“I am a priest,” I said, my voice husky. “I am Father Charles McArthur.”
“Well this isn’t how I thought we’d meet. And you aren’t what I was expecting at all.” She picked up the packet from the ground and held it up. “Sorry for throwing birth control at you, be thankful that was all I had.” She flashed a smile at me revealing perfect teeth. “I’m Doctor Abrams, but you can call me Ava.”
~ Four ~
Charles
The next morning I woke up early and headed out to the church, San Rafael. The church’s brownstone steps rose from the street and extended the full width of the building. In the center was an archway with large wooden double doors. Flanking the entrance were two spires with crucifixes on top.
Shielding my eyes, I spotted a large bell on the left. Affixed on the right spire was a clock. Ornate stone carvings of various saints graced the entrance.
San Rafael was an old structure that had recently been given new life. The interior was retouched and painted, new pews and other furniture were brought in, and the stained glass windows had been repaired.
While I was excited to help start and build the parish there, I knew it was going to be a challenge. The area had many churches and not many people with the ability to travel to Amaru.
I opened up the front double doors and the smell of paint and varnish filled the air. Pushing the doors wider, I snapped them into place so the church could air out. Just inside were stacks of boxes and crates. Throughout the old church were life-sized statues of the saints.
As I picked up one of the boxes, Ava walked through the doorway. Her dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. Strands of her hair had loosened around her face. Her large brown eyes flicked from one side of the church to the other.
“Ava, right?” I asked, nonchalantly.
“Yes, I’m sure you had a hard time remembering which naked woman it was you saw last night.” She raised her eye brow at me and grinned. “Shouldn’t you be in some kind of dress or robe or something?”
“They’re called vestments and no. I’m off duty right now. I only wear my vestments when I’m performing sacred duties.”
“Really? So you’re allowed to be out in jeans and a t-shirt like a normal person?”
“Even though I’m a priest, I’m still a normal person.”
“I know, sorry, that’s not what I meant.”
She looked down at the tile floor and shoved her hands in her jean pockets. I stacked a couple of boxes together and carried them up the aisle to the altar.
“Crap,” she whispered. “He’s hotter than I remembered. That’s just not right.”
“Did you say something?” I couldn’t hide my half smile as her face turned red. Her hand covered her mouth and she quickly shook her head back and forth. “You know these old churches were built with special acoustics so that whatever I say up here can be heard perfectly in the back.”
“Oh? I had no idea.”
She turned away and even though I thought she was embarrassed enough to leave, she stayed. As she walked around the church admiring the different statues, I couldn’t help but admire her.
Ava was not only beautiful, but she was smart and funny. That she stayed even after being embarrassed said a lot to me about her and it made me want to get to know her more. She and I could be great friends.
“Whenever I’m in a church I always look for Saint Therese,” she said.
“The Little Flower of Jesus? Why’s that?”
“She was my Confirmation saint.”
“Really? You’re a Catholic?”
She nodded as she kept walking around the church. “Yes, I guess so, but I wouldn’t call myself religious. I definitely was a Catholic, but I can’t say I agree with everything now that I’m an adult. What about you?”
“Oh I’m Catholic,” I said with a laugh.
“Obviously,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “I mean is your Confirmation saint here?”
“I doubt it. It’s Saint Christopher.”
“No way! The patron saint of travelers?”
She reached for the necklace around her neck and pulled it out. I moved closer to look. Between her fingers she held a small silver Saint Christopher medallion.
“I thought you weren’t religious,” I said.
“I’m not, but I am superstitious. I’ve had this since I was a baby. We moved around a lot and my grandmother told me that as long as I had that around my neck, Saint Christopher would make sure I was alright. I still travel a lot so I make sure he stays with me.”
She looked at the image and rubbed her finger over it delicately before slipping it back down her shirt.
“So do I have to call you Father McArthur even when you’re off duty? Or does that go away with the robes, I mean vestments too?”
“You can call me Father Charles,” he said. “Or even just Charles when I’m off duty.”
“Oh okay then, Charlie,” she said.
“It’s Charles,” I growled.
“Hmm, interesting.” She smiled slyly. “Need any help with these boxes, Chuck?”
“It’s Charles.”
“That’s what I said.”
I knew she was just teasing, but the nicknames had always been a sore point with me. I gritted my teeth and pushed it away.
“I’m not sure you’ll be much help. There’s a lot of heavy boxes here.”
“Oh? So since I’m a woman, you don't think I can help you with heavy stuff?”
“No, since you couldn’t push me out of your room last night, I figure you don’t have the muscle for these.”
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. I could tell she was thinking of something else she could call me and it only made me like her more.
“Alright then, Father Chaz,” she said, looking pleased with herself. “I can at least help you unbox things while you wield your priestly strength on those boxes.”
“Oh you’re really trying to get under my skin, aren’t you?”
