Wren had expected his relationship with Leah to improve overnight, but to his dismay, Leah seemed moodier than ever. Rather than not smiling, her brows were narrowed into a scowl and anger radiated from her like a running microwave with a fork inside of it.

"What do you think is wrong with her?" Wren asked Fiona as he watched his ward stomp to the sedan that he'd parked at the bottom of the mansion steps and climb inside. He flinched when she slammed the car door shut, hard.

"I have no idea." Fiona shook her head, her chocolate eyes wide. If Wren didn't know better, even she appeared alarmed. "Something has gotten her riled though. I haven't seen her this angry in a long time."

"Well, let's hope it's directed at Alyssa."

The maid quirked a grin. "Yes! For your sake!"

Chuckling, he waved goodbye and joined Leah inside the car. If he thought the morning had been rough, the ride to school was unbearable. Tension swirled around them, and her smoldering gaze bore into his back the entire drive. He had never been so grateful to see someone leave as he did watching her rigid form disappear into the high school.

The day passed with little problem, and as was agreed upon, Leah sent a short text after every class, informing him of her status. School came to an end, and teenagers poured from the building.

"Hey! My Man!"

Wren chuckled as Dean barreled towards him, a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Hey there, Dean."

"How's it going, Bro?"

Wren bumped the fist raised to him. "It's going. How were classes?"

"Better than awesome. After last night, I thought a lot about what you said about growing up, so I tried studying. It paid off. I passed my history test! I'm dead tired though. " Dean chuckled. "Does being a man always mean no sleep?"

Wren joined Dean's laughter. "I wonder that myself sometimes. Great job though!"

"Well, isn't this touching?" Leah's flat voice halted any answer from Dean. Wren narrowed his brows as she stomped to the vehicle. "Say goodbye, Butler Wren. We are leaving. Now!"

Annoyance surged through Wren, and he offered an apologetic smile at Dean. "Congrats again. Keep up the good work. "

"Thanks, Dude. " Dean looked to say more before he shrugged and stepped back.

Only when their sedan mingled with the rest of traffic did Wren risk a glare at his ward. "What's your problem?"

"I don't have one."

"Right, of course you don't. That's why you've been unbearable all day."

Leah shot up strait. "Did you just call me unbearable?"

"No, I said you were an angel. You heard wrong."

Her eyes narrowed. "You think you're so funny, don't you?"

Wren shrugged, not able to resist chuckling. "Come on. Lighten up, Princess. It's a joke."

"Don't call me, Princess."

His smile falling, Wren sighed in exasperation. "As you wish, Miss Kingsley."

An awkward silence ensued for a few minutes then Leah said, "I want to go shopping."

"Shopping? Do you have a certain place you want to go?"

"The mall is up ahead. It should work fine."

Not bothering to question her, Wren parked the large vehicle close to the front of the mall, hoping Leah's ill mood would dissipate with the money she intended to spend. He followed her without complaint, pausing at JC Penny's glass entry doors.

"Do you want to shop alone?" Total surprise nailed him when she shook her head; he'd expected her to jump at the opportunity.

"I need your help today." She gave him her first smile of the day, and warning bells blared in his head. "You don't mind, do you? You are, after all, Butler Wren now."

Goosebumps spiraled across his arms. Whether it was from the re-phrasal of his own words or the sharp glint in her eye, he didn't know . Hiding his nervousness, he shrugged. "Not at all. Lead the way."

Her smile transformed to a smirk. "I was hoping you'd say that, Butler Boy."

"I was hoping you'd say that, Butler Boy." Who knew one phrase could cause so much anxiety? It banged inside the confines of Wren's brain as they hurried through the racks of clothing. Only when they were riding an escalator to the second floor did he question her.

"So, what are you needing here?"

When she only smiled at him, Wren froze. Then it came into view. The higher the escalator propelled them, the wider his eyes grew as he gaped at the rows of lingerie. A groan tore from his throat. "Aw! Come on, Princess!"

She looked smug. "I warned you to quit, Butler Boy. More will come if you don't."

Wren stared at his ward, dread clawing but stubbornness enveloping him. He never walked away from a fight. "I'm not leaving Princess, and no matter what you do, I'll stay. So why don't we try to get along?"

Leah's smile fell. "No, thanks." She spun and headed into the many rows of silk and polyester garments.

Before Wren knew what was happening, he found his arms loaded with the silky fabrics. His face heated as she tossed a zebra stripped bra on top of the pile, and he glared. "This isn't even your size! It's huge!"

Her mouth dropped. "How do you know my size?"

"I don't! But any idiot can see they aren't this big." He adjusted the spilling lingerie in one hand and lifted the garment in the air. No words could express his satisfaction when her own blush surfaced. He startled when she yanked the bra from his hand and slapped it back on the pile in his arms.

"I don't need to explain myself!" Their gazes locked, stubbornness made their jaws clench. Leah reached out, grabbed the first garment her hand touched, and never once dropping her gaze from his, tossed it into his arms."I think I want that one too." She reached for another. "And this one." Another bra was added. "And this one. And this one. And this one." She walked backwards, challenging him with her snapping, steel eyes, not once looking at the items she collected.

Wren's embarrassment returned with the growing pile as women passed, all glancing at him with different looks: pity, interest, glares. "This is ridiculous." He lowered his voice so the ever increasing attention wouldn't hear.

"Oh, yes. It is and there is more where this came from if you don't call my father today and resign."

