Gabe looked horrified for just one instant. Then he looked at Nolie and obviously saw what they all saw that moment of sheer longing before she closed the door on the idea and shook her head.
I agree, Siobhan said unexpectedly. So theres not much time. So what? Goodness knows weve put on plenty of parties on a moments notice in the past. A weddings far more important.
If Aunt Siobhan had gone over to the enemy, they were really in trouble.
The ceremony is the important thing, Brendan said, but he had the sinking feeling no one was listening to him.
Siobhan, Claire and Nolie were suddenly all talking at once, and words like shower, flowers and lace floated to the surface like spray tossed up by a wave.
He met Gabes gaze. Gabe gave a rueful grin. Forget it, Bren, he said. Weve been outvoted. I guess its going to be a wedding with a capital W.
I guess so.
Claire cast him a triumphant look, as if shed heard his capitulation over the babble of voices.
It appeared hed be spending a great deal of time with Claire over the next month. That idea seemed to be making him feel ridiculously cheerful.
Claire walked slowly from the church parlor, where she and Stacy had been talking, toward Brendans study. She shouldnt feel so at home in the church after only a few days. After all, she hadnt been in a church before that for twenty-some years.
Nevertheless, here she was going in search of the pastor, just like any one of his faithful parishioners. Brendan would probably be as horrified at that thought as she was.
But she wasnt really looking for his advice, was she? After all, she knew more about what Stacy was going through than he ever could. Still, she felt compelled to check in with him.
The study door was propped open, and as soon as he saw her, Brendan came toward her, hand outstretched in welcome. How did it go? Is there anything I can do?
She didnt want to admit the pleasure she felt at the sight of him. At least shes given up the attacking door story and admitted Ted hit her.
Thats good. He studied her face. You look all in. Takes something out of you, doesnt it?
She nodded. He couldnt know just how much. I dont know how you manage to do this all the time. Of course, I suppose your regular congregation doesnt present problems like this very often.
He gave a short bark of laughter. You dont know much about congregations if you think that. He gestured her toward a chair and opened the small refrigerator under a microwave on the opposite wall. A cold soda?
Sounds good. She watched as he popped the lids on two soda cans. Some tall men were awkward, but shed already noticed that Brendan went about the simplest tasks with an easy economy of movement. He carried the soda to her, then folded himself into the chair opposite her, rather than going back to his seat behind the desk.
So every day you get up and come to work and deal with other peoples problems, she said, unaccountably curious as to what made him tick. She understood people who were motivated by ambition. What motivated Brendan?
Pretty much. He took a gulp of the soda. Thats what being a minister means. Of course, it also means I get to share their joys.
Does it balance out?
He shrugged. Sometimes.
Youre a fount of information.
He grinned. Sorry. Youre asking me to evaluate my whole ministry in a few words. I dont think I can do it that easily. Can you describe your job that way?
Could she? I think so. Basically my job is to help Harvey Gray run the corporation. Anything he wants, I get. Any problem he wants solved, I solve.
You sound like a guardian angel. I dont suppose youd like to come work for me, would you?
I doubt you could meet the salary requirements.
Probably not. Is that why you do it? The money?
In part. Shed always prided herself on being honest about what drove her. She wouldnt change just because Brendan might think less of her. Partly its the challenge. And mostly because its the way to the top.
The top of what?
The top of the heap. Okay, she didnt know how to explain this to him. The place where youre the boss. Where no one else can tell you what to do or control you. Ever.
He was looking at her with a sharpening of interest that made her a little uncomfortable. Thats what you want? To be where no one else can ever control you?
Why did those particular words come out? Well, its more being the boss, she said quickly. No other woman has ever been where I am with Gray Enterprises. I plan to break a few more traditions before Im done.
Did he believe her? She wasnt sure. Shed have to be more cautious around Brendan. He had a way of pulling things out that was almost scary.
Anyway, about Stacy, I wanted to bounce a couple of things off you. Keep the conversation on Stacy, not herself. She seems to like staying with your aunt and uncle. Do you think that situation is going to last?
Probably. The faint lines around his mouth deepened. Joe and Siobhan have a good record when it comes to taking in strays. They took me in.
They what? She looked at him blankly. Shed known he was close to his cousins, but she hadnt known this.
My parents died when I was thirteen. I went to live with Joe and Siobhan.
Im sorry, I know what its like to lose your parents. Well, her father wasnt dead, but he might as well be, for as little interest as he took in what happened to her.
He nodded, as if accepting that they had something in common, surprising as that was. Anyway, like I said, they have a good record.
You werent a stray. The words were out before she thought he might be offended. You were a relative.
It still cant have been easy. His brows knit, and he seemed to be looking into that past. They already had five kids, but they made me feel like one of their own. And now they have Seths little boy. If they can cope with all that, they can handle Stacy.
I hope so. Much as she hated to admit it, the Flanagan family would probably be good for the girl. Anyway, Stacy says she wants to get a job, so I can help her with that. Trouble is, she doesnt really have any marketable skills.
I had a thought about that. He said the words a bit diffidently, as if thinking she wouldnt like an idea if it came from him. What if we gave Stacy a job helping with the wedding?
She turned it over in her mind. She wouldnt have expected Brendan to come up something so practical. Thats really not a bad idea. Well, that sounded condescending. Would she ever reach the point that she could just talk to the man in a normal way? I could certainly use an extra pair of hands, and I dont mind paying for it.
He nodded, apparently not taking offense at her response. Good. If Stacys supporting herself, shell be less likely to fall into old patterns.
Something about his calm assurance annoyed her. Whats going to keep her from going back to Ted the first time he shows up and sweet-talks her?
Heaven knew, shed made that mistake often enough.
Itll never happen again, Claire. I swear. I love you. Dont leave me. Itll never happen again.
