He raised a brow. You dont believe Im twenty-six? Do you want to see my drivers license?
She made an exasperated noise. I dont believe youre our new pastor. The new pastor isnt supposed to arrive until tomorrow.
He shrugged. It didnt take me as long to get here as I had anticipated.
Andand hes going to be older, more experienced.
Her words scraped along an already touchy nerve.
Im sorry to disappoint you. I hope it will be years before I need a walker.
She scowled harder at him. Where else have you pastored?
There was a knock on the front door, then a deep, booming voice called out, Hello? Jacob, are you here?
Saved by the cavalry. Back here, Uncle Ben.
Ben Campbell came down the hall. His tall frame ate up the narrow space. Younger than Leland, Ben was nearly as tall and more rugged looking. Living in the Pacific Northwest, with all the opportunities to be outdoors hiking, hunting and camping probably did that to a person. Things Jacob realized hed have the chance to do before he returned to the city.
Ben pulled Jacob into a bear hug. Hi there, nephew. I saw your rig out front. For a moment the air was squeezed from Jacobs lungs, then Ben let go and stepped back. Its good to see you.
Its good to see you, too, Uncle Ben. Hows Aunt Abby?
Good, good. Shes anxious to see you. You made good time.
Jacob nodded and glanced at the wild woman standing in his bathtub. I did. I guess I should have warnedsomeone Id be here tonight.
Following Jacobs gaze, Bens dark eyebrows rose slightly. Mara, honey. What are you doing in the bathtub?
She waved her brush at Jacob. You know him? Hes your nephew? Our new pastor?
Yes. Great nephew, actually. And yes. Bens eyes sparkled with mirth. Mara Zimmer, meet Hope Community Churchs new pastor, Jacob Durand.
Grace had mentioned something about a Mara. There couldnt be two people with such an unusual name. Jacobs mouth quirked as he watched her digest and finallythough he figured grudginglyaccepted his great-uncles words.
With much dignity, she climbed out of the tub, set down her brush, wiped her hand on her jeans and then walked directly to him with her chin held high. She stuck out her hand. Its nice to meet you, Pastor Durand. Welcome to Hope.
Im here only temporarily, until a permanent pastor can be found, he stated, wanting to make sure everyone realized he would not be staying for long.
Good manners dictated that he accept her offered hand, regardless of the fact that gooey cleanser still clung to her skin.
Their palms met, his fingers curling around her slender hand. He was afraid to squeeze for fear hed break those fragile bones. Though her skin was rough with cleanser and hard work, her small hand fit neatly within his with surprising strength.
A strange spark traveled up his arm.
Must be an allergic reaction to the cleanser, because she certainly wasnt his type.
He pulled his hand back and subtly wiped his palm on his denim-covered thigh. It looks like youre pretty much done in here, and the rest of the house looks great. Thank you, Mrs. Zimmer, I appreciate the effort.
She tucked in her chin. Its Miss. And you dont owe me a thank-you. This is my job.
Job? So she wasnt just a caring soul wanting to welcome the pastor.
Yes, job.
She spun on her heel and picked up a black organizer from the sink counter that he hadnt noticed before. She flipped open the book and held it in front of her. My schedule is as follows. I clean the church building on Mondays, which is your day off.
That was news. Is it?
She glanced up. Yes, it is. She returned her attention to the book. I
What if I dont want Mondays off?
A little crease appeared between her unshaped eyebrows. Pastor Anders always took Mondays off.
Im not Pastor Anders, now am I?
He heard his uncle make a noise, but Jacob was too interested in Miss Zimmers reaction. He liked the way her pert little nose flared slightly as if she smelled something distasteful.
You can take any day of the week off. I dont care. I clean the church on Mondays.
Why not Thursdays?
Her finely sculptured jaw tightened. I clean the church on Mondays, the cottage on Thursdays. This is the way it is done. My schedule is very tight and I need to stay on track. Id appreciate it if you wouldnt come barging in and try to change things.
He took offense to that. Barging in?
It wasnt as if hed jumped with joy at this detour in his plans. I dont need you to clean the cottage while Im here. Im perfectly capable of picking up after myself.
