Pastor's Assignment (3 page)

Laney slid lower in the seat until the stiff, white tablecloth touched her chin; then she took the final plunge and slithered over the edge of the seat onto her hands and knees.

She squeezed between two clay pots and peered through the palm leaves as Mother Tilly and her date, Malcolm Teeters, the president of Southwest Bank, made their way to the smoking section of the restaurant. Further crystallizing her faith in God, she watched them being seated in a booth that faced away from where she and Ty sat.

“Why, Laney, is that you behind the palm tree?”

She recognized the voice, and goose bumps erupted over her flesh. Turning slowly, still in a crouched position, Laney looked up into the amused blue eyes of Gertha Williams, Good Faith's secretary and leader of the women's Bible study group.

“Hello, Mrs. Williams,” Laney replied, reaching for her manners in the absolute horror of discovery. “It's good to see you again.”

Five

Gertha Williams leaned as far forward on her chair as she could without falling. “Are you ill, dear?”

Laney tried to think of an acceptable reason to be squatting behind the palm trees. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Gertha leaned even more precariously forward until she teetered so visibly that Laney feared she might crash. “Is Rock with you tonight?” Without waiting for Laney's reply, she added, “He always has such nice things to say to me at the coffee table after service.”

“Rock isn't here tonight,” Laney said, hoping Gertha would leave it at that.

Now eye level with Laney, Gertha peered through the tropical plant. It took less than a minute for her to recognize Laney's future mother-in-law and her date. Behind their black-rimmed frames, Gertha's eyes fixed on Laney like blue headlights. “Are you spying on your mother-in-law?” Before Laney could answer, she continued in a shocked tone, “I knew you and Tilly weren't close, but I had no idea things had deteriorated to this point.”

“I'm not spying on Mrs. Weyeth,” Laney whispered.

“Some people are like heavenly sandpaper,” Gertha noted wisely, quoting Pastor Bruce without attribution. “She's been put in your path for a reason. She has a lesson to teach you.”

“Teach me?” Laney replied. “She doesn't even like me.”

“Have you given her a chance?” She sighed. “Laney, we need to do some praying together.”

“I'm not here to spy on Mrs. Weyeth,” Laney whispered.

Gertha's chair creaked alarmingly. “Then why are you crouching behind the tropical plants?”

Laney fought the guilty giggle that worked its way up her throat. “I'm here on church business,” she finally managed.

“Church business?” Gertha Williams looked puzzled. “I haven't heard of any church business to take place here.” She pressed her lips together. “As the church secretary, I would know.”

“I'm sorry, but I can't tell you without breaking someone's confidence,” Laney said.

Gertha's skin drained of color. She looked positively ill at the thought of something happening within the church that she didn't know anything about. “Is it part of your Pets-n-Prayers ministry?”

“No.”

Gertha swallowed. “Is it evangelical?” She spoke the words so softly that Laney practically had to lip-read them. Besides her job as church secretary, Gertha also led the evangelical ministry.

“Sort of,” Laney said. “I really can't say more than that.”

Gertha's eyes stopped blinking. Her mind probably was racing through its data bank of people who might know about Laney's evangelical mission at Miguel's.

“I'll pray for you,” Gertha said. “Just say the word, and the prayer chain begins.”

Laney had no choice except to consent gratefully. Besides, the way things were going, she needed all the help she could get. “Thanks very much,” she said.

A quick glance confirmed Ty had not returned to their table. Although she knew their business was far from over, she also knew she couldn't stay. Not and keep her business with Ty Steele private. Not only was Gertha watching her every move, but all her future mother-in-law had to do was turn around and see her with Ty Steele.

And so, before Gertha could question her further, she hid her face in an open menu and left the restaurant.

Six

On Saturday evening, Laney had dinner at her father's house.

“Sorry I'm late.” Laney slid into an empty seat at the dining room table. Angel jumped into her lap and looked hopefully at the chips and dip sitting in generous quantities on the antique mahogany table.

Her father fingered his gray, lariat-type moustache in silent disapproval. He stretched his wiry legs forward, which sent his chair scraping back from the table several inches. Laney recognized another sign of disapproval.

Rock leaned over to peck her cheek. “Hi, honey,” he said. He tried to smooth her hair but stopped when Angel growled. “Bad traffic?”

“A few late shoppers.”

Laney looked around the room at the group assembled. Her stomach tightened as she took in the sight of all her brothers seated in her father's formal dining room.

Thomas, Laney's youngest brother, sat at the head of the table, tapping the keys of a laptop. As always, his light brown hair lay in perfect alignment on his well-shaped head. His designer suit hugged the physique of a former high school soccer captain.

