It was pointless to play dumb—she’d get away much sooner if she told the truth. “He’s being interviewed for the job at North Street Church.”
“What?” The administrator who usually controlled her features appeared confused. “Why would he…?” She burst into a fit of laughter. “Oh, he’s a pastor. I forgot. Well, now, I guess you really don’t stand a chance, do you?” She walked away, the echoes of her snorting vibrating down the next hallway.
Tess continued on her way and finished the laundry before punching out for the day. Getting home would be a relief. Josh would be gone the next day, and she’d already made up her mind to ignore his texts and calls. It was the right thing to do for his sake and hers. And she intended to get even more resumes out across the country as soon as possible.
~*~
The parking lot outside Tess’s apartment was barren, as usual, save for the few cars that belonged to the residents there. She pulled her truck into the usual spot right outside her door and hopped out, rolling her neck from side to side in an effort to eliminate the kinks. Something was out of place. Tess looked around again.
The door to the shed across the parking lot had been pried open and there was a crowbar nearby.
With a shudder, Tess moved closer and stared into the darkness. Nothing else seemed amiss. She wondered if she should call the police but immediately dismissed the idea. They didn’t like her and wouldn’t be in a hurry to come to her aid. She inhaled deeply, hoping for the resolve she needed as she moved toward the shed.
Uncle Stu kept the lawnmower and other supplies in there, but the shed was also where she hid her motorcycle during the winter months since she didn’t own a proper garage to keep it in.
“Please let me be imagining things,” Tess whispered to herself as she got close enough to confirm that the shed had, in fact, been broken into.
And her beloved motorcycle was gone.
~*~
Josh sat in his hotel room staring at the wall. He’d spent a good amount of time after he’d left John’s home pacing the floor, running through numerous scenarios, and yet he’d come up with no real answers. He was still convinced he was supposed to be with Tess.
But John Williamson was clear that the congregation would love a pastor who was married…if only to the ‘right kind of girl’.
Josh understood what that meant, but he’d pressed about repentant sinners and transformed lives.
“It all takes time. I’d advise any man in a position such as you’re hoping to take on to be very careful.” John smiled as he spoke.
The conversation was unsettling everything Josh had been confident of a short time ago.
“But there’s something I like about Carson girl,” John continued. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think she can do great things for the church. Only I’m not yet sure if it would be hurtful to you as a new pastor to tie yourself to a woman of her reputation right now.”
Josh paced the floor again, certain he wouldn’t sleep if he didn’t talk to Tess again. It was already after eleven, but she’d be home. Without waiting another second, he grabbed his jacket and headed for her apartment.
~*~
Josh turned his car into the parking lot.
Tess was standing outside staring at a small shed. She appeared to be horrified.
Josh nearly forgot to set the parking brake before hopping out and slamming the car door.
She didn’t even glance his way.
“Hey.” Josh jogged over to her and to see what she was staring at. “Everything OK?” He peered around her into a garden shed that was full of tools and lawn care items.
Tess glanced up. “No. Everything is not OK,” she said, seemingly not surprised he was there.
Josh grew serious. “What’s going on?”
Tess smacked Josh hard in the chest, nearly causing him to lose his balance. “My motorcycle was in there!” she shrieked. “And now it’s gone!”
The reality of the situation sank in and Josh pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “What? I’ll call the police.”
Tess continued staring at the empty space, as if willing the motorcycle to reappear. “Don’t bother,” she muttered. “They won’t rush out here for me. And even if they do, I’m sure it will somehow end up being my fault this happened.”
“Tess,” Josh began, aware she wasn’t listening to him even as he wondered if this wasn’t another sign for him to stop his pursuit of a relationship with her.
“Uncle Stu is on his way.” Tess sat heavily on the curb. “I already know who took it anyway and until he wants to bring it back, it’s gone.”
Josh sat beside her. “But who would do that?”
“Remember that ex-boyfriend?”
Josh nodded. Was he still talking to the woman who moments before he’d been thinking he would marry?
Tess glanced at him and nodded. “Yeah. Him.”
“Well, we should still call the police,” he said simply.
“You really should get out of here. You don’t want to get wrapped up in this. If Flynn finds out...”
Stu’s car rolled into the parking lot.
With a quick glance at Tess who continued to appear to be dazed, Josh stood and moved closer to where Stu parked.
The man was out of the car in seconds, his gaze trained on Tess.
“I think she’s in shock,” Josh said.
Stu closed the car door. “Figures.”
“I only got here a few minutes ago. She didn’t want me to call the police.”
Stu nodded. “Still thinks they’re all out to get her.” He glanced in Tess’s direction. “I already called them anyway.” He patted Josh on the back. “Take her inside and I’ll handle the police. I’ll get you if we need her for anything.”
Josh nodded and went to Tess. He extended a hand to her and said, “Come on, Tornado. Let’s go inside.”
Without protest, Tess lifted one weary hand and allowed Josh to tug her to her feet. He led her into the apartment and closed the door.
A police car turned into the lot.
