Page 12 of Blessings in Disguise

“Pastoral care was one of my favorite duties.”

Gemma stopped. “I’m afraid to ask for clarification because of that day in The Garden Grill, but you offered that up on your own.”

“I told you I overreacted. You can ask your questions.”

“Did you like being a minister?”

“I did. Until the bombing. Until I discovered my wife was having an affair with the youth pastor.”

She stopped. “I didn’t know that part. It must have been awful for you.”

“She said I was so involved in helping the families of the victims that I neglected her.”

Gemma touched his bare arm. “I’m sorry.”

“It was the last straw for me. The congregation lost three children and a baby and she complained about me helping the survivors.” He gave her a weak smile. “Let’s run this emotion off.”

They went faster, too fast to talk, and for twenty minutes they enjoyed the exercise and the warm weather. At one point, they slowed back to a jog then walked again. When they returned to her building, he stopped to face her. “Man, this felt great.”

“For me, too.”

He grasped her hand. “And Gemma, it felt good to get all that out, too.”

“I’m glad.”

She was sorry to see their time together end. She liked being with Caleb. Maybe too much. She was involved with Ryan and in any case, she’d bet her Coach purse Caleb wasn’t ready for a relationship with her or any woman.

That night, she met Ryan for dinner. They went back to her place and she felt guilty sleeping with him when she’d been so attracted to Caleb only hours ago.

* * *

The next day Caleb called his psychologist. At one point, he’d stopped going to counseling because he didn’t feel the sessions were helping, but now he needed one. So many conflicting feelings swirled inside of him.

“Robert Smith.”

“Hi, Rob. It’s Caleb Shepherd.”

“Hi, Caleb. What can I do for you?”

“I need to see you again if you have some time.”

“Sure. Give me a sec.”

He heard clicks on the other end.

“I had a cancelation today at four. Or that too soon?”

“It’s perfect. I have a session with a client at two so I’ll be over afterward. See you later.”

Caleb disconnected. Uplifted by his decision to seek help, he thought about Harlan. Images of dragons and knives hadhaunted Caleb since their last meeting. He needed to talk to someone about the situation.

About a half-hour later, there was a knock on the door of the special entrance they’d put in for his practice. “Come on in Marianne.”

She stepped inside. “Hello, Dr. Shepherd.”

He smiled. “Sit wherever you’re comfortable.”

She took a chair and he dropped down on one across from her.

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