The Small Town Preacher's Fake - Lucy McConnell Page 0,25

run, his tie flapping.

Feeling so much more alone than she had just a moment ago, Evie rubbed her elbows. How could a man fill the room so entirely? She absently picked up her diet soda can.

Ryan glanced at her drink. “You gonna drink that?” He swallowed loudly.

She glanced down and then handed it over, not even sorry to see it go. “Thanks for keeping an eye out for him.” She opened the cupboard and fished out a package of cookies, offering him those as well.

He nodded as he ripped into the container and shoved one into his mouth. “Anytime.” He took a swig of the soda and sauntered out of the kitchen.

Evie shook her head. “What in the world have I gotten myself into?”

First, there was the dead man in the church office. And she’d put him there. If people hadn’t already questioned her ability to be a good preacher’s wife, that might just tip the scales.

Second, she’d married a man in name only—well, he had become her friend. But even that friendship was tainted by the lie they played for the rest of the world.

Third, she wanted to be married to Seth for real, to know she belonged in his heart and not just in the ring on her finger. To be able to kiss him whenever she wanted—which was quite often.

She leaned against the counter, wondering what kind of a person she was to think that a half marriage was a good enough marriage. Because when it came right down to it, she was happier here than she’d been anywhere else with anyone else.

What did that say about her?

Chapter Ten

Seth

Something was wrong with his wife. Seth couldn’t figure out what it was, and it was driving him crazy. Evie was so vibrant when they’d married, so full of life that it spilled out of her and flooded the people she came into contact with.

But now …

She was less bright than she’d been.

He stared at a picture on the wall in his office of Jesus pulling Peter out of the water—lifting him higher, to solid ground. Which was always an interesting thought, because the water was no more stable than it had been moments before when Peter had sunk. The only thing that changed was Peter.

Evie was like Peter. Bold. Daring. Constantly expressing her love for the Lord.

The only thing Seth could come up with was that he was dragging her down. Somehow, his inner darkness and past were contagious.

She still smiled. She still answered the many questions tossed her way about how they’d met and what a whirlwind romance they must have had, and wasn’t she lucky to find a man who could preach like that?

His cheek lifted in a half grin. If they only knew that he was the lucky one.

Evie was magnificent. Every minute he spent with her was touched with gold. It didn’t matter if they were doing yard work in preparation for the upcoming summer picnic or washing dishes or changing lightbulbs in the Sunday School room; she made every moment a gift.

Marrying her was the best decision he’d ever made. Even better than learning to play the guitar.

He glanced over at the worn and dinged instrument. The battered guitar had been all he could afford at the time, but he’d longed for it like a leper longed to be healed. Once it was in his hands, he’d felt whole again. Playing came easy to him when his only audience was the Lord. The moment he stepped in front of people, his fingers were all thumbs.

Evie’s suggestion that he play for the parishioners rang in his head like a church bell. If God had given him musical talent, he’d gladly give it back in singing His praises and bringing people to the cross to lay down their sins and their sorrows and rest in Lord Jesus. But his clear lack of ability to play for anyone indicated that Jesus did not want his guitar in the chapel. As he continued to stare, a melody floated into his consciousness, and his hands itched to pluck the strings.

He turned his back on the instrument and focused on the report he was supposed to write up for the church board. They’d noted that there’d been other visitors besides Mr. Wellsprings last Sunday. The Harpers had brought friends to hear him preach Jesus. Seth was glad. The more people in the building, the more hearers of the word and disciples of Jesus.

His thoughts circled back to his wife.