Daddy's Favorite: A Dominant Protector Romance

by Candice Nolan

  He said during a sermon once that a woman was so mad when he broke a date with her that she actually tried to push her truck off a bridge. She didn’t, but she wanted to be with him that bad. He’s worth crashing a vehicle over.

  Another reason why I’m just dreaming. Dad would never let me date a man who isn’t a virgin. Sex is a sacred bond. You’re tied to your sex partners. Every knot you tie dilutes the strength of the binding you can offer your soul mate.

  Of course that’s what they tell us all. I’m a virgin. I’ve never had a chance to tie anything.

  Walking away fast, I chicken out of being anywhere near the barn when service is let out. I also avoid the door Dwayne’s guarding. Instead, I walk along the side of the main building and slip into a back entrance that leads into the kitchen area.

  Big mistake. The place is crowded with volunteers picking up and dropping off trays of snacks for the children’s ministry. Amidst them is my mom.

  “Grace, darling.” Her face lights up. “Are you serving today?”

  I watch the pre-schoolers on a regular rotation, but it isn’t my Sunday this week. Again, I tell a little white lie.

  “Already have. Checking to see if you need any more help.”

  “We’re short handed.” She side hugs me. “You’re a good girl. Will you walk with Dean to take this cooler of water bottles to the barn?”

  To the barn? Anywhere but there. I panic, but don’t react fast enough. Dean, a broad shouldered man with adult acne, unruly hair, and pit stains shakes his head, gleefully overjoyed to see me.

  “Grace can help.” He grabs one handle and picks up his side of the cooler. “Come on Grace. We can do it together.”

  “Alright,” I sulk, picking up my side. All the way out to the barn, Dean is rambling on about his cat. I’ve had just about enough and I’m ready to drop our load and bolt.

  “Oh, look here.” He jerks us to stop near bush. Then he bends down and motions for me to bend down too. “It’s dead.”

  I’m curious, so I peer into the small opening in the bushes. Curled up, is a decaying cat. “Oh, gross!” I cover my mouth and jump up. “Have you told anyone else about this?”

  “He’s not gross. It’s science. His fur is falling off cause the bugs are eating his flesh. They’re hungry.”

  “I’m not.” I tug on the cooler, anxious to get far away from there. “Hurry up.” He stands and takes his side.

  Why me? I ask myself. Why do I attract all the weirdos? God, if you’re listening, can you please send me someone normal?

  No sooner had I thought the prayer, then we arrive at the barn. Pastor Ryan greets us at the door.

  “Dean, my man.” He pats him on the back, then takes my side of the cooler. “I got this. How was your chai tea?”

  Is it a sign? Are you speaking to me, Lord? Please say yes. Have him ask me out, if it’s a yes. Oh. If it’s your will. I’m too busy praying for a back up sign, that I forget that Pastor Ryan asked me a question. I’m left standing dumbfounded and confused at why he’s staring at me.

  “Okay. Let’s get this inside.” As soon as he and Dean step away, I do a face palm.

  Idiot. Chai tea. Yes, I loved it. Thank you. I owe you one. I scold myself, but keep my lips shut tight.

  Dean, and several high schoolers pass out the waters. Pastor Ryan returns to take his place on the stage. It’s time for the final worship hymn. I don’t dare hope Pastor Ryan will say anything else to me, but a girl can sit in the back and dream.

  After church, I don’t hope to say goodbye to Pastor Ryan. I slip out to walk to the car, alone. I chalk up my interactions with him as one in a million Sundays. Next week he’ll be buying some other love sick girl a chai tea.

  I parked on the other side of the main sanctuary. On the way through the church, I see Pastor Ryan, with Pastor Danny, and his wife, talking in the hall. It’s a narrow passageway and they’ve already seen me, so there’s no other way, but forward. I just want to get this morning over with, go home, and crawl under the covers. I keep my head down, and plant my eyes straight ahead.

  When I reach them, they’re talking about the prayer request schedule. I squeeze past with a light tap on Pastor Ryan’s back for him to scooch in for me to walk by.

  He stops me with a gentle capture, by taking my wrist. I hate awkwardly being pulled into conversations I’m not included in. I have no desire to stick around, so I twist my hand free and keep moving.

  “Grace, wait up.” Pastor Ryan gives Pastor Danny a quick pat on the back and hustles to catch up with me. “You never gave me your answer.”

  What does he want? My heart is leaping away fast, but my feet remain planted in place. Why can’t I function around him?

  He puts his hand on the small of my back and walks with me. “Don’t look back. She’ll sign you up for her summer classes,” he says.

  My brain only half processes what he’s saying. “What question did you ask?”

  “You know. If you liked the tea.”

  “Oh,” I blush. “It was fine.” I stop, realizing we’re alone in the church. At least in that hallway. Walls that are usually bouncing off multiple conversations are so quiet I can hear us breathe. “Sooooo—” I exhale, daring to hope he’ll finish the sentence with . . . I’ll call you later . . . Can I kiss you? . . . You’re my everything.

  I get nothing, so I start walking again. We walk in silence. He stops to check and lock every classroom door as we pass them. I slow down, so that I can walk with him as he does.

  “Do you always do this?”

  “Not always.” He has his hand on a knob, but hasn’t locked it yet. It’s fate, cause suddenly we aren’t alone.

  Why do they have to ruin everything? I recognize the voices. Without thinking about what I’m doing, I grab Pastor Ryan by the shirt and push him into the classroom. “Why are they still here?”

  “Grace.”

  It’s Naomi and Lydia. Their footsteps get closer. I turn the lock and hold my breath until their shadows cross in front of the door. “Every time something like this happens, they show up. Can’t I catch one of them in sin for once? I’m not sinning. I can be alone with Pastor Ryan.”

  “Grace,” he says again.

  Then I realize what I’ve done and who I’ve done it to. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” I fall to my knees, bow my head, and clasp my hands into the church steeple pose. “Forgive me Pastor. I just didn’t want them to see me talking to you. They’re jealous and mean. I think they hate me too.”

  “Yeah, I get that vibe from them.” He squats down in front of me, lifts my chin up with his middle finger, and follows my gaze until I look him in the eyes. “Do I make you nervous?”

  “No. Yes. Sort of.” I answer feeling like a deer caught in headlights. “It’s just that. You know what the girls say about you. You’re handsome and worldly.” I lower my eyes to his crotch, cause it’s right there for me to look at. “And worldly.”

  “I’m also your Pastor. A protector. And I hope a friend.” He pulls me to my feet, holding my hands firmly gripped in his, he adds, “You can come to me with anything. Anytime, Grace. I’m never that far away.”

  I know he’s right, because I see him every day. Pastor Ryan, lives next door to me. I am special. I am Amazing Grace. I mean more to him then Naomi and Lydia do. They’re not his neighbor or the girl next door.

  I am.

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