Awakening Veronica(Divine Creek Ranch 17)(44)

Pastor Robert put up his hand to interrupt her. “Please don’t say God-fearing Christian, Tabitha. Not before I have to go preach. It’s not only that. We really can’t have our Sunday School teachers doing things like staging protests at weddings and gossiping. And we’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention your affiliation with this church when you write your blog articles for…what’s it called?”

“Keep Divine Pure?”

“Yes. While you’re entitled to express your opinion, we don’t want to be held culpable if you get sued for libel or slander. The education committee has decided that the best thing to do, in light of the circumstances, is for you to take a break from teaching until further notice. Maybe it would be good for you to take a vacation. Get out a bit. Well, it was good chatting with you.”

Tabitha was hot—red hot—as she watched him scurry off, probably to do more of his wife’s bidding. Hell, that church needed her class on marriage from the pulpit down.

The leader of the welcome committee was standing at the door smiling and greeting church members as they meandered like cattle through the church doors. She bustled over and plopped her tote bag, purse, and bible down on a chair by the door before she took up her post opposite of him, smiling, handing out bulletins, and giving the warmest welcome she was able to muster under the circumstances. People didn’t understand her gift and the talent she had been blessed with for teaching. Many of the apostles hadn’t been understood in their day either.



* * * *



Hank’s workday crept by, with bursts of activity in the department offices and around town punctuated by periods of quiet, where he thought of Veronica asleep in her bed. He was the kind of guy who got up at the crack of dawn and kept fairly regular hours whenever possible. Veronica, on the other hand, seemed to be able to function at any time of the day or night, and he got that. His own mother, deceased for ten years, had been the same way. Up at all hours working on the craft projects she made for Christmas gifts or reading. He smiled, thinking that his mom would’ve loved Veronica.

Travis was at his house chopping firewood. Even though he had a full stockpile of it already cut, Travis had texted him and told him he needed something to keep himself busy. Hank understood. His job didn’t fully distract him from the restlessness, either.

He was sitting in his SUV at the intersection of Main Street and Crockett, heading back to the station, when a late model red Chevy Camaro rolled past him, headed down Main. The windows were rolled down and the redhead behind the wheel waved at him, a big smile on her face. Her stereo was blasting loud enough to make the windows in his vehicle rumble in their frames.

Hank smirked as he flipped on his lights and pulled out behind her. “I swear she does this on purpose every time she comes to town.”

The driver pulled into the parking lot at Cheaver’s Western Wear and turned down the volume on her music. He radioed in and parked beside her, trying to wipe the grin off of his face. It wasn’t dignified to look happy about pulling someone over.

Adjusting his cowboy hat, he walked to the driver’s side of the car. The redhead smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Hey, Hank—I mean, Sheriff, sir.”

“Now, Miss Heather…”

Innocent blue eyes looked up at him. Those eyes had the same effect as Grace’s.

“Was I speeding, Hank? I didn’t think I was, but was I?” The blue eyes misted up and she smiled at him. She could top from the bottom with the best of them.

He squatted down and put his hand on the opened window. “No, Miss Heather. You weren’t speeding. You know I’ve never had to pull you over for speeding.”

Her eyebrows arched happily. “Oh! Did you just want to say hello?” She chattered on and looked so damned pleased he almost forgot why he’d pulled her over. The song changing on the radio reminded him though.

“You know I love seeing you. You don’t come to town near often enough to please some people around here. But you and I know what this is really about.”

Again with the innocent blue eyes. “We do?”

Hank couldn’t suppress his chuckle. “I grew up in the eighties, too, hon, but not everyone has the same appreciation for Def Leppard that you and I do.”

A pleased squeal came from her. “I know!” She started talking with her hands and rhapsodizing about eighties rock bands. He glanced up and saw the big grin on his deputy’s face as Wyatt pulled in on the other side of the Camaro and exited his vehicle.

“Hey, Miss Heather!” he called out as he slung his thumbs into his belt, affecting a more pronounced swagger as he walked up.