A Brush of Wings by Karen Kingsbury

said another word. There was nothing to say. His plane was leaving in a few hours.
    The setting sun had gotten the final word, after all.

6

    J AG AND BECK’S NEXT TASK would be the toughest yet for one reason.
    Marcus Dillinger was discouraged.
    He’d been back from Los Angeles for nearly a week and though he’d texted Mary Catherine every day and emailed her twice, she hadn’t responded. Last night Marcus told Tyler he couldn’t understand what he’d done wrong. He was willing to cut ties with her for now. If that’s what she wanted. But the possibility made him feel defeated.
    Jag and Beck had a plan to inspire the man.
    Dressed like janitors, they moved stealthily to the back of the clubhouse. Beck had a key, so the two of them made their way into the building and then down a hallway to Coach Ollie Wayne’s office. Beck stood outside the door, keeping watch. Jag went inside and on the man’s desk were his notes for the morning. The title read, “Using Your Gifts for God.”
    Good, Jag thought. Not good enough.
    He opened a desk drawer and slid the notes in the back of a file marked “Messages.” Then he thumbed through the front of the file until he found the one he wanted.
    Yes. Jag smiled. This’ll work. Jag set the document on Coach Wayne’s desk. Sunday morning chapel was about to have a change of plans.
    Jag hurried out of the office, where he and Beck turned a corner and disappeared.
    They would spend the night praying.

    TYLER AND MARCUS took their time walking to chapel that Sunday morning. It was just before eight and the Arizona sun was already hot overhead. Marcus had almost skipped this one. He kept thinking about Mary Catherine leaving Los Angeles later today. She’d spend a few days in Nashville with her parents and then be off to Uganda.
    “You’re quiet.” Tyler glanced at him. “Mary Catherine?”
    Marcus drew a deep breath. “Yeah. I can’t figure her out.”
    “She’s a tough one. Sami can’t explain it, either.” Tyler looked as baffled as Marcus felt. “She could at least write back. Especially after your visit. It sounded perfect.”
    A darkness washed over Marcus again. “It was.” He shrugged. “At least I’ve been pitching better. Gotta credit her for that.”
    Tyler gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay. If it’s supposed to happen, it’ll happen.” He breathed deep. “Maybe I just need to let it go. For now anyway.”
    They walked into the clubhouse and followed a few others to the chapel room. “I guess just pray. God will make it clear.”
    “Either that or He’ll help me forget her.” Marcus hated even saying the words. He and Tyler took seats next to each other in the second row. The room was like any other office in the building. But for spring training it was a place guys could get away and think if they needed to. Somewhere they could pray.
    Marcus opened his Bible app. Then he anchored his elbows on the desk and rested his forehead against his fists. Why did she do this? Just cut him off like they hadn’t had the most amazing day together? Was it all an act? He had asked her to pretend, after all. He remembered holding her in his arms, feeling her beside him. The crazy chemistry when they kissed.
    It wasn’t an act. She had answered that question there on the beach. Nothing had ever been more real. That’s what she had said. No, what they shared wasn’t pretend. It was real. So then why? He clenched his jaw. There was something she wasn’t telling him, but what?
    He looked up as Coach Wayne took his spot at the front of the room. A few times they’d had guest speakers for Sunday mornings. But usually Coach took the job. It was one more reason Marcus felt close to the man.
    “Good morning.” Coach looked around the room and then let his eyes land on Marcus. “Glad you’re here.”
    “Thanks, Coach.” Marcus managed a smile. A chorus of responses came from the twenty guys gathered.
    “Today should be interesting—at