10

Nick grabbed hold of Hope’s arm, thrusting it into the air. Then he tugged the tea towel from the counter and wrapped it over the cut, grasping it tightly.

Tears filled her eyes and she bit her bottom lip. “S-s-sorry.”

“Accidents happen. Sit down,” he said gently. He kept tight hold of her wrist, not letting her arm droop as he tugged a stool out for her with his foot. He sat her down and loosened his grip a little, only to find the blood flow increased. A little help, Lord. I can’t let go and my phone is in the hall and the battery’s flat anyway. And she’s looking awfully pale. If she passes out I’m stuffed as I don’t know what to do.

The door behind him opened. Relief filled him for the swift answer to prayer as Jack and Dr. Jackson Parker stood there. Thank You. “Excellent timing Doc,” Nick said.

Dr. Parker set down his bag and snapped on a pair of gloves. “What happened, Hope?”

Hope tore her eyes away from the bloodied tea towel. “I was talking to Nick and the knife slipped.” She broke off. “I wasn’t trying to hurt myself.”

“It’s OK,” Nick said. “It was an accident.” He loosened the tea towel to give Jackson access to Hope’s wrist.

“Keep it in the air for me,” Dr. Parker said. “This may hurt a little.”

Hope nodded, biting her lip.

Jack stood between Nick and Hope as the doctor began working. “So, what were you talking about?”

“God and His love for us and how nothing we’ve done in the past is too bad to be forgiven,” Nick said. “I may have mentioned something about my feelings for her which is why she stopped concentrating on the potatoes and the knife slipped. So if we’re apportioning blame here, this is my fault.”

Jack’s eyes glittered with what could be anger, amusement, or shock. On reflection though, it probably wasn’t amusement. “Excuse me?”

No, definitely not amusement. “I know it goes against every counseling rule in the book,” Nick began.

“Too right it does. My study. Now.” Jack strode from the room.

“Coming.” He went into the study, his stomach in the soles of his shoes. The last time that Jack had used that particular tone of voice and turn of phrase, was when Nick had said something he shouldn’t have in a sermon. That resulted in Jack having to proofread every single one of Nick’s sermons until well into next year.

Jack stood silhouetted by the desk, displeasure emanating from his stance. “Shut the door.”

Nick sucked in a deep breath and did so.

“You said what exactly?”

“I told her I loved her.”

Jack shook his head. “Why?”

“Because it’s the truth and I believe in being honest with people.”

“You don’t know this girl—” Jack began.

Nick cut him off. “I know enough.”

“Nick, what does 2 Corinthians 6:14 say?”

He sucked in a deep breath, feeling his cheeks burn. “Off the top of my head, probably something about being unevenly yoked.”

Jack opened his Bible. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

“And it goes on to say what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever, doesn’t it?” He paused as Jack nodded. “Well, I have a lot more in common with her than I’m willing to go into.”

“That doesn’t alter the fact that you can’t get involved with her whilst she’s a non-Christian and under your pastoral care, Nick. Not simply because of your position in the church, although that is my major concern right now, but for the sake of your soul.”

“Is this because she used to be a prostitute?” Nick demanded, keeping his voice low.

“What Hope has done for a living doesn’t matter. Oh, it may raise a few eyebrows and there will always be someone who doesn’t approve, but that is not what matters here. You are a pastor. She is a non-believer. You can’t get involved, pure and simple.”

“Oh, please, Jack,” Nick sighed. He strode to the window, watching the snow begin to cover the back garden. “The girl has been out there for nine years. The only kind of affection she knows is the wrong kind. There’s something about her that draws me to her. She needs to know people care, and I do. I wouldn’t—you know—”

Jack’s arms were crossed.

Nick stammered again. “I mean…right now she needs friendship, nothing more.” He paused. “Besides, when I became a Christian, I took a vow of chastity, intending to stay pure for my wife from that moment on because I wasn’t—not that I need to go into that.” Nick inwardly groaned. How much deeper could he dig the hole he was in? “So if I never marry, so be it.”

“Good. Any girl you date will be scrutinized under a microscope. Any relationship you enter will also be. She has to be aware of being suitable pastor’s wife material, because she will have her own role and responsibilities within the church.”

“Suitable pastor’s wife material?”

Jack held his gaze. “I was told the same. So was Carson. And I’ve known men to be refused positions within the church because they were dating what the eldership considered to be the ‘wrong woman’, so what I’m really saying here is be very, very careful. Don’t leap into something without praying it over first.”

“Of course I’ll be careful, Jack. I won’t put either of us in compromising positions. Hope’s soul is my first priority here. I’ll watch what I say and where I say it. And I won’t do anything without prayer and meditation first.”

Jack nodded. “One more thing. No more use of the L-word.”

