1e971bb270a53368ae97b0c9898a50d4 by Vanessa Hall

Author:Vanessa Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian fiction, Christian romantic suspense, Missionaries, Ballet, Russia, Romantic suspense, Suspense, Armwrestling
Publisher: Vanessa Hall
Published: 2021-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Why was she awake this early on a Sunday morning?

She blinked up at the white ceiling of her bedroom. She didn’t need to go to church. Gabe likely wouldn’t be there, and hearing more sermons wasn’t alluring.

But she was awake. And there was a faint possibility Gabe would be in attendance. At the very least, she could receive an update from Ana.

She sighed and threw the sheets off her legs. After a shower, some light makeup, and her favorite sweater dress, she was halfway presentable.

The ride to the church was endlessly long, and for no good reason, butterflies crawled through her stomach. Really, there was nothing to worry about. The members of the church were saints, after all, and they had always been nice.

Yet those butterflies sprang into full flight as she stepped into the building.

The second set of doors fell shut behind her. No sign of Gabe.

Burning pricked the backs of her eyes. He was fine. He was healing.

But he wasn’t here, where his presence seemed so right. He should be meandering through the congregation, greeting everyone with his ready grin and encouraging words. How did the man have so much love in his heart?

“Sofia, it’s so good to see you!”

She turned to the voice. Daniil approached, grinning. At least there was one familiar face in the crowd. Ana was nowhere to be seen. “How are you?”

She dipped her head. “I’m—I’m well. And you?”

“Great!” He slid his hands into the pockets of his khakis. “Glad to see you here.”

A wan smile was all she could afford. “Have you heard anything else about Gabe?”

Daniil paused, and her mouth went dry. “Is something ... wrong?” Hospitals and doctors could be so dangerous, and—

Daniil shook his head. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. He’s doing better every day. He’s just ... a little high.”

She gave a weak laugh. “I guess that’s good. So he’s not in pain.”

“Yeah, and it’s kind of funny. He starts rambling.”

Poor Gabe. “So ... when are they going to release him?”

“Today, I think.”

The knot in her stomach eased. Good news, finally.

“Why don’t you sit down? I saved this seat just for you.”

She returned his smile and took the seat he suggested. “Thanks, Daniil. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. I’ll let Gabe know you asked after him.”

“Thanks.” Though simply asking after him couldn’t make up for how she’d treated him that night.

“I’ll see you later.” Daniil gave another grin, then headed off to his spot by the door. An usher, maybe?

She smoothed her hands down the skirt of her dress and crossed her legs. The sooner the service started, the better.

A few members approached her with greetings, and though she returned them, conversations were best kept to a minimum. When Sergei finally stepped up to the pulpit and announced the first song, she gave a slow breath and stood along with the rest of the congregation.

The worst was over.

She flipped through the hymnal. If only Gabe were beside her, singing with that gorgeous tenor of his. Then maybe she’d be able to squeak out a few notes instead of only mumbling a word or two.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.