Secretly Yours: A Christian Valentine's Day Romance (Riverbend Romance Novella Book 1) Page 3

  So… unlikely that Marc was her secret admirer. Not that she’d suspected him. And there really wasn’t anyone else. Other than Nick.

  Why again was he singling her out? Was it really possible he’d changed since high school? She couldn’t imagine Pastor Davis and the elders not doing a thorough check on the guy before hiring him to work with their youth. On an intellectual level, she understood he had to be different. But at gut level? Hard to believe when his smile was just as devastating as it had been way back when.

  Chapter 5

  Madison cautiously turned the car into the church parking lot and eased to a stop. “There! How’d I do?”

  Lindsey let out the breath she’d been holding for the past twenty minutes. “Good.” How had she gotten stuck being the designated adult to ride along with a beginning driver? Yeah, Greg sure didn’t have patience for it.

  Her sister spilled from the driver’s seat and thrust both fists triumphantly in the air. “Did you see that?”

  A group of teens turned from their hacky sack game near the church door. “Dude, Madison! You’re driving?”

  Only because there hadn’t been any fresh snow in a few days, and the streets had been cleared. Lindsey climbed out of the passenger side and rounded the back of the vehicle to snag the red magnet with the large L on it, signaling to the otherwise unsuspecting world that a newbie was behind the wheel. A car pulled in beside her and she glanced over. Nick.

  Lindsey wrenched her attention back to Madison. “I’ll be back for you at nine-thirty,” she called.

  Not that her sister heard her. Madison pirouetted across the parking lot to catcalls from the guys.

  Nick laughed. “Kids, eh? Were we ever that young?”

  Had she really heard those words from Nick Harrison? The guy who’d stomped across every heart in sight when they were teens? She turned slowly to face him.

  He was right there, mere inches from her. Tall, dark, too hot for his own good. He always had been.

  “Lindsey?” His eyes darkened, and he took a step closer.

  She backed up, but there was nowhere to go. She bumped into the car.

  “Lindsey, about high school.” His eyes searched hers.

  She tried to look away, but his gaze was more magnetic than the L she held in her hand.

  “I was a jerk back then. I know that, and I’m sorry.”

  Lindsey leaned against the car and crossed her arms. Maybe she could pull off nonchalance. “Yeah, you were.”

  Nick grimaced. “I was full of myself. A kid.” He gestured at the teens goofing off on the church steps. “God got a hold of me and changed me from the inside out. I’m a different person than I was then, Lindsey.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “No forgiveness, huh?” he asked softly.

  She shrugged. “Sure. You’re forgiven. We’ve all done stupid things.” Nick had been stupider than average, but still. Who was she to hold a grudge?

  “So you’ll go out with me?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “But—”

  Lindsey forced herself to look him in the eye and not drown. Tougher than it sounded. “Nick, what you’re doing here for the youth is great. I’m committed to doing my share to make the Valentine’s fundraiser a success. But I’m not looking for a relationship. Okay? Can we just leave it at that?”

  He shifted, blocking her view of the teens, and swept her hair away from her face. “What can I do or say to make you understand?”

  She sidled toward the rear of the car. “You don’t need to do anything.”

  “Is there someone else? Madison said…”

  “My sister talks entirely too much.”

  He chuckled. “Probably true.” The grin slid off his face, and his eyes intensified. “Lindsey, the old Nick Harrison is gone. He’s been saved. Washed in the blood of Jesus.”

  “I’m glad for you. I really am.”

  Another car pulled into the parking lot, and several teens spilled out then swarmed toward the steps. One glanced over and elbowed his buddy. They both grinned. One sent a thumbs-up.

  “I need to go.” Wait. Had he said the exact same thing at the same time as her?

  She narrowed her gaze at him. “What we don’t need is a bunch of teenagers getting some crazy idea about why we’re out here talking so long, okay? Especially when they’d be dead wrong.”

  He opened her car door and she slid inside, tossing the L into the passenger seat. She turned the ignition as he leaned in.

  “But they wouldn’t be.”

