Betrayed Hearts (3 page)

“Who is it?”

“It's Maxi. From downstairs.”

The air whooshed out of Lily's lungs in one great gust.
Not the police. Thank goodness.

“Just a minute.”

Before she opened the door, she schooled her face into what she hoped was a normal expression.

“Hi,” Maxi said before Lily could speak. “I noticed you bringing your things in. Does this mean we're neighbors?” Her face wore an expectant smile, her eyes friendly.

“It does.”

“Terrific.” Maxi whipped a container out from behind her back. “I brought some homemade cookies as a welcome.”

Lily blinked, trying to reconcile the spiky-haired girl in the flowered halter-top to a person who baked cookies. “Thank you.” She took the tin, as Maxi breezed past her. “I'd offer you coffee, if I had any.” Lily kept close to the door, hoping her new neighbor would take the hint and leave. All she wanted right now was a hot shower, some Chinese take-out, and a good night's sleep. She'd barely closed her eyes for more than a couple of hours the past few nights.

Maxi, however, had already moved into the tiny kitchen. “Not to worry. Logan usually has some teabags kicking around here.”

Dumfounded, Lily could only follow her. Sure enough, Maxi pulled teabags from a bright yellow canister on the counter and plugged in the kettle. Lily hesitated, not sure how to react. She knew small-towners were friendly, but this seemed over the top.

Maxi stopped in the middle of pulling cups out of the cupboard and grinned. “Logan used to live here until a few months ago. Whenever I had a problem, I'd cry on his shoulder, and he'd make me tea.”

No wonder she acted as if she owned the place. Lily deposited the cookie tin on the counter, then leaned against it, a sudden suspicion dawning. “Are you two dating?”

Maxi set the cups on the counter with a burst of laughter. “Logan's a great guy, not to mention easy on the eyes, but he's too much of a ‘goody-goody' for me. I prefer the bad boys.”

An unsettling image of Curtis flashed through Lily's mind, but she pushed it away. She refused to allow thoughts of her ex-boyfriend to interfere with her new life. The kettle snapped off and Maxi poured the water over the teabags.

“You're more than welcome to go after Nick. But you'll have to arm wrestle Sarah Jane for him.”

Lily's brain swam trying to keep up with Maxi's ramblings. “All right, I'll bite. Who's Sarah Jane?”

Maxi handed her a cup and opened the cookie tin. The kitchen wasn't big enough to include an eating area, so they stood at the counter.

“She's the town librarian and Reverend Baker's niece, not to mention secretary of the church women's group.”

A librarian and a churchgoer. Not someone Lily would likely socialize with. Although, she had paid a visit to the library two days ago to look up past issues of the local newspaper. She tried to recall the face of the woman she'd met that day.

“Plain as a post, poor thing,” Maxi continued as she dunked her teabag. “Wish she'd come into our salon for a makeover. Maybe then she'd have a better chance with Nick.”

Lily suddenly remembered the unattractive hairstyle and drab attire. The woman's silver cross necklace had even made Lily wonder if she were a nun.

Maxi studied her as she sipped her brew. “Unless I'm out to lunch, I'd say you're not from around here. I'm sure I would've remembered you.”

Lily's hand tightened on her cup. The girl switched topics faster than the wind changed directions. This topic, however, had taken an unwelcome turn. “No, I'm not.”

“So what brings you to our humble town?”

Lily swallowed a mouthful, trying not to choke. “Needed a change of scenery.” She kept her gaze averted and took another sip of hot liquid, almost scalding her tongue in the process. The weight of Maxi's curiosity made the kitchen seem smaller.

Maxi tapped a finger to her lips. “Let me guess. Man trouble? A relationship gone bad?”

Lily's shoulder muscles relaxed a fraction. “Something like that.”

“Say no more.” Maxi held up a hand. “Been there a few times myself.” She picked up a cloth to wipe the counter. “What're you doing for work?”

At last, a safe topic. Maybe one Maxi could help her with. “I'll have to start looking for a job tomorrow. Any suggestions?”

Maxi gave her a pensive look. “I don't know what you have in mind, but there's an opening at the hair salon where I work. Nothing fancy,” she hastened to add. “Reception and some tidying up. Pays better than minimum wage though.”