"I'm not quitting! I'm here for the next twelve months. Period."

Hurt flashed in her eyes before anger burned brighter once again.

"Then enjoy twelve months of hell!"

Wren stared at the young woman in shock. Not only had she shouted at the top of her lungs, he was amazed at the selfishness eroding from her. The stunned reality of who this girl was hit him strong, and he suddenly didn't care about the dozens of gazes they had accumulated or the women's garments stacked to his chin any longer. "Is this what you are? Are you the future Ozark Construction has to look forward to? You're so beautiful on the outside, but the shallowness I'm seeing is astounding."

Her chest heaved, and Wren forced a calming breath into his lungs. Her eyes dampened with tears.

"Yes, Yes! I'm selfish! So why would you stay? If I'm so repulsive, then leave!"

"No."

Leah stared at him, emotions Wren couldn't decipher flooding over her face. She opened her mouth again, but a soft voice interrupted her next outburst. A soft voice that Wren knew all too well.

"Is everything okay, Wren?"

"Mrs. Slator!" Wren eyes widened as he stared at his pastor's wife standing behind Leah. He cleared his throat, struggling to find more to say than her name. He was more than aware of the colorful undergarments spilling out of his arms, sure Leah had picked the brightest on purpose.

Leah whirled about, annoyance obvious, but even her gusto melted when she saw the elderly woman standing there. Wren could see the red creeping up Leah's neck. She ducked her head.

"Mrs. Slator," Wren tried again, "What are,"--he cleared his throat--"you doing here?"

Humor tipped Ideene's lips into a smirk. "Considering where we're standing, that's probably not the best question to ask a lady."

Wren's face flamed, and he tried to grin, but it felt like dumbells were hooked to each side of his mouth. As much as he hated to admit it, Leah might have won this round.

"And who is this?"

"This is Leah Kingsley. I, uh, told you about her."

"I see," Ideene said and gave Leah her full attention. "So, you're the young woman my Wren is in charge of?"

Leah stiffened but nodded. She cast Wren a quick sideways glance then accepted the hand Ideene held out to her and shook it. "I'm Leah." Her voice sounded tight.

"I'm Ideene Slator."

"Are you Butler Wren's mother?"

Ideene looked surprised before laughing. "Oh goodness, no! But he is like a son." Her wrinkles crinkled around her eyes.

"Mrs. Slator is my pastor's wife," Wren said. He tried to sound nonchalant, but anger seeped into his tone.

"O-Oh." Was that a... trace of tears in her voice. Compassion stirred inside Wren for only a moment, but he bristled. Good. She needed to feel ashamed!

"Butler Wren, I've changed my mind about everything. Please replace them. I - I need to use the restroom," Leah said, and this time her voice definitely wobbled. Without another glance at him or Ideene, she fled.

Wren watched her hasty retreat, and, despite his resolve, his heart softened when Leah swiped at her cheek. When he looked back at Ideene, he didn't even try to mask his defeat. "I don't know if I can handle this girl."

Without saying a word, Ideene took the items from his arms and placed them on the racks, saying nothing. It wasn't that she hadn't heard him, he knew, but rather pondered her response

After a time, she spoke. "I think.. that girl is struggling with something much bigger than you."

Wren frowned. "What could she have to struggle with? She has everything!"

"No one has everything, Wren. Everyone has hurts and struggles. Some larger than others, but it doesn't mean that lesser struggles aren't still hard for the person going through them."

"I don't understand..."

"I couldn't have children, and it's a grief. The pain of not having isn't as strong as the mother who had to bury her child though. Does it mean that my pain isn't real? Does it mean I should just toughen up and deal with it?"

Understanding dawned on Wren. "Of course not. It's real to you like it is to the other mother."

"Exactly. Leah's struggles in life may not compare to what you have gone through, but they are still real to her. My advice is meet her where she is and try to reach her on that level. Because no matter how big or small her struggles are, her pain is real."

The last item went on the rack, and Wren breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, for your help and the advice."

Ideene smiled and patted his cheek. Her hazel eyes softened. "Remember, some with compassion, make a difference."

"Isn't that verse in Jude?"

"Oh, beats me!" Ideene chuckled. "I'm too old to remember such things."

Wren laughed but then sobered. "Pray I can reach her, and I'll do my best to be patient."

"I certainly will."

"Well, I guess I had better go find her. She could be all the way to Timbuktu by now. That girl is faster than a cheetah."

Ideene laughed again. "Then I'll also pray you find her!"

************

Ideene placed a hand over her stomach as it rumbled with hunger, and she glanced longingly at the food court abuzz with people. For the first time, a tiny nudge of resentment filled her at having given their extra spending money to the missionary family that had passed through last Sunday. It lasted only a moment before she scolded herself. She was grateful to give, and she knew she wouldn't perish in the amount of time it took to drive home and cook a meal.

How foolish and unthankful I can be, Lord. Thank you for such a blessed life, she prayed, moving toward the exit doors. Her feet throbbed from all the walking, but she did her best to hide her pain so as not to draw attention to herself. Anxious to get home, she almost chose not to stop when she spotted a young woman sitting on a bench outside the doors. Her blond hair fell over her shoulders hiding most of her face, but a sniff told Ideene that the girl wept.

Jesus, give me wisdom. She settled on the bench beside the girl. "Well, I didn't expect to run into you again. It was Leah, wasn't it?"