A Gentleman's Kiss Romance Collection

by Ginny Aiken

  “Sure.” She sat down at the desk and waited.

  Daniel Jamison raised his voice. “I’m telling you, Greg—Melissa Stoddard is not pastor’s wife material.”

  “You’re right. She’s not pastor’s wife—”

  The phone rang, and Melissa attempted a pleasant greeting, while her stomach churned and she felt like dying. Why hadn’t Greg defended her? How could he have agreed? Maybe she embarrassed him.

  A panicked voice drew her back to the phone conversation. “Please—I need to speak to Greg Kelly right away. Tell him it’s about Amy.”

  “Yes,” she replied, her world spinning out of control. As she turned to knock on the study door, it flew open. Greg stopped.

  Melissa stammered. “Phone. It’s for you. It’s Amy.” She turned and fled. He called after her, but she couldn’t stop. What could he say? Nothing would take away this hurt, this pain. Nothing. Amy had returned, and she wasn’t pastor’s wife material. Anguish, like a sharp razor, twisted in her stomach.

  Oh, God, why? Did You bring me this far only to abandon me? Help me. Don’t let me fall apart.

  Once safely in the car she put her fingertips to her lips. The memory of his first kiss, the kiss, burned. She’d been a fool.

  She peeled out of the parking lot. A horn blared. She didn’t care. She wove between the cars, attempting to put as much distance between her and Greg as she could. She checked the rearview mirror for the flashy red car. It was nowhere to be seen. She fought the disappointment. If only he’d come after her. Tell her some lie, anything.

  She kept driving. A few blocks later she glanced in the mirror again and then drove onto the shoulder. A car pulled in behind her. She waited for the driver.

  “Afternoon, Melissa.” He tipped his hat. “Are you wearing them big boots again or something?”

  “Just give me a ticket, Charlie,” she snapped, wishing she’d never noticed his flashing lights. Wishing she’d never stayed in Heaven. Wishing she’d never gone out with the wrong guy, who turned out to be the right guy. What a mess.

  Charlie leaned his large frame in the window toward her. “I get off in five. You look like you could use a friend, rather than a ticket.”

  “I’ve had enough of my friends. Give me the ticket.”

  He pulled out his book and started writing. She stared ahead. Surely Greg would have had time to catch her by now. Why hadn’t he followed her and made everything right? Amy. It always came back to her. He loved Amy, not her. Amy was probably pastor’s wife material. While Melissa would only ruin his reputation. His perfect pastor image with his perfect pastor wardrobe.

  Charlie handed her a slip of paper. “Melissa, go see your grandmother.”

  She slipped the car in gear and tore away from the side of the road. At a stoplight she looked at the ticket. Bless his heart—he’d only given her a warning. She headed toward Heavenly Village Retirement Community. Charlie had been right. She needed her Gram.

  “Daniel, I have to leave town. It’s an urgent family matter,” Greg said to his boss after taking the phone call Melissa had given him.

  Pastor Jamison stood up behind his desk, compassion etched in his fatherly features. “Can I help in any way, son?”

  “Pray for Amy.”

  “I do, and I will.” He stepped around the desk and laid a hand on Greg’s shoulder. “And I’ll be praying for you as well.”

  Greg felt a lump in his throat. He thanked God for the great relationship he and Daniel had established right from the start. “I’ll make sure I’m back in time for the youth mission trip.”

  “You take whatever time you need. I’ll go on the trip, if I have to. Besides, now might be a good time to get away for awhile.”

  He knew Daniel was referring to Melissa, but he ignored his pastor’s concern. “If you see Melissa, tell her I had to leave unexpectedly.”

  “Let me pray for you before you go.”

  A short time later Greg headed to the airport. He tried to call Melissa but reached only the answering machine. He hung up without leaving a message. Something was wrong. He hadn’t missed the distressed look on her face when he’d opened the door. Was it worry about the phone call? Or had she heard what Daniel had said about her?