“Is it working?” She tilted her head to the side and gave me an innocent look. “How about this, you lay off on calling me weak and I’ll help you with unpacking.”
“It’s a deal,” I said and put my hand out to shake hers.
She took my hand and I remembered last night when I held hers to my chest. The softness of her skin was overwhelming and the sweet scent of her hair made me a little dizzy. I let go of her hand and stared into her eyes for a moment.
“I think I’ve inhaled too much of the fumes here,” I said. “I’m going to get some fresh air before we unpack.”
She nodded and pulled her necklace out and began playing with it nervously as she walked further into the church. Behind me I heard her opening the windows as I tried to straighten out the weird feelings I was having for her.
It had been a long time since I lusted for anyone. I thought I had left those days behind me when I took my vows, but I guessed I was wrong.
I took a deep breath and pushed away the thoughts of temptation. I was going to be there a few months and would need a friend. In such a small town, I couldn’t afford to push away someone who I had so much in common with already.
As I went back into the church, I spotted her by the altar unpacking the boxes I had carried earlier. I knew I could be friends with her, good friends. I had faith I could withstand any temptation that came my way. But I had no idea what I was in for.
~ Five ~
Ava
Shadows moved across the ceiling with the rising sun as I laid in bed. Since meeting Father Charles two weeks ago, I hadn’t been able to think about anything but him. I didn’t want to and since we spent every day together, I didn’t have to.
There had to be some kind of crime against nature to have a priest be so incredibly hot. But it wasn’t just his pale blue eyes or perfectly tousled dark hair that got to me. There was something in his gaze and his touch that resonated deep within me.
The first time we met when he walked into my room played over and
over in my head. I remembered how our eyes met and it took my breath away. I could still feel the warmth of his hand on my skin and I wondered how I lived for so long without knowing that touch.
At first I was being selfish when I went to see him the next day in the church. I went there to convince myself he was just looks and nothing more. But once we started to get to know each other and I realized how much we had in common, I had to remind myself more and more that he was a priest and could never be mine.
I closed my eyes tightly. Get a hold of yourself, Ava! Don’t be such a sap. It must have been the heat of this place or extreme boredom. It wasn’t like me to think about a man that way, no matter how gorgeous he was.
The problem is he’s too hot, I thought as I got out of bed. If only he didn’t have that dark hair that made his blue eyes look even paler. Or if his closely cropped beard didn't make me wonder what his lips felt like. I must be having a seizure. That’s the only way to explain why I’m thinking like this. Or maybe I just need to get laid. What I wouldn’t give to see him naked. Stop that!
Dressed in jeans and a purple scrubs top, I went to the makeshift clinic Ramon had set up. I was in Peru as part of Doctors Without Borders. At twenty-five, not only was I one of the youngest experienced doctors helping the organization, but I was one of the last ones being sent to Peru now that healthcare in the country had improved.
A man I didn’t recognize was pushing one of the examination tables onto an old pick up truck. I rushed into the old store that now housed the clinic. Ramon was moving privacy screens and cots around.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“They didn’t tell you? They cut the funding to the clinic. It’ll be open on a reduced schedule,” he said.
“But what about the vaccinations and the physicals I had scheduled for today?”
“There just aren’t enough people who need the clinic opened daily. We already called everyone and told them the new schedule. I’m sorry, I know you came all the way out here from the States, but this is a good thing. It means things are progressing here and we don’t need as much help.”
“I know it’s good,” I said, feeling disappointed as I looked around the bare room. “Since I have more time on my hands, is there anything I can help with?”
“The storms are really doing a number up here. I was going to drive into town to get a generator so we can continue working when the power goes out. Do you mind picking it up for me?”
“Sure.”
“You can take the Jeep. I already took the back seats out, but take someone with you. You shouldn’t drive alone out here,” he said as he handed me the keys. “Why don’t you ask Father Charles to join you?”
I nodded and exited the clinic. Despite my disappointment, I was excited to get out of Amaru. As I entered the church, the clang of a tool dropping to the floor echoed through the building. I followed the sound to find Charles.
Charles was in a small office off the main hall. He was dressed in khakis and black t-shirt with sleeves that hugged his muscular biceps. He set a box down on top of another, then flicked his eyes over in my direction and stared at me intently. I was usually a good read of people, but sometimes I couldn’t read him at all. If he was any other guy I would have thought he was into me. But Charles made it very clear there was only one love for him, the Church.
“What are you doing here? I thought you get to play doctor today,” he said.
“They cut the clinic’s hours so I guess I have the day off. I’m going into town to pick up a generator and Ramon said I should bring someone with me.”
“A generator? I’ll go with you. You’ll need my help.”
“Oh? I’ll need your help? Why? Because I’m a woman so I couldn’t possibly carry a generator?” I asked with my arms folded over my chest.
“Something like that,” he said with a half smile.
“Great, so you’re a chauvinist. I should have figured that, Father Charlie.”
