Table of Contents

Cover Page

About the Author

Title Page

Epigraph

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dear Reader

Copyright

CHERYL WOLVERTON

Growing up in a small military town in Oklahoma where she used to make up stories with her next-door neighbor, Cheryl says she’s always written, but never dreamed of having anything published. But after years of writing her own Sunday school material in the different churches where she’s taught young children, and wanting to see more happy endings, she decided to give it a try, and found herself unable to stop.

Seeing so many people hurting, afraid to reach out and accept God’s forgiveness, inspired her to begin writing stories about God’s love and forgiveness in romances, because, she says, “We can’t truly have happily ever after if we don’t have that happily-ever-after relationship with God, too.”

Cheryl now lives in a small Louisiana town and has been happily married for fifteen years. She has two wonderful children who think it’s cool to have a “writing mama.” Cheryl loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 207, Slaughter, LA 70777.

A Mother’s Love
Cheryl Wolverton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him,

and honour him.

—Psalm 91:15

To Marcia Bender, who was the first to ever tell me

how much she loved my books. This one’s for you.

Thank you to Donna Blacklock and Denise Gray,

who have supported each and every book I’ve

written with book-signings and encouragement and

who were both enthusiastic when I told them about

this one. You’ll never know how much that means.

And to my sister, Deborah. I love you, hon. I hope

this one touches your heart, too.

Prologue

Maggie looked at the suitcase sitting by the front door. It didn’t contain much, just her most treasured possessions. Funny how everything she really cared about could fit into one suitcase.

Looking back at the house and the lavish staircase, she realized what a pampered life she’d led.

Fear clutched her heart, emerging from her numbness. So much had happened in the past seven weeks, things that had totally changed her outlook on life. No more was this house a haven for her; no more was it a place she could run to when she was hurt or afraid.

She saw a maid peek around the corner, heard the muffled sniffles of another when she picked up her suitcase. Maggie hadn’t realized how much the staff cared for her. Of course they wouldn’t say anything about her leaving. Their jobs wouldn’t permit it.

Had her whole life been so marked by privilege? She’d been so innocent, working at a job that had been provided for her, going to the church where she’d been raised, doing everything she’d always been told.

Until now.

But she just couldn’t do what her parents had asked of her.

She couldn’t.

At twenty-six, she was old enough to make her own decisions. It was time to stop listening to everyone else. Past time.

So, when the ultimatum had been given, she had shocked everyone by accepting it.

She went to the door, then looked back one last time. Black dots danced before her eyes, and she swayed before fighting off the dizziness. She’d never been on her own before. She was scared, more scared than she could ever remember being. She took a deep breath.

Pushing the desolation from her thoughts, she reached for the brass doorknob and pulled the door open. She wished once again there was an easy way out of the mess she was in.

But there wasn’t That was why she was leaving.

For better or worse, she had made her bed; now she had to lie in it.

Squaring her shoulders, she headed toward the cab, refusing to look back, promising herself to only look ahead. She would rely only on herself from this day forward to get herself through the next six months.

Chapter One

“Shirley quit?” Jake Mathison swerved to avoid a huge puddle in the middle of the road, the beat-up truck bouncing as he hit a pothole instead. He moved the cell phone from his ear, then brought it back. “But she was assisting with those plans we’ve been working on as well as keeping my notes. And,” he suddenly added, “she helps with the children’s programs.”

Doom loomed before him as he realized all that would be left hanging with Shirley gone. He almost missed Jennifer’s next words, but instead nodded with exasperation. “I know, Jennifer. I’m not blaming her. If Charlie finally asked her to get married, I can see why she jumped at it. She’s been head over heels in love with him forever. I even counseled her when he left. That’s why she took that vacation out there.” Jake now wished in a small way that he’d had her wait just a bit longer.

No, that wasn’t true. He was happy for her.

He listened as Jennifer quickly suggested a solution.

“Yeah, okay. You do that. Maybe if you put it in the church bulletin, someone will be interested in temporarily assisting me.”

Though it was the middle of the afternoon, Jake squinted through the deepening gloom that had settled over the small streets of Centerton, Louisiana. It was the time of year for hurricanes. And whether they had hurricanes or not, the summer months always brought rain. So what if today was like a monsoon? Yesterday had been, also.

“Yeah, Jennifer. No, I won’t be back today,” he replied to her question. “Go on home to Gage.”

He squinted again as he went down the country road. “You, too. Bye.” He hung up.

Jennifer was a wonder. He adored her, had been delighted when she’d come to work for him as the day-care manager at his small church. Jake had even performed her marriage ceremony six months ago. He depended on her help.

Just as he had Shirley’s.

So, what was he going to do without his assistant? Not only had she kept his files in order, helped him when he went on his children crusades into the inner city, but she’d also been working closely with him on his latest project: getting the cities around Baton Rouge to pitch in and work together to build an inner-city recreation center where the kids would have a place to go, to get off the streets and away from drugs.

And now Shirley was gone.

Maybe it was the rain or his telephone call that kept him from seeing the woman until he was right beside her.

He caught only a flash of someone with long limp hair, huddled in an oversize yellow raincoat, before his truck splashed her and she cringed.

He hit the brakes, pulling off the road immediately. In his rearview mirror he saw the person stumble and fall from trying to avoid his splash.

“Oh, great! Good going, Jake,” he berated himself. He grabbed his umbrella and ran back to where the young girl was struggling up. Concerned, he held the umbrella out over her, trying to protect her from the rain.

Reaching down, he extended his hand. “Are you okay?”

The girl placed her pale-white hand in his. He felt calluses on the pads of her fingers, saw short clipped nails that were clean of nail polish. She struggled up.

When she lifted her head, green, the brightest he’d ever seen, met his gaze and he was transfixed. This girl—no, he corrected himself, this woman, had the most exquisite eyes he’d ever seen. They were beautiful. Large and innocent, they were framed by dark lashes. Perfectly arched eyebrows, a darker shade than her eyelashes, crested over her eyes. A few small freckles dotted the bridge of her nose, the same color as her dripping red hair.

Then her expression changed, became guarded, world-weary. “Are you okay?” he repeated, wondering what had caused the change.

“Fine.”

He waited, but she didn’t say anything else.

“Can I give you a ride somewhere?”

She started to shake her head, but he stopped her. “It’s pouring rain. Come on. I can’t leave you out here like this.”

She lifted her chin, then sighed, her shoulders drooping.

What could make this beautiful woman look so beaten down? His heart went out to her. “It’s okay,” he reassured her. “I won’t hurt you. Besides, it’s the least I can do, since I wasn’t paying attention and splashed you.”

She raised her wary gaze to his again, then nodded once, curtly. “Thank you.”

He walked beside her to the car. “I’m Jake Mathison.”

“I’m Margaret…” She hesitated.

“Margaret? You look more like a Maggie,” he joked, trying to put her at ease as he opened his truck door.

She lifted astonished eyes to him.

“You are a Maggie.” Jake laughed, knowing he’d guessed right, and her gaze softened for just a minute.

“I’m sometimes called that,” she finally replied. She turned her back on him and climbed into the cab.

He wished he’d brought his car, but he’d had to do some errands for the church. Though his congregation ran just over one hundred now, it didn’t seem as if he ever had enough help.

Going around, he hopped in the driver’s seat “Well, Maggie, where can I take you?”

“My car is about two more miles down the road. I need to stop and see if I can figure out what’s wrong. If you’ll just drop me off there…”

He looked at the hat—the one with the familiar logo—she was wearing on top of her sodden curls as he pulled back onto the highway. “You work at the fast-food restaurant about five miles back?” he asked.