~*~
Tess sank heavily into the couch as it registered that Josh was supposed to be at his hotel. It was after eleven o’clock, the police were outside her door, and the prospective pastor of the biggest church in her town was sitting in her living room. In anyone else’s life it might have been funny, but considering her situation, humor was the last thing on Tess’s mind. “What are you doing here?” she asked as Josh hustled around the kitchen making coffee.
He tossed her a grin that made her flush. She cursed his dimples even as he spoke.
“Would you believe I hoped I’d come over here and sweep you off your feet before I went home? Maybe change your mind about me?”
Tess grunted. “I actually do believe that. Funny you’re still here.”
“I don’t think it’s funny at all,” he said as he opened a cabinet and pulled two mugs out. “How am I doing so far?” He winked at her. “Still think I’m adorable?”
Tess released a dreamy sigh and hated herself. He was adorable as he poked around her kitchen, making himself right at home.
Josh laughed. “That’s my girl.” He filled two mugs and brought them into the living room. “So tell me about your bike. You said before you were going to paint it. Did you get to that yet?”
Tess shook her head. “I was thinking red. I wanted it to stand out.”
Josh groaned. “Red? Yuck.”
Shocked, Tess looked at him. “Yuck? What are you? Five? Besides, red will look awesome.”
Josh snorted. “Black is the only way to go. Stealthy. Like mine.”
Tess rolled her eyes as she accepted the mug of coffee from him. “I’ll stick to red. Thanks.” She relished the warmth on her cold hands and even more Josh’s sweetness for comforting her when she was upset.
“I’ll still ride with you if it’s red,” he promised.
“You’re a saint,” Tess muttered as he sat across from her.
&nbs
p; The door opened, and Stu entered, followed by a police officer Tess hadn’t met before. She was surprised, but thankful for small favors.
“Officer Dixon wants to ask you some questions,” Stu said.
Tess nodded.
The officer stood near the doorway with a notepad in hand. “Did you touch anything when you found the shed like that?”
Tess didn’t answer immediately.
He raised his head. “Ma‘am? Did you touch anything?”
Tess shook her head. “No, sir, I didn’t.”
“Any idea what they wanted?”
“All that’s in there are lawn tools and…” Stu began.
“My motorcycle,” Tess finished.
“I told them that,” Stu said as he leaned in the doorway.
She nodded as she set her mug down. “Justin Trapp threatened me when I wouldn’t loan him the bike the other day. He said he’d take it.”
The officer stared at her. The name alone was enough to make anything else Tess said suspect. “You’re too nice a girl to be mixed up with a guy like that.”
Stu glared at the man. “My niece has been in some trouble. But that’s all far in the past, I can assure you—this is her pastor, Joshua Thorne.”
Josh stood and shook the man’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Officer Dixon.”
“Were you here when she got home?”
Josh sat back down. “No sir, I got here immediately after.”
The officer nodded and began a series of questions that made Tess’s head spin. She’d been on the other side of the questions before—guilty and well aware that her trouble was only beginning. Never before had she been on the side of the questions that meant the police were trying to help. It was still a little too much to believe.
~*~
A short time later the officer finished, promising to do what he could to locate Tess’s motorcycle as quickly as possible.
Stu thanked the man and escorted him out. “Get some rest, kid,” he said, and gave Tess a hug. He gestured for Josh to follow him to the door. “Make sure she’s calmed down before you leave. And that she locks the door for a change. You can drop her at my place if need be and I’ll get her to work in the morning.”
Josh turned to Tess.
She was staring across the room as if her heart was broken.
He sat. “You all right, Tornado?”
Tess laughed wryly. “It was just a money pit anyway…and I still have the truck.”
“It was insured, right?”
“I could only afford collision.”
Josh grimaced.
Tess offered a weak smile. “It’s all right.”
“The police will find it.”
“Wrecked? Scrapped for parts and left at a junkyard?” Tess stood. “Go back to your hotel. You shouldn’t lose sleep too.”
Josh followed her into the kitchen. “I want you to make me a deal.”
Tess groaned. “Yeah? What kind of deal?” She took the coffee mugs to the sink and began washing them.
Josh grabbed a dish towel and dried. “Well, you’re so nervous about us…and maybe I see a little as to why that is now, but I still don’t think we should call this off. There’s something between us, Tess.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Tess hummed doubtfully. “So what’s the deal?”
Josh exhaled nervously, wracking his brain for how to say it and not sound as if he was trying to weasel his way out of being with her. He wouldn’t do that. Would he? “I just hoped there would be a way for us to figure this out. Perhaps we can just see each other quietly. We don’t owe anyone anything. We don’t have to make dating—if I get the job and move here, that is—more than it is before things are serious. Right?”
Tess looked at him, her eyes full of disappointment. She forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah. Sure. So we agree to date in secret?”
Josh squirmed. It sounded awful when she said the words aloud. “That’s not exactly what I meant.”
“No,” Tess’s face brightened. “It’s a fine idea. No one gets hurt and we figure things out. It’s great.” But her voice wasn’t at all convincing.
