Girls Only! by Beverly Lewis

would try to fit in. At least for this one evening.
    “I understand you are the new pastor in town,” her dad remarked as they sat at the elegant table.
    Reverend Song nodded, his eyes squinting a smile. “Yes, and what a delight to know that by moving here, our daughters will be able to become better acquainted.”
    Livvy grinned at Jenna, sitting next to her. “I think our dads are getting along just fine,” she whispered.
    Jenna nodded. “They ought to . . . they have us in common.”
    When the hot tea was poured in each tiny cup, Mrs. Song sat down. Her husband bowed his head and began to bless the food. “Thank you, Father in heaven, for this evening together with new friends. I ask a special blessing on Livvy and her father as they put down roots in this small community. And I pray that you will lead and direct them. May they experience your divine love and wisdom.” He went on to thank the Lord for the food and the hands that prepared it.
    All the while, Livvy clasped her own hands in her lap, paying close attention to this kind and gracious man’s prayer.
    After a full-course Korean dinner, Jenna took Livvy upstairs to her room. They hung out together, laughing and talking, while Livvy’s dad chatted with Jenna’s parents in the living room.
    ----
    Later, when she was alone in her own room, Livvy knelt beside her bed. “Dear Lord, I’m sorry about ignoring you for so long. I guess you know how angry I’ve been.”
    She sighed. “It wasn’t easy losing Mom, especially when I wish you would’ve done something to stop it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still have faith in you . . . with all of my heart. Please help Dad come to believe in you soon. Let him know your love and that you didn’t let Mom die to punish him—just because he isn’t a Christian yet.”
    At the end of her prayer, Livvy thanked God for bringing her to Alpine Lake, “even if it’s the Podunkiest town on earth. Amen.”
    ----
    Two days later, Grandma Hudson arrived. Livvy rode along with her dad to the Colorado Springs airport.
    “There’s my honeybunch,” Grandma said, squeezing Livvy’s cheek.
    “Hi, Grandma. Welcome to Colorado.” Livvy stepped forward as passengers walked past her.
    Her dad kissed his mother, offering to carry the overnight case. “The altitude’s much higher here than Illinois,” he warned, “so you may have to take things slow and easy.”
    “Oh, I’ll adjust in no time,” Grandma said.
    Livvy spoke up. “If you drink lots of water, it helps take away altitude sickness.”
    “But some folks never have any trouble,” Dad said, hugging Grandma once again. “We’re going to have a wonderful time together.”
    “How long can you stay?” Livvy asked. She was hoping for a four- or five-day response . . . maybe even a week. But not more than that.
    Grandma raised her eyebrows and offered a broad smile. “Well, I’ll just have to see about that. Looks to me like you could use a good dose of mothering, Olivia Kay. Are you eating three good meals a day?”
    Livvy nodded reluctantly. She was eating just fine—and cooking for her dad, too!
    All the way up the long concourse to the main terminal, she wondered what Grandma meant about “a good dose of mothering.” The idea that her father’s mother had come to take over the household worried Livvy. She noticed that her grandmother had packed very light. Maybe things would be super fine after all.
    Livvy could only hope so.

Dreams on Ice
    Chapter Eighteen
    One week later, Livvy and Jenna were eating ice cream at the Oo-La-La Café. They’d chosen a table outside on the patio section of the tiny mall restaurant. The breezes were warm and gentle.
    “September in the mountains isn’t so bad,” Livvy said.
    “Sounds like Podunk is growing on you,” said her friend.
    “Oh, maybe . . .” Livvy’s ice cream was melting fast. Licking it kept her from having to say more.
    “My mom signed me up for ballet classes,” Jenna said out of the