“Umm-hmm,” she said, staring out the window, not meeting his eyes.

So, she didn’t want to talk. But Jake couldn’t let it go. He was concerned. She shouldn’t be out walking the streets, especially in a rainstorm. “You on your way to work?”

Another sigh escaped her, and then he saw it. One lone tear slipped from her eye and trailed down her cheek, mingling with the wetness already there.

Uh-oh, he thought. Help me, Father.

Very softly he said, “You want to talk about it?”

She shrugged.

He didn’t push her but waited.

Finally, she said, “I was at work, but they let me go.”

He drove along the bumpy road, doing his best to avoid potholes. Jake wondered if she saw the green trees lining the highway or if she was simply looking inside herself at something he couldn’t see. He was almost certain it was the latter.

“You were late because of your car?” he prompted.

She shrugged. “That was only an excuse. It doesn’t matter,” she added, suddenly sounding stronger. “I don’t need anyone. I’ll find another job.”

They arrived at a broken-down, rusted-out yellow compact. She started to get out. Jake touched her arm to stop her but wasn’t prepared for her reaction.

She jumped and jerked her head around. Fear flashed through her eyes, before warning replaced it.

He immediately pulled back, giving her space.

“I’m an old hand at working on cars. Let me have a look at it.”

“It’s not necessary—”

“Think of me as a knight in shining armor,” he teased, smiling at her. “My mama would come back from her grave and tan my hide if I left a lovely woman like you stranded with a broken-down car.”

The first smile he’d seen cracked her lips. It transformed her face, made her eyes look even greener.

Oh, boy, he thought, stunned by her effect on him.

He quickly exited the car. Going over to the compact, he popped the hood and looked under it. “Uhhuh, here’s your problem,” he said, fingering a belt “I have a friend who owes me a favor. What say you let me have your car towed to your house, and I can fix this for you?”

She stiffened. “I don’t think so. I’ll take care of it myself.”

Puzzled by the sudden anger in her eyes, he wondered what he’d said. “I’ve got a cell phone in the truck. Just hang on….”

“I can’t pay for the repair,” she finally confided, lifting her chin haughtily.

Realizing she was embarrassed, he smiled. “There’s no charge. Like I said, he’s a friend and I’ll put the belt on for you. The belt is only a couple of dollars.”

“I can’t ask you—”

He strode back over to her, touching her shoulders. Her arms felt small through the slicker.

When she stiffened again, he immediately let go. “You aren’t asking me for anything. But there’s no way on this earth I’m leaving you out here in this downpour to get soaked.”

He turned, swiped a hand at the rain pouring down his face, then went back to his truck to make a call. By the time he was done, the rain had almost quit.

And Maggie was again looking nervous. When he walked up she surprised him. Instead of trying to talk him out of helping again, she offered a tentative smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Your friend doesn’t mind getting out in this?” she asked, looking up at the sky.

He smiled. “Nah. He’s a good guy.”

She had the front of his truck between them, and he allowed it. After all, he was a stranger. It was only right that she be cautious. He wanted to reassure her but wasn’t sure how to put her at ease. The road was deserted, lonely. She had a right to be wary.

“Am I keeping you from something?”

He smiled, trying to help lessen the tension. “No, ma’am. As a matter of fact, I was just on my way home.”

“Do you need to call your wife or something?”

His grin widened. “No wife or something. No relatives at all.”

She ducked her head.

Interesting.

He sidled over to front of the truck. “Have you lived here long?”

She shrugged. “Two months.”

“I bet you live in the trailer park about two more miles up the road.”

She looked up, surprised.

He answered her unspoken question. “It’s the only thing up the road besides the church and a couple of subdivisions.”

“How do you know I don’t live in one of those subdivisions?” she asked.

“I don’t. But the hat you’re wearing wouldn’t pay the rent on those houses. Unless you’re independently wealthy and just work at the fast-food restaurant for fun.”

She opened her mouth to comment, when suddenly her stomach growled.

Red crawled up her face to her hairline.

He grinned. “My stomach’s telling me the same thing.”

Her lips formed a small smile again. “I get hungry a lot.”

The sound of a truck caught their attention, and they turned. Jake was relieved. He’d never had such a stilted conversation in his life. He was down-to-earth, always putting everyone at ease. This woman had a wall thicker than the Great Wall of China built around her. “That’s Tyler. Go ahead and get in the truck. We’ll hook your car up and then you can give us directions to your house.”

He started to walk off, but the woman called his name.

“Yes?” he asked, turning.

“When we get to my house, I’ll be glad to feed you dinner for your help.”

He could tell that offer cost her a lot. Still, he was glad for the invitation. He nodded. “That’s very nice of you, Maggie. Go on, now. Get in the truck. I’ll be right there.”

“She sure is a pretty little thing,” Tyler said as Jake walked up. He and Jake worked on getting the car hooked up to his truck.

Jake glanced back to see the woman sitting alone in the dilapidated old truck. “Yeah, I suppose she is.” He remembered the haunted look in her eyes.

“So she’s caught your eye, has she?” Tyler joked.

Jake turned back around and chuckled. “How could she not? She’s beautiful.” It was the honest truth. He saw no reason not to admit that to Tyler. But he didn’t mention there was something more than beauty that had snared his attention. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Maybe it was the simple fact that she needed someone, and Jake was the giving type.

Tyler laughed. “I’m surprised you even noticed.”

Jake raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. “I’ve dated, Tyler. You know that I just have too much to do and no time to go looking.”

“I know other preachers who’ve gotten married,” Tyler replied, going around to the other side of the car.

“I have, too. Some of them are my friends. But the right woman has just never come along.”

He finished adjusting the chains, then nodded. “Follow us. Maggie said she’d give me directions.”

“Sure thing, Jake,” Tyler said, and headed toward the truck.

Jake went back to his truck. Marriage. Now, where had that come from? He supposed many in his congregation wondered why he’d never married. He was finally realizing a lifelong goal in his inner-city ministry program. He honestly didn’t believe he had time for marriage with all that going on. Or he, at least, had no time to look.

“It shouldn’t take too long,” he said, turning his attention to Maggie when he got in the truck. He was pleased when she smiled….

He started the truck. “Which way?”

She pointed one long slender finger. “You were right about the trailer park. If you turn in the second entrance, I’m the first trailer on the right under the big oak tree with the long patio porch.”

“So,” he said, pulling back out onto the highway, watching as Tyler slowly followed, “do you have any new job prospects?”

If she thought his question too personal, she didn’t show it. She only shrugged. “I’ll find a job.”

“What type of work do you do?”

If he hadn’t chosen that moment to glance at her, he was certain he would have missed the flash of bitterness in her eyes. As it was, she covered it quickly. “I do a bit of everything. I’ve done inventories, was an executive secretary, a cook, fast-food.”

Surprised, he asked, “Why aren’t you in Baton Rouge looking for a job? Executive secretaries make much more than a fast-food restaurant worker would.”

“There are no openings where I applied. Besides, I have no references.”

An idea formed. He had to tread carefully, though, because he didn’t want to push Maggie the wrong way. “Have you ever worked construction or anything like that?”

She didn’t answer.

Oh well, it had only been a hope. He’d been lucky that Shirley had experience in that area. Still, maybe if this woman could just keep good notes…

“I worked in a building company,” Maggie said, breaking into his thoughts. “I did everything from dealing with the people who ordered lumber to talking with people who were building their own houses. I loved that. I thought, at one time, building would be my future.”

She had a distant look. He wondered what experience from her memories of that job had to do with the lingering pain in her eyes. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t you still there?”

Maggie snapped back to the present, the wary look returning. “No reason. Why are you asking me all these questions?”

