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  LONG WAY HOME

  ___________________

  THE POTTER’S HOUSE BOOKS – BOOK 4

  BRENDA S. ANDERSON

  About LONG WAY HOME

  Can she forgive the man who once bullied her,

  and learn that love keeps no record of wrongs?

  Having overcome the crippling insecurities of childhood bullying, Lauren Bauman is eager to start her new job 1,000 miles away, and road-tripping across the country with her brother Nate and his new friend seems to be the perfect way to celebrate the move. But her confidence is shaken when she meets Nate’s friend—the kid who’d bullied her years before, trapping her in a decade-long shell of self-doubt.

  For Jet Wurm, losing his job and getting kicked out of his apartment were the best things that ever happened to him. Thanks to the friend who rescued him, he’s finally shedding the loser label he’d worn for years. Nate even invited him along on a cross-country road trip with his sister, and Jet couldn’t be more excited. But then he meets Lauren, and her fearful reaction tells him they must have met before. Where, he can’t recall, but he has no doubt he’d somehow hurt her—like he’d hurt so many others in his past. And now he’s stuck on a six-day road trip with a woman who obviously deplores him.

  Though Jet is clearly not the same person who’d bullied her years before, Lauren still struggles to forgive him. But if she doesn’t find the courage to forgive, will that convince Jet he’s as worthless as he’d always been taught to believe? Or will they learn that real love keeps no record of wrongs?

  Vivant Press

  Long Way Home

  Copyright © 2018

  Brenda S. Anderson

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, etc.—except for quotations in reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

  Cover Design by T.K. Chapin

  Table of Contents

  About LONG WAY HOME

  Note from the Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Dear Reader

  Other Potter’s House Books

  Other Books by Brenda S. Anderson

  About the Author

  Note from the Author:

  The 21 books that form The Potter’s House Books series are linked by the theme of Hope, Redemption, and Second Chances. They are all stand-alone books and can be read in any order. Books will become progressively available beginning March 27, 2018.

  Book 1: The Homecoming by Juliette Duncan

  Book 2: When it Rains by T.K. Chapin

  Book 3: Heart Unbroken by Alexa Verde

  Book 4: Long Way Home by Brenda S. Anderson

  Book 5: Promises Renewed by Mary Manners

  Book 6: A Vow Redeemed by Kristen M. Fraser

  Book 7: Restoring Faith by Marion Ueckermann

  Books 8 – 21 to be advised

  To be notified of all new releases in the Potter’s House Books series, sign up to receive Brenda Anderson Books’ newsletter. By subscribing, you will also receive a free copy of Coming Home, a Coming Home Series short story. Subscribe: http://brendaandersonbooks.com/subscribe/

  To my daughter, Sarah ~

  God couldn’t have blessed me with a

  more amazing daughter!

  Thank you for making motherhood look good on me.

  You must go on adventures

  to find out where you belong.

  ~ Sue Fitzmaurice ~

  CHAPTER ONE

  BENEATH THE WORDS “MAY love always be our home” stenciled on the living room wall, Lauren Bauman’s piano had at last found its home. Now it was time for her to do the same, and today the journey to that home would finally begin. She couldn’t wait to take off on the road trip, even if it was with her sort-of brother.

  She ran her fingers over the walnut finish on the forty-year-old Yamaha that had been her mom’s prize possession. It still maintained the showroom floor sheen, but after its most recent move, it likely wouldn’t sound as beautiful as it looked. She sat on the bench, splayed her fingers over the keys, and played the first measures of Beethoven’s “Fur Elise,” one of her mom’s favorite pieces. No doubt, she would be pleased with the Yamaha’s new residence, a place called Our Home where formerly-homeless young adults were loved and learned how to live.

  But a few measures of the song were all Lauren’s ears could take. The move from Brainerd to this northern Minneapolis suburb had wreaked havoc on the tuning, creating a warped, almost haunted tone. Later this week though, a master piano tuner would mold those notes back into shape, and beautiful music would flow from the keys once again.

  A door slammed behind Lauren and she jerked her hands from the keyboard. Even after these past four years of living with the Brooks family, she was still uncomfortable playing for anyone other than God.

  “How’s it sound?” Nate whipped past her to the kitchen. He was always packing away food, yet he didn’t gain an ounce. Life was unfair.

  She slid the keylid over the ivories and joined Nate at the kitchen island, a half-eaten apple in his hand. “Right now, it sounds a lot like a musician on a wavy lake. It didn’t appreciate the ride down, but after the tuner comes, it’ll be all ready for the residents to take lessons.”

  “Hmm.” Nate bit into the apple then spoke with his mouth full. It didn’t matter that his mom had constantly chastised him for the action. “Mom and Dad are gonna miss the music.”

