“You’re…done? With what exactly?”
Tess watched the scenery pass by as her uncle drove toward her apartment. “With all of this,” she muttered. “Josh. This town. Justin. I don’t even care about my motorcycle anymore. I’m tempted to get on a bus and not look back.”
Stu laughed. “Don’t blame you. But hang in there. I imagine it’s all about to get a lot more interesting.”
Tess grunted, resigned to her fate. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
~*~
Josh handed Stu a check for the deposit on the apartment and stuffed his checkbook back into his pocket. “So that’s it? I can move in anytime?” he asked.
Stu handed the keys over. “It’s all yours.”
“Thanks. I’m glad this worked out.” Josh didn’t say what they were both thinking. It was beyond a bonus that he’d be living above Tess’s apartment and so might now get the chance to wear down her defenses against him. How he’d do it he didn’t know. Josh only knew he had to.
Stu laughed and nodded. “Well, you’ll need some linens and towels and you’ll be good to go.”
Josh took in the small, tidy apartment and nodded. It was a step up from his last place and exactly what he imagined Stu would offer him. That Tess would be downstairs made him think he should offer Stu more money.
“Tess said you offered to pay Justin off.”
The words made Josh wonder if he was part of a gangster’s dirty deal. “It’s not like that. He was giving her a hard time, saying he would tell everyone what she really was. She’s fragile enough. She didn’t need that.” He paused for a long moment, hoping he could make it clear. “I’m certain Tess is different. Only I wonder whether she believes it. I wanted to help—I mean, make it go away.”
Stu fussed with a handle on one of the cabinets. “It won’t go away like that. And you probably bought yourself a boatload of trouble. Don’t give that slime one cent. You can’t trust him.”
Josh swallowed and nodded. “But I gave him my word.”
“You gave your word to a drug-dealing criminal. Let me handle it,” Stu said. “And save that money for the ring I expect you to buy my niece when you two finally get it together.”
Josh stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Sir?” he asked.
Stu laughed as he headed for the door of the apartment. Wordlessly he opened and closed the door.
Josh was stunned. And smiling.
~*~
“OK, ladies and gents, you said you want me to work you a little harder, so let’s see what you’re made of,” Tess said with a smile. “Get those arms up! We’re doing ten reps today. Let’s do it!”
The class alternately groaned, laughed, and struggled through the set of exercises in the routine as Tess stood at the front of the room.
Ashley-Marie walked by several times as the class rolled on.
“Well…that was fun!” Gram smiled as she swiped her hand across her forehead.
Tess laughed.
Sarah and Gretchen joined them.
“Ladies, great job today.”
“You sure do make it harder each time,” Gretchen said with a chuckle. She was a round woman who didn’t make much effort toward the exercise, choosing instead to clap along and laugh while everyone else did the work. She was a lot of fun to be around and Tess noticed she and Gram instantly connected. Sarah, on the other hand, was a reserved woman who’d been friends with Gram nearly their whole lives. That they were now neighbors in Pine View was a comfort to them all.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Tess said as she glanced at the door.
Ashley-Marie was, once again, peeking in.
Tess smiled at her grandmother. “I need to go, Gram. I’ll stop by later.” Tess hustled to the door, doom filling her. “Did you need something?” she asked.
At first, Ashley-Marie didn’t say anything, but her lip curled in an unattractive snarl. “Josh is here for you. I said you were busy, but he said he’d wait,” she glanced around before leaning confidentially close. “I’ll not be shut out a second time.”
Tess tapped the woman on the back. “No worries, Ash. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
Ashley-Marie glared. “Humph. He probably thinks he’ll save your soul.” She pointed toward the entrance. “He’s by the piano.”
Tess drew a deep breath and tried not to care that she wasn’t wearing any make-up and barely bothered to yank a hairbrush through her hair that morning. She focused instead on hurrying toward the entry to get rid of Josh before anyone else spotted him waiting for her. Like Harrison on a random visit to check on his aunt. Because that would be the disaster Tess’s life had come to be.
He was sitting comfortably talking to Mrs. Torrofsky, a former voice and piano teacher who now struggled with mobility and was unable to live on her own.
Tess was glad she was enjoying Josh’s company.
He appeared to have no intention of moving as he listened to her talk, his smile genuine as he nodded, urging her to continue her story.
Tess smiled as she got closer. “Um, hi, Pastor Thorne,” she said formally. “Ashley-Marie said you were looking for me?”
Josh raised his head in her direction, his smile glowing. He nodded and gestured to a seat nearby. “I was. How are you, Tess?”
Mrs. Torrofsky winked at her with a smile.
Tess turned her attention back to Josh. She would not sit down with him. “I’m fine?” Her words came out like a question. “Maybe we could talk later?” she asked, willing him to go away. “I have work…”
“Sure. I didn’t want to bother you,” Josh smiled at Mrs. Torrofsky and reached out to shake her hand. “It was a pleasure,” he said. “I hope we can talk again.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it,” Mrs. Torrofsky said with a smile.
Josh stood and started walking with Tess. “Sorry about stopping by like this,” he began. “But I was on this side of town anyway.”
