To Trust a Friend Page 17

  “Which you will,” Kyra put in.

  “Thank you. Assuming I pass, I’ll be required to go all kinds of places around the world to help work out hostage situations, kidnappings, anything like that where a U.S. citizen is involved. Is that okay with you?”

  “Sure. It sounds like you’ve found your place.”

  “In more ways than one. Kyra, my whole life is different since I walked into your office. You’ve shown me the way to faith, and love and now hope, so I actually have a purpose in life. You said you thought I saved your life. Well, I know you saved mine.”

  Kyra didn’t even bother to fight the tears, mostly happy ones that fell now. “Maybe we saved each other, Josh.”

  “Maybe we did. But we didn’t do it alone. God helped a lot.” He paused for a moment and Kyra thought he was getting more serious, but his next words belayed that notion. “Will you meet me at the airport Friday night? I’d talk more, but right now I have to go have a glass of milk and some doughnut holes with my three-year-old nephew, followed by an antihistamine chaser. There’s this animal that looks like half a pair of bunny slippers that thinks I’m his new best friend. Love you, Kyra.”

  “I love you, too, Josh. We can talk later and set up the airport stuff.” And Kyra hung up, feeling like waltzing for joy, which she did, using Ranger as a partner. If he thought there was something odd about her humming “Amazing Grace” and dancing him around in her arms, he didn’t show it. Instead, he added his rumbling purr to the roar of joy in her heart.

  “I’ll never be one of the boys again,” she whispered into Ranger’s furry neck.

  This was the beginning of a new life, and she could hardly wait until Friday.

  Dear Reader,

  I have a tremendous amount of respect for the individuals who protect and serve all of us, and I hope that my stories show that. Several members of my extended family work as nurses, paramedics, firefighters and in law enforcement, and several more are a part of my “church family” as well. I could never do what they do, and I hope that I thank them and others in their fields enough for the tremendous service they provide. I hope that if you’ve enjoyed Kyra and Josh’s story you might take a few minutes and find a way to thank someone you know who works in one of those tough and dangerous professions.

  Blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Why do you think the author used the verse from Psalm 9 as the theme verse for this book? What other verses might also apply to the story?

  Have you ever felt abandoned? By God? By friends or family? What made you feel better? What advice would you give to children and teens who have been abandoned?

  Kyra wishes that her coworkers didn’t treat her like “one of the boys.” Have you ever been in a similar situation? How did you handle it?

  At the beginning of the story, Josh feels as if he has nothing to lose. How could he have made better choices?

  At first Kyra and Josh aren’t too thrilled to be working together. How could they have made the situation better? Have you ever had to work with someone you disliked? What did you learn from the experience?

  Josh and Kyra are trying to find the identities of three murder victims. Why do you think the killer was able to hide his victims’ identities for so long? The killer was able to keep up appearances of a normal life. Do you think someone could do this in real life? How did you feel about the killer’s family?

  Kyra’s grandmother was the best person in her life growing up. Who was yours? Was this person also the most influential person in your life? What affected you the most—negative or positive influences? Discuss.

  Kyra lives her faith by working with at-risk teens. What kinds of things so you do, or would you like to do, to help your community? How does serving your community coincide with your faith?

  Kyra tells Josh that our culture uses money and power as idols. Do you agree or disagree with her? Why? Discuss examples from popular culture.

  Kyra gives Josh a copy of The Message to read. What kind of bible would you give someone who knew little or nothing about scripture? What else would you do to introduce someone to your faith?

  Do you think it’s harder to rely on God or on people? Why?

  How do you think it feels to face a life-or-death situation?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-1974-2

  TO TRUST A FRIEND

  Copyright © 2008 by Lynn M. Bulock

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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