  “You think so?” They’d rarely mentioned her music, but then she’d seldom played the piano when they were around.

  He shrugged and wiped an arm across his chin. “Well, mostly they’re gonna miss you. And Jaclyn, she’s gone all drama queen on us with her big ‘sister’”—he made air quotes— “moving away from home.”

  But the Brooks’ house had never been Lauren’s home. Not really. She stared out the patio doors at a backyard bursting with new spring life. “It’s time.” Time for her to make her own home. The Brooks’ place had just been where she’d temporarily stored what little she owned until she graduated from college. She would be forever grateful to Nate’s family for taking her in after her dad died and letting her stay until now. With college behind her, and a job waiting in New York, it was time for her to blossom.

  Nate set down his apple and touched her arm, drawing her attention from God’s artwork beyond the patio doors. “You’re gonna do amazing things, Lauren.”

  “Thanks.” Still, after four-plus years, she couldn’t come up with more than one-word sentences when talking with Nate, although their relationship had drastically changed from adversarial to one of respect. Nowadays he was the first to stand up for her and believe in her like a true bi
g brother would.

  And now he was helping her move twelve hundred-plus miles across country in an old school bus Nate and a friend had converted into an RV, with dreams of road-tripping around the country. This would be The Draken’s maiden voyage, so naturally they had to throw in some fun stops along the way. With three weeks until her job started, they had a lot of time to enjoy the road trip. She couldn’t wait to get going!

  Lauren pushed away from the island. “You ready?” The Draken was already packed with her few belongings. Without a place to call her own these past four years, accumulating things hadn’t made sense. Now she was grateful for that wisdom.

  “Almost.” Nate wiped a napkin across his face and left it on the counter. She shook her head, holding in a chuckle. Some things never changed. “I need to talk with Nancy first.” He nodded toward the office where Our Home’s administrator was bunkered in for month-end work. “This involves you too.” His voice sounded way too somber.

  What was up with that?

  With nerves tingling in her hands, she followed him to the office. He knocked on the French doors.

  Nancy looked up from her computer, grinned, and waved them in. “About to take off?”

  Nate held a chair for Lauren, then sat beside her. “There’s something I need to ask first.”

  Uh-oh. Dread churned in her stomach. What could possibly be wrong? The Our Home organization had nothing to do with their trip.

  Nancy closed her laptop. “What’s on your mind, Nathan?”

  “I, uh, well you know it’s a long drive from here to New York.”

  She didn’t comment but raised her eyebrows.

  “And I . . . ” His fingers drummed out a rapid beat on his thighs. “So I have someone to keep me company on the way home, I’d like to ask Jet to come with us.”

  Who was Jet? Nate had never mentioned him before. With Nate bringing the request before Nancy, it made sense that Jet was part of Our Home’s family.

  Nancy took in a breath and folded her hands on her desk. This Jet guy must be trouble. “You’re free to ask, and he’s free to leave.”

  “I know that, but I wanted to get your impression first.”

  Nancy’s mouth drew into a grim line, and she directed her gaze to Lauren. “Do you know Jet?”

  She shook her head. “He lives here, I assume?”

  “For the past month.” Nancy nodded toward Nate and shook her head. “One of his strays.”

  No surprise there. To help fund college, Nate had become an Uber driver, which he then turned into a ministry of sorts. He was always bringing strangers to Our Home, many of whom had been pretty jagged around their emotional edges. Time spent here usually smoothed those edges.

  So, if Nate thought this Jet would be a good fit for their road trip, who was she to argue? She’d learned to trust his judgment.

  Lauren looked directly at Nate, affirming him. “I wouldn’t have a problem with it.” Well, maybe that was a little lie. Adjusting to strangers always took time. Yes, she’d lost some of the insecurity of her high school years, but not all of it.

  Perhaps this was one of those God-provided challenges. Being stuck in a vehicle with a stranger on a long road trip was one way to face those insecurities dead-on. Being shy wouldn’t be an option. Clutching her hands in her lap, she turned her attention to Nancy. “Nate should have someone ride home with him.” Especially since Josh had to back out. Nate’s younger brother had a mentor opportunity that combined theater and disabled children, and Nate had given his blessing. That was another change in him over the past four years.

  “Just so you are aware.” Nancy focused on Lauren. “Jet can be quite abrasive, and he likes to get things his way.”

  “True.” Nate splayed his hands. “But I think this road trip would help him. And besides.” He patted a fist over his heart. “It feels like God’s telling me he should come.”

  How could she argue with one of Nate’s God nudges? Every stray he’d picked up this past year had been the result of one of those proddings.