He smiled. “I just might know of a job.”

He turned in to the trailer park. “But why don’t we talk about that after I get your car fixed, okay?”

“Sure,” she said.

He didn’t hear much hope in her voice, though.

“It pays better than a fast-food restaurant, and I think you’ll be perfect,” he added, and was glad he did when he saw a small spark of hope in her eyes.

“I’ll go fix dinner,” she said. “If you’ll excuse me…”

Jake turned off the engine and slipped out. After going around to her side of the vehicle, he opened her door to assist her down. “I appreciate the meal. Watch your step here,” he warned, realizing he’d parked in a huge puddle.

Jake reached up to help her at the same time her foot slipped on the running board. She fell forward against him.

He caught her small body against his, feeling her arms snake around his neck for support. The soft smell of strawberries wafted up from somewhere. He gazed into her deep-green eyes and saw her hint of dismay.

Then it registered what else he was feeling.

His eyes widened, and he glanced down. Sure enough. Though they were touching in the middle, the rest of her body came nowhere near to touching him.

He thought of the pictures of starving kids in Africa but of course knew that wasn’t her problem.

Totally surprised, he looked back into her eyes and said, “You’re pregnant”

“Gee,” she replied, roughly, her eyes brimming with sudden defiance and a cynical smile slowly twisting her lips, “what was your first clue?”

Chapter Two

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

Maggie shrugged. “No big deal,” she said. And it wasn’t She had no business thinking of this man the way she had been thinking of him.

“Go on and fix the car. I have to prepare dinner.”

She walked off, leaving him standing there gaping. No wonder he’d been so nice to her, she thought dispiritedly. He hadn’t realized she was pregnant How could he have missed it?

After unlocking the dead bolt, she went inside before pushing the metal door closed behind her.

Wearily Maggie took off her raincoat and her shoes. She was soaked. She went to the bathroom, grabbed a towel to dry her hair, then combed the long curly red strands before clipping it back out of her face with a large clasp. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she realized she looked tired. Purple circles shadowed her eyes.

She’d get some sleep tonight, she vowed. No more nightmares.

She changed into a blue summer dress with flowers. She’d found it at a secondhand store. “Beggars couldn’t be choosers,” the saying went. And it was true. She’d learned a lot about shopping and buying things she wouldn’t necessarily have ever considered before. However, the dress looked okay on her. She would have preferred green or black, but blue it was.

Maggie pulled on a pair of fuzzy slippers. With a long sigh she pushed herself up and then padded back into the kitchen to see what she had to fix.

She wondered if Jake was still out there, or if had he run as soon as she was out of sight. He’d been shocked enough to want nothing more to do with her.

Pulling back the flowered curtain, she peeked out the kitchen window. Nope, he and his friend were still there, working on her car, talking—probably about her. Slightly curly, dark-brown hair was slicked down against Jake’s head. His wide shoulders blocked out most of the engine as he pointed to something and motioned at Tyler.

When he’d first stopped she’d been frightened. Of course, that was a leftover from the past, from things she tried to forget. Since she knew what an acquaintance could do to a woman, a stranger automatically made her nervous. People didn’t really help other people. She didn’t believe it.

But Jake had been willing to help her.

She still couldn’t get over how friendly he had been, or how willing to help. She knew nothing about him. He didn’t know her, yet he’d pulled more information out of her than anyone else had over the past six months.

He was easy to talk to. Too easy.

And she’d been glad to have him there. That had made her automatically nervous. She didn’t need anyone. She’d learned that, and she wasn’t about to risk it now. But if she decided to take a chance, she thought, glancing out the window again, she’d definitely want it to be with him.

He certainly was gorgeous, she acknowledged as she watched him stand up straight Tall, a good six inches taller than her, and strong. He’d held her above the ground a minute ago while staring into her eyes as her condition dawned on him. He hadn’t acted as though she weighed anything. But where strength had scared her before, it was strangely reassuring when coming from the man with the gentle eyes. While her heart had been tripping over a surprising attraction, his had been recoiling at his discovery.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. It had to be her hormones that had made her react to the man.

Maggie opened her cabinets, trying to figure out what to fix. It’d been a while since she’d cooked. She was very careful and rationed her food to make it last Two bags of egg noodles, one larger bag of spaghetti noodles, four cans of tomato sauce, various spices, six macaroni-and-cheese dinners.

Spaghetti it was. She couldn’t offer him any of the other supplies.

She went to her freezer and looked in. One small container of hamburger meat and a whole chicken sat there.

She’d splurge and add meat to the spaghetti sauce. She pulled the meat out and put it in the frying pan to thaw, wishing again for a microwave.

But she couldn’t afford a microwave without a job. Nor would she be able to afford more groceries. That’s why her car was so important. Next week’s paycheck was supposed to go for groceries.

This week’s had to go for rent. She rented on a month-to-month basis, with the understanding that if she dropped over fifteen days behind she’d be evicted. She had three days to go.

Her jobs just weren’t bringing in enough money to support her, and she didn’t know what she was going to do.

When she’d walked in today and seen her manager’s face, she’d realized her parents had found out where she was.

Maggie had asked the manager point-blank if her parents were behind her dismissal. He’d avoided her eyes when he said no.

She had her answer.

She’d fought her parents on the decision about her unborn child, and they were determined that she leave the area…Her chest tightened on that thought

She would not think about the confrontation that had forced her from the only home she’d ever known, forced her into working the way she was. Through her trials, though, she’d come to appreciate money. All her life she’d had everything. It was good for her to find out what it was like to have nothing.

Or at least she kept telling herself that

Deep down inside, though, she felt lonely. God seemed so far away, as if he didn’t care. She couldn’t understand why He’d let everything happen to her that had.

Seeing that the meat was thawed, she opened a can of tomato sauce and then, thinking that both Tyler and Jake were big men, decided to open two. She’d find a way to buy more groceries.

She’d find a job.

At the thought of a job, she wondered what job Jake had in mind for her. Without references, no one would look at her résumé. If the job was in Baton Rouge, well, she might as well forget about it right now. Her parents controlled a huge business in Baton Rouge and were very well known in the business world. That was why she didn’t work there now. They’d put the word out that she was being a problem and rebelling. So of course no one wanted her. And if she did get hired, her parents would hear about it and make sure she didn’t keep the job.

She was too much of an embarrassment to them.

Maggie turned abruptly away from the sauce and went to the cabinets, where she pulled out a pan. After filling it with water, she dropped the noodles in to cook.

Looking around, she wondered what Jake would think of where she lived. The trailer had come furnished. A small, checked, broken-down couch sat against one wall; a chair across from it, with a coffee table in between.

She hurried across the room and snatched up her nightgown, which was lying on the couch. The shag carpet was clean. Though she didn’t have a vacuum, she’d used a broom yesterday to sweep it out.

The linoleum in the kitchen was cracked in places but had been mopped.

A small table sat in the corner with two chairs. On it was one place mat and a napkin holder—and a dead bug.

Yuck!

She hated the bugs. She’d never had bugs at her old house. Maggie went over and used a paper towel to sweep it into the garbage. One spray, maybe two more, and the place would be devoid of vermin.

A knock on the door sounded just as an engine started up. Maggie hurried over to answer it.

Jake stood there.

“Where’s your friend going?” she asked, seeing the other man driving away.

“He said to tell you thank-you, but he had to get home.”

“Oh.” She shifted uncomfortably; then, realizing she was keeping him outside, forced down her fears and stepped back. “Come on in.”

He nodded, a gentle smile on his face. “Thank you.”

He sniffed, and his mouth shifted into a wide grin. “That smells good.”

