Storm of Doubt by Christy Barritt

Author:Christy Barritt [Barritt, Christy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River Heights
Published: 2018-11-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Juliette sucked in a deep breath when she stepped from her room the next morning and spotted Jack sitting at the kitchen table wearing a button-up shirt and khakis. She’d known from the moment she saw the man that he was handsome. But something about seeing him dressed up took her breath away.

What’s wrong with you, Juliette? You should know better than to feel anything for anybody—even if you don’t act on it. Feelings only get you in trouble. Humiliate you. Make it look like you’re living a lie.

Jack’s face lit with a grin when he spotted her, and her heart did another flip.

Stop it!

Yet her heart seemed to have taken on a mind of its own.

“Good morning.” Jack stood. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”

“Oh, I’ll just grab some coffee. My stomach still isn’t feeling great. Too much has been happening.”

“Eating might make you feel better.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

Juliette grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee, adding some half-and-half and one teaspoon of sugar to the steaming liquid. “When did you get here?”

“Just about ten minutes ago. Ty and Cassidy have a rule—they won’t be alone here with a member of the opposite sex. It’s actually a pretty wise plan of action when it comes to protecting your reputation.”

“I agree. That does sound wise. But what does that mean? That you have to babysit me?”

He smiled. “No, not babysitting. Just looking out for each other. However, I have to be at the church early so I can turn the heat on and look over my notes.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“I thought I’d give you fair warning that church doesn’t start for another two hours . . .”

“I’m okay with that.” Juliette supposed, if she was honest with herself, she just felt so incredibly safe around Jack. And it wasn’t that he was extremely muscular or intimidating—though he was strong and protective. No, it was just his presence that gave her this unexplainable comfort.

“If you’re okay with it then sure,” Jack said. “Can you be ready in ten minutes?”

She glanced down at her jeans and pullover top. “I guess I didn’t exactly bring clothes for church—not every church, at least. Is this okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine. We’re a beach community, and we’re casual. I just didn’t want to make any assumptions.”

“Ten minutes is just enough time to finish my cup of coffee.”

“Take your time.”

She stared at Jack a moment and wondered if there was more to his calm demeanor. Was anyone really this nice? Maybe.

The heroes she wrote about in her books were this kind. But she hadn’t found that they translated into reality. No, her fictional heroes were a perfect mix of strong and gentle, tough but tenderhearted.

Every time she wrote about them, she felt like she was writing a lie.

But now Jack made her feel different.

Maybe those men really did exist.

But Juliette could sense there was more to him than he let on. Had working at the church made him feel like

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