Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher

Author:Robin Lee Hatcher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan

Morgan

SIXTEEN

“Ah, Miss Arlington.” Charles Benson doffed his hat to Gwen as she rounded the southwest corner on Wallula and Main. Almost as if he’d been waiting for her. “A glorious Sunday morning, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is, Mr. Benson.” She quickened her pace as she crossed the street, the front doors of All Saints Presbyterian in view.

Charles stayed beside her. “Eager to get to church?”

“I’m always eager to worship the Lord.”

“Of course. Aren’t we all?”

She thought not but didn’t say so.

“Townsfolk are buzzing about the election because of you.”

“Are they? Why is that?” Her tone was somewhat sharper than she’d intended it to be.

“Well… I mean… no one expected a woman to run for office. Especially a young unmarried woman such as yourself.”

She stopped and faced him, clutching her Bible close to her chest. “My age and gender should have no bearing on my qualifications. Nor should my marital status. I am fully qualified and able to serve as mayor. I care deeply about the issues that concern the people of Bethlehem Springs. I should think that would be all they cared about.”

Poor Charles. He seemed at a loss for words now.

“The service will start soon, Mr. Benson. We don’t want to be late.” She hated using the word we, certain he would read meaning into it that wasn’t there. However, she saw no way around it. After all, Charles and his family were members of All Saints too.

Morgan McKinley, however, was not a member — yet he was the very man she saw first upon stepping into the vestibule. How alarming that her heart tripped at the sight of him.

“Good morning, Miss Arlington.”

“Good morning.”

“Surprised to see me here?”

His smile was one of his best features. In fact, she liked it so much she forgot his question.

“How do you do,” Morgan said to Charles, offering his hand. “I’m Morgan McKinley.”

“Charles Benson.”

His question found its way back into her head. “Yes, I admit I am surprised. You’re a Methodist, aren’t you?”

He lowered his voice as he leaned toward her. “I wanted to see you at worship. One can learn a lot about a person that way.” He glanced at Charles, then back at her. “May I sit with you? This being my first visit to All Saints.”

No! “If you wish, Mr. McKinley.” Why did she say that?

She moved toward the sanctuary. Although she didn’t look, she knew he was right behind her. She heard him greeting other congregants, working his charm, as he followed her to her usual pew.

He didn’t need to sit with her just because it was his first visit. He obviously knew many of the people here. Oh, he was a cad to do this to her in her own church. Was there no limit to the lengths to which he would go to win the election?

When she was seated, she glanced to her right to see if Charles meant to sit with them. Apparently not. He had joined his family across the aisle and up one row.

She should have looked for another single female and sat beside her.

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