It didn’t make sense, how she’d been willing to approach a stranger because she thought him a long-lost relative capable of connecting her with someone who would give her a kidney and yet the thought of having these complete strangers aware of her situation seemed, well, uncomfortable. She’d always earned her way through life, so to simply ask someone felt wrong. Like she was taking something without being deserving of it.
Janie approached her. “I’m so glad you’re back. Even though we just met, I’ve come to think of you as a friend. I know that sounds weird, and I’m probably coming off as some creepy desperate pastor’s daughter, but I really enjoyed talking to you, and it’s been fun seeing how quickly our kids made friends.”
It was a little weird and awkward, but that was what she liked about Janie. Even though she was the pastor’s daughter, she seemed human, and the fact that Janie didn’t have it all together gave her hope that maybe Rachel didn’t have to, either.
“It’s fine,” Rachel said. “I enjoyed talking to you, as well. I’m not used to having a lot of friends. Even though I live in Denver, I hope I will be coming here more.”
“You are?” Janie’s smile lit her eyes, and it was kind of nice to think that maybe she did have a new friend. Not that she would get attached to the idea, because she’d had friends, lots of them, or at least that was what she’d thought until her nightmare with Chris had begun.
“Are you going to do a marketing campaign for them? I don’t mean to sound nosy, but I heard Ty talking about it, and he seemed very excited about your ideas.”
He did? That was news to her, but she and Ty hadn’t had time to talk about her marketing plans. She got the sense that Ty still didn’t fully trust her. He’d been welcoming enough, more than enough, actually. But sometimes there was something in the way he looked at her that made her feel like he still wasn’t sure about her.
“Actually, we haven’t talked about it,” Rachel said. “I put together a small presentation for Ricky, but he hasn’t seen it. I think I can do some good for the Double R, but of course, that’s up to Ricky.”
Janie leaned in. “Well, considering the way Ty looks at you, I have a feeling you could present scribbles on a piece of paper, and they’d still be interested.”
Rachel stared at her new friend. “That’s ridiculous. First of all, Ty seems to have the kind of integrity that wouldn’t be swayed by his personal feelings for someone. But more than that, I don’t think he likes me very much at all.”
Janie snickered. “That’s what he wants you to think. What he wants everyone to think. But I know Ty. He likes you. I think he’s just been looking for the right person.”
Well, this was awkward. True, it was flattering to know that Ty may be interested. But there were so many reasons why Rachel absolutely could not get involved with him, the least of which being that she didn’t know if she’d be around tomorrow. And then there was the fact of his profession. He’d do anything to win. That was something she had to remember whenever she was tempted to let her guard down around him.
Men like him were never interested in the truth.
She couldn’t say any of this to Janie. Instead, she smiled at her new friend. “That’s sweet of you to say, but I think Ty is just looking out for me because of Ricky. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Her words didn’t wipe the grin from Janie’s face. “If that’s what you want to tell yourself. I get it. Being a single mom is hard, and opening your heart to romance again is even harder. But Ty is a good guy, and I would recommend him to just about anyone.”
Rachel stared at her friend. “Does that mean you are open to romance?”
“The concept, yes.” Janie shrugged. “The reality? Absolutely not. I grew up with all the guys in this town. I know them. All their secrets, and all the reasons why they’re not right for me. But just because I’m not suited for any of them doesn’t mean I can’t see when someone else is.”
The church bell rang, preventing Rachel from responding. Maybe that was best. She didn’t want to get in some weird argument with the first person to befriend her in a long time.
As they walked into church, Rachel saw Ty talking to his parents. She’d briefly met them the last time she’d been to church. Ty had told her that everyone in the community considered one another family, but the way Ty let his mom hug him tight told her that he shared an even deeper love with his parents. A pang of envy hit her. What would it be like to have such close relationships?
Janie grabbed her arm. “You should sit with me today.”
Then she turned in the direction of the kids, who were already running toward her. “Let’s get you guys checked in for Sunday school.”
The feeling in Rachel’s stomach resembled how she felt when she was getting ready to ride a roller coaster, and it hadn’t started yet, but she knew what was coming. Last week she’d sat with Ty and Ricky because she’d been forced to. Or at least it had felt that way to her. But here, Janie had taken her arm because she wanted to.
Ty stepped in beside them. “You’re sitting with us, right?” he asked.
“Actually, I was thinking of sitting with Janie,” she said.
Ricky joined them. “That’s a fine idea. I like that you’re making friends here. Gives you more ties to the community. More reasons to come back.”
Then Ricky grinned at Janie. “You’re never going to believe this. Cinco had more than one kid. Rachel’s my long-lost granddaughter.”
Janie’s eyes widened as she looked over at Rachel. Confusion and disappointment