  With slow and heavy steps he wandered the airport until his flight back to Seattle. Sweat beaded on his brow, and he raked his hand through his hair in frustration. Back and forth he paced, wondering where Melissa had gone. He needed to talk to her. He needed to see her smile. And kiss her good-bye in case he didn’t come back.

  He called her again, and this time he left a message. “Melissa, I’m going to be out of town. I’ll call you as soon as I can.” It probably wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but in the crowded airport he didn’t want to tell her how he felt.

  They announced his flight, and he picked up his bags. He marched to the gate like a solider off to war. Where were his loved ones seeing him off, praying for his safe return? Only one person here in Heaven loved him. And now he worried that might no longer be the case.

  If he didn’t return, would it matter anyway? Yes, it would. No matter what happened, or where he went, Melissa would always have a piece of his heart. But Amy needed him. May need him for the rest of her life.

  That meant he had nothing to offer Melissa. He wished he hadn’t left the phone message. Unless he was coming back to Heaven, he’d never call her again. It would only hurt her—and him. He’d rather have her hate him than to think he’d made a choice—when he’d had no choice at all.

  “You must be mistaken, honey. No one would ever question your character.” Gram still held her close, and Melissa didn’t reply. “You sit down, and I’ll get us some tea.” She filled the kettle and set it on the stove.

  Melissa sat in Gram’s kitchen nook and pulled a tissue from her purse. She dabbed at her red, swollen eyes then sighed. “I think Greg has a wife or fiancée.”

  Gram sat next to Melissa. Her hair, neatly styled, belied her age, as did the jeans and top she had donned. “There’s no place like Heaven” was emblazoned on the front of the bright yellow T-shirt. “Why do you believe there’s someone else?”

  “Her name’s Amy.”

  “I don’t think you’re giving Greg enough credit. I’m certain he would have told you if he were taken.”

  “He gets a faraway look on his face when her name is mentioned. And then he appears to be in pain.” Melissa stared out the window.

  Gram poured the tea and busied herself with the sugar and cream. “You love him, don’t you?”

  She shook her head no, then nodded. She couldn’t fool her Gram. She loved Greg. She’d loved him the moment he’d hugged that silly old pine tree the first night they’d met.

  “Are you going to walk away from him?”

  “I have no choice, Gram. First of all, he’s gone. And, second, Pastor Jamison is telling him whom he can and cannot see. And it’s not me.”

  “I think you may be jumping to conclusions here, sweetie.”

  Melissa turned and eyed her Gram. “I was there.”

  “I’m sure it’s not what you’re thinking.” Gram patted Melissa’s hand. “You need to talk to him.”

  She’d had enough pain. Did she have to face Greg and have him spell it out, too? No, this time Gram didn’t understand, and Melissa couldn’t take her advice. She couldn’t let her heart be ripped any further. She never wanted to see Greg again. Even if it meant she had to leave Heaven and everything she loved—including him.

  Chapter 8

  Greg, good to have you back,” Daniel Jamison greeted him when he entered the church office.

  He reached out and shook his boss’s hand. “It’s great to be here. I thought I missed the Seattle rain. Guess I didn’t.” The dreary weather didn’t help with the gloom that had settled over him and his family, either.

  “You’re cutting it awful close, I’d say. What time does the mission trip leave tomorrow?”

  He perched on the edge of the secretary’s desk. “W
e’ll be meeting here at four thirty a.m.”

  “You’ll forgive me if I’m not here to see you off?”

  “No problem. We have a bon voyage crew. Many of our senior citizens in the church have each prayed daily for one of our youth. They’ll be here tomorrow morning to pray for them and see us off. Just before I left, some strong friendships were beginning to form. I hope it’s continued.”

  “That’s great,” Daniel said as he strolled toward his office. “I think this would look good in the denominational newsletter.”

  Greg shook his head. Some things never change. He slid off the desk and went into his own office, closing the door behind him. He picked up the phone and dialed Melissa’s number. The line was busy.

  He shuffled some papers then tried the number again. This time he got through, but the answering machine picked up. He left a message asking her to call him.