Excitement stirred within Lily. A hair salon might be the ideal place to find her sister. Most women in town would come in there sooner or later. Maybe Chloe would, too. Lily managed her first genuine smile of the day. “Actually, that sounds perfect.”

Maxi dried her hands on a striped dishtowel. “I don't know if the pay will be enough to cover the rent here.”

Lily shrugged. “I don't mind working two jobs if necessary.”

With the kitchen tidied, Maxi moved into the hallway. “The shop's at McIntyre and Main Street, about four blocks from here. Peg's the owner. Come by tomorrow, and I'll put in a good word for you.”

Lily was amazed this girl would go out of her way for a complete stranger. Amazed and suspicious. Could she have ulterior motives, or was she just being neighborly? The risk was worth the chance of employment. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“You're welcome.” Maxi paused in the doorway and grinned, dimples appearing on each cheek. “I have a feeling we're going to be good friends, you and I. See you tomorrow.”

 

****

 

Nick pulled into the parking lot of the Good Shepherd Community Church and cut the engine, his mind still consumed with his new tenant. A definite aura of mystery surrounded Lily Draper.

He rubbed his arms to ease the prickle of unease that sat just under his skin. Why had he rented her the apartment without checking her credentials first? Usually he asked potential tenants for references from previous landlords or employers. Sometimes he even had them sign a consent form and his friend, Police Chief Mike Hillier, would run a background check on them, especially if they were new to the area. But today he'd handed over the keys to Miss Draper five minutes after meeting her.

An uncomfortable thought made him shift in his seat. Could it have anything to do with the fact she was drop-dead gorgeous? He wouldn't be human if he hadn't noticed the long mane of dark curls or been affected by those big brown eyes. Looks like that could turn any man's head. But Nick prided himself on his ability to judge a person by their inner beauty, by their character and integrity.

So what intrigued him about Lily?

Maybe it was the vulnerability that haunted her eyes. Or the protective way she held herself. Or the skittish energy that surrounded her, like when the siren had spooked her. Lily wore the look of someone who'd known pain and who didn't trust easily. His mother used to wear the same haunted expression, thanks to his father's abuse.

Whatever the reason, he wanted Lily to trust him. And trust worked both ways. Maybe that's why he'd given her the keys. As a show of good faith.

He prayed his faith hadn't been misplaced.

Nick jumped out of the truck and strode up the walkway to the rectory situated beside the church. He looked at his watch and increased his pace. He was ten minutes behind schedule for his meeting with Reverend Baker.

“You're late, Nicholas.” The gray-haired minister answered the door, peering over his reading glasses with a frown.

“I know. Sorry, sir. A new tenant.”

“Well, don't just stand there. Come in. Come in.”

Nick pulled the screen door shut behind him. As per the usual routine, he followed Ted into the airy kitchen where they would share a cup of tea. Sure enough, the china pot with red and yellow roses was already filled with the brewing liquid. The familiar scent of lemon cleanser and cinnamon sticks filled Nick with a sense of home. How many times had he hung out here as a rebellious teen, receiving guidance—many times unwanted—from the patient pastor?

“So what's on your mind, Reverend?” Nick leaned a hip against the counter.

The elderly man poured the beverages with a slight tremor to his hand and then passed Nick a cup. Even though Mrs. Baker had been dead for years, Ted still used his wife's fancy china for company, a quirk Nick found oddly endearing.

Ted shuffled to the worn kitchen table. “Just wanted to touch base. We haven't spoken much since your mother's funeral. You managing to keep up with those courses?”

Nick stiffened at the unexpected mention of his mom. Two months after her death, thoughts of her still tore at the raw wound. Ted was likely worried that grief had overshadowed Nick's studies. He'd been sidetracked while he nursed his mom during her last days, but now his studies had become a form of therapy, giving him something to focus on besides an empty house.

“I've caught up on the assignments, and exams start in a few weeks.” Nick made a point of adding milk and sugar while he waited for Ted to reveal the real reason for this meeting. He only hoped the clergyman hadn't changed his mind about retiring.

