The Preacher's Wife by Brandi Boddie

Author:Brandi Boddie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781616388447
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2013-08-08T04:00:00+00:00

“Thank you for coming. Stop in again.” Marissa handed the newly purchased gaiters to Hunter Myerson, one of the ranchers who lived about five miles from the town.

“My wife will enjoy these.” Myerson stuffed the neatly wrapped package in his rucksack. “It’ll help take her mind off the ones she muddied on the way to church last Sunday.”

“We’ll be getting more shoes in next month. Invite her to take a look the next time you come into town.”

“I’ll do that. Have a good day, Miss.” The rancher collected the rest of his purchases from the trip and left.

Marissa glanced at the clock in the corner. Four customers visited since the store opened, and now it was set to close in two hours. Aside from utilitarian work boots, shoes were still low on people’s priorities in a small town. The general store got the most business, as more residents came in for hardware and tools.

The Arthurs had already gone home, due to Zachary having some trouble with his back that morning. Marissa basked in their confidence of her abilities, leaving her in charge as a learning experience.

She busied herself with straightening behind the counter.

“So this is what you’d rather do than pour drinks.”

Marissa froze at the sound of the all too identifiable, chilling voice as Jason entered the store. Her body drained of its life-giving warmth as he presented her an awful smile.

Tobacco-stained teeth displayed themselves behind long drab-brown hair that hung in greasy strands about his shoulders. The door shut behind him, and he slid the bolt into place. Her stomach dropped.

“Can’t say that this place doesn’t hold its charm.” He casually tossed a glance about the room. “But a shoe shop don’t suit you, darlin’.”

Around the nose his face was oddly misshapen and slightly bulbous, giving the eyes a squinty appearance. For over two weeks she had managed to avoid him—probably because he was cooped up waiting for his nose to heal. She should have known the respite wouldn’t last.

Marissa drew a long, deep breath until her lungs couldn’t hold any more air, exhaled, and willed her voice to stay low and calm.

“A shoe shop suits me just fine, Jason. Unlike my prior place of employment, I’m in a respectable position.”

“As a cobbler’s assistant? Where’s the money in that?”

“It’s not about money. It’s about being fair and honest to customers as well as earning a decent living. I don’t go to bed feeling guilty.”

Beneath the counter there was a magnifying glass and a dull pair of scissors. Nothing that she could use to defend herself if the situation called for it.

Jason edged two paces closer to the counter. “Since when did fairness and decency become important to you?”

“Since the day I saw how you truly dealt with your customers and employees.”

Loud, raucous laughter sounded throughout the interior of the shop. “And here I thought you were going to say since you gave your life to Christ. I thought for certain that preacher man would’ve convinced you to already.”

In a fleeting moment Marissa cast her vision away from Jason.

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