Maggie actually blushed. She was glad she’d gone to the trouble to add meat “Thank you. It’s not much. But I hope you like it”

Jake smiled at her. “I’m sure it will be delicious.”

She returned his smile. She couldn’t help it. Despite her wariness around men, she liked Jake. He had a warmth about him that she hadn’t seen in other men before.

Old bitterness reared its ugly head. After everything that had happened, she had at least expected her church and her family to support her. Yet they hadn’t Not one person had had the guts to stand up with her. Nor had a single person comforted her. Every single one had blamed her for what had happened, believed her a liar, a Jezebel, a Mary Magdalene….

“I’m sorry. Come on in. I have juice, milk and water to drink. I was just about to make up some tea, though.”

He smiled. “Tea sounds fine.”

“It’s herbal,” she warned, a hint of defiance creeping into her voice.

He frowned and walked forward. She stiffened, not sure what he was going to say. He floored her when he took her hand and stroked it

“I’m really sorry about my surprise out there. My only excuse is that I was so captivated by your face I never looked lower.”

She burst out laughing. “Now, there’s a line I’ve never heard.”

His smile returned, his eyes sparkled. “Be that as it may, I can only beg your forgiveness.”

Ruefully Maggie shook her head. “I’ll forgive you if you set the table.”

She pulled out two plates and silverware and handed them to him.

Jake easily arranged the table, noting the layout with a discerning eye. This woman was low on funds. He’d been in enough houses before to tell. The cabinets were bare, with nothing hanging on the wall to hint at permanence. And her clothes were probably secondhand since they didn’t fit her very well.

He felt guilty eating a meal she had prepared. He wondered if she had enough food. But he wouldn’t ask her. Jake didn’t know her well enough and wouldn’t stick his nose in unless he felt directed by God.

Besides, he still had the idea for a job that might work. But first, he had to put her at ease. He didn’t know why she was so worried, unless pastors just made her nervous.

“Have you lived here long?” he asked, taking the hot pot of noodles from her hands and setting it on the table.

“Thank you,” she said, and turned back to the stove to finish the sauce. “No. I moved in here two months ago when I came to this area.”

He nodded. “Here, let me help you,” he said, lifting the pan with the sauce in it from her.

“I’m pregnant, not helpless,” she muttered.

He grinned. “Consider it chivalrous. As long as there’s someone here to lift for you, why do it yourself?”

“I don’t want to turn into a lazy housewife,” she returned, sitting down.

He smiled, but his eyes were serious as he said, “I doubt that’d ever happen.”

She put her napkin in her lap.

“Do you mind if we pray?” he queried.

Surprised, she lifted her eyes. “Not at all.”

He watched her wariness finally fade, and she bowed her head.

After a quick prayer, they served up their plates.

“So, what about this job?” she asked.

Jake felt guilty for keeping her in suspense when he saw how interested she was, though she tried to hide it. “It’s here in town.”

“Not in Baton Rouge?”

He shook his head. “No. My secretary just quit….”

“Your secretary?”

Jake saw he’d surprised her again. “I guess I didn’t explain enough earlier. That’s why I inadvertently splashed you. I was talking on the phone and had just found out Shirley quit. I have no replacement and no idea who to hire. I need someone who has good bookkeeping skills, as well as secretarial skills. The person would also need to know about lumber and building and things of that nature, if possible. You see, we’re undertaking a major building project for the inner-city youth and I’m the one who is spearheading the project.”

“What project?” she asked.

“A large recreational center, a place where kids can go and be safe.”

She nodded. He could see the cautious hope in her eyes. “I think I could handle the job. But what about references?”

Holding up his fork that had spaghetti on it, he said, “This is reference enough.”

“I’m serious,” Maggie said, frowning. “I don’t have any references. I can’t get any. Why would you consider hiring me without them?”

He wondered if Maggie realized how negative she sounded. Patiently he explained, “Any woman who is trusting enough to fix a stranger a meal simply because he helped her out is reference enough with me. In my opinion it tells me you aren’t totally self-absorbed and that you care.”

She stiffened. “You’ve drawn a lot of conclusions from one simple act of kindness.”

“Maybe God is prompting me, too,” he quipped.

She didn’t return his smile. He cleared his throat “The hours would be full-time. Of course, with your condition, we could certainly allow time for rests and doctors appointments. And the last person who helped me also ran the children’s programs and assisted me on Saturdays with the kids.”

Puzzled, she asked, “Just what type of job is this? Lumber, kids, children’s programs? Do you treat your entire staff this way?”

Jake stilled. He’d told her what his job was, hadn’t he? Surely he wouldn’t have forgotten something so important that would put the woman at ease immediately and stop her from worrying about him being some rapist “Didn’t I tell you what I do for a living?” he asked.

Caution immediately returned, dominating her small round face, and she set her fork down. “No, you didn’t”

He widened his eyes in dismay. “I’m so sorry, Maggie. I’d thought I mentioned it when I introduced myself. I’m the local pastor at the church down the road.”

Chapter Three

She paled.

He’d seen it before. People oftentimes reacted negatively to his position. He just hadn’t pegged Maggie as that type. Then she glanced down at her stomach, and he saw her problem. “Maggie,” he said, pulling her look back to him by the soft yet authoritative tone in his voice. “I’m still the same person I was ten minutes ago. So are you. I still want you for the job.”

She glanced everywhere before finally, reluctantly, turning her gaze back to him. “If you’re willing to try me out on a trial basis, how can I refuse? What about my car?” she added, pushing her plate away. “Can you tell me if it’s working so I can get there?”

“Didn’t I mention the house?”

“What house?”

Jake ran a hand through his hair. “You’ve disrupted more than my dinner, Maggie.” He was usually so efficient, keeping his mind on the problem at hand. Maggie had the ability to make him forget everything. “There’s a small house next to the church. The rent is very cheap. It’s only a two-bedroom, eight hundred square feet. But it’s roomy enough for one person. My last secretary lived there.”

He named a price that was lower than what she paid here.

Her eyes widened. “You’re not misquoting the amount on purpose, are you?”

“No. Since the job doesn’t pay much above minimum wage, the rent is cut way back. We make just enough to keep up repairs and pay the taxes each year. That way, the secretary, who ends up spending almost as much time as I do at church, will have a place to live that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”

“Where do you live?”

He could tell she hadn’t meant to blurt that out. She actually blushed. He couldn’t help but grin. “Well, I don’t live there,” he drawled, and her blush deepened. “The house is yours, if you want it. If not, we’ll rent it out to someone else.”

How could she pass it up? “I guess I agree,” she replied. Staring at the man in front of her, she still found it hard to believe he was a pastor. He was so good-looking and so sweet. He hadn’t condemned her for her condition or questioned her about it. Instead, compassion showed in his eyes as he smiled at her. Not pity. Never pity. She would have thrown him out if he’d given her the look of others. That look of condemnation. The look her parents had given her. No, he simply smiled at her as if she was an actual person, as if he might understand what she was going through.

Of course, that was impossible. Why would he have to worry about what everyone thought of him or be on guard constantly?

Then she realized that was it As a pastor, she imagined many people had the opportunity to dissect him over lunch, just as her parents had done with their own pastor. Maybe he did know something of the humiliation and pain she’d been through because of the way everyone had treated her.

Still, working for a pastor. At a church. She wasn’t sure. She loved God. But she hurt so much. It seemed that everything that could go wrong had gone wrong in the past seven months. And it all evolved around her family and church friends.

She’d blamed God for casting her out.

I will never leave you or forsake you.

That inner voice reminded her of God’s promise. Then why? Why had all this happened to her? Why wasn’t she allowed to have any happiness?

