Faith hung up the phone. Joseph had called to invite her to the Spring Fling. Did she sense reluctance in his voice? She’d accepted, but wondered if she should call back and let him off the hook.
Before she could make up her mind, there was a knock at the kitchen door. Faith could see Andrew through the window. He had that determined bulldog look on his face. She groaned. She wasn’t ready to go another round with him.
But he could see her as clearly as she could see him, so she forced a smile on her face and beckoned to him to come in. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Faith. Is Kevin around?”
“Andrew, it’s nine o’clock on a Saturday. He won’t emerge from his lair until noon at least.”
“Good. I want to talk to you about something.”
Now what? “Can I get you some coffee or something?”
“No. Yes.”
“Which one?”
“Yes, coffee would be nice. Thank you.”
Faith filled two mugs from the coffee maker and set them on the table with a plate of muffins. They sat across from each other at the kitchen table. Andrew stared into his coffee and frowned, as if he may have found a bug swimming in it. She waited.
Finally his head rose and he looked her in the eye. “Are you having a problem with a man at school?”
Faith felt her jaw drop. Scrambling to regain her composure, she asked, “Why would you think that?”
“It’s just something I heard. Is it true?”
“Well, no, not exactly.”
He pounced on that. “Not exactly. So you are having trouble with someone. Is that why you’re leaving?”
Faith was lousy at lying. She decided evading the question was a better tactic. “Really, Andrew, I don’t know why you would think that.”
Andrew knew her too well. He’d seen her use that strategy before. “It is. That’s it. That’s why you’re leaving. Who is it and what did he do?”
Faith stared at him. Finally she replied. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”
He shoved his chair back and stood. “Why are you making this so difficult? Just tell me, and I’ll fire him.”
She gasped. “You’re offering to fire someone, and you don’t even know anything about it.”
“Then tell me. I want to know.”
Faith rose on shaky legs. “I’ve never seen you act like this Andrew.”
He rounded the table and grabbed her shoulders. “You’ve never refused to tell me anything before. I thought we were friends. You shouldn’t be keeping secrets, especially if they concern work.”
“No one did anything wrong.” Faith twisted out of his grip and took a step back. “If you were my friend, you’d believe that and let it go.”
“Why are you covering for this guy? He must have done something pretty bad if you’re quitting over it.”
“You don’t even know if there is a ‘guy.’ You’re just taking some gossip you heard at school and blowing it all out of proportion.”
“Then, why won’t you tell me why you’re leaving?”
“I did tell you.” Their voices had risen until they were both shouting. Then Kevin stumbled into the kitchen. He looked impossibly young and vulnerable with his tousled hair and sleepy eyes. “What’s going on? What’s the fight about?”
With an angry glare at Andrew, Faith moved to reassure her son. “It was nothing—just a silly argument. I’m sorry we woke you.”
“Yes, we’re sorry, Kevin. You can go back to sleep if you want.”
Her son stared at them both for a minute, then said, “I don’t know if I can get back to sleep.”
“Then, how about we take Davy to the park?” Andrew suggested.
“No thanks. I think I’m going to log on and see who’s online.”
After Kevin had shuffled out of the room, Andrew moved closer to Faith. His voice was low, but charged with an emotion Faith couldn’t identify. “I don’t know why you’re acting like this, Faith, but I’m going to find out. I can’t stand the thought of anyone hurting you.”
She tried to back away, but he caught her hands and held her there. “You don’t know anything about it,” she repeated.
“That’s because you won’t tell me.” He pulled her even closer, and Faith’s heart started to beat faster. “You’re important to me, Faith. I need you.”
She allowed her body to lean into his, and he let go of her hands to put his arms around her. They stood like that for a moment. Faith was sure Andrew was going to kiss her. He lowered his head and said. “You’re the best secretary I’ve ever had.”
Anger flared in Faith. She shoved Andrew away from her. “Go home! Nothing happened that you can solve. It’s my problem and I’ll handle it.”
“By running away?”
“I’m not running away. I’m starting over.”
They glared at each other for a few heated moments. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll leave.” At the door, he turned and added, “But I will find out, Faith. You can count on that.”
TITLE
Orchard Hill: volume Two
Chapter 6
On Sunday, Kevin and Faith entered the narthex of the Orchard Hill Community Church shortly before the service was to begin. Misty Green caught her arm and whispered to her, “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure,” answered Faith. “Kevin, go ahead and find us a seat.”
“I heard you and Joseph Velasquez are going to the Spring Fling together.”
