Scarred Santa by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Author:Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy [Murphy, Lee Ann Sontheimer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62135-604-2
Publisher: Clean Reads
Published: 2017-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

This time, Rafe wore his own clothes instead of Mike’s. He chose his best jeans, his one button-down shirt, which happened to be blue chambray, and his boots. After some coffee and toast, he headed for the church. Nervous did not begin to describe his emotions as he arrived well before the service and took up a seat in the back pew. A few people were present but he didn’t see Sheena. Rafe decided that if she didn’t show up, he would slip out as soon as the singing started. He couldn’t sit still, waiting. His hands twisted together into knots. He bounced his left leg up and down. About the time the music began and the congregation came to their feet, he decided Sheena wasn’t coming. As soon as the song began, he would split.

Before he did, she slipped into the pew beside him and lifted her voice with his in the first hymn. His spirits lifted and he sang with full strength and power, without reservation. Rafe clapped with the rhythm of the music and by the time they sat down to hear the sermon, he had relaxed. Sheena sat on his left side, something he enjoyed. She could see his profile and maybe she would imagine how handsome he had once been. Midway through the service, she put her hand in his and held it. Rafe savored the warmth of it and wrapped his fingers around hers. If things were different, he thought, if he were the Rafe he used to be, he would dream of a relationship with this woman. Once, he had wanted a wife and family. He surrendered those aspirations with his good looks, and didn’t dare hope anymore.

The sensation of their kiss lingered and he enjoyed their joined hands. They didn’t talk much. There wasn’t any opportunity during the service and afterward, they talked to a few people. Most of them remembered Rafe from his youth, and although he hadn’t known at the time, they had prayed for his recovery. The idea touched him on a deep level.

“I suppose you need to head for work,” Sheena said as they walked out into the parking lot. The snow hadn’t accumulated but little wisps blew across the pavement.

“Yeah, I do. It takes time to change into Santa Claus.”

“Are you glad you came this morning?”

Rafe didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I am. I enjoyed church and the company.”

The music and the lesson taken from Scripture uplifted him.

“Good. Well, I’m parked over there. I’ll see you tomorrow at the mall, Rafe.”

“Sure.”

He wondered if he might kiss her, if she’d mind, and decided maybe the church parking lot wasn’t the right place. As if Sheena knew his thoughts, she opened her arms and he hugged her. Affection welled up within Rafe’s heart and he realized he might be falling in love. Bad idea, he thought, but he savored every moment spent with her.

Sheena walked to her vehicle and he watched, smitten. And he never heard his brother approach until Mike spoke.

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.