Jake was offering her a chance at peace, if not happiness. And she had just said she would take it. “I’ll be glad to move in then,” she said, and that settled that.

“Good!” He clapped his hands, finished off his spaghetti, then stood. “I need to get going. Listen, is two days from now too soon to move you? That would be Saturday, and I’m sure I can find some men to come over and pack up whatever you want to take. We could get you moved in and unpacked in one day.”

“I don’t have much. The furniture’s not mine. All I have is one suitcase, maybe two.”

He paused, his look probing her. She stiffened, certain the questions would come. Instead, he smiled. “Great. Then we’ll have the house ready for you Saturday. I’ll come by with a couple of the women so we can help you get the house cleaned up for inspection.”

“I don’t need any help.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Don’t balk, Maggie. Of course you need help. You’re pregnant.”

“I haven’t had any help yet,” she blurted out, then gasped; Maggie clapped a hand over her mouth.

Silence fell, and Jake studied her a minute. He reached out and stroked her cheek with his finger. “You’ve had a tough time of it, haven’t you, Maggie? And it’s hard for you to trust”

Unexpected tears filled her eyes.

He dropped his hand and cleared his throat, stepping back instead of forward the way he wanted to. “Don’t worry. You’ll be welcome at church.”

“But what will people say to you?” she asked, not believing him. “You’re going to catch the very devil for hiring a single pregnant woman.”

There, she’d said it She was single and not married. She couldn’t tell him the rest But that was enough to condemn her in most people’s eyes.

She waited. A slow smile curved his lips, lighting up his face. “‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer,’” he quoted from Romans.

“And what do you mean by that?” she asked, not understanding.

He grinned. “Well,” he drawled, “we can hope no one says anything. But if someone does, then we can be patient and pray and allow God to handle the problem.”

She shook her head. “An optimist.”

“God gave us hope when He sent His son, Maggie. Why let someone’s possible actions rob us of that?”

Maggie raised weary eyes to Jake’s. “I’ve learned already that the world isn’t a place of optimism.”

“Look inside yourself. Ask God to restore your joy. Don’t let them,” he said, waving his hand toward the outside, “rob you of it There are always going to be negative people around who can’t stand to see you succeed or be happy. And there are always going to be people to kick you while you’re down. But if I think you’re a good secretary, as I know you’re a good person, then no one is going to tell me who to hire and who to fire.”

“But you don’t know if I’m a good secretary,” she argued, frustrated.

He grinned. “Then don’t disappoint me.”

He went to the door. Pausing on the bottom step, he turned back toward her. “See you Saturday, Maggie-May,” he singsonged.

She couldn’t help the reluctant smile that came to

her lips.

She’d never met anyone like Jake.

Not even her ex-fiancé. Her ex-fiancé. Boy, had that been a mistake. She’d thought he loved her. She’d thought she loved him. But then she’d changed her mind.

She didn’t want to think about the trouble, think about the nightmares it gave her. Instead, she wanted to think about the laughing eyes of the gorgeous man who had just given her a ride home and rescued her from certain poverty.

But she knew better than to think it was only Jake who had rescued her. “Thank you, God, for providing a way when I couldn’t see one. I’m glad about this job. But—” she walked over to the couch and sank onto it “—I don’t know if I can believe in happily ever after again. Every time I think I’ve finally found a job, or a place to live, or something great, it seems the rug is jerked out from under me. Is this going to be any different?”

She got up and went into the kitchen. She could save the spaghetti and have enough to last until Saturday. Then maybe she could make her groceries last until her next paycheck.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d pass Jake’s approval and get to stay at this job longer than a month or two.

Chapter Four

“You didn’t tell me you lived right behind me!” Jake, who had just finished the inner-city work an hour earlier before swinging by to pick up Maggie, smiled, surprised. “Does it matter?”

Maggie frowned warily. “I can only imagine the talk there will be.”

“You’re my secretary, Maggie. My last secretary lived here. The entire church knows it. Don’t worry about it.”

Maggie still didn’t appear convinced. Jake wondered what drove her to be so cautious but didn’t ask. “As you can see,” he said, going on into the house, “here is the living room. The carpet is old but clean. The couch actually folds out into an extra bed if you have company.” Jake wondered if she minded an orange couch and chair. “Shirley had them reupholstered in those colors. You might, uh, try throwing a small blanket across the back.”

Jake heard a chuckle behind him and turned. “Yellow and orange are fine. And yes, I have a small blanket to cut the glare.”

Relieved, Jake smiled. “I never asked her what color she wanted to redo the material in. At least the curtains aren’t white.”

Jake pointed at the light-blue curtains until he saw Maggie’s wince.

“Let’s just see the rest of the house, shall we?”

Jake nodded. Glancing around the room, he suddenly realized that Shirley must have had very poor taste in decorating. Blue curtains, tan rug, orange and yellow furniture.

“The kitchen has a small table for four in it. The stove is gas and there’s a frost-free refrigerator.”

Maggie thought it was much nicer than the trailer she’d been in. The living room might be a bit bright, but this room, she thought, with the light white-and-blue floor with soft blue-and-pink wallpaper, was homey.

“One of the women repapered the walls before you moved in.”

“That explains the smell. I wondered what that smell was.” The counters were clean, and there was even a toaster and a food processor on the counter.

“To the back are the two bedrooms and the bathroom.”

Maggie strode there to look. The master bedroom was bigger than the trailer she’d been in, with a double bed and two chests and a small vanity. She turned to the bathroom. It was old but very neat. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a claw-foot tub before.”

“That’s next on our list of renovations. This house is more than fifty years old. We’ve been renovating one room at a time over the past year. The kitchen and the second bedroom are done.”

Maggie went to the second bedroom and smiled. “Earthtones, yellows and greens. It’s beautiful.”

Maggie heard Jake’s step approaching and turned, feeling trapped in the hall. Thankfully, Jake stopped near the entrance. “Of course we’ll be glad to remove the bed and put in a crib for you. Tyler would have gotten that done earlier—”

“Oh, no, Mr.—uh, Reverend, Pastor…” Helplessly, she lifted her hands. She could feel the blush warming her cheeks.

“Just ‘Jake.’”

His warm smile could melt chocolate on a winter day. It certainly melted her heart She found herself smiling back. “Well then, just Jake,” she said, “please don’t bother with that until I know what I’m going to do. Or if you’re certain you even want me here.

Jake’s smile left his face. The shimmer in his dark eyes dimmed. “Maggie, I don’t know why you’re so worried, but I think you should know, we’re a small church. If you can type and have any kind of head for business we can work the rest out. Unless you aren’t happy here, then there might be a problem. So please, stop worrying.”

Maggie nodded. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t say she’d had so many jobs in the past six months that she’d become cynical. Or that she was certain it was only a matter of time before her parents found out where she was. They would exert some sort of nasty little influence to get her out of the area so she wouldn’t be an embarrassment to them. Again.

Seeing Jake’s concerned expression, she pasted the smile back on her face. “This is more than I could hope for. Why don’t you show me where I am going to work.”

Jake nodded, relieved, though still concerned that she was hiding more than she was telling. Father, help her, he silently asked. “Right this way. As I said, the church has only between 100 and 150 in attendance, according to what is going on. Our average crowd is just over 100. Of course, we have the day care, which has 185 children, grades kindergarten through third. I never dreamed it would grow so fast.”

Jake led her across a small path lined with azaleas to the church. The smell emanating from the pink and purple blooms was sweet, teasing her nostrils and surrounding her in a soft gentle fragrance that relaxed her.

“I love azaleas,” Maggie murmured.