“I've called this emergency meeting because Dad has dropped another five points in the polls,” Thomas said. He extended a chrome-colored stylus to the computer-generated graph. “As you can read, we've been losing points ever since Ty Steele entered the race.” He tapped the wall. “We need to change Dad's image.”

The slide changed to an image of Ty Steele. Laney shifted uneasily. Even one dimensional, Ty's presence made her stomach tighten. She supposed this was fair, because he never looked too comfortable around her, either.

Thomas began reciting. “Hero at age nine when he saved his younger brother from drowning. High school valedictorian. Top ten of his class at Emory University. Law degree from the same school. Fifteen years of distinguished police work.”

Her dad waved his hand impatiently. “This is old news, Tommy. Get to the point.” Against doctor's orders, he scooped up a pile of potato chips and stuffed them into his mouth.

“He's young and has a good heart,” Thomas said bluntly. “Two things you don't have.”

His father crunched a chip loudly. “I have wisdom and experience.”

“That and thirty cents will get you an operator on a pay phone,” Thomas said mildly.

The older man slammed his glass on the table. “When I hired your public relations firm, the last thing I expected was insults.” He glared at his son. “I want results.”

Richard, the oldest brother, stroked his hickory-colored goatee thoughtfully. “What about that wedding? There must have been something wrong with him for his fiancée to leave him standing at the altar.”

“I looked into that,” Thomas said. “While he was at the church, his fiancée was at his house loading up the wedding presents. She pretty much cleaned out the house.”

“So why can't people see he's an idiot?” Richard asked. “To let someone take advantage of him like that.”

Thomas shrugged. “All the world loves a fool for love, especially someone who looks like Steele. If anything it's made him more popular.”

Thomas narrowed his eyes at his father. “If you want to win this election, we have to showcase your strengths.” A smile lifted the corners of Thomas's well-molded lips. “Luckily I have a plan.” All eyes turned toward their youngest brother, who drew out the moment with a long pause.

“Think about it. Steele's a single man, no local family ties. He's a loner.” Thomas smiled at his father. “You're a widower, and you've raised five children.”

“That's yesterday's news,” his father stated flatly.

“And tomorrow's ace in the hole,” Thomas said unruffled. “In one week you're going to make a speech at the dedication of the new municipal building. All the community leaders are going to be there.”

“Anybody in Destiny who gets a paycheck from the state of Texas will be there,” Rock said.

“Right,” Thomas agreed. “That's why you need to stand out. People need to be clear that you're a family man.” He pointed his stylus triumphantly. “The person to convey that is Laney.”

Shocked silence followed. Thomas's smile widened. “Laney is going to be our secret weapon.”

A cry went up from around the table.

“You mean our Laney is going to give a speech?” Richard's eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Laney? Are you crazy?” added Laney's brother Joseph, a shorter version of their father. “Don't you remember the school play when a mouse crawled out of her pocket and all the kids ran off the stage screaming?”

“That was a long time ago,” Thomas argued. “We need to emphasize that a vote for G. C. Varner is a vote for family values. People will eat it up.”

“It's risky,” Greg Varner pointed out. “Laney has a great heart, but she's the kind of person who rescues a kitten and gives everyone in the family fleas.” Greg shot Laney an apologetic look.

“I agree,” Richard said. “I have the flea bites to vouch for it.”

“The future of my public relations firm is riding on this election.” Thomas cleared his throat loudly. “I wouldn't gamble my business unless I was sure Laney could do it.”

Rock raised his glass. “I agree. I propose a toast to the success of Thomas's campaign.” He blew a kiss at Laney and winked at Thomas. “What a great way to introduce Laney to the general public.”

The eagerness in Rock's eyes told Laney he was thinking about his future political career. He dreamed of becoming the mayor, a vision he shared often and in detail with her. Once, to her embarrassment, they had even stood out on her deck and practiced waving at imaginary people.

Looking around, she felt the familiar tug to show her family she had what it took to be a Varner. Yet she felt obligated to help Ty Steele. She'd found his note. Now she simply couldn't turn her back on him just because the timing wasn't convenient.

“Laney, you're my only girl.” Her father spoke quietly, but his voice carried clearly in the silent room. “I know you like to play with the animals at the pet shop, but the plain truth is that I need your help.”

There had been times in Laney's life when she thought her father would rather bleed to death than ask for anything, particularly from her. She looked long and hard at the lines on her father's face and frowned at the thinness of his gray hair.

