Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

job. Driving forward at a slow acceleration, he felt the pull of Madison’s car behind the truck. “Your car’s out of the mud, but I have to load it on the rollback now. I’ll be done in a few minutes.”
    He got back down, loaded her car and took his spot behind the wheel again.
    Madison handed him the clipboard. “Here you go.”
    He scanned the papers, ensuring all required signatures were there, and stole a glance at her address. She lived on a street at the rear of an older subdivision, a quiet neighborhood, mostly comprised of middle class families. As far as he knew, not too many single people lived there, which caught his curiosity.
    Did Madison still live with her parents? Or maybe she was married, but didn’t wear a ring. None of my business . He told himself that, but he couldn’t shake the feeling Madison was an answered prayer. Now, to find the guts to ask the needed questions.
    “Have you lived in Maryville long?” Pulling fully into the road, he continually checked his side and rearview mirrors.
    “All my life except college. You?”
    “Since I was six.” The light glaring from her phone caught the window just right and temporarily blinded one eye. “I’m sorry, but would you mind putting your phone away? The light makes it hard to see at night.”
    “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize.” She slid it into a front pocket on her purse. “Where did you live until then?”
    “Everywhere.”
    “Military family?”
    “No.” His gaze fixed on the road ahead. Why had he started a conversation with a natural course to those early years he detested? Not that he remembered many details about them, but he would never forget what abandonment felt like. From the corner of his eye, he caught her giving a brief nod, as though she understood further inquiry was not welcomed.
    She turned her head and observed him with a blatant stare. “What school did you go to? You look about my age, but I don’t recognize you.”
    “Maryville Christian Academy.” Much to his chagrin at the time.
    “I went to Maryville High, but I had friends who went to the academy. Do you know Justine Beard?”
    “Name sounds familiar.” He twisted his lips, recalling any memory of the girl. “Did she have brown hair and really thick glasses?”
    Madison laughed. “Yes, but she’s since graduated to contacts.”
    “I didn’t mean any insult—it’s just what I remembered about her. She was two years ahead of me, I think.”
    “She’s my age, so that would make you twenty-seven?”
    He nodded, then focused on making a sharp right turn. In another minute or two they’d be at her house, and he’d yet to figure out how to ask Madison his huge favor. She came across easy-going, but would that translate into standing in as a fake fiancée?
    Her driveway was narrow and too short to pull the wrecker into. Instead, he stopped along the curb and shifted into park.
    Tucking her purse under one arm, Madison placed her other hand on the door handle. “I’ll grab a checkbook and be right back.”
    The door creaked open, reminding him he needed to lubricate the hinges. “Madison, wait.”
    Her head jerked sideways ninety degrees. “What is it? Is there another paper I need to sign?”
    “No, nothing like that. Not exactly.” Nervousness tied his tongue. “I have a proposition for you. How would you like to have your bill wiped clean?”
    Both of her brows shot to steep arches. “Excuse me?”
    He realized his faux pas and rushed to clarify. “An honorable proposal.”
    The wrinkles on her forehead deepened. “No thank you. I’ll get my check and pay what I owe.”
    Subconsciously, he laid a hand on her arm. “I’m sure I’ve creeped you out, but will you at least hear what I have to say?”
    Something in her changed. Her eyes softened and her hand released the handle. “Okay.”
    “My grandmother is in the hospital, dying. The doctor told me today, there’s not much he can do except keep her comfortable.”
    “I’m sorry,