right. Beautiful and smart.”
    Abby nodded, and Victoria realized the teen needed her to be honest and upfront with her. “Okay. You want to come over tomorrow evening? I’m grounded, so I’ll be there.”
    For the first time since she’d arrived in Lasso, Victoria felt needed in a way that had nothing to do with herself. Sure, she’d felt needed by Peewee and even Emily, which was something Victoria had always yearned for. But helping Abby gave Victoria a purpose. She could shower the teen with all she knew about makeup, clothes, manners, boys … okay, maybe Victoria could use a little help in that area as her experience had been little to none. It didn’t matter. Victoria could feel that God had given her a project … and a friend. “Absolutely.”

seven
     
    Sitting straight and proper as she had been taught in etiquette class, Victoria clasped her hands, resting them on top of her crossed legs. The white, tiny-flower print skirt and matching bright green summer top she wore spoke of a mixture of professionalism and femininity. She had been careful to apply extra foundation to ensure coverage of the freckles that made her appear young. Taking additional precaution, she swept her long curls into a tight clip allowing only a few ringlets to escape and frame her face.
    Lord, please let me get this job. And let me get my Suburban back
. She thought of Sondra taking a sleeping Emily from her bed and buckling her into the car seat. Peewee had been happy to make the trip to Lawton, but Victoria knew it to be an unplanned excursion and interruption in a busy day for Sondra.
Hopefully, I’ll get my vehicle back soon
.
    A middle-aged lady with a beehive hairdo approached Victoria. She held a stack of folders in her hand. Her frazzled expression bespoke that the last thing the woman wanted to do was take care of a job applicant. “Mr. Bradshaw will see you now.”
    “Thank you.” Victoria rose and gripped her bag. She glided with ease in her nude-colored heels across the carpeted floor. If Victoria knew nothing else, she knew how to conduct herself as a lady in a public setting. She could thank her mother’s determination that Victoria attend every one of her etiquette classes for that. Today, she hoped the training would pay off.
    Walking through the mahogany door, Victoria noted the soft contemporary Christian music playing from somewhere in the room. She smiled at Zack’s greeting. His entire face seemed to shine, and his eyes smiled with his lips when he saw her. As a woman, Victoria sensed his approval of her appearance. Flutters of excitement and pleasure coursed through her at the realization.
    “Have a seat.” He motioned to the leather chair that sat across from his oversized, mahogany desk. Scanning the room, Victoria noticed wall-to-wall bookshelves, some adorned with popular Christian books she recognized as her own favorites.
    Squeaks momentarily overpowered the music as he sat in the large matching leather chair behind the desk. Glancing at her potential employer, a paneled window