Jake smiled. “Mrs. Titterson wanted to donate them to the church. She thought they’d be beautiful lining the path here as well as both yards.” Jake motioned back at the houses. “They are beautiful in the spring. We have crepe myrtles in the front of the church and snowball bushes along the far side. You’ll notice the bridal bushes around the parking lot”

“I never met a man who knew so much about shrubbery.” Maggie glanced at him curiously.

Jake turned and grinned at her. “Didn’t you realize a pastor is a jack-of-all-trades? Who do you think helped plant all these bushes?”

Maggie chuckled. Jake liked the way it sounded, low, warm, husky. Realizing where his thoughts had drifted, he stopped, disconcerted. Shaking himself mentally, he stepped off the path and in front of the long rectangular concrete building.

“This was once a business. We bought it, then tore out the inside and rebuilt it It was big enough for anything we might want to do later. I’m thankful now that we did that. Otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to start up a school.”

Maggie nodded.

Jake decided she probably wasn’t interested and held open the door. He saw her look down at the carpet. “The blue doesn’t show dirt as easily. It was a choice between that and red. If you’ll just turn to the right, you’ll find the offices. The left leads out to the sanctuary and the school, which I’ll be glad to show you later.”

Jake reached out and took Maggie’s elbow in his hand to guide her down the hall. He’d thought to do it as a gentlemanly gesture but found he liked the feel of her soft skin in his hand. He immediately released it This woman was a walking problem. He had no doubt she would flee if she knew his thoughts ran toward the curious and I find you fascinating.

He didn’t understand it. He hadn’t known her long enough to be attracted to her. Besides, she was pregnant. There was a broken heart in there somewhere. And though he felt she was the right one for the job, saw a softness in her, that didn’t tell him one iota about her relationship with God.

No, indeed, he had no right to be wondering if Maggie was married, divorced, single or carrying twins or quadruplets for that matter.

Besides, he’d learned long ago that women didn’t fall for men who owned nothing. Jake had a salary, and a roof over his head, but there wasn’t much left over. He had been saving what he could. Soon he would be able to buy a new car since the other one had over 100,000 miles. Janie had made it clear that if he wouldn’t go to a bigger church where he could make better money, she didn’t want him.

He remembered that breakup just before he’d moved to this church. Jake had never completely recovered. Janie couldn’t understand why he didn’t want a better job. When he’d tried to explain that this church was where God wanted him, that his heart was in building a place for the inner-city youth, she’d broken off their engagement.

Jake had decided then and there to concentrate fully on his ministry. God called him to do a job, and he would do that job. If love came one day, fine. But he wasn’t going to search for it.

“Here we are,” he said to Maggie.

Glancing around the office, he tried to imagine what she saw. “It’s rather messy right now. I’ve been trying to do the filing, and Jennifer Dalton has been coming in to help.”

“Jennifer?” Maggie asked, still studying the office. Jake nodded. He moved over to the desk, gathered four file folders and straightened them. “She’s the head of our day-care center now. A wonderful woman. You’ll love her.”

He put the folders in the box on her desk and then smiled. “This will be your desk. The copier is here.” He pointed to the corner. “And we have the latest in word processing on the computer. My office is through the door behind me. Since I do a lot of counseling, I need privacy, so you’ll have to screen my calls and run interference. Most everyone here is really understanding. There are a few, though…” He trailed off and shrugged. “You know how that goes. Life isn’t perfect.”

Maggie nodded. She looked around again and then toward the door.

Jake took her out and showed her the day care and the rest of the church.

“Jennifer!”

Maggie noted how Jake’s face suddenly lit up with a bright smile for the young girl coming their way. She was petite, the girl-next-door type, with long blond hair falling out of a French braid that was pinned up on the back of her head. She wore a purple and gold LSU shirt and baggy jeans. As she approached, Maggie realized there was paint all over her clothes and on her hands.

“This must be Maggie,” the young woman said, coming forward, beaming.

On closer inspection, Maggie realized Jennifer was older than she looked. Small smile lines around her eyes gave that away. Maggie smiled and nodded. “And you’re the famed Jennifer I’ve heard so much about.”

She actually blushed. “Jake has been telling tales again? Don’t you listen to a one of them.” Turning on Jake, the young woman gave him a reproving look. “You didn’t tell her about the snake, did you? Or the rappelling accident?”

Jake lifted his hands in surrender. “I haven’t told her anything except what an excellent job you do here.”

Maggie liked the way the light jacket stretched on Jake’s shoulders, outlining them, showing their width. She’d never seen a pastor who wore jeans with a jacket. But it suited him.

“Oh,” Jennifer said.

Maggie glanced at Jennifer and saw she was pink again. Then what she had said registered. “Rappelling accident?”

Jennifer turned even brighter red. “Don’t ask. Maybe one day we’ll have time to sit down, and I can tell you all about it. Unfortunately, I was just about to go wash up. Gage is coming by and picking me up for lunch, and I got carried away with the kids and didn’t realize it was so late.”

Jake shook his head. “I’m just showing Maggie around. Go on.”

“Nice meeting you,” Jennifer said.

Maggie murmured her agreement. “Rappelling accident?” she asked when Jennifer was gone.

Jake chuckled and led her back toward the front entrance of the church. “It’s a long story. But it ends well. Jennifer got a pet snake out of it, and a husband.”

“You’re kidding.”

Jake shook his head. “Gage is quite a man. Come on, let’s go out this door and get your stuff unpacked from the car. Then I’ll let you rest.”

Jake pushed open the door for her and Maggie went out She had thought Jake unusual in how friendly and outgoing he was. She had never met a pastor quite like him.

He’d been enthusiastic, fun loving, excited, when he had picked her up and then rattled on and on about the kids and the puppet show. While showing her the house, he had actually been nervous about whether she was going to like it. But the house was a deal she couldn’t pass up. Who cared about the yellow-and-orange furniture or the yellow-and-orange coat rack in the corner?

Maggie had heard the pride as he had talked about helping plant the bushes, and the joy behind his words as he’d talked about the people at the church.

There had been no formality or reserve in his voice or his stance. His fluid movements as he’d taken her around proved to her how at ease he was with this.

“Meeeooowwr.”

Maggie didn’t even see the pitiful sight until she was almost upon it. “Oh, my heavens!”

Maggie stared in horror at the bloody mess that was a peach-colored cat. At least she thought it was peach. It was hard to tell with all the blood. “Jake!”

Jake moved up by Maggie and put a hand on her shoulder. “Let me handle it, Maggie.”

Jake started forward, and the cat hissed. He paused. “Maybe we’d better call animal control. The poor thing looks to be in bad shape.”

The cat lay there on its side, breathing hard, fur ripped away in tufts. She thought it had been in a cat fight since part of an ear was missing, except that she’d never seen a cat break another cat’s tail. And that had to be one of the problems with this cat, since its tail lay at such an odd angle. One leg was twisted, too. Tears came to Maggie’s eyes. “We can’t just leave it here.”

“I know, I know. Let me go call city hall and see if they can send someone out. I’ll be right back.”

Jake hurried in to call for help. Maggie continued to stare at the cat. Silent tears fell as she watched it labor for breath. She could see the terror and pain in its eyes and felt it reach out to her and wrap itself around her heart. It hadn’t been too many months ago she’d felt pain and terror.

Please don’t let it die, God Please, please, please, she prayed, and inched forward.

The cat hissed again, and she whimpered. “Please don’t let it bite me. Please, please, please.”

It hissed once more and then made an awful, plaintive sound. “Father, help it. Help me. I’m not letting it be die just because it’s in pain and scared.”

The cat eyed every inch she moved.