“Tess…”
She laughed as she shut the water off and dried her hands. “You’re getting the job,” she said. “And if you purposely associate with me when you move here, in secret or in the open, don’t you think that’s asking for trouble?”
Josh tossed the dishtowel away and followed Tess to the living room. He took her hands and gazed into her eyes. “I wasn’t asking for this. I wasn’t searching for you. I’m just trying to figure it out and find a way to get you on board. With me.”
“And what about all the people in this town who know what kind of a woman I am?”
“What kind of a woman you were,” Josh corrected.
“Ha. They’d say it’s the same thing.”
“They’d be wrong.”
Tess sighed. “Jed.”
Josh pursed his lips and raised one eyebrow.
“What?” Tess asked warily.
“Now that you’re back to calling me Jed I figure I’ve got a better chance at winning this argument.” He winked playfully, hoping his dimples were doing their job.
“Cocky, aren’t you?”
“You always said I was.”
Tess groaned.
“So, what do you think?” Josh asked.
Tess folded her arms over her chest in annoyance. “That you’re delusional?”
“Try again. You called me that already.”
Tess thought for a long moment. “If you get the job, we’ll…date quietly.”
Josh scooted closer to her and put his arm around her. “How long will you need to hide until you’re comfortable with us?”
Tess leaned into him for a brief moment before moving away. “I don’t know.”
Josh sighed heavily before nodding. “All right. I think I can live with that. For now.” He paused. “Are you sure you’re OK?”
Tess considered his question. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”
Josh smiled and kissed her. “Not as long as I’m here you don’t. I promise to make sure you’re OK from now on.”
~*~
Tess wanted to hate how safe and loved Josh made her feel. She didn’t deserve it. But even in the face of a complete meltdown over the loss of her motorcycle, she couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by his care for her. And the fear that their association would ruin his life. Sadly, she now was certain he felt it too.
His ‘deal’ made that clear enough, and a little part of Tess was disappointed to find he wasn’t as sure of overcoming everything that stood in their way as he’d once seemed. She now wondered if he loved her enough to follow through on his promises. But deep down, Tess didn’t want to know; so rather than ask, she changed the subject. “Ashley-Marie was upset with me for not telling her you were in town. She figured I was trying to keep you to myself.”
Josh smiled broadly and leaned back against the couch cushions. “Yeah? How is Ashley-Marie?”
Tess rolled her eyes. “Annoying. Mean. Still mad about the garden hose.”
Josh laughed. “Maybe I should give her a call.” He nudged Tess. “We could all go out and catch up on old times.”
Tess studied her nails as he spoke, refusing to take the bait. “We had different old times since she’s as old as you are.”
Josh burst out laughing. “That’s true, but I wouldn’t remind her of that if I were you,” he said, shuddering. He smiled as he looked into her eyes. “So, are you trying to keep me to yourself?”
Tess snorted as she looked away. “No. I tried unloading you on her but even she wouldn’t take you. I’m doing you a favor letting you hang out with me. No one else wants you.”
Josh laughed as he stood, tugging Tess with him. “I figured as much.” He hugged her and stepped back. “I hate to go. I’m not sure when,” he swallowed. “Or if I’ll be back.”
Tess shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “Well, as long as I’m still paying off debts, I’
ll be here.”
Josh kissed her and stepped away so he could grab his jacket. “Call me when they find your bike. I’ll talk you into painting it black.”
Tess groaned and followed him to the door where he stopped.
“You don’t think he’ll come back here tonight, do you?” he asked, worried. “I could sleep on the couch if you don’t think you’re safe. Or Stu said I can drop you off at his place.”
Tess laughed openly. She’d never let Josh put his reputation in jeopardy no matter the chances of Justin coming back. Thankfully, she didn’t think he would, so saying, “Bad idea,” was easy enough for her to manage.
“But what if he comes back and tries something else? What if he gets violent?” Josh’s forehead wrinkled in his worry.
“Violence was never his thing—at least with me. If he needed to send a message he’d get someone else to do it. And I don’t see what purpose that would serve in this case. He already has what he wants.”
Josh nodded reluctantly. “OK. Lock the door when I go. Stu’s orders. And mine.”
Tess smiled. “I’ll be all right.”
“Lock it anyway.” Josh kissed her quickly and opened the door. “Goodbye…for now.”
Tess nodded. “For now.”
22
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
The next morning Tess drove to the diner to work the breakfast rush. Since the weather was finally warming and she had a little time without double shifts, she’d planned on working on her bike. But now she wasn’t sure if or when that would happen. Against her best judgment she’d even tried calling the last number she knew for Justin but it was disconnected. Figured.
“Carson! Order up!”
Tess hustled behind the counter and grabbed a tray. She loaded it with plates for the businessmen seated in her section and made her way to deliver the food. As she set it on the table she smiled, “How’s everything look?” she asked.
One of the men smiled and nodded. “It’s wonderful, thanks.”
Forgiving Tess Page 19