  At the end of the day when he hadn’t heard from her, he headed home to do some laundry and finish packing. He prayed she would call, but by eleven p.m. his phone had remained silent. Maybe he should go over there. He knew he should get some sleep since four a.m. came early, but he needed to talk to Melissa. He’d thought of her continually in Seattle. He had no doubts about how he felt. God had granted him a peace about it too.

  He jumped into his car and drove over to her place. All the lights were out. Should he wake her up? It would be another week before he saw her if he didn’t. He knocked on the door but received no answer. He assumed she must be out and went home, feeling as if he’d lost his best friend.

  He had a message on his answering machine when he returned. He hit the play button and listened.

  “Greg, it’s Melissa.”

  She didn’t sound right. Like maybe she’d been crying. He turned up the volume.

  “I’m sorry I’m not telling you this in person.” She paused. “I think it would be best if we don’t see each other anymore. It’s hard for me to say this, but I think God brought you into my life when I needed someone, but it’s time I stopped depending on you and moved on. Thanks for everything, friend.“

  She’d made it very clear he had only been a temporary thing. She considered him a friend by the way she’d pointedly said the word.

  He slammed his fist on the bookcase, and the picture frames rattled. Not only did his hand hurt, but so did his heart.

  But he would not give up. He’d pray and think of something by the time he arrived back in town. He believed God had indeed brought them together as Melissa had said, and he felt certain God didn’t want them apart. He loved Melissa, and he’d prove it to her.

  Melissa hung up the phone and bowed her head. Forgive me, Lord, for not telling the truth. And for trusting Greg, rather than You.

  It wouldn’t be easy trying to forget him, but she appreciated what they’d shared.

  “Lissa, what’s the catalog for?” her mother called out from the kitchen.

  She walked into the room and sat at the table. “It’s for Heaven Community College.”

  Her mother stared wide-eyed at her.

  “What? You never heard of college?”

  “Okay, what’s going on?”

  “Since I’m no longer babysitting the twins and I’ve decided to give up my lucrative fly-fish business, I decided it was time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”

  “And?” Her mother sat down and waited for her to continue.

  “I’m still thinking.”

  “Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Greg? Or are you going to run away?”

  “Going to college is not running away.”

  Her mother shook her head. “I’m not saying that at all. I know you’re hurting. I want to help.”

  “Let’s just say I’m not pastor’s wife material and leave it at that.”

  “Oh, honey.” Her mother stood and embraced her. “Anyone would be a fool if they thought that.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” She pulled away from the hug. “I think I’ll be okay. I’m trusting God, and I won’t analyze this to death. I don’t know why He brought Greg into my life, but I’m thankful He did.”

  “My little girl’s grown up.”

  “Don’t go getting sentimental on me now!” They laughed, and Melissa padded off to bed.

  She flipped through her Bible and stopped at Proverbs 3. It was the verse Greg had shared with her. “I’m trusting You, God. Help me get past this. Help me to move on with my life.”

  But as she spoke the words aloud, she had the distinct feeling they merely bounced off the walls and shattered when they landed on the floor. Broken into a million pieces, like her heart. But she couldn’t hold Greg back from his job, and she didn’t want to take him from Amy. Why did doing the right thing have to hurt so much?

  “Lissa, what perfect timing. Jeff just finished our Internet class, and we’re going to take some refreshments in the dining room.”

  Melissa felt herself freeze on the spot. She didn’t want to spend time with Jeff. Especially now with Greg gone. Gram always believed in getting back in the saddle once you’ve been thrown. Dating, in her eyes, would be the same. Falling off a horse seemed less painful to Melissa.

  Gram made certain Jeff sat beside her once they reached the busy dining hall. He seemed nervous and pushed up his glasses several times before he finally spoke. “It’s nice to see you again, Melissa.”

  “Thanks. I hear you’re doing a great job teaching.”

  “I enjoy it.”

  “Melissa loves technology,” Gram said, leaning between them. “She has one of those little music players that sounds like the band is in the room when she plays it.”

  “MP3?” Jeff asked.

  Melissa shook her head. “Minidisc.”

  “And don’t forget your little electronic black thingy. Jeff has one, too.”

