Page 92 of A Twist of Faith
Alexander Murdock? Really? She glanced around the room and then bent low as if he could see her through the solid door. She didn’t have time for this. She needed to get to Ransom.Stupid wager.
“I know you’re in there.” His muffled voice grew louder. “Open the door.”
Dee stared at the closed door with every desire to burn a whole through it and right into Alex’s perfect forehead. He probably wouldn’t feel a thing.
She sighed and slit a glance to the ceiling. “Sorry, Lord,” she whispered. “It just comes so easily with him.”
“I’m not leaving until you—”
Dee jerked the door wide. “What could you possibly have to say to me this morning, Dr. Murdock?”
He wore a guilty expression, which suited his features quite well, but the rest of him looked downright haggard. Wrinkled clothes? Sloppy hair? Evidence of a night similar to hers. Her frustration spun a decrescendo into mild annoyance.
“I wanted to apologize about last night. I didn’t mean … I didn’t know your friend wasn’t aware of our wager.” His expression softened more. “It was an unintentional blunder.”
Alex leaned against the door frame, his gaze searching hers—no pretense or arrogance. Somehow, he reminded her of a lost little boy. A rare glimpse of the man behind the façade? The hard edge of her annoyance ebbed even more. Last night shone a lot of truth, even on Alex Murdock, and underneath all the arrogance beat the heart of a good guy. Misguided and superficial at times, but good.
“I know.”
He looked down, kicking his foot against the carpet. “It wasn’t hard to tell how much you cared for each other.” His less-than-perfect hair made him more approachable. He ran a hand through it to upset it even more. “I’m sorry, Adelina.” He shook his head a moment and met her gaze, expression brightening a little. “But it sounds like Dr. Lindsay wants you in Charlottesville sooner than you thought? January?”
“Looks that way. Dr. Lindsay said I should know something for certain in a few days, but I’m not sure I want it now.”
“Because of Mr. Mitchell?”
Dee closed her eyes, a vision of Reese in his tux, his lips near her ear pushed her fear aside for a split second. “Yes.” She met Alex’s gaze. “Definitely.”
“He’s a lucky guy.”
Dee’s stomach roiled the guilt back into existence. “No, I’m the lucky one.” Her eyes misted over and a sweet peace dulled guilt’s sting. “I’ve made such a big mistake, but I’m going to try and make things right.”
Alex stood up straight, a daring smile on his face. “Then go talk some sense into that farmer. You’re a speech-language pathologist. Talking is what you do. Why are you still here?”
Dee leveled him with a challenging look. “Because you’re still talking to me.”
Alex stepped back, hands up in defense. “You don’t have to tell me twice. Good luck, Dee. With the farmer and with Charlottesville.” He winced. “I think you’re definitely going to need it with the former.”
“Thanks a lot,” she said to Alex’s retreating back.
She slid the last of her things into her computer bag and said a little prayer as she clicked the door closed behind her and started for her car. Halfway down the flights of stairs, her phone buzzed.
She’d give Alex kudos for persistence. She almost shoved her phone back into her purse, but the number caught her attention.
Reese.
She stopped her decent and clung to the railing as she opened up his text message.
We need 2 talk. Daphne’s at 6?
She released her breath in a whimper and typed her reply.
Yes.
She’d never had a prayer answered before—and certainly never so quickly. Godwaslistening. And maybe, miracles still happened? She certainly needed one.
She sent a look to the ceiling, warmth gathering in her chest and tingling in her eyes. “Thanks for that second chance.”
You are mine.
