Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Of the three motels in town, I selected the one where I had travel points.
A few minutes before six o’clock, I drove to Taco Grande. Jack stood leaning against his fancy red pickup. I needed to like him, needed to treat everybody in the church with respect. The smirk on his upturned pink lips—a repulsive shade of pink—revolted me. I hoped he never got an urge to kiss me. Why did I have such a thought? I wasn’t planning to kiss anybody, such as anyone attending Grace and Peace Church, especially someone on a church committee.
His cold blue eyes stared at me from underneath his dirt-stained cowboy hat. With his head leaning forward and his eyes boring into me, he sent a seeking look that reminded me of a trapped rat. I wasn’t sure what his expression meant, but I didn’t like the looks of his face. After seeing the place he selected for me to live, I considered him trouble, but I’d try to be cool, not showing him I was wary.
He walked toward me.
Quick as a bullet, I opened my car door to step out before he’d try to offer to help me. I felt a little flustered as my eyes caught the hair exposed through the open buttons of his blue chambray cowboy shirt. I hoped he didn’t notice; I wished I hadn’t.
He licked his lips. “Good to see you again, Reverend Ava.”
“Yes.” Did he expect me to offer my hand? I didn’t have to.
At the hostess podium, a woman hid her smiling mouth behind a menu. Her eyes met mine. “How many?”
“Two, please.”
Was the hostess amused because Jack had a female accompanying him to dinner?
He ordered first. “The chicken enchilada combination plate for eight dollars: fried rice, beans, enchilada, taco, and guacamole.”
I placed my order. “I’d like the same thing except for beef.”
“That will be way too much food for you.” Jack looked askance at me.
I glared at him. He needed to stay out of my business. Jack Perry, a bizarre combination, repulsed me with his insulting comments while he looked me over with hungry eyes.
I’d have to guard all my remarks, but I’d make sure he did certain things to help me get started at Grace and Peace. He would fulfill his obligations.
“Where are you going to stay tonight?” Jack tilted his head toward me.
“Oh, I’m not sure.” Placing my napkin on my lap, I dried my sweaty palms. Lying was not my nature.
His widening eyes and slack mouth conveyed disbelief.
My shoulders tightened. With my napkin, I wiped sweat beads from my forehead.
The waitress approached our table and refilled our glasses. “Something wrong?”
The man’s evil eyes sent a negative message to my spirit.
“No, everything is fine.” I was telling the truth as far as she was concerned—nothing was wrong with the service or the food.
She shifted her weight. “Anything else?”
“A to-go box when you come back this way.” Having lost my appetite, I sat holding a chip while I stared at nothing.
I’d considered spending the night in the church office again, but the parishioners might not have been impressed. I couldn’t spend too much money on motel rooms though. I’d stay two nights—Friday because the house wasn’t ready and Saturday because I’d need to be ready to meet the congregation for the first time Sunday. Tomorrow I’d secure the doors. How does one replace door locks? Or only the insides of locks? Until someone helped me, I could use a screwdriver well enough to put up latches.
Also I needed a new mop.
I was glad I made my reservation at the motel before coming to eat.
“Ava, you aren’t listening.” Jack spoke through a full mouth.
“Oh, I’m sorry. There are so many concerns I have to sort through. What did you say?”
“I haven’t had time to go by the church to pick up a check from Sylvia.”
“I see. When—”
He was playing gotcha. “Since you need your money so bad, we can ride over there after dinner and pick it up. She left it on her desk.”
After we finished, I paid for my dinner, most of which I carried in a Styrofoam box. Since he tipped fifty cents, I laid three dollars on the table. Outside, he opened the passenger door of his truck. “Come take a ride in my new pickup.”
My belly felt rock hard. “I—I’ll just follow you.”
The location of the church was only two blocks from Taco Grande. He led the way, and I pulled up behind his shiny red truck.
He approached me. “Let’s go. I’ll show you around.”
My new job wasn’t getting off to a smooth start. “Jack, I’m too tired. I’ll wait here in the car for you.”
“Lock your doors. You never know what could happen.” He winked at me and turned crisply toward the first-floor door behind the plump shrub on the corner.
When he returned, he handed me the check through my open window. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“You need somewhere to stay.”
“It’s okay.” I closed my window, started my car, put it in reverse. I jerked away so fast my tires squealed.
He sprinted to his pickup and hopped in.
I managed to go a block before he caught up with me. I saw him in my rearview mirror.
What to do? Wal-Mart. I’d go buy a few supplies, such as door latches and a screwdriver. Bleach, window cleaner, a mop, a broom, rags.
I selected a hammer, an assortment of screwdrivers, and three door latches. Soon my cart was full.
Around the corner of each aisle, I looked for Jack. Once I thought I saw him, but when the man turned, he was some other cowboy. Most men in Flat Rock wore cowboy hats.
If I hadn’t been rattled, I would have appreciated the incredible beauty of the lingering sunset when I stepped out the door. I walked as fast to my SUV as I could without running and calling attention to myself. I slung my purchases into the back.
Was that his red pickup behind me?
“Siri, give me directions to Redemption Canyon.”
Thank God, I filled up my gas tank this afternoon.
Following the directions blaring from my cell phone, I drove north a few miles on Highway 84, wound through El Conchos, then crossed the railroad track toward Redemption Canyon. In three or four minutes, I felt a thrill as the road plunged to the bottom of Yellow House Canyon. The sun shone into my window with a spray of blazing colors.
The surprising turns of the landscape fascinated me, but this was not a time for studying geography.
I coaxed my SUV to climb out of the canyon. This was one of the moments I appreciated my dad. The owner of a car parts house, he made sure my car was in perfect running order. I didn’t feel afraid to challenge my sweet little car because I knew Daddy always sent me off in a well-maintained vehicle.
I turned toward the sunset. My rearview mirror revealed the red truck maintaining the distance of five car lengths behind me.
Tight throat and mouth dry with a bitter taste, my wrists pulsating, I shivered at the thought of Jack following me. Beads of perspiration popped out until I was drenched.
In a few seconds, my cell phone directed me to turn left. Would the turn provide an opportunity for me to lose Jack?
The whirl to the left almost caused the wheels of my SUV to leave the pavement. I held my breath. My rearview mirror showed Jack still behind me.
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