Lily of the Valley in May Read Online Free

Holly Stevens in the car park, Joel. She said if you take the car in tomorrow about eleven, she’ll have a look at the light. If she’s got the part in stock, she can do it there and then. Otherwise, she can order it in and do it in a couple of days. Until then you can borrow mine if it rains.”
    “Thank you.” A slight smile touched his lips and a hint of sadness shone in his eyes before the mask came back down. He pushed a hand through his hair.
    For a moment Faith glimpsed a tortured soul within the man beside her. Maybe everyone was running from someone. She definitely was, so why not him? She leaned back into her seat. “Does everyone know about the broken taillight?” she whispered to Grace.
    Grace squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry about it. Joel doesn’t bear grudges. It’ll be forgotten by morning.” She nodded to the auburn-haired man at the front. “That’s Pastor Jack, one of our ministers. We have two.”
    “Two?”
    “It’s a big church.”
    Faith leaned back in her chair, trying to blot out the nearness of the man sitting next to her. She really did need to get over this “fangirlness.” And the sooner the better.
    ~*~
    The Bible said, ‘For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them,’ and Faith knew without a doubt God had been present tonight. She sat still letting the feeling of refreshment and exhilaration wash over her. Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Lord. I needed it. Be with that small child that Pastor Jack mentioned. Give the doctors wisdom in his treatment, and the courage his parents need to make the right decisions. It doesn't sound like there is much hope, but with You there is always hope. Work this situation for good and bring Your light to a very dark situation, so that through it You and Your light may be seen .
    A buzz of conversation started up around her, and Faith bent to pick up her bag.
    “Do you want coffee? You could meet Elliott properly.”
    She looked at her sister. “I really should go home and finish that picture, but a few more minutes won't hurt.” Getting up, she followed Grace through the crowded hall.
    Just as she reached the doorway, her heel became stuck in the grating. Faith yanked her foot upwards hard. She flew forwards, leaving her shoe behind her.
    A strong hand caught her arm. “Oops-a-daisy,” came a very familiar voice.
    Not again . Color rushed to her cheeks. The last thing she needed was to bump into him for the second time that day.
    ~*~
    Joel’s quick reactions prevented Faith from landing in a heap at his feet. He gazed into what was rapidly becoming a familiar pair of eyes. “You know, Faith, we must stop running into each other like this.”
    “Yeah, we probably should.” Faith’s face glowed an attractive shade of red.
    “Are you hurt?”
    “No, just embarrassed. Again. At least I’m not the one named Grace.” Something other than mortification flickered in her eyes as she struggled to control the timbre of her voice.
    “Don’t be.” He bent down, freed her shoe from the grating, and offered it to her.
    Faith slid it back on. “Thank you.”
    Concern filled him. Behind the embarrassment, he could tell she was terrified. But what was she so frightened of? Was he that scary? His reaction hadn’t been that bad earlier, had it?
    “So tell me, is bumping into people a form of greeting from the east coast?”
    His conscience tapped him again as his misplaced humor caused the color to drain from Faith’s face as she looked at him horrorstruck. Was that panic in her eyes? “E-east coast? But I didn’t…how—how do you…?” Her voice wavered and broke off.
    “You’re Grace’s sister, therefore come from the Fens like she does.”
    Faith shivered, the panic in her eyes becoming fear.
    Worry filled Joel. What had he done? “Did I say something wrong?”
    She shook her head. “No.” She cleared her throat. “No, you didn’t.”
    He inclined his head a little, not sure what was going on, but