Betrayed Hearts by Susan Anne Mason

Author:Susan Anne Mason
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
ISBN: 9781611163636
Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group
Published: 2014-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

14

On the night of the next scheduled youth meeting, Lily arrived at the church hall early, hoping to catch Nick before the others arrived. Her footsteps echoed through the basement as she crossed the tiled floor of the eerie, empty room. The carefully wrapped package tucked under her arm weighed almost as heavily as her guilt over the way she’d treated Nick. Guilt that demanded restitution. The gift wasn’t much, but she hoped it would go a long way to soften her rejection.

Under a flickering florescent light, she debated whether to leave the package on the table or wait and give it to Nick another time.

“You’re early.”

She whirled around to find Nick in the doorway. He looked so wonderful in his jeans and sports jacket, his hair ruffled from the wind, that it hit her anew, like a physical ache, how much she’d missed him. “I wanted…I have something for you.”

“You do?” An expression of pleasant surprise crossed his features. He paused to set some papers on the front table and then came toward her.

Tentatively, she held out the package. “My small way of saying thank you for everything and to apologize for the way I acted the other day.”

He stared at her without moving. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to.” She pressed the gift into his hand. “I hope you like it.”

The hall seemed to shrink in size as she waited for him to open it. The overhead lights buzzed, breaking the silence. She’d never given away one of her paintings before, a gesture far too personal. Now, as she waited for his reaction, she felt naked and vulnerable.

He slid a finger under the wrapping, folded it back, and stared. Not a smile, not a frown, not a blink.

She stuffed her hands into her pockets to hide her nerves. When at last he raised his eyes to hers, the intensity of emotion there stalled her breath.

“One of your paintings?”

She could only nod. She’d painted a small landscape from their time at Rainbow Falls. She hoped it would mean as much to him as it did to her.

“It’s stunning. You captured the very essence of my favorite spot. The spiritual beauty there.”

A jumble of relief and elation spilled through her. Right away, he’d understood what she’d been trying to portray.

“I love it. Thank you.” His eyes bored into hers. “I know how hard it is for you to share your work.”

She nodded again, still mute. Her pulse stuttered as he took a step toward her and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“I will treasure this always.”

The now familiar scent of his aftershave teased her senses. She managed a shaky smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

A noise from behind them broke the intimacy of the moment. Lily tore her gaze from Nick in time to see Sarah Jane enter the hall, her face as rigid as the metal cake pan in her hand. Lily’s mood plummeted. She’d forgotten about Sarah Jane’s hostility.

Lily threw a desperate glance at Nick. Please don’t show her the painting, she pleaded silently.

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