  She shifted into reverse, knowing full well the car door was still open and Nick was in the way.

  “Until later,” he said, and swung it closed.

  Lindsey bit her lip and made her escape.

  ~*~

  “Whoa, Pastor Nick! She’s hot!”

  “Need advice for your love life, Pastor Nick?”

  “Who is she, anyway?”

  “You’re kidding. Madison’s sister?”

  “You can’t keep secrets from us, Pastor Nick.”

  And that’s what he got for trying to talk to Lindsey just before youth group. Like bees swarming him, incessantly buzzing, as he strode toward the church door.

  Someone tucked a hand behind his elbow, and he glanced down to see Madison beaming up at him. “Don’t worry, Pastor Nick. We’re on your side.”

  They climbed the steps. He patted her hand, removed it, and managed to get a teen or two between them. That’s what he was afraid of. This gang of teenagers, committed to a cause, could do way more than set a third-world country on fire in an upcoming missions trip. Being the center of their attention could be terrifying.

  Nick stifled a groan as they entered the youth room en masse. The whole place was covered with heart, dove, and flower decorations. How was he going to teach the teens about romance and purity God’s way with all this speculation going on around him? He’d just become a personalized object lesson.

  God, this one is up to You.

  “So, Pastor Nick, she doesn’t seem as into you as, you know, you are into her.”

  Could this get more humiliating?

  “I could give you some advice,” Aidan said, arm wrapped around his girlfriend of three weeks.

  Apparently, yes, it could get more humiliating.

  “Yeah, we can totally help you.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Nick forced out a chuckle. “I don’t need any help here.” Except perhaps God’s. “You want to talk about love? Hit the carpet. Let’s talk.” He’d planned for an icebreaker game to lead into the devotional but, hey. The ice was broken. He could adjust.

  “There’s a few things to learn here.” He eyed Aidan as the gang settled onto the carpet. “No PDA, remember?”

  Aidan rolled his eyes and shifted a few inches from his girlfriend.

  “I want to talk to you guys about God’s love for us. It’s constant, whether we respond or not. How come we don’t always accept it? What reasons might you have for not wanting a boyfriend or girlfriend right now? Do any of those reasons relate to God?”

  The kids looked at each other.

  “We don’t think we need it?” one girl offered.

  “Yeah, maybe it’s cool to be single. You know, independent.”

  “Sometimes being part of a couple means you’re not as much yourself.”

  “Maybe we think the other person is too cool to really like us, so we’re afraid they’re only pretending.”

  “Yeah, who wants to get hurt? Or feel used.”

  Nick nodded. “Those all sound valid. But what about God? Can we trust His motives for loving us?”

  Groupthink happened again as the kids exchanged looks. Nick could all but see their antennae swivel as they communicated telepathically.

  Madison sighed. “Sometimes it all sounds too good to be true. Like a fairy tale. We’ve seen our parents fight and maybe get divorced.”

  “I get that. My folks split up when I was in junior high.” Nick grimaced
. “And my dad’s been divorced again since then. It’s hard to believe in love.”

  “My parents don’t fight,” a boy put in, glancing around. “Not much, anyway.”

  “Mine do,” someone added.

  “God’s love is the ultimate.” Nick grabbed his Bible. “It shows us what is possible. It gives us a standard to stretch for.” Did he really love Lindsey, or was he only intrigued because she seemed hard to get? He’d have to think on that later. “We humans aren’t perfect like God is. That means we can’t love perfectly, either. We get selfish and proud and impatient, but, if we keep trying, keep praying for God’s help to love perfectly, I believe He teaches us to do that.”

  He flipped his Bible open to 1 Corinthians 13. “I want to read the love chapter to you. We’ll stop often to talk about what love really looks like. Ready?”

  The kids nodded.

  Nick breathed a prayer. Tonight’s devo was as much for him as for the kids.

  Chapter 6

  Lindsey’s cell phone rang seconds after she stepped out the door of the Water Wheel. She glanced around, looking for Nick’s car, but it wasn’t in sight.

