Brides And Blessings

The Church Directory.

She’d been wanting something that would acquaint her with the congregation at Oak Valley Bible Church. A church directory was just the text she’d been hoping to find. She would check it out of the church library and take it back to Holly’s apartment for further study.

She filled out the library card and opened the book to the first page. She’d just turned to the Gs for Gallagher when Josh reappeared with the cough medication. Casually, she flipped to the Rs.

“How’s the cough?” He handed her the box of candied drops.

“Better.” She popped a drop in her mouth. “Yum, cherry-flavored. My favorite.”

“Keep the whole box then. We have several cartons of the stuff in the church office.”

“Thanks again.”

He shifted his weight from one long leg to the other as if there was something more he wanted to say. “As you know,” he began, “I’m new to Oak Valley, and I thought the pastor said you were a native Texan. But you sure didn’t sound like it just then.”

She needed to forget her cough and get in character.

“I have several friends from other states.” Suzann’s sculptured lips formed her best ingenuous smile yet. “I guess it’s beginning to rub off.”

“Yeah, that’s probably it.”

He still looked puzzled, but maybe not as much as before.

“I couldn’t help noticing that you’re wearing cowboy boots and jeans,” she said with a Texas accent. “Were you raised on a farm? Or do you just like Western clothes?”

“A little of both, I guess. But it was a ranch. Not a farm,” he corrected with a spark of amusement in his eyes. He glanced out the window. “Why, it’s starting to sprinkle.”

The light shower had turned to rain by the time she looked out too. The trees and the entire parking lot had grayed eerily. She could barely see the street beyond.

“You sure don’t need to be out in wet weather with that cough of yours.” He glanced toward the side door. “If you’ll give me your car keys, I’ll re-park your car under the carport.”

“I—I walked.”

“Walked? Didn’t you notice those dark clouds coming up from the north?”

“I guess I was distracted. Coming from far west Texas, I’m still amazed when I find autumn colors this far south. Besides, fall is my favorite time of the year.”

“Fall’s my favorite time of the year too,” he said. “But you need to look up once in a while, young lady. Know what I mean?”

Suzann forced herself to hold in a smile. Josh looked to be in his mid- to late-twenties. She was probably only a few years younger than he, if that.

“I’ll try to remember to do that,” she said after the long pause. “But I do hope you’ll keep reminding me.”

He cocked his head to one side and grinned his heart-stopping smile again. “I can’t seem to stop preaching, can I?”

“Occupational hazard, I guess.”

He laughed. “You know, you have a great sense of humor. I guess I never saw that side of you before.”

“My funny side only comes out when I’m feeling a little bit under the weather.”

His animated expression fell away. “That’s right. You’re sick, aren’t you?”

“I think I just need to rest up from my vacation.”

“Well, if you think I’m going to let you walk home in the rain, you have another think coming.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “Let me pull my truck around. And meet me at the side entrance in five minutes.” He started to walk off, then stopped and turned back. “Unless you would rather stay a little longer.”

“No,” she said. “I’m ready to go right now.”

She knew she shouldn’t be catching a ride with her sister’s secret love. But it was raining outside. And she was feeling sicker by the minute.

Chapter Two (#ulink_5c9cea8e-bc57-5bb1-a934-cd0f5dfceb93)

Holly, on her flight to California, tried to ignore Mike in the first-class seat beside her. Yet he kept staring at her as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. He appeared amazed that she looked so much like Suzann. Holly had the sudden urge to stare right back.

With his green eyes and blond hair, some might call Mike McDowell handsome. Holly saw him as conceited, condescending and a big phoney. During the last two weeks, the only time he’d been halfway civil was when her sister was around.

A man like Mike probably expected every woman on the planet to fall down at his feet. He would be surprised if he knew how truly unimpressed Holly really was. She would definitely put Mike McDowell on her prayer list.

Suzann had depicted Mike as charming, a sweetheart. Holly thought his congenial attitude was a facade to impress her wealthy sister. She intended to be courteous to Mike, but the friendship balls were all in his court.

He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll be landing in less than a hour, and I’m bushed. I haven’t had a day off in over two weeks. Sometimes I think Suzann forgets that she’s not my only client.”

Holly didn’t feel like making a comment.

“I hope you don’t mind,” he continued, “but I’ll be out of pocket for the next few days. So I won’t be able to take your phone calls.”

She stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. “What?”

“Now, hold on. Don’t blow this way out of proportion. You can still call me—just not right away. And whatever you do, don’t tell your sister.”

“Now, let’s see. I don’t know a single person in California but you. And I’m pretending to be a movie star. So if a problem comes up, who should I call? Nine-one-one?”

He laughed. “That sounds like something Suzann would say. I’m glad to see that you’re finally beginning to lighten up.”

“And?”

“I have someone in mind to take my place. You can call him anytime.” He handed her a calling card.

Stunned, Holly shook her head. Then she glanced down at the white card. Turning it over, she read a name and a phone number. Dr. Shawn McDowell, Pediatrician.

“Shawn’s my younger brother,” Mike said.

“Does he know who I am?”

“Not yet.”

Her sister had said that nobody else in California was to know. But that was because Suzann assumed Holly could go to Mike for help. Did Mike intend to explain the situation to his brother? Or leave Holly dangling?