The Preacher's Daughter by Lyn Cote

Author:Lyn Cote
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2003-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The luscious scent of candy cotton hovered over the Fourth of July carnival in Dailey. Lucie bumped shoulders with what looked like half the county’s population crowding the fairway on the county fairground. She and Tanner walked side by side with Mikey and Danny who bounced around and between them like Mexican jumping beans.

Her plan for the day was to have fun. After several tense days of worry, help had come in the form of Tanner and Ignacio. In only two days with Nate home, Sophie looked calmer. And the FOR SALE sign had been forestalled.

Lucie tried to keep her eyes from straying toward Tanner but as the day heated up so did her attraction to…to this preacher. This can’t be happening. I can’t really be interested in a minister. And I can’t believe I kissed him. But it’s just due to circumstances. We’re together for ball practice, church office duties and now he’s staying in the spare bedroom next to Nate and Sophie’s room. It’s like a conspiracy—we’re together 24/7. I can’t get away from him! Help!

Wearing a big smile, Sophie pushed Carly in her stroller. The smile was due to Nate finally being persuaded to attend the fair. Tanner had, in the end, been the one to get Nate to agree to come. Nate hadn’t wanted to see the fair from the rented wheelchair or maybe it was he didn’t want to be seen?

Lucie heard again Tanner’s words to Nate this morning, gentle words that overcame Nate’s reluctance to be seen by his friends in a wheelchair— “Nate, your family needs to have you with them. You’re doing this for them.” And Tanner’s urging had won the day. The man definitely had his moments. That’s why he’s so dangerous to me. I’ve got to get out of this town as soon as I can!

An older couple, another in a steady succession of acquaintances and well-wishers, stopped to shake Nate’s hand. “Great to see you here, Nate.” The husband, Mort Hazelton, slapped Nate’s shoulder. “We heard that the preacher was helping out so you could come home.”

“We’ve been praying for you, but I’ll be bringing a meal over this week, too,” Mort’s wife joined in. “Now don’t say no.”

“We only live a couple miles west from Nate and Sophie’s, Preacher,” the husband said. “If you need any help, call me and I’ll come right over. I rented out my fields this year. Had heart surgery in January, but I can still help out with Nate if you need a break.”

“Thank you,” Tanner replied, “but the other softball coach, Ignacio Valdez, is taking turns with me staying over at Nate’s.”

“Is he one of those new people out at Shangri-La?” the wife asked.

Lucie sensed the standoffishness in the question and opened her mouth to let the woman know what she thought of that attitude.

“Yes—” Tanner cut her off “—he’s great with the kids.”

The urge to kiss Tanner a second time rocketed through Lucie. This has got to stop! Tanner and I are like oil and water.

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