  Because, yes, that was his ring. She’d assigned one to him in self-defense, so she wouldn’t accidentally pick up when he called. Maybe that was dumb. He had a reason to call, after all. The banquet.

  By the third ring, she had her fuzzy mitts off and the phone slid on. “Lindsey here.”

  “Hey! It’s Nick.”

  Um, yeah. She knew that. “Hi.”

  “I was wondering if you’d like to go snowshoeing tomorrow. It’s the annual full-moon event put on by the Riverbend Trails committee.”

  “Uh…”

  “It starts at nine o’clock at the golf course.”

  Her brain fumbled. “At night?”

  “Hence the full moon.” His grin was evident in his voice.

  How could he possibly know she’d bought a pair of snowshoes at Base Camp Outfitters with her final bonus from Fresh Start? She hadn’t even gotten out on them yet.

  Madison. That would be how. Lindsey gritted her teeth then forced herself to unclench them. “Right.”

  “Lindsey, I’d like a chance to show you I’m not the same guy I was in high school. Can we get together? Share a good time? Talk?”

  Was she being too hard on him? Didn’t everyone deserve a second chance? Well, nearly everyone. She sighed. “Okay, fine. This once.”

  “Did you say… yes?”

  Last chance to retract. “Yes.”

  “Great! I’ll pick you up about eight-thirty. Make sure you dress in layers. Don’t worry about snacks. I’ve got all that covered.”

  Her head spun. “I can meet you there.” Definitely a better idea in case things went wrong.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. A date’s a date, and I’m doing this one right.” Nick hesitated. “We could go for dinner beforehand…?”

  “Don’t push your luck.”

  He chuckled. “I promise I’ll be good.”

  “You better.” She should perhaps summon some graciousness. “Thanks, Nick.”

  “My pleasure. Until tomorrow, then.”

  She pocketed the phone and tugged her mitts back on. The icy wind caught her cheeks as she stepped out of the shelter of the restaurant and turned onto the sidewalk along River Way. The town’s sidewalk plow had been by a couple of hours previously, and the walkway was still passable.

  Maybe on her next paycheck she’d offer to buy Greg a new set of tires. How much did they cost, anyway? Only then maybe he’d drive to work himself instead of catching a ride to the sawmill with a neighbor, and she wouldn’t have gained a thing. If he really wanted tires, she was pretty sure he’d have bought them by now.

  If she stayed in Riverbend another winter, she’d buy her own car. And, yeah, she had to stay. Madison had three more semesters of high school. Could Lindsey stand living with Greg that long? Not that he interfered with her life, other than randomly deciding she couldn’t use his car. He was thankful enough for the groceries she brought in and the meals she fixed. Whether or not he noticed the mold had been scrubbed from the shower tile was anybody’s guess. He hadn’t commented on the plastic film on most of the house’s windows, but he had to be aware the place was less drafty and the heating bill lower.

  But all that she did for herself and Madison. Not for Greg. He didn’t deserve it.

  Just like Nick didn’t deserve to be forgiven.

  Ouch. That stabbed her heart like the frost tingling her nose. How did she get to decide who deserved what? Wasn’t that God’s job?

  Okay, well, she was giving Nick a chance. The sooner he destroyed it, the sooner she could shove him out of her mind — again — and go back to planning Madison’s future.

  ~*~

  “Pastor Nick’s here!”

  He stood under a small overhang outside the door, the sound of the doorbell still reverberating under Madison’s announcement, and shook his head. That girl.

  The door swung open, but it wasn’t the teen’s eager face looking up at him. Nor was it the pensive face of her older sister. Instead, a stubbly middle-aged man about his own height stared back. The guy hitched his thumbs through belt loops on saggy jeans.

  “So you’re the guy I keep hearing about.”

  More likely from Madison than Lindsey, sadly. Nick offered his hand. “Nick Harrison, sir.”

  “Greg Kimball. Madison’s father.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” There’d been no handshake, so Nick dropped his hand to his side. “I’m here to pick Lindsey up.”

  “She’s almost ready,” yelled Madison. “Come on in.”

