The Small Town Preacher's Fake - Lucy McConnell Page 0,56

thing.

But more than that, Seth’s acceptance and praise showed that he was aware of her, of what she cared about. She loved Terri like a sister in God. And she knew that because Terri’s happiness had become her own, Terri’s sorrow brought Evie to her knees in prayer and supplication on behalf of her friend.

Things were all coming together. Perhaps it was time she and Seth finally talked about that kiss. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be brave enough to tell him that she loved him. Not just as a preacher, but as a man.

Her whole body lifted at the thought. She’d wait for the right moment, a quiet time between the two of them when they had hours ahead, and then she’d open her heart. She wasn’t afraid anymore.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Seth

Seth stood at the front window, watching the branches sway on the trees in the yard. “It looks rough out there. Are you sure you want to go?”

Behind him, Evie gathered her keys and purse. She stopped at the coat rack and grabbed a rain jacket. Seth hurried over to hold it for her to slip her arms into. Things had shifted between them again. Singing in church had been a miracle in many ways. A miracle he’d gotten through it, yes. But the results were undeniable.

“I can’t miss this lunch. It’s been ages since I’ve seen Maisie.” She started buttoning the jacket, and Seth backed up to give her space. Her scent was too much for him and took his breath away.

An acorn hit the window and bounced away. “I can’t help but feel like the storm is a bad omen.” He shivered as if the Wicked Witch of the West was flying his direction and cackling.

Evie pulled the hood over her head. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “Thank you for worrying about me, though.”

All he wanted to do was cuddle up on the couch with her in his arms and watch the storm rage. He tucked his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Be safe,” was all he dared say.

She stood there an extra moment, watching him like she was trying to get up the courage to say something. The trouble was, he had no idea if the longing he saw in her eyes was a mirror of his own feelings or hers. If she yearned for him, she hid it much better than he did.

She opened the door, braced herself against the wind, and shut it behind her.

The house moaned as if it missed her already too. He glanced around at the furnishing, the quilt she’d thrown over the back of the couch, his and her shoes tucked next to one another by the bench. This was the first place he’d ever walked into that felt like home. And he was smart enough to know it was because of Evie. She was the one who brightened and warmed it.

A branch scraped against the siding.

“Lord, if You could see to it to turn Evie’s heart to me, I don’t want to lose her. Even more than I don’t want to lose this ministry. I’ve loved serving these people in Thy name, but if I have to give it up to keep her, I will.”

His stomach grabbed and he sat down on the couch. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried to align himself with God’s path.

“Dear Lord, Thy will, not mine. But please. Please, don’t ask this of me.”

An eerie silence answered. Seth cracked open his eyes to see the trees standing tall, their branches still. The howling had ceased. The tempest calmed.

He didn’t have an answer, but God had sent peace.

Evie craned her neck to see the sun part the clouds. “Look.” A ray of sunlight streamed through, hitting some far-off place with a spotlight. “I used to think that when that happened, someone had died.” She grinned as she picked up her soda and sipped.

“It’s how they show it in the movies.” Maisie speared a slice of chicken.

“True.” Evie stared at her plate. She’d craved a Caesar salad for two days, and now that she had it, she could hardly take a bite. The look Seth had given her as she’d left had caused such aching inside of her.

“You’re not hungry?”

“I’m hungry for something I can’t have—more like someone I can’t have. Ugh! Why am I so attracted to men who are unavailable? First Owen, who was an emotional child, and now Seth, who I’m married to but can’t touch.” She threw her fork