His eyes narrowed when I used his nickname. He probably thought I forgot how much he hated it, but I was holding it in my arsenal, just waiting for the perfect time to use it.
“You’ve been helping me unpack the church for weeks and you could barely move these boxes. Or what about that night you tried pushing me out of your room? What makes you think you could load a generator onto a truck?”
Dammit! He had a point. I wasn’t even sure what I was doing, but I enjoyed being a pain in his ass and I only had one surefire trick up my sleeve.
“Okay, okay,” I said as I started walking towards the door. “Let’s just go, Chuck.”
“It’s Charles,” he growled.
“That’s what I said.”
I grinned as I walked out of the church. If I could keep annoying him, maybe I wouldn’t find him attractive. After all, being the woman lusting over a priest was the last thing I wanted to be.
Talk about going after what I can’t have, I thought. A therapist would have a field day with me.
As I walked to the Jeep, I tossed the keys up in the air. Before they dropped back into my hand Charles swiped them, walked ahead to the passenger side, and opened the door.
“Um no, I’m driving,” I said.
“You said it was dangerous for you to drive by yourself. So I’m going to drive.”
“I didn’t say it was dangerous.”
“Well that’s what I think of when I imagine you driving.”
He waved his hand towards the car with a small bow. I shook my head and lifted the handle of the driver’s side, but he hit the lock button.
“You realize this is a Jeep, right?” I asked.
“So?”
I sighed and walked to the back of the old truck. I wiggled my fingers into the rear corner of the soft-top, found the zipper and opened the window. Using the bumper, I climbed into the vehicle, and snaked my way into the driver’s seat. He stood by the passenger door with his arms crossed in front of him.
“You’re really stubborn, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Guess so,” I said with a shrug as I grinned.
“You realize you forgot one vital thing, right?”
“I didn’t forget anything. I’m in the driver’s seat.”
“Are you going to hot wire it?” He dangled the keys from his fingertips and smirked as I gritted my teeth. How could I forget that one simple thing?
“Fine, let’s just go. It’s a two hour drive,” I said, sliding over to the passenger seat. “You’re not very nice for a priest.”
“Who said a priest has to be nice?” he asked.
“I don’t know, maybe God? You’re supposed to be this perfect person who preaches forgiveness and all that other stuff. You’re also supposed to be old and unattractive.”
“I am?” He laughed. “And what about you? Are you even really a doctor?”
“Of course I am, Chaz,” I said.
“It’s Charles. You know I hate nicknames.”
“You wouldn’t let me drive and now you’re questioning my profession. What did you think would happen, eh Father Chuckie?”
He shot me a look and I was worried I had crossed a line until he laughed again. As we drove in silence I tried to focus on the landscape as it turned from lush and green to dry desert, but my eyes kept drifting back to him. It didn’t help that he seemed like a regular guy and not what I thought a priest should be like.
As I stole another quick peek at him, I caught him looking at me. He held my gaze and for a moment I thought time stood still. Damn, what the hell is wrong with me? I cracked the window open for a little air.
“I never liked my name,” he said. “My brother and I were named after our grandfathers, Thomas and Charles. But our family has this problem where everyone has a nickname. I became Charlie, my brother became Tommy, and my sister is Josie.”
“Josie?”
“Yes, for Josephine.”
“I don’t think you have anything to complain about.”
“That’s not a bad name,�
� he said.
“The best your sister has is a group with The Pussycats. Charlie isn’t that bad.”
“She was teased about that as a kid.” He shook his head.
“See, I was right. What about you?”
“Until recently I don’t think anyone ever teased me about my name.” He glanced over at me and smirked.
“Well then it was a long time coming, Father Charles,” I said.
“I told you you don’t have to call me Father when I’m off duty.”
“Then how else will I remember you’re a priest? You’re much too good looking to be one, you know,” I said.
“Are you flirting with me?”
My words caught in my throat. I didn’t even realize I was. As my heart beat wildly in my chest I swallowed hard and forced myself to smile.
“Maybe? I didn’t mean anything by it though,” I squeaked.
Dammit, Ava! You really are an idiot.
We drove the rest of the way in silence. The store manager, Miguel, a man in his fifties with straight silver hair, rolled the generator out with a hand truck and met us at the curb.
“Good seeing you again, Doctor Abrams,” Miguel said. “Are you planning to stay overnight in the city?”
“No, with the storm coming we’re heading right back to Amaru.”
“You better hurry then. It’s due to land early. Once the desert road gets flooded, you’ll be stuck.”
“Stuck?” Charles asked.
“The land in this area is too dry. When there are storms like these the risk of flash flooding is high, making it too dangerous to drive.”
“Then we’d better get going.”
With the generator in the back of the Jeep, we drove out of town. The sky grew dark as the rain clouds moved in, covering the sun. Charles looked up and shook his head.
Sinned: A Priest Romance Page 3