  He would if Greg stepped aside. On the other hand, he wouldn’t give the man the satisfaction of waiting in the car, either. If Greg wanted to cool the house down with a wide-open front door, so be it. Nick’s honor to Lindsey came first.

  “Don’t have her out too late.”

  No wonder Lindsey had a hard time forgetting high school. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Lindsey appeared at the railing above. “Greg, we’re adults. I’ll be back when I get here.” She turned to her sister. “Behave yourself.”

  Greg harrumphed. Madison batted her eyelashes then winked at Nick when Lindsey turned away.

  That kid would be the death of him. Nick stifled a grin. But at the moment, Lindsey took center stage. Easy enough. She looked amazing in a turtleneck and slim leggings. Not only that, but this girl knew winter layers.

  She pulled on a pair of ski pants, leaving the ankles unzipped, tugged a knitted tuque over her soft blond hair, and slid on a puffy vest. She met his gaze for a second as she reached for her boots. “My snowshoes are just outside the door.”

  He stepped outside and plucked them from the snow bank.

  Lindsey grabbed her jacket and slipped a thin wallet into an inside pocket before following him outside. As soon as she’d closed the door, she leaned against it. “Sorry about Greg. He forgets I’m not Madison’s age.”

  Nick tucked the snowshoes under one arm and flashed her a smile. “It’s okay. It’s hard for parents to keep track.” He wanted to take her hand on the walk to the curb, but thought better of it. She wouldn’t let him, anyway. Even if she did, what were the odds Madison watched from the window? A hundred and ten percent.

  For now, he’d settle for opening the car door for her and treating her like the beautiful princess she was.

  Chapter 7

  It seemed to Lindsey that half the inhabitants of Riverbend must be in the golf course parking lot, strapping on their snowshoes. Which also meant way too many people she might know would see her with Nick. It looked like a date.

  Oh, who was she kidding? He hadn’t even pretended the purpose was to discuss the banquet. No, he’d invited her on a date and, in a moment of weakness, she’d agreed.

  Lindsey stood and took a few steps, testing the fit. The snowshoes felt good. She slid cold fingers into thin knit gloves then into waterproof over-mitts.

&n
bsp; From the corner of her eye she saw Nick swing a small pack over his shoulders. “Ready?” he asked.

  She nodded and took a deep breath. How had he talked her into this again? But she was here. It would be fun. She fell into step beside him across the parking lot to the entrance to the city’s bike trail, covered in at least a foot of snow. They were ahead of most of the group. Some folks had babies strapped to their backs, while others pulled toboggans with young riders. Kids, parents, and grandparents readied themselves together.

  Lindsey inhaled deeply. The wind had died down and the temperature was only five below freezing. Practically a chinook. Across the inky depths of the Sandon River, the town’s fanciest houses lit up the distance and cast long, weak fingers of light. Brighter puddles from lampposts along the path kept the eeriness at bay.

  “This path is the best thing town council did for Riverbend in the past decade,” Nick said.

  “It’s pretty cool.” She hesitated. “How far north does it go, anyway?” What had she let herself in for? But then there were all those families with little kids. It couldn’t be that bad.

  “It goes more than eight kilometers before connecting with the old railway bed. That part isn’t paved, but it’s still great for biking and hiking.”

  “Uh…”

  Nick chuckled. “For tonight, we’ll go as far as you want to. There are buses and volunteers at every crossing ready to take people back to the parking lot if they don’t want to hike back.”

  She quickened her pace. He figured she was the weak link? She’d done a lot of walking since returning to Riverbend. He might be surprised at her stamina. Although — she cast a sidelong look at his lean frame — he probably worked out at the gym. If she made this a competition, she’d probably lose.

  Around them, voices drifted away as they set their own pace ahead of most of the pack.

  “Thanks for coming with me, Lindsey.”

  His quiet words broke through her reverie. Not that she’d forgotten the crazy hot guy beside her. How could she? If only she knew if he’d really changed, if he could be trusted. Would she wake up tomorrow morning and find he’d pulled the plug with another ha-ha, got you again?