  “Visor?”

  “Palm IIIc,” Melissa said.

  “See—you two even talk the same language. Look at how well you’re communicating. I knew what I was doing….” Gram’s voice trailed off, and a smile played across her lips. Melissa couldn’t miss the gleam in her eyes. Then she read Gram’s new T-shirt: Matchmaker.

  Dread filled her. Stopping Gram would be like trying to calm a tornado.

  “Jeff, why don’t you show Lissa your web page?”

  He cleared his throat and stood. “Ah. Yeah. Sure.”

  Melissa looked around the room. No way out. She followed him to the library in silence, his shiny shoes squeaking with every step.

  “Your Gram is such a great lady.” He sat down at the computer and reached for the mouse. After a few clicks a video bounced onto the screen.

  “Yeah, we love her.” Melissa moved closer to get a better view. As the screen flashed before her, Jeff provided a brief narration.

  “This is like a public service announcement site. It provides awareness for the dangers of drunk drivers. Several major medical facilities, police agencies, and fire halls help support the site.”

  “I like the colors you’ve used. The flash looks good, but can you slow down the image montage?”

  Jeff clicked a few keys faster than Melissa could say Internet, and the flash ran again. Pictures of tragic crash scenes transitioned onto the monitor one after the other. Some of them were horrific.

  “Wait. Can you stop that graphic?”

  “I can do better than that,” he replied. More fast tick-tick-tick as he typed in commands. The image popped up, and Melissa scrutinized it carefully.

  “Someone you know?”

  She blinked back tears and squeaked out, “Yes.”

  “Doesn’t look like anyone could have survived. My stuff is at home, but if I’m not mistaken this accident was in Portland or maybe Seattle. The driver walked away while the passenger sustained massive burns.”

  Melissa gazed at the screen. Greg’s tortured face leaned over someone—a woman—on the stretcher. She figured it was Amy. Had Greg been driving?

  “… check my notes and find
the story.”

  “I’m sorry. I missed what you said.”

  “I can probably find the article since I had to get permission for the photographs.”

  Did she want to know? No, she didn’t. These last two weeks God had constantly reminded her to trust Him, and she had. Greg would stay devoted to Amy, even if she had been badly burned. Thus, she would never try to force Greg to choose. The time had come to let him go for good. “No. Thanks for the offer, though.”

  “If you change your mind, let me know.”

  “Your site’s impressive. Is that what you do for a living?”

  “No. This is just fun stuff. Like your fly-fish web page.”

  “Well, don’t hold that against me. I’m still learning.”

  “Your HTML code looked good. Use scripts much?”

  “Nah. I don’t have time to learn the difficult stuff. The mouse rollover is my masterpiece.”

  Jeff laughed, and Melissa realized he was actually a nice guy. Too bad things had worked out the way they had. She wondered what would have happened had Greg not shown up. She shook her head, hoping to rid herself of such thoughts.

  “I have to get going. Thanks, Jeff.”

  “Yeah, it’s been fun. If you ever need help with your web page, give me a call.”

  “You’ll be the first one I turn to if I need someone.” And she meant it.

  After saying good-bye to Jeff and then Gram, Melissa left the community residence. She could tell it would be only a matter of time before Gram hatched another scheme. Maybe Melissa could be in Timbuktu by then. She had to find a way to stop the blinddate disasters.

  Chapter 9

  Melissa gave up. She couldn’t fight Gram. She missed Greg, but she knew she needed to get over him. Whether he had a wife or girlfriend or whatever didn’t matter. What mattered was that he would not be hers. He’d warned her that people would let her down. She figured everyone else might, but not him. She’d figured wrong.

  She figured she’d never go out on another blind date, either. Again, she’d figured wrong. But this time she held her ground. This time she had terms. She’d agree to this folly, but then no more. No matter what happened, she’d never have to be set up again. What troubled her right now was how easily Gram had accepted her conditions. Perhaps her worries were for nothing. Or maybe she’d be forced to spend her evening with Jeff. Maybe she’d get a headache—fast.