Perfect Strangers by Edward Kendrick

Author:Edward Kendrick [Kendrick, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Erotic Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group Ltd
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

“Thank you so much for the food,” the young mother said, her face alight with relief. “I don’t know how we would have made it until Leon’s next paycheck without your help.”

“The church’s help,” Alden replied, patting her shoulder. “I’m only the delivery boy.”

He was on his Wednesday rounds, delivering bags of groceries to the poorest of his parishioners. The ones who had trouble making it from one payday to the next without the help of the food the better-off parishioners donated to the cause. It was a service he’d started when he’d first been sent to be the second priest at the church. Having lived in New Orleans most of his life, he knew there was more to the city than the areas the tourists came in contact with. Even after the recovery from Katrina, there were still those who needed the kind of help he and his church could offer.

Alden looked down at the toddler, who was hanging on to his leg to keep from falling. He patted the child’s head before picking him up and setting him on the sofa. “Call me if there’s anything else you need,” Alden said to the woman.

She dipped her head in thanks. “I will. And we’ll be to church on Sunday, as always.”

“Very good. I’ll see you then.”

When Alden got to the front door, he looked back. She waved as she carried one of the bags into the kitchen, the toddler right at her heels. After closing the screen door, he walked down the front path to his new car. It was eight year’s old and didn’t look like much. But it was all he’d been able to afford—with the help of one of his parishioners who owned a used car lot and had given him a good deal on it.

This was his last stop before returning to the church. Well, the last, plus one. I’m starving. There was a small café-grocery store two blocks away that he knew made excellent po’ boys. He decided to get one, head to the park to eat then get back to work.

He was almost to the café when he saw a man sitting at an outside table. There was something familiar about him, although Alden couldn’t figure out why until he came closer. His hair is short but… Alden’s pulse raced. It can’t be. Why would Raphe be here? In this neighborhood of all places.

For a moment, he was tempted to keep on driving—but he couldn’t. Not with the man who had rarely left his thoughts since the day he’d vanished so close. He pulled the car to the curb, parked and got out.

As Alden approached him, Raphael swung around, a tense, almost combative look on his face.

“It’s only me,” Alden said swiftly, suddenly afraid Raphael would strike out.

“What the hell!” Raphael’s expression changed from fierce to dismay. “Go away, Alden. Now.” Then he obviously took in what Alden was wearing. “What the hell?” he said again. “What’s with the collar?”

Alden smiled wryly.

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