Down from the Cross Read Online Free

he said, taking her hand in his, “I don’t expect you to find a job right away.
    In fact, I hope you don’t.” He chuckled mischievously. “You don’t know how far behind I am in my filing and myriad other things. But once you have worked for me—if you do a decent job—I’ll be able to give you a good recommendation. That should help you find another job.”
    His offer sounded like God’s answer to the prayer she had been sending up to Him since the moment she was placed on layoff status. But what did she know about this man?
    “Jane, I just heard about your accident!”
    Jane glanced past her guest and Nurse Mildred, smiling as she caught sight of Karen Doyle, her best friend and prayer partner, bounding into the cubicle clutching a small bouquet of baby roses.
    “Oh, sweetie! This is just awful!” The pretty blond-haired woman dressed in a pale blue jogging suit hurried to Jane’s side. “I’ve been so worried about you since Pastor Congdon called and told me some man had run his BMW into your little Chevy Aveo. Are you all right? Does your leg hurt very much?”
    “I’m going to be fine. The accident broke my ankle,” Jane said, gesturing toward it, “and I got this nasty bump on my head, but other than that, I think I’m doing okay.”
    Karen’s eyes widened. “Oh, honey, are they sure you don’t have other injuries? I mean, you could have—”
    “No, no other injuries,” Jane assured her, gesturing toward Keene. “This is the man who caused the accident. He’s just offered me a job.”
    Karen gave him a snarling stare. “You caused the accident?”
    He nodded then looked back to Jane and raised his brows. “Do we have a deal?”
    She hesitated. How could she resist such an offer? But what if she couldn’t perform the work to his satisfaction? Or he turned out to be difficult to work for?
    “You’re Keene Moray!” Karen’s face filled with a pleased look of surprise.
    Jane’s gaze immediately shifted to the man’s face.
    “Jane and I have all your CDs!” Karen went on, moving quickly to stand by him. “What are you doing in Providence, of all places?”
    Awestruck herself, Jane pulled up to a seated position and stared at the man, her jaw dropping. “You’re Keene Moray!” Her hand went to her chest, and her heart pounded wildly. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.”
    He brushed past Mildred, nodding. “Yep. Guilty. That’s me.”
    Nurse Mildred tapped him on the shoulder. “I don’t care if you’re Elvis Presley come back to haunt us. This girl needs her rest, and you two are keeping her from getting it.”
    Keene gave the nurse an agreeing smile. “You’re absolutely right. She’s had enough excitement for one day.” Then, turning to Jane, he said. “We’ll talk later. Just do what the doctor tells you so you can get well.”
    Karen patted Jane’s hand. “I’d better go, too, honey. I’m due at work in half an hour, but I wanted to see how you were doing and bring the flowers by. I know you like baby roses. Call me when you get home.” She turned to Keene with a grin, sticking out her hand. “It was so nice to meet you, Mr. Moray. I can’t wait to tell the girls at my office I’ve actually met a star!”
    He took her hand and smiled back at her. “It’s always nice to meet a fan.”
    Both he and Jane watched Karen, and then he turned to her, his smile fading. “I’m sorry, Miss Delaney. I truly am. I never meant for this to happen. I meant what I said. I’ll do anything to make this up to you.”
    Although she was furious with him for his carelessness, his sincerity touched her heart, and she found herself mellowing. Especially now that she knew who he was. “I’m sorry for my outburst, Mr. Moray, but you have no idea how…” She paused, gulping at the enormity of the problems she was facing. “Thanks for coming.”
    “My offer of a job still stands,” he said kindly. “But I really need your answer as quickly as possible. Good-bye,