Maggie got close enough to kneel down. She put her hand out, and the cat swiped at it with one of its uninjured paws. Maggie jumped but didn’t back away. “I’m not going to hurt you. Please let me help you, sweetie. Just let me help you. No one helped me, but I can help you,” she whispered.

Carefully she moved her hand closer.

This time the cat only eyed her hand.

She slipped it under the cat’s head, then its body. The cat growled.

Maggie made sympathetic noises, crying right along with the cat as she slipped her other hand under it and then picked it up.

Its tail hung sideways. “Oh dear—oh dear,” she cried, over and over until she had gathered the cat to her bosom. “We’ll get you help immediately. I promise you. I won’t let you down.”

Maggie heard the church door open. “The animal shelter…Maggie!” Alarm in his voice tensed her spine.

Jake hurried forward when he saw the bloody mess in her arms. “You’re pregnant. What if it has rabies? What if it had bitten you?”

Maggie’s face turned as hard as stone. “Will you drive me to a vet?”

Jake hesitated then nodded. “Just let me take—”

The cat hissed and swiped at Jake. His eyes widened and he lifted his hands in surrender, backing up.

“Okay. Okay. You hold it. But I’ll be praying the thing doesn’t take its pain out on you before we get to the vet.”

“It won’t,” Maggie said, looking back down at the cat.

Jake paused in pulling his keys from his jeans pocket He eyed her his features probing, searching before he nodded, “You know, Maggie-May, I think you just might be right.”

He slipped a hand to her lower back, then guided her toward the truck. “There’s a clinic less than two blocks away.”

Chapter Five

She wouldn’t let them cut its tail off.

Jake was still shaking his head over that. Jake sneezed again as he turned into the driveway next to the church.

“Are you sure you’re not allergic to cats?” Maggie asked worriedly.

Jake shook his head. “I’m not allergic to anything.” He rubbed at his watering eyes. “Just dust or something, I’m sure.”

He pulled to a stop and hopped out, then went around the hood to open her door. Once again the cat hissed at him.

He sneezed.

“Be careful,” she warned when he reached out to ease her out of the truck’s seat. “I don’t want you to scare her.”

Scare her? Jake looked at the way the cat rolled its eyes at him and didn’t think the animal was in any way scared. “Careful, now. We don’t want you falling.”

“I’m fine,” Maggie said, holding the cat close. “I still can’t believe she only had a cut on her side, was missing part of her ear and had a broken tail and broken foot”

“Well, if the doc was right and it climbed up in someone’s car, I’d say it was real lucky.”

Maggie nodded, sighing when both feet found solid ground. “The cat is a she, not an it.”

“Oh.” Jake nodded. He went ahead of her and opened the door to her house. As she approached he sneezed again. “You sure you’ll be okay with her here? Doc offered to keep her for you until the owner was found.”

Maggie shook her head. “I’ll look after her. We don’t even know if she had an owner. There were no records. That’s why the vet went ahead and gave her shots.”

Jake sighed He watched Maggie cooing to the cat the entire time the cat growled back at her. The hair on the back of his neck stood up at how mean that cat sounded, but Maggie sat there and made faces at the animal.

“If you need anything…”

Maggie looked up, opened her mouth, then shook her head.

“What?”

“Nothing. I can get it later.”

Jake studied her as she went over and sat down on the couch. His gaze drifted to the cat Suddenly it dawned on him. “Cat food.”

Maggie glanced up, surprised. “Yes. I do need cat food. But I am paying for this.”

She narrowed her eyes to let him know she was serious.

Jake shrugged. “I didn’t mind paying for the vet. You saved the cat when the shelter would have put her down. It was the least I could do.”

Maggie laid the cat carefully on her jacket, which was on the couch, and stood. She crossed the room to her purse and opened it. Jake watched her discreetly count out her money, then hand him some. “I would appreciate it. I’m just afraid to leave her right now.”

Jake smiled. “No problem. I’ll run up to the store and be right back.”

Maggie’s face softened. “Thank you.”

Her smile could easily knock a man off his feet. He couldn’t remember anyone with a smile like that. He found himself grinning like an idiot “Uh, yeah.” Jake cleared his throat “Okay. I’ll just…go.”

Maggie nodded, turning back to the cat when she growled again.

Jake shook his head and left, sneezing three times before he got out the door. He tried to remember if he’d ever been around cats and couldn’t recall a single incident except when he was a child. “No. I do not have allergies,” he reassured himself.

Jake turned and headed across the driveway to his truck. He saw Jennifer and her husband locking up the day care for the evening and paused.

Jennifer and Gage came over. Gage stuck out his hand and Jake automatically shook it. “How’s the new secretary? She getting settled in?”

Jake nodded, blinking at the itchy sensation. “She’s fine. I’m sorry, Jennifer, that I was gone so long. It took the doc longer to patch up that cat than we realized.”

“No problem.” Jennifer peered at him. “Cat allergies?” she asked sympathetically.

“No.” Jake shook his head. “I just…the truck needs to be cleaned out bad.”

Gage raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

Jennifer looked confused. “If you say so. Do you need anything before I leave?”

Again Jake shook his head. “I’m on my way to the store. No one called, did they?”

“Yes. Mrs. Rawley. She wanted to make sure this was her Sunday to work in the nursery. Gloria called and rescheduled her appointment from Monday to Tuesday to talk with you. She said she just couldn’t make it.”

Jake sighed. Gloria was putting off their talk and that worried him. She had come to him about the problems going on in her marriage and their one talk was enough to make him really concerned.

“And Sister Hollings called. She wanted to talk to you about the music again. She says it’s way too loud on Sunday morning. If it wasn’t turned down, then she said she was going to turn it down herself.”

Jake smiled. “I know…that guitar…”

“Just drives me crazy,” Jennifer said with him, and they both chuckled.

“Gotta love her,” he said. “You left the messages on my desk?”

“Yeah. They’re all there except Gloria’s. I slipped that in your top desk drawer on top of the phone book.”

“Thank you, Jennifer. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You get some sleep tonight,” Gage said, slipping his arm around his wife but keeping his gaze on Jake. “Those plans for the inner-city program can wait until later.”

Jake groaned. “I completely forgot.”

Jennifer elbowed her husband. “Thanks, Gage.”

Gage shrugged. “Sorry.”

“Seriously, Jake. I’ve looked over them and talked with the committee. They’ve agreed to give you another week.”

Wearily Jake nodded. “Fine. Fine. Good night”

They waved and left.

Jake climbed in his truck and ran up to the local dollar store.

Once there, Jake went through the aisles, trying to decide what the cat would need and if he could pay for it with the money Maggie had given him.

He shook his head.

Impossible.

With God, all things are possible, he acknowledged silently. “So, how are we going to work this out so as not to embarrass her?” he muttered.

Jake thought.

They could afford cat food. That was a must. Cat litter, too. But that left only three dollars for a litter box and bowls.

Remembering being on the streets when he was a kid, he smiled. Other people had had pets, but they certainly hadn’t been able to afford all the fancy stuff advertised on these aisles as musts for cat owners. No, a simple bowl out of the kitchen and a plastic-lined box had suited them fine.

He took the two items up the cash register and paid for them, feeling guilty. Of course, what Maggie didn’t know was that he’d had the cabinets filled from their food pantry as a welcome gift from the church. So maybe this money wouldn’t be missed so much when she realized she had food.

After paying for the items, he took them out to the truck and hurried back to Maggie’s.

He knocked.

“Come in, Jake.”

He opened the door and went inside, carrying the items. “You really should have that locked.”

He stopped, unable to believe what he was seeing. Maggie had taken the extra pillow, put her raincoat over it, then a sheet and finally the cat on top of it.

The cat saw him and growled.

He sneezed.

