Her eyes squeezed tight. No, she couldn’t tell him. It was water under the bridge. It didn’t need to affect their current relationship. The past had no bearing on the present.
Do you really believe that?
She sighed. I want to. Wasn’t that the beauty of being forgiven? The stains and sins of life no longer marred your present?
But you still have to come clean.
“No,” Michelle whispered. God already knew. She’d already discussed it at length. Then again, she had never accepted Christ as her Savior so maybe all her discussions had been pointless. Didn’t you have to admit you were a sinner in order to be saved? There were too many rules. She couldn’t keep up. Didn’t even know what the point of it all was. She inhaled deeply, hoping the thoughts in her mind would quiet and sleep would carry her off to oblivion.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Guy had waited until the end of the day to ask Holly about Bible study. He didn’t know her religious preferences, and it felt weird to ask her in the workplace. He normally walked her to her car after the end of their shift, because his mother had raised him to always watch out for others. Plus, he was the town sheriff. Some things just made logical sense.
As they headed toward her car, Guy took a deep breath and bridged the subject. “Hey, Holly, are you religious?”
She stopped and looked at him, curiosity darkening her green eyes.
“I mean...do you believe in God?”
“I do. You didn’t see me at church last week?”
He winced inwardly. How did he always miss the details when it came to her? “No sorry, I didn’t.”
She laughed. “I’m not surprised. You looked very focus on your girlfriend.”
The urge to tug at his collar pulled at him. He was thankful a cool breeze wafted by, cooling the heat rising up his neck.
Holly laughed harder and Guy could only assume she’d recognized the look of embarrassment on his face.
“It’s okay, Sheriff. Why do you ask?” She stopped at her car.
“On Fridays, a group of us meet for Bible study. I wanted to know if you would like to come this Friday.”
“That sounds awesome.” Her brow wrinkled. “Is it a couples only thing?”
“No. My friend...er, uh...girlfriend and I just started dating. But there’s three of us guys and if you come this Friday there’ll be five women.”
She worried the edge of her lip. “Let me check with my mom. If she can watch Sam, I’ll come. Could I invite my friend as well?”
“Sure.” At least, he hoped Evan wouldn’t mind.
She beamed at him. “Great, see you tomorrow, Sheriff.”
“Bye, Holly.”
He watched as she got in her car. The smile she had given him made him realize one thing. She wasn’t into him. He felt foolish for all the times he thought otherwise. Holly was just a friendly person.
Guy ambled over to his SUV and got in. He tapped the steering wheel. Now that his mother was in town, the need to rush straight home remained absent. He could afford a few minutes of leisure. After glancing at his watch, Guy decided to head to the grocery store.
The group had nominated him grill master for the next Bible study, so he needed to pick up a few items. He grabbed a basket and made his way to the meat section. He paused, taking in all the offerings. Maybe he could do kabobs. How many should he make? The group kept growing and growing.
“Hey, Brother Pierre.”
Guy turned and met Bishop Brown’s twinkling gaze. “Evening, Bishop.”
The bishop offered a hand in greeting. “Are you enjoying Freedom Lake?”
“I am. My girls love it.”
The bishop’s grin widened. “Ah, yes. I heard one of the volunteers saying how cute and well-mannered they were.”
Guy sighed in relief. It was always good to hear your children knew how to behave in public. Especially since they didn’t have a mother’s touch. He shifted his stance as the expectation of small talk pressed upon him. It felt weird to talk to a man of God. He never said two words to the pastor in Virginia. Point one for Freedom Lake. “They’re enjoying church.”
“That’s great to hear. And you?”
The man’s intense gaze made him slightly uncomfortable. Was he being judged? Guy gulped. Were members of the clergy clairvoyant? He hoped not. “I’m enjoying it. Your sermons give me food for thought.”
“Good. If you aren’t thinking, then I’m not doing my job right.”
Guy forced out a chuckle. The sermons made him think too much. “Hey, Bishop, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, Brother Pierre.”
“I don’t know if you know, but I’m a widower and I was wondering. How...I mean is dating...”
The Bishop nodded sagely. “It’s hard for widows and widowers to get back into the dating game. Are you feeling unfaithful?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a natural feeling. You went from pledging your whole life to another to wondering if you’ll have a second chance at happiness.”
“Exactly.” His shoulders sagged. How had he known?
“You’ll know when it’s time. These questions you’re asking yourself are another way of coping and dealing with your late wife’s death. If you want a simplistic answer, then yes it’s okay to date and eventually remarry.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Bishop Brown clapped him on the back. “You’ll do just fine. Come see me if you ever need advice.”
“I will.”
“Good. Have a blessed night, my brother.”
He nodded in farewell. Despite the display of meat, Guy couldn’t focus on it. How had a simple run to the store churned up his emotions? What did it all mean? It was like he took a step backward and the early unease of dating Michelle had come back full force.
Lord, please keep my mind calm. Please bring clarity to it. And if I can have a second chance at happiness with Michelle, help me reconcile my feelings about Charlene. Amen.
THE WEEKEND WAS FINALLY here. Michelle shut down her computer. The mountain of paperwork she’d gone through this week had her eyes desiring a much needed break, but Tanya’s hearing would
