morning. Nine o’clock.”
Liza pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms over her chest, fighting the
frown that threatened her lips. Polite as the reverend was, her mother was a devout
Catholic. She’d dragged Liza to church every Sunday morning and every Wednesday
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night for “spiritual cleansing” as a child and as a teenager. Back then, Liza had shared some doozies with Father Joseph during confession. The way Reverend Bain looked at
her now made her think he was already anticipating hearing a lengthy list of sins.
No way, José.
Liza wasn’t about to air her dirty laundry. Not in a town this small. And not when
all of her most recent sins starred the very sinful Jack Wade.
“I appreciate the invitation, Reverend. I’ll keep it in mind for the fu—”
“Well, hello, Jack.” The reverend’s gaze shifted away from her.
Liza didn’t have to turn around to know the Devil was standing behind her.
How ironic. She stifled a grin.
“Reverend,” Jack said as he moved to the doorframe and placed a hand at the small
of Liza’s back.
Interesting move.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Bain said.
Jack’s tone was cool and reserved when he spoke. “It is my place,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Liza’s my new tenant. There were some things here at the cottage that needed my…attention.”
It could’ve been her imagination, but she was sure she’d heard a suggestive hint in
his tone. Liza bit the inside of her lip to keep the smile at bay.
Okay, so it didn’t take Sherlock and Watson to deduce what they’d just been up to.
She was sure the afterglow was still…glowing. But she could also sense a peculiar vibe coming from Jack. Protectiveness mixed with a weird brooding over the interruption.
No doubt the good reverend caught wind of his tension.
“Something you needed in particular, Reverend?” Jack asked. “You were out this
way rather late last night.”
Thus the mystery of whom they’d passed on the desolate road was instantly solved.
Still, she recalled Jack’s consternation over the late-night visitor and she swore the air turned even more oppressive as the two men stared each other down.
Several very intense moments passed. Until the reverend spoke. Ignoring Jack’s
comment, he changed the subject by saying, “I heard you’re putting in your bid for a
seat on the City Council.”
“Word spreads like wildfire in this town,” Jack replied. Liza had the distinct feeling he was saying that out loud for her benefit.
“Well, of course I wish you the best of luck. You being family and all.”
Liza’s brows shot up, but whether her piqued curiosity stemmed from learning Jack
and the reverend were related or that Jack was running for City Council or the fact that Bain’s tone held a hint of “how dare you?” to it, Liza didn’t know. Perhaps all three things had her even more interested in this peculiar exchange.
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“Just want to do what’s right by the town,” Jack said. “If that’s all you wanted to
say…” He inclined his head toward the walkway. Liza didn’t miss his curt tone. The
finality in his voice. The move along, Mister, nothing to see here inference.
If she wasn’t mistaken, Jack’s fingers pressed a little harder into her back muscles, as if he was about to curl his fist around her tank top and yank her back if she dared to step into the Golden Light.
Something she had no intention of doing.
“Well, then,” the reverend said. He took a step backward, as though he felt Jack’s
rebuff physically. But he didn’t turn to go. His gaze dropped to her as he said, “Sunday at nine, Liza. Or anytime you’d like to stop by. My door’s always open.”
“Sure, Reverend.” He seemed nice enough, after all. She had no reason not to be
courteous. Though it was obvious Jack had some beef with him. So Liza simply smiled
and gave a slight wave, adding, “Thank you for stopping by and introducing yourself.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he repeated. He seemed almost reluctant to leave. As
though his presence would put a halt to any more sinning taking place in Jack’s rental?
Seriously?
Jack took a small step closer to Liza. She could feel the heat emitting from his body, could smell his dark, musky scent, which aroused her senses all over again. Her insides coiled tight and she wished Bain would snap up his exit because she really wanted to
get back to Jack.
“Have a nice afternoon,” she said.
He nodded, then turned and descended the three porch steps, in no particular
hurry.
Liza’s brows knitted together. “Strange bird,” she muttered when Bain was out of
earshot. She whirled around to go back inside the house, but Jack didn’t budge.
Staring up at him, she tried to read his expression, but couldn’t make out the dark
look on his handsome face.
“Problem?” she asked.
His jaw tightened for a brief moment. Then he moved out of the doorway and
ushered her in, putting his hand on her back again. Liza noticed he locked the door
behind them.
What was with the super-massive lock-down in Mayberry?
Confused, she plopped down on the leather sofa and said, “So what gives? You
went all Rebel Without a Cause on me.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry. I don’t like him shoving his personal
beliefs down everyone’s throat.”
“Oh well, yeah. I didn’t need a house call to let me know about Sunday worship.
Not exactly a New World Order.”
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She realized a moment later that Jack hadn’t directly referred to the reverend’s
occupation. He hadn’t used the word “religion.” Rather, he’d said “personal beliefs.”
Which, in her mind, cast a much wider net.
He sank into the sofa next to her and she snuggled close to him, wishing like hell he was naked again. Dropping a hand on his rigid stomach, she said, “So, you’re running
for City Council. That’s a pretty big undertaking.”
“That’s putting it mildly in this town.” His voice sounded distant, as though he was
lost in thought. When he moved away and stood up suddenly, Liza wondered what
was weighing so heavy on his mind.
The answer hit her like another anvil.
“Oh hell,” she said as she smacked her palm against her forehead. Duh! His gaze snapped to Liza as she asked, “You’re not experiencing some sort of ‘I debauched the