Those amber eyes sparked with indignation and a bit of desperation. You dont want me to clean the cottage? But Ive always cleaned the cottage.
Uncle Ben laid a hand on Jacobs arm. Go with the flow, Jacob. Let her do the job the church pays her to do.
Fine. He relented, not liking the fleeting look of defeat in those magnificent eyes before she lifted her chin and haughtiness entered. The cottage on Thursdays.
She gave a sharp nod. Ben, let Abby know Ill be there tomorrow as always and if she wants the refrigerator defrosted this week to leave me a note.
She began gathering up her supplies. Sorry I cant stay and chat, but Ive a schedule to keep and the mayors wife is hosting a quilting bee tonight.
Jacob and Ben stepped out of the way as she swept past them and out of the cottage, taking the buzz of energy with her.
Bone-deep exhaustion flooded through Jacob. His muscles were stiff and needed to be exercised. Hed take a long run later.
There was a slight throbbing behind his eyes. Hed driven most of the night and day with only a few stops. He hadnt wanted to waste time. He just wanted the next few months to go by as quickly as possible.
Ben clapped him on the back as they moved into the living room. Wow. Ive only seen Pastor Anders take on that fireball and come out unscathed. Everyone else in town pretty much leaves Mara be. Sad story that girl has.
Bens dark eyes narrowed. You look beat. Abby will want you to come for dinner. He checked his watch. Well eat around six. Thatll give you a few hours to unwind and relax.
Thanks, Uncle Ben.
After his uncle gave him directions to their house, he left, and Jacob headed straight for the phone to call his grandfather. Carol told him in her crisp, distant way that Leland was in a meeting and couldnt be disturbed. Jacob held on to his irritation at being put off and asked to have his grandfather return his call as soon as possible.
As he hung up, it slammed into him just what Grace Stephens had said about Mara. Hed have to ask Miss Zimmer for the information he needed about Sunday services. With a groan he sank onto the couch.
So that meant he was going to have to deal closely with the wild woman whod brandished her scrub brush so deftly. And for some reason, he actually looked forward to sparring with her.
Which didnt make any sense, but nothing in the past few days had gone as hed planned, so why should this be any different?
Chapter Two
A boulder-sized lump of dread sat heavily on Maras chest, but she ignored the sensation.
Chapter Two
A boulder-sized lump of dread sat heavily on Maras chest, but she ignored the sensation.
Life wasnt for the faint of heart, and the road she traveled was full of hard work. But someday shed reach the end.
Someday shed find redemption, then she could pick and choose her path. Then maybe shed find the happiness and connections she longed for. But until that day came, shed do what needed to be done.
Today she was scheduled to work on the project shed started nearly six months ago.
Transcribing Pastor Anderss sermons and memoirs from his scribbled notes to the computer set up in his office.
Correction. Pastor Durands office. In the cottage.
How much hassle would moving the computer cause?
She regretted she hadnt brought up the project when theyd met yesterday, but hed flustered her with his sharp wit and heavy-lidded, watchful eyes. If his scrutiny hadnt been so intent she would have said he had puppy-dog eyes.
But there was nothing soft and squishy about the man. It had taken everything in her to get out of there with some semblance of dignity.
And worse, he seemed to find her amusing. Though shed caught anger in his brown eyes when shed questioned his age.
The man was far too young and handsome to be a pastor. Granted he was two years older than she. But she felt ages older than twenty-four. Still, a tall, lean-muscled twenty-six-year-old pastor with a strong square jaw just wasnt appropriate.
He didnt resemble what she thought a pastor should look like. Approachable, harmless. Good-natured with a ready smile. That certainly wasnt Jacob Durand. There was something dark in his eyes, something forbidden.
Shed expected, wanted, the new pastor to be like Pastor Anders. A man in need of an assistant. Older, willing to have her serve him and the church.
She needed to be of service. But somehow she doubted Pastor Durand would understand as Pastor Anders had. Hed helped her through the worst years. Kept her from spinning toward depression with his suggestion she could find more useful ways of serving God than wallowing in self-pity.
Thats when realization had come to her. If she wanted Gods forgiveness she needed to earn it.