Tess stepped behind the counter to grab a pen. “Make it quick. I need to outline the activities for the week or Ashley-Marie will freak out.”
“Can I take you to dinner tonight?” Josh asked. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“I am not marrying you,” Tess said as she grabbed the activities log from the previous week.
Josh laughed. “I hate to disappoint you but that wasn’t it.”
“Mmm?” Tess turned on the computer and started searching for the program she needed.
Josh leaned against the counter.
Ashley-Marie hovered nearby, pretending to be busy but appearing more like a poor excuse for a spy.
“No,” Josh stopped, clearing his throat. “I actually had a great idea for a ministry here that I wanted you to help with.”
Tess stopped typing and stared at him. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, but I am,” he said with a wink. “Six o’clock?”
“Can’t. I work until seven-thirty.”
“Great. I’ll catch you at home at eight.” He stepped back, his face brightening. “And I’ll bring my dimples.”
Before Tess could say anything, Josh was gone. She closed her eyes for a moment and went back to work.
~*~
Several hours later, Josh smiled at Tess across the table, shocked he’d managed to get her out of the apartment, into his car, and inside a public restaurant.
And she was wearing a dress. And make-up, too.
It was making him squirm. Part of him feared she was well aware of the effect she was having. He was too transparent.
“Well, Jed. Despite our previous agreement, you’ve gotten me here.” She leaned her chin on her hand, causing her dark hair to fall over one shoulder. “What is this all about?”
Josh waited while the server set steaming plates on the table.
“Everything OK?” the waitress asked.
Josh and Tess both smiled and nodded.
“It looks wonderful,” Tess said. “Thank you.” She looked back on Jo
sh. “Well?”
Josh took his time setting his napkin on his lap before answering. Something about her demeanor was throwing him off but he wasn’t sure what it was. She wasn’t distant but she wasn’t warm either. He was certain that being direct was probably best. “I wondered if we could connect some of the residents at Pine View with some of the disadvantaged kids who come to our youth group. I started a similar thing in Florida and it was really great.”
Tess cut into her chicken. “You aren’t in youth ministry anymore, Jed.”
“Old habits die hard.” He relaxed. “I noticed how a lot of the kids have talents that their parents can’t or don’t encourage because they can’t afford the lessons it would take to help them grow. Many of your Pine View residents are skilled in those areas, some of them probably used to teach or coach and can’t anymore, at least on a regular basis. But Mrs. Torrofsky, for instance, she’s still sharp as can be. Why shouldn’t she give a voice or piano lesson to a kid who wants it? I think the benefits on both sides would be amazing.”
Josh was certain of the fire in Tess’s gaze that hadn’t been there before. He tried not to smile as she masked the passion by turning her attention back to her plate.
“I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be sticking around here. You should talk to Ashley-Marie.” She took a bite of her dinner.
He cut his meat and tried not to sound presumptuous. “She’d think I had ulterior motives.”
“She’s not that bad.”
Josh laughed vigorously. “Maybe not for someone else. But she’s not for me.”
“Mmm, I can understand how a stunning piece of arm candy wouldn’t be your type. Plus, she’s a champion in high heels. Probably won a contest for it or something. I can’t do that.”
“Tess.”
She looked up innocently. “I promised I’d put in a good word for her. Is it working?”
Josh laughed. “No. So, is this a yes to my question? You know the residents, Tornado. Maybe you and Morgan can help me, and the youth ministry team, make the connections.”
“I can’t speak for Morgan…” she said as she dug back into her dinner. “And you didn’t need to bribe me with dinner to ask this question.”
“Ulterior motives,” Josh said, winking at her.
“I am not interested in any more of your cherry ice cream, Mister Thorne,” Tess said firmly. “We’ve been over that.”
Josh leaned forward confidentially. “I checked this place out before I brought you here. Would you believe they specialize in homemade cherry ice cream?”
“Stop.”
“Nope. I don’t have plans to stop anytime soon.”
“But we agreed…”
“I reconsidered that decision. Sorry. I’m not leaving you alone or hiding anymore.” But there was no apology in his voice.
~*~
By the time Josh turned his van into the apartment’s parking lot Tess all but forgot about her desire to keep him away from her heart. They’d talked and laughed, and she’d barely managed to avoid agreeing to his ridiculous plan. But somehow, she remained non-committal, reminding him of her intentions to leave town as soon as she could.
“Don’t you dare get out,” Josh said as he set the parking brake and yanked the keys from the ignition. He hopped out of the car and rushed to her side to open the door for her. He’d held doors all evening, taken her to a nice restaurant, and made her laugh. It had been a real date whether Tess wanted one or not.
As Josh tugged the temperamental door open and held his hand out to help her from the van, it occurred to Tess that he wanted her to get all the frills a relationship offered. He believed she deserved that. Reluctantly Tess took his hand and let him help her from the car as a deep emotion overtook her and a tear trailed down her cheek. He wasn’t giving up on her and he continued to treat her with respect. Maybe she was worth it.
Josh held her hand as he shoved the van door closed and started for her apartment.
“I’ll make sure the Pine View thing is OK with the board and get back to you,” Josh said as he waited for her to open the door to her apartment.