“Ummm.” He paused, not willing to promise that, as it’d mean lying to Hope if she asked, which she was bound to at some point. “Jack, we need to tell Grace who Angel’s mother is. She has a right to know. And Hope needs to know where Angel is staying.”

“Nate is running a background check on Hope now. Once that is done, he’ll talk to Grace and Faith. He’ll also contact Hope’s parents and brother. Something you need to learn is to let others do their jobs before you rush in. Just like you have to learn yours. First rule of counseling is never get personally involved.”

“Easier said than done.”

“This is why we pray both before and afterwards and think before we speak. Don’t make promises to her you can’t keep. Or tell her you love her.”

Nick’s face burned. But he did love Hope.

The front door burst open and footsteps ran down the hall. “Daddy?” called a child’s voice. “Can we build a thowman?”

“One minute, Lara,” Jack called. He gazed hard at Nick. “Don’t make me repeat this conversation. You’re doing well here. Don’t blow it.”

Nick nodded. “OK.” He left the study and headed back to the kitchen. Hope had a bandage around her wrist. He offered her a half smile. “You OK?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Just wondered.” He glanced over at the stove where Jackson Parker stood putting the finishing touches to the shepherd’s pie. “Are you staying for dinner, Jackson?”

“Yes.”

Lara came running in with Jack, talking nineteen to the dozen. “And I made a new fwiend today. Hew name ith Angel.”

Hope jerked.

“That’s a pretty name,” Jack answered. “Strange day to start a new school though. It’s the last day of term.

“Miss Fwanks made me the theptheial perthon ath ith her firth day.” Lara looked at Hope. “Do you have kidth?”

“Yes,” Hope whispered. “A little girl. She’s eight.”

“Why ithn’t thee here?”

Nick put a hand on Hope’s shoulder and squeezed it. “She’s staying with a friend for a few days while Hope’s here.”

Lara frowned. “But ith nearly Chwithmath. Don’t you mith her?”

“I do. Very, very much.” Hope looked up at Nick. “When can I see her?”

“A couple more days, once Nate gives us the all clear. I’ll go and call Nate if you like. I’ll see how she is.”

Hope nodded. “Please.”

Nick smiled and headed to the door.

Jack caught his sleeve on his way past and followed him into the hall. “Didn’t you listen to a word I said?”

“Yes, I heard you. I’m calling Nate.” Nick tried not to sigh, and then shut the kitchen door. “Jack, right now she has no home, no faith and no hope. She needs building up not knocking down. I’m trying to continue what I started. Can I use your phone? My battery’s flat.”

Jack nodded. “Use the one in the study. There’s less chance of you being overheard there.”

“Thanks.” Nick headed through and dialed quickly.

“Hello,” came the reply.

“Nate, it’s Nick Slater. Hope’s asking about Angel. Have you heard how she’s doing today?”

“I’m with Grace right now. You can ask her yourself.”

“Hi, Pastor Nick. Angel misses her mum and cries for her a lot. The meds are working, she isn’t coughing anywhere near as much as she was. You know what’s weird? She looks like Hope did at the same age.”

“Really?” Nick said.

“How is the mother doing?”

“Better. She’s really worried about Angel. Keeps asking when she can see her.”

“Same here,” Grace said. “Not that I mind having her, but do you have any idea how much longer? With the wedding on New Year’s Eve, that’s less than two weeks, and there’s a lot to do still.”

“That’s up to Nate.”

“OK.”

“A couple of days more, I imagine. Then either she’ll have her back or she’ll go into care.” Nate spoke loud enough for Nick to hear.

“I’d better go. Sounds like Elliott’s back with her. He picked her up from school.”

“OK. Bye.”

“Nick, I don’t want you saying a word to the mother,” Nate said firmly. “Not about where the child is or anything else.”

“I understand. Thanks for the update.” Nick replaced the receiver and headed back to the kitchen. The conversation with Jack ran through his mind again, but the uncomfortable feeling it gave him was once more replaced by the stomach churning, heart pounding, and skipping a beat thing seeing Hope gave him.

God, is she the one You have in mind for me? Couples have met in stranger places and even more offbeat ways than we did. But I know how I feel. Did You put us both on that staircase for this reason? Or am I reading too much into this and am I just meant to bring her back to You and her family? Show me what to do. Tell me what to do. Does she want me like I want her?

“What did DI Holmes say?” Hope’s voice brought him back to ground.

“She misses you,” Nick said, being careful not to mention Angel’s name, lest Lara give the game away, “and her cough is much better today. She’s just got back from school.”

“Good.” She returned her gaze to where Jack and Lara sat playing noughts and crosses. “What if I never get her back?” she whispered.

“You will.”

“Nick, earlier, before I cut myself, you said…”

Nick could feel Jack’s piercing gaze burning into him. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“OK.”

She was dropping it as reluctantly as he was. He wanted to continue the conversation, but right now it was more than his job was worth. Besides, that conversation needed privacy—something neither of them could have.