Heaven knew, shed made that mistake often enough.
Itll never happen again, Claire. I swear. I love you. Dont leave me. Itll never happen again.
And it hadnt. Until the next time.
Nothing will stop her from going back but her own good sense, Brendan said slowly. However much you or I might want to help her, some decisions she has to make on her own. He leaned forward. Their knees were almost touching, and he took her hand in his, his gaze very intent on her face. You cant let yourself feel too responsible.
He was a fine one to give that advice, with the responsibility he seemed to feel for everyone around him. I want to make sure she doesnt get hurt.
If you make the decisions for her, thats hurting her. Thats controlling her, just like Ted tries to do.
Not with fists.
But controlling, just the same.
Much as she hated to admit it, he might have a point. Okay. I guess I get that. How did you get so smart?
Painful mistakes, believe me. Some things they cant teach you in seminary. You just have to stumble through on your own. His fingers tightened on hers, and his gaze grew suddenly serious. I dont want to involve you in anything over your head, Claire. If you need to step back from Stacy, I wont argue.
Here was her chance. All she had to do was say regretfully that she couldnt handle it.
Ill see it through.
What was she saying? She wanted out, didnt she?
Maybe Brendans idealism was contagious. Either that, or she just plain couldnt say no to the man.
Chapter Three
What on earth are you doing? Youll hurt yourself.
The sound of Brendans voice startled Claire so much that she nearly slid off the stack of folding tables shed found in the closet off the churchs social rooms. She steadied herself and then turned carefully to look at him. Faded jeans and a gray sweatshirt made him look younger than she knew him to be.
I wont get hurt unless you scare me into falling. Now youve made me lose count.
Lose count? For a moment he looked confused. Tables? I can tell you how many tables we have. You dont need to kill yourself to find that out. He held out his hand to her. Come down, please.
I can get down myself. But when she took a step, the table that had seemed so secure began to slide.
Brendan braced the table with his hip, grabbed her by the waist, and swung her free of the stack. For a moment she leaned against him, her hands on his arms. Her breath caught.
No. No. She didnt feel anything. She straightened, trying to think of something breezy. Youre pretty strong, for a minister.
He let her go, leaning back against the door frame, and gave her a quizzical look. Is there some rule Im not aware of that says ministers are supposed to be weak?
No. She felt unaccountably embarrassed. I mean, I dont know. I suppose a strong minister just doesnt fit my image.
You mean the stereotype of the guy who went into the ministry because he couldnt be successful at anything else? The person who only has to work an hour a week?
Something like that. Hed made her feel foolish, and she didnt like that. I dont know enough about ministers to say whether thats a stereotype or not.
He gave her the look that seemed to probe beneath the surface. I take it youre not a churchgoer, Claire.
Me? She dusted off the knees of her tan slacks. Not likely.
Why not?
The direct question put her on the defensive. Havent you ever heard that youre not supposed to ask people about their religion?
His answering smile was easy, but his eyes were serious. Im not interviewing you for a job, so that hardly applies, does it?
I dont know why you think its any of your business, but no, I dont go to church. If he wanted blunt, she could do blunt.
Im a minister. Were interested in things like that. Didnt you ever go to church?
She shrugged, brushing past him. The storage closet was too small for conversation, especially with someone who didnt seem inclined to respect her boundaries.
I went when I was small. My mother took me. After she died, no one bothered with that. She shrugged. I havent ever seen the need for it. Sorry if thats not a polite thing to say to a minister.
Its honest. Id rather hear honesty than the excuses some people come up with.
He followed her out of the closet. He was still standing too close, and his gaze was too intent on her face. Shed already decided she wasnt going to let Brendan get that close, hadnt she?
Well, thats my story, she said briskly. Now, how many tables did you say you had?
Twenty-four, counting the ones in the church school rooms. He accepted the change of subject. Why do you need to know?
Maybe she should have mentioned this little problem to Brendan before now. They were supposed to be working together, after all.
Ive been trying all week to find a place for the reception. No luck. We dont have enough time. Everything decent is already booked for that day.
So youre thinking of having the reception here. He glanced around the social room.
She nodded, frowning at the combination of beige carpet and beige concrete block walls. It doesnt have the ambience Id hoped for, but it will have to do. If thats all right with your schedule, that is. He could throw a spanner in the works if it wasnt.
Thats not a problem. What do Gabe and Nolie think about the idea?
She shrugged. They want a celebratory meal with family and friends. They dont care where it takes place. She looked around again. So well have to make this room into something special.
We?
Youre cooperating with me on the wedding arrangements, remember?
Although if she were going to follow through on her resolution to stay clear of the Reverend, she ought to let him off the hook, shouldnt she? For a moment the mix of feelings confused her.
She shook her head. Look, you dont have to do anything. Stacy and I can handle this.
Oh, Ill help. I dont know how to make centerpieces, if thats what you have in mind.
Hed probably back out if she told him everything she had in mind.
Thats all right. The florist will take care of all that.
We have a florist?
Of course. You cant have a wedding without a florist. Where do you think the bouquet comes from?
That lock of chestnut hair had fallen on his forehead again, making him look about sixteen. For an instant, her fingers tingled with the impulse to brush it back for him.
Believe it or not, Nolie and Gabe would be just as married if there were no flowers in sight.
Maybe so, but theyre not going to be. Now, what about folding chairs?
She spun away. It was safer to look at the expanse of beige carpet rather than Brendans face.
Enough for eight at each table, with maybe a dozen extra. We used to have more, but they get borrowed for events and then dont come back.
That should do. She scribbled the information down in the notebook shed started with wedding arrangements. After the week shed hadtrying to juggle work, Stacy, and the weddingif she didnt make notes of everything shed go crazy.