Page 25 of An Unholy Affair
She stared blankly at him, whilst her brain displayed her diary for the day and her body attempted to tear it into pieces.
‘Um, I have quite a lot on.’
‘Can I walk with you back to the rectory, then? Maybe ask you a few questions on the way?’
Yes!She nodded. ‘It would be a sensible use of that, er, interlude in my day.’Interlude? Seriously, Eveline?
His face broke into a dazzling smile. ‘Interlude. I don’t think I’ve ever used that word before.’
She needed to get out of the house before she combusted. ‘Well,’ she replied primly. ‘There’s a first time for everything.’
She froze as the smile stuck on his face. Memories of when he’d said those words to her a year ago crackled between them.
His gaze darkened, and a flush swept across his cheekbones.
She clutched her bag tighter against her chest.
He broke first. ‘Give me a moment to grab a pair of socks,’ he said, backing out of the room.
6
The October air was cold, but Jack welcomed it. Having Eveline so close kindled a fire inside him that burned brighter each moment he was with her. He needed to get his body and mind to chill the fuck out.Now.
She’s a vicar. Nothing is going to happen. Nothing is EVER going to happen.
Eveline walked fast, and Jack matched his pace to hers. Since leaving the house, neither of them had spoken a word.
Come on!He cleared his throat. ‘So you and Estelle are pretty close?’
‘Yes, after I arrived in Foxbrooke, she turned up at the rectory with a tupperware of Chelsea buns and told me we were going to be friends.’
He smiled. ‘Sounds like Estelle. I take it she didn’t give you a choice in the matter?’
‘Not in the slightest, but I really didn’t mind. She’s the most loyal and caring person I think I’ve ever met.’
‘In a slightly scary, and extremely sweary way?’
Eveline glanced at him and grinned. The sight stabbed him in the heart and the groin.
‘Estelle says God sent her to me as a test.’
‘A test?’
‘To see how much I can take.’
‘Does it bother you when she swears?’
‘Not in the slightest.’ She paused. ‘I’m saying this because you know her so well. God didn’t send Estelle to me. He sentmeto Estelle.’
Huh?‘Why?’
‘To show her she can be loved unconditionally by someone who’s not family. Sometimes I know she baits me on purpose to see if I’ll push her away. It’s like some sort of negative self-fulfilling prophecy of hers. But I never will.’
‘I’m not a Foxbrooke, and I lo—like her.’
‘You’ve known her all your life. Youarefamily to her.’
‘So, you think God wanted you and Estelle to meet and be friends?’
