Beth could hear his sigh of frustration over the phone. “Look I can be there in twenty minutes, we can talk…”
She cut him off. “Don’t bother. Sam made it perfectly clear to me. But I do have a quick question before I hang up. Did you have any intention of calling me when you got back in town?”
The silence that met her question shredded her last bit of self-respect.
“Listen Beth, I think that we are on different wavelengths. Sam told me you have been with several guys from town. You yourself told me you partied in college. I thought you knew the score. I was willing to play your game, but woman, you’re just too much work for a piece of pussy.”
Each word flayed her soul. She had been planning on a relationship, one that might not even have lasted, but he hadn’t even wanted that, just another fuck toy. She tuned back in to hear him finish.
“I am sorry that you walked into that. I wanted it to end with no hard feelings.”
Beth was done, she hung up. Sam had lied, convincing Razer she was experienced, setting Beth up for failure. Beth had to admit to herself she was also at fault. The attraction she had felt for Razer had pushed her to do things that her commonsense had told her was too soon. If she had wanted a romantic relationship, then a sexy biker was not where she should have looked. Fortunately, Beth knew someone who wouldn’t mind her inexperience; he wanted the same type relationship she needed in her life.
Chapter 5
Beth kept herself busy for the rest of the weekend. Sunday she had breakfast ready when Lily walked in the door. Lily laughed at the tight hug Beth gave her.
“I was only gone two nights.”
Seeing Beth's pale face, Lily’s smile disappeared. “Have you been sick?”
“No, I am fine. I just overdid all the cooking. I was in one of my moods to cook. The good news is we have enough dinners frozen for the next two months." Lily laughed relieved, then telling her about the trip as they readied for church.
During the sermon, Beth paid particular attention to the Pastor. She had noticed before he was a handsome man with light brown hair cut closely to his head. He was tall and well built; both which was surprising for a man of his profession. Beth seemed to remember that he had been in the military as a Chaplin; in fact he had served two tours ministering to the soldiers overseas.
When he had first arrived in Treepoint, he had made friendly overtures. Beth had politely turned him down. She had no intention of finding herself in her mother’s shoes; but the more Beth listened to him, the more she appreciated how he was teaching God’s word with more modern expectations.
After the service, Beth for once waited patiently for her sister to finish talking to her friends. Noticing the Pastor had finally finished saying his goodbyes to the parishioners and was gathering the papers he had left behind on the podium. Beth stepped forward as Pastor Dean passed the pew where she had been sitting.
“How are you this Sunday, Beth?”
“Just fine, Pastor Dean. I hope your trip was successful?”
“Yes, we were able to lay a good foundation to rebuild the structure. The congregation should be able to finish the repairs.”
“I am glad to hear it.” Once again he started to walk towards the doorway outside. “Pastor Dean, Lily and I would like you to come for dinner Friday night if you are not busy.”
The Pastor came to a sudden stop; the look in his eyes became speculative. “I would enjoy taking you up on that invitation. Would six be fine?"
Beth smiled relieved at his interested response. “That sounds perfect.”
Monday morning was hurried as both Beth and Lily had overslept. She was about to leave for work after Lily had left for school with Charles, who picked her up every morning since earning his license when the doorbell rang. Already in a rush, Beth answered the door with a frown, surprised to see Evie standing nervously on her doorstep. She was wearing a pretty blue pair of scrubs.
“I know you probably won’t hire me now, but I really need the job,” she said with a hesitant smile.
Beth stepped back, opening her door further for her to enter. She knew that she would never get the picture of her sandwiched between Razer and Train out of her mind, but that was her problem, not Evie’s.
“I still need help; your private life is your own and none of my business,” Beth answered her quietly.
“Razer and I are just…” Beth cut her reply short.
“Again, it’s none of my business. I just have one request; if you are going to work for me, don’t ever mention him to me again. Can you do that?”
“Yes, but…” Again, Beth cut her short.
“Good. Now it seems you want to start today and that works for me. Monday’s are a killer. I hope you can provide me with a couple of references that I can check out.”
“No problem.”
“Good, let’s go. Today you can drive with me until you learn the clients and where they live.”
“Anything you say boss," Evie said with a grin.
***Nine months later***