Being a sheriff meant everything to him. Without the job, some essential part of him might die. He wasn't the type to sit home and watch ball games on TV. He had no hobbies, and his friendships grew out of work.

As her glance widened to include her brothers, she saw the open skepticism on their faces. They saw her as their little sister, softhearted and scatterbrained. Here was an opportunity to show how wrong they were.

Thomas cleared his throat, gently prodding her for an answer. Words either to accept or decline clogged her throat.

Beside her, Rock vibrated with excitement. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he shot to his feet, spilling iced tea from his raised glass.

“Of course she'll do it!” Rock cried. “A toast to the star of G. C.'s campaign!”

As everyone toasted Laney's success, Angel heaved a long-suffering sigh. Putting his head on his front paws, the little dog closed his eyes as if to say it was all too much for him.

Seven

When Ty Steele left work Monday evening, Laney tailed him in her minivan. Although Angel insisted on hanging his head out the driver's seat window and the engine ran more roughly than usual, she was pretty sure Ty didn't spot her.

She'd planned to follow him home and then continue the discussion that had been interrupted at Miguel's. But when he pulled into the Kroger's supermarket, she parked several rows away and went inside.

Spying from the bakery, Laney watched Ty place an order at the deli. She pictured his solitary dinner—a roast beef sandwich eaten while he stood over the kitchen sink in an empty house where the loudest noise might be the hum of the refrigerator.

Laney knew too much about empty apartments. She'd discovered a long time ago that no matter how comfortable she made her home or how many pillows she placed on the sofa, when she settled down for the night, there always seemed to be a hard lump. The lump, she had come to realize, was loneliness.

Ty added a bag of whole wheat bread to his cart and headed for the produce section. From behind the banana display, she smiled as he picked out a tomato, gently weighing each one in his large hand before he made his choice.

Although he still looked like a tough guy, the sight of him with a fat red tomato in his hand tugged at her heart. It made him seem more of a solitary figure than ever. The words to his note ran through her head, strengthening her resolve to reach out to him.

In the pasta aisle, while Ty selected boxed macaroni and cheese, Laney crouched by the shelves of rice. Although the shelf held nearly every variety of grain, Laney wasn't looking for rice. She was looking for guidance.

She closed her eyes and tried to block out the background music.
Okay, Lord,
she prayed,
here we are, aisle two in Kroger's. I'm not sure whether it's best to jump out from behind the canned soup display or keep tailing him.

When the wheels of a shopping cart slid to a halt beside her and a large shadow fell over her, Laney had her answer.

“Hello, Laney,” Ty said.

He towered over her, a giant of a man who seemed even larger from her crouching position. She flinched at the slash of his mouth that frowned down at her.

“What a coincidence,” Laney said in the bright, false voice that was becoming only too familiar to her. She batted her eyelashes and gave her biggest smile.

“Quit the fake smile,” Ty stated. He folded his muscular arms across his chest. “You've been following me.”

“I know it seems that way,” Laney began.

“It seems that way because it's true.” He looked down at her with a grim expression. “Not many old blue minivans drag their mufflers around town. I slowed down so you wouldn't lose Angel out the window.”

“Anyway,” Laney said, “the point is, now that we're both here, it's an excellent time to pick up where we left off in the restaurant.”

Ty rolled his eyes and made a sound of disbelief. “What point are you talking about? The one where you crawled out like GI Jane?”

“I'm sorry about that.” Laney stood, hoping he wouldn't seem so intimidating from this perspective. “I can explain.”

“You don't have to,” Ty said. “But you have to stop this.” He put his hands on his hips. “You can't stalk me.”

“I wasn't stalking you,” Laney said. “I was following you.”

“Stop following me, spying on me, and anything else that has to do with me.”

Laney touched the silver cross that hung at her throat. She ordered herself to breathe more slowly and ignore the loud thump of her heart. “If someone tried to rob this store, would you try to stop him?”

Ty stepped closer to her. The tips of his leather boots nearly brushed the edge of Laney's canvas sneakers. His size and physical presence made it clear she was no match for him. Yet Laney refused to step backward, not even when he pointed his finger at her. “Of course I would.”

“Your note is a cry for help. I can't just walk away.”

“Yes, you can,” Ty said. “You can stay away from me.”

“I can't do that.” Laney held his gaze. “Not when we still have so much work to do.”

A middle-aged woman pushed her grocery cart closer to them. Instinctively, Laney and Ty pretended to be concentrating fiercely on their shopping. He smiled politely when Laney handed him a bag of brown rice. She accepted the family-sized box of rice mixture he put in her hands.