“Yes, Hope set it up.”
“But you’re on the rebound,” Misty whispered urgently. “Do you think it’s wise to start dating someone else?”
She shrugged. “It’s only one date. And to be honest, I don’t think he really wanted to ask me. I think he did it for Hope. But we both have to be there for our kids, so…”
“Just how did Hope suddenly think of setting you two up?”
“She said Pansy Parker had suggested it to her.”
Misty narrowed her eyes and mumbled, “I thought so,” as she strode away.
****
At work on Monday, Faith received a phone call from the junior high principal. Kevin had been in a fight—with Peter Velasquez, Joseph’s son. Faith had to leave the elementary and go to the junior high school to pick him up. Kevin and Peter were both being suspended for three days. They left with a pile of Kevin’s homework.
Faith held her emotions in check until they reached the car. Then she exploded. “I can’t believe you did this. You’ve never gotten into fights before.”
“I’ve never had to put up with Peter Velasquez saying things about my mother before.”
“What do you mean?”
“He says you and his dad have a date.”
Faith started the car and checked her mirrors. “Well, actually we do. We’re going to the Spring Fling together.”
“What? You’re really going out with him?”
“What’s wrong with Mr. Velasquez? I thought you liked him?”
“I do, but not as a new dad.” Kevin’s voice dripped with disapproval.
“A new dad! It’s only one date. We both have to go because you kids are helping, so we thought we’d go together.”
“Why can’t you go with Andrew?”
“Andrew doesn’t even go to our church!”
“Well, duh. But how many dumb youth things did we have to go to at their church when Robin was here.” Kevin slouched down in his seat and glared at her, his swollen lower lip making him look like a sulky toddler.
Faith glared right back at him. “This is all beside the point. You still shouldn’t have gotten into a fight.”
He had the sense to look guilty at that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It just sort of did.”
“You’ll have three long days at home to think about it, won’t you?”
“I guess so.”
“And there’ll be a list of extra chores to do every day besides your homework.”
Kevin slouched lower in the se
at, but didn’t answer.
Back at the elementary school, things got worse. Andrew was at her side the minute she stepped in the office door.
“What happened? How’s Kevin?”
“He has a fat lip, but other than that he’s fine.” Faith crossed to her desk and slid her purse into the bottom drawer.
“Who did he get into a fight with, and what was it over?”
“Andrew, don’t you have work to do?”
“Yes, and it’s not going to get done until I know about Kevin.”
Knowing there was no getting around Andrew’s stubborn streak, Faith gave in. “He got into a fight with Peter Velasquez about me going out with his father.” Faith held her breath and waited.
“What?”
“The boys got into a fight over…”
“I heard that part. Are you really going out with Joseph?”
“Yes. To the Spring Fling. We both have kids working,” she added defensively, then wanted to kick herself. There was no reason to feel defensive.
“Why didn’t you ask me? I would have taken you.”
“Well, Joseph offered, so…”
Andrew frowned. “I see. What’s Kevin’s punishment?”
“Three days’ suspension. And you can believe he won’t be spending it in front of the TV. Or that computer he loves so much.”
“Well…that’s good. I’ll talk to him if you want.”
“No thanks. I’ve got it all under control,” Faith said firmly.
Andrew seemed to be at a loss then. Finally he said “All right. I have work to do.”
He went into his office and shut the door. He didn’t exactly slam it, but he did shut it very forcefully.
****
Inside his office, Andrew paced. Questions chased each other inside his head. What was going on? Faith was quitting, Kevin was fighting, and now this! She had a date with Joseph Velasquez.
Not that there was anything wrong with Joseph. He was a good parent. Andrew remembered him well from when he’d had kids in the elementary.
But he was all wrong for Faith. How come she couldn’t see that? What if this was some kind of rebound thing from this mystery man she was supposedly having trouble with? She’d only get hurt all over again.
Well, that was her business. She was a grown woman after all. She could make her own decisions. Of course her last big decision had been to quit her job.
Wait a minute. Didn’t Harmony tell him she attended Orchard Hill Community Church? Andrew reached for the phone.
TITLE
Orchard Hill: volume Two
Chapter 7
The Spring Fling consisted of a bake and craft sale, games for small children and a “café” run by the teens. The day finished with an informal worship service of skits and songs performed by the youth group. They used the money raised to send their members to bible camp in the summer.
