Page 16 of A Taste of Grace

Rays of light from the dusky night reflected off the back bumper of a shiny white Lexus SUV parked out front. That vehicle was the only indication that the pastor might enjoy the finer things in life. With a vanity plate of HAVEN, I also imagined him to be outgoing and boisterous. He obviously didn’t mind people knowing about his goings and comings.

I exited the car with my bag and took a deep whiff of the pine-filled air. As had become my habit this time of day, I lifted my eyes to the sun beams that now settled at beautiful angles across the house’s dark roof.

I stepped onto the modest-sized porch where a couple of bikes were perched by the door. Joy filled my heart at myassumption that the girls were girly girls. The cotton candy pink bike had white tassels hanging off the handlebars. The taller bike was lavender with pretty white ponies on its body. I smiled, using the heights of the bikes to prepare myself for how tall Hannah and Esther would be.

I rang the doorbell and waited with my large bag on my shoulder. Although I’d never been a fidgeter, I planted my feet shoulder width apart, hopping from side to side. I mentally ran through my plan to keep the girls occupied for hours.

When the doorknob twisted, I straightened my body and peered ahead, ready to plaster a big smile on my face. Instead, my jaw dropped so low that if there was a swarm of bees above me, they’d be all in my mouth and down my throat.

Damn.

I wasn’t prepared for the exquisite hunk of manliness that opened the door. He was so handsome, I couldn’t, no wouldn’t, look away.

My boy was cool as a cucumber, though, because he didn’t display an etch of shock at my initial reaction. He was big, intimidating, and stoic like a statue that erotic dreams were made of.

“Ms. Grace?” His deep voice rang out like a bell as his eyes pierced mine.

I fanned my face with my hand, trying to get temporary relief from a presence that overwhelmed me. He had the nerve to step even closer and hover over me, staring down with a crooked smile and pretty white teeth that sat just right in his mouth.

“Um…yes.” I realized I hadn’t even bothered to find out this man’s name.

All I knew was that he was Nita’s nephew and had two little girls. Was I that dense?

The expensive-looking black tuxedo he wore molded to his broad chest like plastic wrap. Thank God for open top buttonsbecause I also had a front row seat to the thickest, most muscular neck I’d ever seen on a man up close.

My lower body tingled. It had to be a sin to lust after a preacher this way.

I was about to take in the beauty of his symmetrical face in more detail when I shook myself, clutching the straps of my oversized Vera Bradley bag harder. Hunky Preacher Man had a name I still didn’t know.

“Please forgive me for staring.”

There was no way I could play it off, so I might as well be honest. I willed myself to remain calm and extended my hand in greeting as his eyes never left mine.

“I expected you to be…” His voice trailed off as his eyes scanned my face then my body slowly.

“To be what?” I held my breath, anxious to hear what he had to say.

He tightened his lips and shook his head, placing his hand over his heart before he gave me a panty-melting smile.

“Never mind. Forgive me. It’s just that I thought you would be older. Like Aunt Nita. Your nameisGrace.”

“Yes. It’s Gracelyn. But people call me Grace.” I don’t know why I had to say all that, but the pastor pulled it from me.

“Gracelyn. Very pretty. Like you.”

I blushed harder than should be allowed.

He scanned my body again and gestured toward it.

“You’re so young and attractive.”

“Thank you again. I’m notthatyoung. Please don’t laugh, but I don’t know your name. All I know is you’re Nita’s nephew.”

“Pastor Caleb Stallings. But you can call me Caleb.”

To my surprise, he reached for my hand and pulled me over the threshold of his door.

“I’m going to stop talking and welcome you to my home properly.” His kind eyes twinkled as the overwhelming scent of his spicy cologne met my nostrils.

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