  Still, apprehension stewed in Lauren’s gut. Or was that her old foe, fear, invading again? Well, he wasn’t allowed back in. She was no longer that frightened teen from five years ago. She’d learned how to stand up to her fear, rather than let it control her. This trip wouldn’t be any different.

  Lauren stood, taking control over the situation. “Let’s go invite him.”

  Nate stood beside her and glanced at Nancy. “Do you know where he is?”

  “Check the shop. He’s taken a liking to working on cars.” She picked up her glasses but didn’t put them on. “A word of caution, Nate. Go into this road trip with your eyes wide open.”

  “We are.” Lauren looked to Nate for confirmation.

  He grinned. That word of caution was only an encouragement for him.

  Nancy put on her glasses. “Remember, Nate, the same ground rules apply for Jet on the road as they do for Our Home. He messes up, it’s tough-love time.”

  “Gotcha.” Nate gave her a thumbs-up and turned to leave.

  “One more thing, Nathan.”

  Nate groaned and turned back to Nancy. “What?”

  She shook a finger at him. “No. More. Strays. Got that?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Nate smirked.

  They finally escaped Nancy’s office and hurried through the house that had once belonged to Nate’s aunt and uncle, the same couple who’d created an apartment for Lauren in their Larchmont, New York home. The same couple who’d become like parents to her, even more so than Nate’s folks.

  She followed Nate through the kitchen and mudroom to what had once been a garage. Now it housed different training areas: woodworking, construction, art, and more. The young adults fortunate enough to find their home here would get much more than a roof over their heads. They learned many home basics like cooking, cleaning, home maintenance, self-maintenance, finances, things many people take for granted.

  Some residents were studying for their GED, others were learning to fill out college applications. Plus, Bible studies were held once a week. Attendance wasn’t mandatory, but highly recommended.

  Best of all, Our Home was wrapped in prayer.

  Of those who’d moved on, a vast majority had become successful, contributing members of society, rather than lurking on the outskirts, not sure where or how they fit in.

  “There he is.” Nate pointed to the far corner of the garage where denim-covered legs protruded from beneath the front of a car. A man squatted beside the legs, giving instructions. As she and Nate approached, the instructor patted those legs. “We’ve got company.”

  A man who looked inches taller than Nate—who was six-foot-two—slid from under the car. He wiped grease-stained hands on his jeans, and his near-black eyes cut her way, giving her the shivers.

  Something about him was familiar, and that something wasn’t good. Jet-black hair—was that where he got his name?—was tied back in a short ponytail. It took all her strength not to step back in fear. This was who Nate wanted to ride with them?

  In her head, she recited the verse from 2 Timothy, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” With all the times she’d recited that verse to herself, one would think it would have taken root by now.

  Regardless of where she may have seen him, he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t eager to turn his life around. Masking her unease, she gave him a smile.

  Which he didn’t return. Okay then.

  “Good to see you again.” The volunteer trainer offered his hand to Nate.

  “You too.” Nate shook the man’s hand. “Mind if I have a minute with Jet?”

  “Sure thing. Be right back.” The man slapped Jet on the back. “Good work there.”

  Finally, the slightest of smiles made an appearance followed by a hasty exit.

  “Whatchya need?” Jet crossed his arms and leaned against the car, propping one ankle over the other.

  “You know that road tri
p I’m going on?”

  Jet shrugged. “What about it?”

  “My little brother can’t go, so I thought I’d invite you instead.”

  Finally, light flickered in Jet’s eyes. “Seriously? You’re asking me?”

  “Thought you’d enjoy it.”

  Lauren elbowed Nate. “Introduce us?”

  “Oh, uh, yeah. Jet, this is my sister, Lauren.”

  A grin broke through her fear. Nate had only recently dropped the “sort-of” from in front of “sister.” Maybe they weren’t blood siblings, but they were definitely siblings-at-heart.

  “And Lauren, this is Jethro Wurm, AKA Jet, he’s . . . ”

  Lauren heard nothing else as all her blood seemed to gush to her toes, and she became light-headed. She had seen Jet before. Years ago, during those awful middle school years she’d endured with no mother around to cry to.

  Back then she’d known him as Jethro Wurm, the wormy bully who’d made those middle school years a living nightmare.

  ~*~*~

  “NICE TO MEET YOU.” Jet stuck out his hand, but slowly retracted it as Lauren’s face turned an ashen white. She covered her mouth and mumbled something before she spun and made a hasty exit through the garage. What had he done wrong now?

  Wait. Putting himself down for no reason—or any reason for that matter—was the exact type of thinking his counselor had warned him about. Casey would tell him to assess the situation before making any judgment. What were the facts?

  A – Lauren is Nate’s sister. Sort-of sister, that is. Nate had previously explained their complicated relationship.