As pastor of Good Shepherd Community Church for the past fifteen years, Ted had gained the loyalty of an adoring congregation. But due to advancing age, he planned to step down in the fall. The timing seemed divinely inspired for Nick to take over, and Ted had led him to believe he wanted that as well. After four years of studies, nothing would make Nick happier than to use his calling here in his hometown.

“So when you pass these last exams you'll be done?” Bushy gray brows met in the center of Ted's wrinkled forehead.

Nick curbed his impatience. Ted knew exactly what was required for him to achieve his Divinity Degree. But, as usual, he humored the older man. “That's right.”

Ted sipped his brew somewhat noisily. “Good. Good. And how is your aunt holding up? It must be hard for her losing her sister when they were so close.”

Nick blew the steam off his tea. “Aunt Sonia's taking it pretty hard. She relied on mom a lot after Uncle Leonard passed away.”

“And they both relied on you. You were a good son to Marion, Nicholas. I hope you know what a comfort you were to her in her final days.”

Nick blinked hard to clear his vision from the tears that sneaked up every now and then. “Yes sir, she told me all the time.” He swallowed his emotion with a sip of tea, grateful he'd gotten to be with his mom when she passed away. She'd feared dying alone, but God had spared her that.

“And how are things with you and Sarah Jane?”

The sudden change in topic caught Nick off guard. He shifted on the hard wooden chair. “We've been out a couple of times.” He kept his tone casual, and hoped he didn't sound bored. As bored as he felt on his dates with Sarah Jane. Right away, he berated himself for such an unkind thought. Especially about Ted's niece.

“Excellent. And when do you think you'll be getting engaged?”

Nick almost choked, recovering only seconds before he would have spurted liquid all over the table. “Engaged? I…I haven't even thought about it.”

“Well, what's keeping you, boy? It's time to get serious.” Ted stood with some difficulty and moved to the counter, his back to Nick. “Believe me, the church elders will view your candidacy for my position in a much better light if you're married, or planning on it real soon.”

Married? Ted had hinted at this for a while,
but to hear it verbalized in such blunt terms jarred him.

“People in this town don't take change well. Your youth won't be held against you if you've settled down.” Ted turned to pin him with a watery stare. “Sarah Jane is a good woman. Reliable, honest, and loyal. There's no one I can think of who'd make a better minister's wife. Puts me in mind of my own dear Millie.”

Nick used all his will power not to roll his eyes. As much as he loved Ted, if he had to hear another litany of the late Millie Baker's virtues, he didn't know what he'd do. “There's no doubt Sarah Jane is a real asset to the community, but…” The words stuck in his throat at the older man's glare.

“If I were you, I wouldn't let a fine woman like that slip away.”

Nick struggled to keep his emotions strapped down as he drained the contents of his cup. He was not about to enter into a debate on marriage at this early stage in the relationship. “I'll keep that in mind, sir. Though I'd prefer to wait on God's timing to find a wife.” He rose and took his dishes to the sink. “Thanks for the tea.”

“Anytime, son. You give Sarah Jane my love.”

Nick drove toward home on automatic pilot, the hot beverage still churning in his stomach. Why was Ted trying to push him into marriage? He wasn't even twenty-seven yet, for heaven's sake. A lifelong commitment like marriage required the proper level of maturity, a fact proven by his almost-engagement to Cheryl Cartwright four years ago. Both of them had been much too young to consider such a huge step. And when Nick had realized his true calling to a life of ministry, Cheryl hadn't been prepared to accept the sacrifices she felt his vocation would demand. Better they'd called it off when they did.

He made a mental comparison between Cheryl and Ted's niece and couldn't deny Sarah Jane had every quality a minister's wife should have. If only his heart would fall in line with his head.

Nick blew out a frustrated breath as he rolled to a stop at one of the town's only traffic lights. Perhaps he wasn't being fair to Sarah Jane. They'd only gone out a few times. It was possible he hadn't seen her best side yet. Maybe he should try another couple of dates just to be sure. As a favor to Ted, if nothing else.

When the light turned green, he directed his truck onto McIntyre Street. As he passed by his rental house, where a rusting Toyota now sat in the driveway, the sudden image of Lily Draper came to mind. With her dark, sultry looks, Lily couldn't be more opposite to Sarah Jane. Beautiful and mysterious—anything but boring.