The fellowship hall was lined with tables where local crafters displayed their wares. They each paid the youth group $15 to participate. In the gathering space off the kitchen, small round tables had been set up. The kids sold barbeques and hot dogs with chips, sodas, and pickles on the side. This was Kevin’s first year as part of the youth group, but they’d attended the event for the last several years now.
Faith and Joseph were choosing a table at the café after making the rounds in the fellowship hall.
“Thanks for coming to this with me,” Faith told him as they sat down. “It’s more fun with a friend.”
“Yes, I’m usually in the kitchen, but I decided to take this year off. I’ve got enough on my plate right now,” Joseph replied.
Hope had told her a little about the misfortunes that had plagued his family in the last few years, not the least of which was losing his wife.
“I thought you might want to back out after our sons got into that fight,” she admitted.
“And let them think they can get their way by acting like that? No way.” Joseph grinned at her.
He really was handsome. And charming, too. But he wasn’t Andrew. Faith decided that it was time to let him off the hook.
“I know you only agreed to come with me because Hope asked you to. And I want to be up front about the fact that I’m not harboring any romantic fantasies about the two of us.”
She could see the relief in his eyes, in spite of his response. “No romantic fantasies about me? I can’t believe it. I must be losing my touch.”
“Shall I start spinning some fantasies, then?” Faith teased.
His eyes turned serious. “No. I’m not ready yet.”
Faith put her hand over Joseph’s. “I know what you mean. It’s been over ten years since Kevin’s father died, and I’m just starting to think about it. Thanks for helping me dip my toes into the dating pool again. A practice date with a friend is a good place to begin, I think.”
Joseph turned his hand so that he captured hers and squeezed it gently. “Thanks for understanding. I get really tired of people telling me that I need to move on.”
****
When Harmony and Andrew stepped into the room, he searched for and immediately found Faith—holding hands with Joseph and looking into his eyes. His stomach twisted.
He watched as Misty Green appeared between the two then and they drew back, letting their hands slide apart. Misty said a few words to Joseph, and then he rose and followed her back to the kitchen.
At his side, Harmony said, “There’s your friend Faith. Let’s go sit by her.” She’d worn a ‘cat-who-ate-the-canary’ grin since he’d picked her up, and it was beginning to grate on Andrew’s nerves. But he was glad she’d suggested sitting by Faith. That meant he didn’t have to do it.
Faith seemed lost in her thoughts as they approached the table. She didn’t look up and see them until they were almost on top of her.
“Hey, Faith,” Andrew greeted her. “You remember Harmony, don’t you?” Was it his imagination or did she not look happy to see them?
“Yes, of course,” Faith said. The smile on her face seemed forced, and her posture suddenly became rigid. Maybe she resented the interruption of her date.
“It’s so good to see you again, Faith.” Harmony’s smile was big and bright and there was a secret lurking in her eyes. “I trust you’re feeling better now.”
“Yes, thank you for asking.”
“Where’s your date?” asked Andrew as he and Harmony sat down.
“The stove in the kitchen is giving them some trouble, so Joseph went to look at it. I think the pioneers cooked on it. We should really replace it.”
“So he’s good at that kind of stuff?”
“Well, he’s done more of these things with the youth, so he’s had to battle with that stove before.”
“But he skipped out this year. I wonder why?” Andrew could hear the sarcasm in his tone, but he couldn’t help it. Faith was making a mistake, and he couldn’t just sit back and watch.
Harmony suddenly bounced up from her chair. “You know what, Andrew? I think I am going to buy those embroidered dish towels we saw at the craft booths. I’ll be right back.” With a smirk at both of them, she turned and was gone.
Leaving him alone with Faith. Dropping any hint of subtlety, Andrew asked, “How is your date going?”
Faith narrowed her eyes at him. “Just fine. How’s yours?”
“How’s my what?”
“Your date. You know, Harmony.”
“Oh, yes. That’s going fine, too.”
“Now that we’ve established that, what will we have to talk about?”
Andrew leaned forward. “Joseph’s a nice guy, but don’t kid yourself that he’s ready to make a commitment.”
She gasped. “What makes you think I want one from him?”
“So this is just a fling?”
“It’s just a date. One date. I’m hardly going to start picking out china patterns. You’re worse than Kevin.”
“Kevin is upset about you seeing Joseph, isn’t he?”
“A
ndrew, this is none of your business,” she told him firmly.
None of his business. It seemed as if Faith was shutting him out all of a sudden, and he didn’t like it. Not one little bit. He stared at her, willing her to understand.
Orchard Hill Volume Two Page 5
