The View from Alameda Island - Robyn Carr Page 0,90
be a disaster,” she said.
“Just follow me to the bar. It’s very nice and I’ll protect you from all the sad people who have no place else to go. We can talk about this disaster in peace.”
She agreed and twenty minutes later they were tucked into a corner booth near a brick fireplace. Angela sipped red wine while Tim enjoyed a beer.
“What makes you think we have anything in common?” she asked him.
“We have everything in common. We’re drawn to the same kind of work, we share a need to rescue the disenfranchised, we’re the same faith, we’re looking for the same things and you turn me on.”
“Oh God,” she said, resting her head in her hand. “It is so hard to hear that from someone I have known as a priest.”
“Get this—you turned me on while I was a priest. I just wouldn’t act on that feeling. I had an oath. Now I don’t.”
“You hung up the collar for sex, didn’t you?”
“No,” he said with a laugh. “But that is likely to be a benefit.”
“Well, it’s not going to be me! Not until I know you a lot better!”
He touched her hand. “I’m not going to pressure you, Angela. I like you. I can’t wait to spend more time with you. If it works, I think that would make me very happy. But if it doesn’t, I’m still grateful you’re my friend. And grateful you showed me some options for my civilian life. There are Catholic charities all over the globe!”
“You’re really jazzed about this, aren’t you?”
“It’s what I’ve always wanted. To be a working priest. With the smell of the sheep.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Same reason you do what you do. It’s necessary. It’s vitally important. It’s not for everyone, which makes it more important that those who can, do. It feels right.”
“This is insane,” she said. “I’ve known you for years. We’ve never even flirted! And believe me, I’ve known women who flirt with priests.”
He laughed. “So have I. Listen, it wasn’t always easy. At least some of my vows weren’t easy, but that’s what made them important and worthwhile. But having certain oaths didn’t mean I didn’t have feelings.”
“You were always friendly, happy, but not flirty.”
“Of course not,” he said. “That would put you in a terrible position. It’s different now. But Angela, I don’t want you to struggle with your conscience over me. I want you to be at peace.”
She just gazed at him, shaking her head slightly, smiling. “It’s going to be very hard not to fall for you.”
He was quiet a moment. “Praise be,” he said.
* * *
Beau texted Lauren that he was on his way over. When she opened her door, she had a tissue in her hand and her eyes were pink and wet.
“Oh honey,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. “Have you been crying for the last two hours?” he asked.
She nodded against his chest, sniffing.
He pulled her into the room and sat with her on her sofa. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“What happened after I left?” she asked, a hiccup in her voice. “I saw she went inside.”
“Hardly anything,” he said. “Most of my family has seen her drama before. I felt sorry for the boys, though. They are the ones who’ve seen the most. I asked them to escort her out, get her in her car safely. It took just five minutes and they were back inside. I don’t know if they were brokenhearted or embarrassed. Probably both. But they had places to go where they’ll get comfort without the shame of it all. Darla spent the day with her family so Drew went over there. Michael and Raisa went to her married sister’s house. Both of them will be among friends. After just a little while and a lot of goodbyes, everyone dispersed. My sister, brother-in-law, kids and my mother were all staying over at my brother’s house. They’ll head back to Redding first thing in the morning. Of course I welcomed them to stay at my house but Jeff’s is larger. And frankly, I think Pamela might be the reason they didn’t want to stay at my house.”
“Were they all upset?” she asked.
He lifted her chin so he could look into those beautiful lavender eyes. “Listen, last Thanksgiving Pamela was gone. She’d been gone. Gone for the holidays. While other people with troubled marriages are trying to hold it together through the holidays, my wife packed up and headed for Maui. She didn’t call Drew and I assume