Her organizer lay on the farm-style kitchen table in the middle of the living room. She closed the book with a decisive snap, which dislodged a stray garnet-colored bead. The bead rolled off the edge of the table and landed in the green shag carpet. She plucked the bead from the fibers of the carpet and set it in the box with the rest of the materials she used for making jewelry.
Time to finish what shed started. She slipped into her brown leather walking shoes and briskly set out for the pastors residence. There were no cement sidewalks, so she walked on the paved road past the manicured yards of her neighbors. She admired the well-kept houses and wished she had the extra funds to fix up her house.
But that wasnt a priority.
At the door of the pastors cottage, she hesitated. She could hear the strains of guitar music coming from inside. Apparently another difference between the old pastor and the new.
Maybe she should have called, warned him she was coming over. She squared her shoulders. She had a job to do, and he was just going to have to let her do it.
She rapped her knuckles loudly on the door. The music stopped. As she waited, she wiped the bottoms of her shoes, dirty from the road, on the shoe rug shed bought for Pastor Anders last spring.
Sudden tears sprung to the backs of her eyes. She missed the old coot. Hed been gruff and set in his ways, but shed loved him like a grandfather. Hed become the closest thing to family she had in the world.
Heavy footfalls sounded behind the door. Mara quickly forced her sadness down and blinked to clear the tears.
The door opened. Pastor Durand stood on the other side wearing light-colored sweatpants with a matching sweat jacket unzipped to reveal a white T-shirt. The edges of his dark brown hair appeared slightly damp and his running shoes were rimmed with mud. Mud she suspected hed tracked throughout the cottage.
He cocked his head to one side. Miss Zimmer, what can I do for you? Today isnt Thursday.
I know that, she snapped, then promptly clenched her teeth. Not the best way to go about gaining his cooperation. She put on what she hoped was a pleasant smile. Actually, I am scheduled to be here today.
His intense eyes darkened with annoyance and disbelief. Really? What for?
I need to use the computer. Ive been working on a project Wednesdays and Fridays from nine to noon. Ill just slip into the office, and you wont even know Im here.
I doubt that. He crossed his arms over his chest. So, you want to use the computer in my office.
She blinked. Yes. But She made a hopeful face. I could move the computer to my house and then return it when Ive completed my project.
Amusement now danced on his face. Doesnt the computer belong to the church?
Her hope that hed go for the offer wobbled. Yes. But the work Im doing is for the church.
You dont have your own computer?
No. She didnt explain that her budget wouldnt allow for the expense.
He shrugged. I may need the computer at some point.
The hope took a nosedive and crashed with a burn in her stomach. Then I guess I need to continue to work here.
He studied her for a moment, and she had the strangest urge to primp. She lifted her chin.
The beginnings of a smile tipped the corners of his mouth and determination solidified on his handsome face. Grace tells me you helped the late pastor organize for services. I could use some help, as well. And since Uncle Ben and Aunt Abby are busy with the feed store, I could use a tour guide. Someone to show me the ropes of small-town living. In exchange, Ill give you unlimited access to the computer.
Wariness kicked up its heels in her chest. She narrowed her eyes. I dont need unlimited access. Just Wednesday and Friday mornings.
He laughed, a deep, rich sound. Whatever. Is it a trade?
Mara tugged on her bottom lip with her front teeth. She did need to finish the project as a way to honor Pastor Anders, and helping Pastor Durand would count a lot toward the debt she owed God.
She made up her mind. Yes. We have a trade. She opened her organizer. Ill find time in my schedule to help you get acquainted with Hope and the church.
Id appreciate it.
Her cheeks heated. Can I get to work now?
By all means. He stepped aside and motioned for her to proceed.
She crossed the threshold and entered the cottage. The smell of rich coffee permeated the air. A portable CD player sat on the dining room table surround by stacks of CDs, and a guitar sat propped up in the worn, brown leather recliner in the living room.
Would you like some coffee? he asked as he shut the door behind her.
She ran a hand over the brim of Pastor Anderss hat, remembering how he always wore the hat tapped down low over his ears whenever he left the house.
You miss him, Pastor Durand said.
She looked up and found him watching her. The open, caring expression on his face made her heart pause. To hide her discomfort at knowing hed glimpsed her grief, she answered his first question. Coffee would be fine, thank you.