Maggie looked up, noticed the bag and smiled. “Thank you.”

Jake handed her the food. “I’ll carry the litter. It’s too heavy.”

“Okay.” Maggie nodded and went into the kitchen. She rummaged around until she found two old bowls, then filled one with water and one with food.

“About the door…” he began.

“I would have had it locked, but I went out to get my suitcases. I had just gotten back in before you arrived.”

“I told you I’d get those for you,” Jake said, somehow feeling he’d failed to help her.

Maggie glanced over her shoulder at him. Jake noted the way her hair had come out of the ponytail and several strands fell loosely against her cheek. “That wasn’t necessary, Jake.”

Jake stared at her smile, thinking how soft it made her look. When she tipped her head quizzically he cleared his throat. “Oh, um…well, carrying those can’t be good for you as far along as you are.”

Maggie chuckled, finished pouring the food and brought both bowls back over to the cat. “There you go, my darlin’,” she crooned, obviously not hearing the growl when she rubbed the cat on the head.

“I’m just over seven months pregnant, Jake. I have eight weeks to go. Actually, tomorrow I’ll be seven months. Anyway, I’m big but not helpless. The doctor at the clinic told me I’d get a lot bigger the last two months.”

Jake nodded. “Elizabeth was as big as a barrel before her twins were born.”

Maggie laughed. “I hope I don’t look like a barrel.”

Jake flushed. “I didn’t mean that.”

Maggie looked up impishly. “You’re a pastor. I thought all pastors had a talent to wax eloquent.”

Her attitude surprised a laugh out of him. “I don’t know where my talent for words has gone. I have never been able to wax eloquent, Maggie-May. I’m just a country boy at heart and I’m afraid that comes out in my sermons.”

Maggie didn’t answer but slowly pushed herself to her feet.

Jake couldn’t resist the urge to reach out to her. He caught her elbow to steady her, wondering how she kept her balance.

She must have known anyway what he thought because of the knowing smile she gave him. “Thank you, Jake, for helping me today.”

Jake nodded, taking that as his cue to leave. He started toward the door.

“And thank you for the food in the cabinets.”

So, she knew about that. “That was a welcoming gift from the church. We have a food pantry, and it’s well stocked right now.”

Maggie had an unfathomable look on her face. Jake hoped he hadn’t gone too far. He waited as she studied him. Finally, she nodded. “It means a lot.”

Relieved, Jake smiled. “Good. You’re part of our family now, Maggie. You shouldn’t go in need of food or help. If you have a need, please tell someone.”

“I haven’t even attended your church yet, Jake. How can I be part of your family?”

Jake saw the yearning in her eyes and wondered at it. Was it loneliness? A desire to belong somewhere? He didn’t know, but he wanted to reassure her. “Whether you attended our church or another, we’re all family. As a Christian, that’s what God expects. But I’ve met you, you’re working for me, I know you as part of God’s family. So, we’re here for you.”

Maggie slowly shook her head, the light dimming in her eyes. “I’ve heard that preached, Jake, but I have yet to see that truly practiced.”

Jake wanted to retort that she’d been going to the wrong churches. But he didn’t He couldn’t judge what he didn’t know, where he hadn’t been. And he was glad it wasn’t his job. Instead, he said, “Give us a try. I’m not saying we’re perfect. I don’t think there’s a church that is, but God won’t fail you when we do.”

Maggie thought about what he said and nodded. God hadn’t failed her. She didn’t understand how this had happened to her, why she’d ended up pregnant, but she did know that every time she had lost a job, something had turned up almost immediately. She had never run out of food, though she had come close. And when she had been at her lowest, this man had appeared, offering her hope again—or at least it looked that way. She’d have to reserve judgment on that until later.

“No, God never fails us, does He?” she repeated softly, her heart echoing loudly in her own ears. “Thank you, Jake.”

Jake nodded. “Well, let me get out of here so you can get some sleep. Church starts at ten in the morning. I hope to see you there.”

Maggie nodded again. “Good night.”

“Good night”

Jake went out the door but paused. “Lock it before I leave the porch.”

Maggie held back a chuckle. She walked across the floor and locked the door.

She heard his feet echo on the steps and then peeked out the window. He walked—no, it reminded her more of a stroll—to his car as if he had all the time in the world, as if there weren’t any problems pressing down on his shoulders, as if he were happy and carefree. “Oh, Father, why can’t I feel like that? Where has my joy gone? Have I been down in the pit so long that I can’t see out?”

Maggie turned and headed back over to the cat, which was trying to lap up the water. “You poor thing,” she whispered, and bent down to help her.

The cat let out a whimper, then allowed her to help. “You don’t fool me. As much as you’re hurting and you act like you don’t want the help, deep down you do. Maybe you don’t realize it yet, but I’m not going to let you sit here and die of thirst when I can help you.”

A line of a song came to her: “He’s my rock, He’s my fortress, He’s my deliverer….”

“Father, You’ve been my rock, or I would have never made it this far. My fortress. I don’t know that I’ve allowed You to be that, hiding myself away. And my deliverer…”

Maggie sighed. “Please, Father, be my deliverer. Deliver me from the fear of the night, the fear of being alone…and the fear of sleeping. Jake was right You never fail. If we would only turn to You immediately, instead of hiding away, we’d be so much better off.”

Maggie felt a peace. She noted the cat had stopped drinking, having gained her fill. Maggie moved the bowl back and stood, then went to fix a box for the litter. She hadn’t thought of litter, she was glad Jake had.

“Thank You, Father for sending this man my way. Help me to learn to trust him. And keep any disasters from befalling him because of our relationship.”

She finished the box, set it next to the cat and vowed to keep an ear open in case the cat had any problems in the night.

Maggie went to her room, changed into her orange nightgown and crawled into bed. For the first time in a long time, she felt, if not total peace, then a safety knowing there was someone nearby if she needed help.

The dancing brown eyes of Jake Mathison stayed before her face as she drifted off to sleep, thinking maybe things might not be so bad after all.

Chapter Six

Maggie had heard the old saying “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.” And after all she’d been through the past six months, she should have learned that lesson.

Jake was a nice man. He seemed like a jewel after what she’d experienced. But just because he said everything would be okay didn’t mean that it would.

Oh, Maggie thought it had gone fine this morning when she’d gotten up and dressed in her nicest pants and top that fit over her tummy.

She’d walked over to church and immediately met Gage and Jennifer, who had then introduced her to Max and Kaitland, who had a newborn in her arms and two twins hanging on her legs. Kaitland—or “Katie” as Max had called her—then took her and introduced her to her brother-in-law, Rand, and his wife Elizabeth, who had a small child in her arms.

And on and on it went, until the names had blurred together. She had been pulled into the midst of these people she had read so much about in the paper.

Maggie had reveled in it. She enjoyed the warmth and joking among them before church and the worship service. This wasn’t like her old church. They were freer in the way they worshipped, had all kinds of instruments and really seemed to enjoy church, unlike her parents, who saw it as an imposition.

And then Jake had stood up to preach. He looked wonderful in his nice pair of slacks and casual blazer.

And his preaching was different from what she had heard before. It was…powerful. Not condemning, not filled with dire predictions, but filled with love and hope and promise. Oh, he did touch on the negative issues, but those issues always ended with hope. That hope was Jesus Christ.

She liked Jake’s message. It touched her heart unlike any message she had heard in a long time. And she found tears running down her face as she listened. He said that no matter what your circumstances, Jesus was the answer. He had all the answers. He loved and cared and provided, maybe not in the way people expected but in His own way.

Her heart filled with joy at Jake’s words as she realized that God would take care of the problems.

At the end, they had an altar call and then church was over.

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