Hosea's Bride. Dorothy Clark

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СКАЧАТЬ It would never be enough.

      She hurried across the parking lot, unlocked her new car, then pulled the map she needed first from her travel bag and backed out of the parking place. When the light at the corner stopped traffic, she exited the parking lot onto Oakwood Boulevard and headed north.

      What a beautiful morning! Beautiful, but chilly for early September. Angela pulled up behind a green van stopped for the red light at Trenton Street and leaned forward to adjust the heater. She would have to include a coat when she stopped to buy her new wardrobe. And maybe one of those fleece jackets she’d been seeing everywhere.

      A long, black car rolled to a halt beside her.

      Angela’s stomach contracted sharply. Tony! What was he doing on the streets before late afternoon? Bile surged into her throat. She knew the answer—he was hunting for her. She reached down and pushed the button that locked all the doors, then gripped the steering wheel with her trembling hands and stared straight ahead.

      Out of the corner of her eye she could see Tony staring at her. He said something to the man driving the car. The driver turned his head to look at her and both men laughed. Angela’s heart gave a painful jolt. She stared at the back of the van ahead of her.

      God, please—please! Make it move!

      The light turned green. Angela let out her breath and moved ahead with the traffic. If only she could pass! But there was no chance; oncoming traffic blocked her on the left, and Tony’s car pinned her in on the right.

      Her head began to throb. Suddenly, Tony’s car leaped ahead. She watched in utter amazement as it exited onto the Baker Street Bridge and headed back toward the main part of the city.

      He hadn’t recognized her. Tony hadn’t recognized her! She was free. Angela sagged back against the seat, sobbing and laughing.

      The flash of her exit sign sobered her. She took a deep breath, accelerated up the on-ramp and headed west toward her new life.

      Chapter One

      “Hello, the house!”

      Angela smiled at the familiar call. “I’m in the library, Leigh.”

      “Where else?” The sound of footsteps approached down the hallway. A shiny curtain of smooth red hair swung into Angela’s view as Leigh Roberts stuck her head around the door casing. “You don’t look ready to leave for the welcome dinner at church. How much longer will you be?”

      Angela stopped typing and smiled at her best friend. “Give me ten more minutes.”

      “That’s cutting it pretty close. I want to make a good impression on the new pastor, and so should you.” Leigh waggled her eyebrows. “He’s young and single, you know. And I hear he’s a hunk.”

      Angela laughed. “I’m supposed to be the information expert. I swear, Leigh, if I had your sources I’d be a millionaire.”

      “No doubt.” Leigh grinned, then gave an audible sniff. “What is that divine smell?”

      “I’m experimenting with a new cinnamon syrup to pour on the apple pies they asked me to bake for the welcome dinner. Have a taste. I’ll be right along.” Angela waved her friend off to the kitchen and turned back to her computer.

      “There he is.” Leigh’s green eyes widened. “Wow! He is a hunk.”

      Laughing at her friend’s enthusiastic, under-her-breath comment, Angela turned to follow the direction of Leigh’s appreciative gaze and found herself looking straight into her past. It was so unexpected she could only stare as her past and present walked toward her in the form of their new, tall, blond pastor.

      “Angela? What’s wrong?”

      Leigh’s sudden grip on her arm broke the numbing paralysis of the shock. Angela shook her head. “Nothing.” She had to get out of there before he saw her! If she could reach the back door—

      “Nothing?” Leigh stared at her friend. “You’re as white as that little lie you just told me.” She pulled a chair forward. “Sit down before you pass out. I’ll go get you some water, unless—” Her eyes narrowed as she studied Angela’s face. “Are you going to be ill? Do you need me to help you to the ladies’ room?”

      The ladies’ room! She would be safe there until she could think what to do. Angela shot Leigh a look of gratitude and shook her head. “No, thanks. I can make it on my own. You stay here. I’ll—”

      “Ladies, I’d like you to meet our new pastor.”

      Too late! Angela’s stomach heaved. Lord, don’t let me be sick. She drew a long, deep breath, rose to her feet and turned around as Walter Foster, one of the elders of the church, continued his introduction.

      “Pastor Stevens, this is Leigh Roberts and Angela Warren. They are in charge of special activities. If you need someone to come up with interesting ideas for outings, make unusual and beautiful decorations, or research a missionary project these are the women you call on.”

      Hosea Stevens smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He reached for Leigh’s extended hand. “Do I address you as Miss or Mrs. Roberts? Or do you prefer Ms.?”

      Leigh laughed. “Ms. is too generic a term for my liking, Pastor Stevens. And I’m not a Mrs. for a few months yet. Actually, it’s Dr. Roberts. But that’s too formal. Call me Leigh—everyone does.”

      “Then Leigh it is.” The pastor gave her another smile and turned to take Angela’s offered hand.

      “And you, Angela Warren?” His gaze skimmed over her face. “Are you married or modern or—?”

      “It’s Miss Warren, Pastor Stevens. I’m not married, or modern.” His strong fingers curled more tightly around her hand.

      “You’re shaking, Miss Warren. And your hand is like ice. Are you ill?”

      There was genuine concern in his voice. Angela’s eyes filled. It had been six years, but she remembered that concern. She shook her head and looked down at their joined hands. Father God, please—make him let go of my hand. Help me to get out of here! She gave a little tug and Pastor Stevens released her hand.

      “You are pale, Angela.” Walter Foster stepped closer and laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder. “Maybe you should take her home, Leigh.”

      “No! I—I mean, no…please.” The last thing she wanted was Leigh fussing over her and asking her questions. Angela forced a smile. “There’s no reason for Leigh to miss the meeting. I’m perfectly capable of taking myself home.”

      She didn’t dare look at Hosea Stevens. Instead, she grabbed the purse she’d laid on the table and turned toward her friend. “Leigh, can you—?”

      “Don’t worry about me, Angela. Barbara Adams can drop me off at your place to pick up my car.” Leigh’s voice took on its professional tone as she studied Angela’s face. “Are you certain you’re able to drive home?”

      Angela nodded her head. “I’ll be fine. And I’ll expect a full report on the meeting in the morning.” She opened her purse and searched for her car keys as СКАЧАТЬ