LITMIR.BIZ

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your heart belongs to Josh Gallagher, right?”

      “Suzann, I wish you’d stop saying that. Josh Gallagher has hardly said ten words to me since the day we met. Besides, I heard he’s got a girlfriend who lives near that ranch his parents own, somewhere in the northern part of the hill country. And Mrs. Beesley said that his parents hope he’ll marry her someday.”

      Suzann tried to swallow what Holly had said. But it would take time to digest it all.

      “Are you still on the line?” Holly asked.

      “I’m here. So what’s Shawn like? I’ve never met him.”

      “Well, he’s warm, friendly, easy to talk to. He’s not pretty-boy handsome like his older brother. But in my opinion, he’s much better looking.”

      “This sounds serious,” she teased.

      “I just met the man yesterday,” Holly said with a sigh. “He only asked me out because he felt sorry for me after the way Mike treated me.”

      “Maybe I should hire Shawn to look after you instead of Mike.”

      “Don’t you dare because a man like Shawn McDowell has scruples. He might be insulted. Besides, he’s a Christian.”

      “Excellent. This is getting better by the second.”

      “The man is only being kind, Suzann. Why can’t you understand that?”

      Suzann’s laughter echoed back to her. “We’ll see. Won’t we?”

      “I don’t like the sound of your laugh. And if it means you’re planning to hire Shawn, I’ll never speak to you again.”

      “Don’t worry. I was only joking. But if I contribute to the building of the new pediatric wing he plans to help build for poor children, who would be the wiser?”

      Suzann felt a lot better after talking to Holly. Now she knew for sure that her sister had no claim on or interest in Josh Gallagher. But what about the girlfriend Holly mentioned? Was Josh serious about her?

      If so, what business was it of Suzann’s? It would be a bigger stretch than she could fathom to think that a country preacher and a movie star might become a twosome. She needed to forget Josh Gallagher and focus on her real reasons for coming to Oak Valley, Texas.

      Suzann returned to Holly’s job at the church library on Wednesday. Three women stopped by to check out books. Suzann liked them, but with the women mentioning the name Jesus in practically every sentence, her problem was in relating to them.

      The church secretary burst into the library. Suzann secretly winced, then made an earnest effort to smile. Holly had said that Mrs. Olson was demanding but had a kind heart—once you got to know her. All she needed to do was get to know the woman as soon as possible.

      “Here’s a schedule of events for the rest of the week,” the elderly secretary said. “Prayer meeting’s tonight at 6:30 p.m., followed by choir practice. Tomorrow night the women’s Bible study is at seven. You’ll be attending as usual, of course?”

      Was she kidding?

      “Friday night,” Mrs. Olson continued, “a school is scheduled for those who’ll be teaching Fall Vacation Bible School this year. I see you’re on the list.”

      “I am? I mean—I certainly am.”

      “And don’t worry about the library. We’ll close the library during that whole week, just like we did last year.”

      “That’s good news.” Suzann couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was there such a thing as a night off around here?

      “And don’t forget that you promised to help with the bake sale and car wash on Saturday to raise money for the church youth group,” Mrs. Olson added. “It’ll be held on the church parking lot again. And I hope you don’t mind teaching your Sunday School class this Sunday. Sally Rogers is out of town.”

      “I’ll—I’ll be glad to do—to do whatever.”

      “I was sure you would be. And remember to bring one of those delicious cakes of yours to the bake sale, Saturday.”

      Suzann blinked. “Cake?”

      “But with your talent for baking, just any cake you want to bring will be fine.”

      Suzann had never baked a cake in her entire life. Nor had she taught a Sunday School class. Ditto to Vacation Bible School. She was thankful that the church secretary had left a copy of her duties. Otherwise, she would never remember them all. The thought of actually doing them made her head swim.

      Okay, so she knew before she arrived in Oak Valley that Holly was a Christian and the church librarian. How could she have known that Holly’s entire life was immersed in the church?

      Suzann didn’t see Josh again until the Vacation Bible School meeting on Friday night. The pastor was involved elsewhere. Josh conducted the meeting.

      She sat stiffly beside Kate Devlon in the second row, speculating about whether or not Josh intended to acknowledge her. He’d made it clear that he wanted nothing more to do with her, and that seemed like a strange attitude for the youth director and assistant pastor of a church.

      “Did you and Brother Josh have a spat?” Kate asked.

      “Spat? Why, he means nothing to me.”

      “Maybe not, but I think you mean something to him.”

      Suzann wanted to remind Kate that Josh Gallagher had a girlfriend back home. She never got the chance.

      A hush permeated the room. Josh asked Brother Winslow to lead the group in prayer.

      Josh couldn’t help seeing Suzann during the meeting, but he acted as if she were invisible. The way he deliberately avoided her gaze exasperated her.

      “See what I mean?” Kate whispered.

      Suzann rolled her eyes upward.

      Josh might never have looked at her if Suzann hadn’t raised her hand in answer to one of his questions.

      “Yes, Miss Harmon,” he said without expression. “What kind of refreshments would you suggest for snack time?”

      “Snow cones would be nice. They’re easy to fix, and if it turns cold again, we could serve hot chocolate instead.”

      “That’s an interesting idea,” he said, “but I understand we had that last year. I’d like to try something new.” He looked away. “Anyone else?”

      One of ladies who came into the library on Wednesday raised her hand. “Well, I like Miss Harmon’s idea about the snow cones. Just because we had them last year doesn’t mean we can’t have them again, and the children really seemed to like them.”

      “I second that,” Kate said.

      Josh’s mouth tightened. “Then if nobody has any other ideas, I guess it’s snow cones again.” He glanced at Suzann indifferently. “Thanks for the suggestion.”

      She nodded, looking down at her teacher’s manual.

      “So if nobody has anything else to say,” Josh said, “I guess I’ll see y’all here Monday morning at eight o’clock, sharp, ready to teach our autumn version of Vacation Bible School. Oh, and don’t forget the bake sale in the morning.”

      Kate groaned. “How could we forget?”

      Suzann stuck close to Kate’s side as they walked out to the parking lot. She had no illusions that Josh Gallagher planned to seek her out Still, it was nice to know that she wouldn’t have to face him alone if he did.

      Josh went straight to his truck, got in, and slammed the door behind him.

      “Wow,” Kate said. “He’s got it bad.”

      Suzann shook her head. “What

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