Tess quickly swiped at her eyes as she nodded.
“Hey.” Josh took her arm and stopped her from going inside. “Did I do something?”
Tess smiled, not sure how to explain. A lump grew in her throat. “It was fun,” she managed to squeak out. “Thank you.”
Josh’s eyebrows knit together briefly before he smiled. “I had fun too. Thank you for coming.”
“You didn’t exactly give me a choice,” she said with a slight laugh. “But I’m glad you didn’t take no for an answer.”
“Me, too.” Josh regarded her nervously.
Tess was certain what he was thinking. She should spare him. “Well…thanks.” Tess stepped inside the door and started to close it. “Good-bye…”
Josh put one hand on the door frame and the other on the door to hold it open. “Tess.”
“Hmm?” she looked at him.
He smiled for a long time before he spoke. “You survived. We went out in public and we both survived.” He stepped back. “Think about it.”
Tess nodded and slowly closed the door, hoping he was right and the next day wouldn’t bring any judgment on either of them.
25
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Josh sighed heavily as he hung up the telephone. Stu contacted the police about Justin and they, in turn, called him to find out exactly what happened. Josh wondered if he should be worried that they’d advised him not to go out alone at night until they caught up with Justin, who, for the moment anyway, was again nowhere to be found.
“Josh?” Alison poked her head into the office.
Josh shoved the worries about Justin aside as he forced a smile. “Hey, come in,” he said.
She widened the door and entered with a shy smile aimed at him. “Sorry, but I’m guessing Delia’s out for an errand or lunch maybe. I dropped off Dave’s lunch and figured I’d stop in and say hello.”
“Sit. Please. Can I get you anything?”
“No.” She smiled. “I wondered if you’d caught up with Tess.”
Josh felt his cheeks warm with embarrassment. He met her eyes. “That transparent, am I?” he asked.
“A little.” She laughed and then drew a deep breath. “I was hoping you could convince her to come to our Bible study. I hope you don’t mind, I took a chance and talked to a few women who wouldn’t flinch about having her there and they were very receptive. I hope this isn’t overstepping my boundaries. I guess I hoped it might help you both. Maybe the more people get to know her the more they’ll see this is a good thing.”
Josh smiled at her kindness. “I’ll do what I can. But there’s no reason you shouldn’t ask her yourself.”
Alison smiled as she stood. “Tess is proud. It’ll be hard to convince her that this isn’t a handout. We want to walk beside her because we all struggle, but this isn’t charity. Tell her that. I mean, I’ll talk to her if you think it will help, but since I don’t know her well, I thought you might be more convincing. I just wouldn’t want her to lose all the ground she’s made because of a few mean-spirited souls.”
“Thanks. Really.” Josh smiled.
Alison nodded and left the office.
He sighed heavily as he sat back in his seat, grateful he’d moved home, and frightened of what it really meant.
~*~
Weeks later, Tess stared at the computer screen, hardly believing she’d finally earned enough money to pay Harrison Flynn off for good. While it would leave her with barely twenty dollars in her account, it would only be two weeks until her next paychecks. The risk seemed worth it when she considered the freedom it would bring. She smiled as she yanked her checkbook from her purse and began to write the man’s name for the last time. All of the overtime paid off. Before sh
e could fill in the amount, there was a knock on the door that made her heart flutter. She glanced at the clock. It was time for Josh’s visit. “Come on in!” she shouted.
The door opened, and Josh stepped inside, bearing two bags filled with food. “I went out on a limb and got burgers,” he said as he kicked the door behind him.
“Sounds good.”
Since Josh’s return, they now maintained a consistent ritual of texting that usually ended in planning their dinner and evening coffee or a movie. Sometimes Josh cooked or brought food, and sometimes Tess did. But at Tess’s insistence, the meals were almost solely eaten under her roof or his.
Despite the success of their one public date, Josh hadn’t pushed that point. Yet.
Tess could see he hated sneaking around and wouldn’t abide it much longer. Already he’d been disappointed to go alone to several group outings where it would have made sense for Tess to go along. Her excuses appeared to be grating on the good pastor’s nerves. Tess shoved her checkbook aside and turned off the computer.
Josh was grabbing the plates, condiments, and even vinegar for her fries, without any prompting. “You want tea or water?” he asked as he set everything on the table.
She smiled. “Tea is good. Thanks. I made a pie.”
Josh groaned as he got her drink and set it on the table. “Marry me now.”
“Nope.”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you still forget to lock that door most of the time, Theresa Marie Carson.”
“Ohhh, Theresa Marie,” she repeated since he rarely called her by her given name.
“I mean it. The police still don’t know where Justin is. They told me the other day to not go out alone until they nab him again. Please lock your door.” Josh captured her hand. “What if he shows up and I’m not around to protect you? I don’t want anything to happen.”
Tess dropped the fry back onto her plate as Josh held her gaze. She nodded stupidly as he leaned forward and kissed her. He didn’t kiss her often and she understood it was to avoid the temptations it brought. He was still trying desperately to respect her and show her she was worth loving and being loved.
Forgiving Tess Page 22