Smiling sweetly, Laney placed ten pounds of lentils in his cart. Ty frowned. His eyes narrowed until he saw a five-pound box of processed cheese and added it to Laney's cart. He grinned when Laney's nose curled in distaste. Finally the shopper moved away.

“If you don't stop this, you're going to ruin everything,” Ty said. He shifted his weight to his other leg. “Don't you know anything about this election?”

“The election has nothing to do with this,” Laney said. “I promise I'm not working for my father.”

He ran his fingers through his hair. His eyes were full of skepticism. “You want me to believe you're doing this from the goodness of your heart?”

He made it sound like a crime. Laney's chin lifted. “Is that so unthinkable?”

“Yes, especially when you consider that hounding me could potentially affect every child in our county.”

“What are you talking about?”

Ty began to tick off reasons on his fingers. “The security systems and procedures in our schools today are outdated. Your father doesn't see upgrading them as a priority.” He paused. “I do.”

His eyes held the distant look Laney remembered from the restaurant. “Running around spreading rumors about me doesn't help my election chances.” He stared hard into her eyes. “For everybody's sake, stay out of this.”

Part of her believed him, but Laney silenced the voice. If she walked away now and something happened to Ty, she'd never forgive herself.

“I'd like nothing better,” Laney said. “If my father found out about my helping you, he'd disown me.” She raised her left hand. “Not to mention what my fiancé would do.”

“We agree then that the best thing would be for you to give me the note and pretend we never met.”

“It might be the easiest thing,” Laney replied, “but not the best thing.”

He stepped so close she could see the length and thickness of his black eyelashes.

“I'm beginning to wonder if there really is a note at all,” Ty mused. “Maybe I should call your bluff.”

“There's a note all right,” Laney said, “and it's a cry for help.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don't worry. I have the perfect solution.”

“You do?”

Laney ignored the sarcasm in his voice. “Absolutely. What you need is a pet.”

“A pet?”

Laney wanted to laugh at the look of horror on Ty's face, except that it wasn't funny. “As a matter of fact, yes.” She straightened her shoulders. “I happen to be involved in a ministry at the church called Pets-n-Prayers. It's been very effective in helping people.”

Ty rubbed the skin on his face hard. “You're kidding, right?”

“About Pets-n-Prayers?” She shook her head. “It's a proven fact that pets lower people's blood pressure and help them cope with stress.” She paused significantly. “Not to mention the power of prayer.”

“I'm beginning to think I was wrong,” Ty said. He raked his hands through his hair. “Nobody set out to destroy me could come up with a plan like this.”

Although Laney knew he'd insulted her, she refused to rise to the bait. “You can borrow Angel if you like. He's a certified companion dog.”

“Me with a dog?” Ty laughed. “The plants in my house commit suicide, and I'm talking about the plastic variety.”

“You need a pet,” Laney said firmly. “I own a pet shop.”

“I don't need a pet.” Ty's voice rose. “I need a restraining order.”

“Neither of us wants publicity,” Laney pointed out. “There's a simple solution. You come to the shop tomorrow and pick out a pet. I'll give you back your note.” She studied the hard set of his mouth. “Is it a deal?” As the silence stretched between them, she added, “You can trust me.”

The very edges of Ty's lips lifted. “Trust me,” he said. “Those are famous last words, you know.”

“You won't regret it,” Laney said softly.

“A note for a pet,” Ty repeated. He seemed to consider the idea. “Do you have any plastic fish?”

“No,” Laney said.

“You will if any fish gets left in my care,” Ty said. “But I will come to your shop.” His eyebrows drew together. “And the note had better be there.”

“It'll be there,” Laney said placidly, completely unimpressed with the formidable expression on his face. “Along with my animals.” She didn't like to saddle anyone with an unwanted pet, but an animal to love seemed to be just what Ty needed. “Do we have a deal?”

“I'll come to your shop,” Ty said, “but we'll see about the pet.”

Laney stuck out her hand and gave Ty's fingers a firm shake. “Come anytime tomorrow. I'll be there.”

“Don't even think about sending me home with that snake,” Ty said. “The one that went down the drain.”

He was joking. That meant progress. Her own spirits lifted with the realization that beneath Ty's gruff exterior beat the heart of a soft man.
He doesn't know it yet,
she thought,
but God is working in his heart, giving him back an ability to laugh.

“Of course not,” Laney replied demurely. “I have a baby alligator that would do quite well in your bathtub.”

“You're kidding, right?”

“Am I?” Laney's left eyebrow rose in challenge. “Come to the store tomorrow and find out.”