A Father's Place. Marta Perry

      “I can see that.” He didn’t move.

      What was wrong with him? Didn’t he realize parents were supposed to drop the children off and go? “You can come back for her at noon.”

      He arched his dark brows, as if in surprise. “Come back? I don’t need to come back. I’m staying.”

      “Staying?” She couldn’t help the way her voice rose, and she made an effort to control it. She couldn’t let the children see what an undesirable effect Kristie’s father had on her. “Why? If you’re worried about Kristie adjusting to Bible school, you can see she’s fine.”

      “No, of course I’m not worried about her. I know she loves coming here.” Quinn’s smile seemed tinged with a touch of malice. “In fact, she loves it so much she insisted I come along. She’s talked me into helping with Bible school, so we can be together all the time. I’m your new assistant.”

      Chapter Four

      For just an instant Ellie was speechless, and then anger took over. “Don’t I have anything to say about who helps with my class?”

      “Don’t you want me?” Quinn gave her an innocent look that was belied by the satisfaction in his tone. “I thought vacation Bible school always needed extra help. I talked to the pastor about it, and he thought this was a wonderful idea.”

      Quinn obviously felt he’d covered all the bases, and her temper rose. “Fine.” She clipped the word. “Since you want to help, suppose you supervise the class for a few minutes. I think I’d better talk with Pastor Richie myself.”

      She assumed he’d balk at being left alone with the children, but he just smiled. “Fine.” He strolled toward the mural. “Take as long as you want.”

      Fuming, Ellie hurried down the hallway, passing classrooms whose teachers didn’t have to worry about anything more than the lesson. Or making visitors feel welcome.

      Her fists clenched. They always urged the children to bring a friend to Bible school. How could she turn Quinn away? But how could she possibly work with him?

      She caught up with the pastor in the kitchen, where he was arranging trays of cookies and fruit for the children’s snack.

      “Don’t we have a volunteer to do that?” she asked, diverted from her mission at the sight of Pastor Richie in an apron.

      The minister’s round, cherubic face creased in a smile. “Rebecca volunteered to set up refreshments before she went to the clinic, but she’s feeling sick, I’m afraid. I told her we didn’t require expectant mothers to help, at least not first thing in the morning.” He popped a broken piece of gingerbread in his mouth. “Besides, I’m an expert on cookies.”

      “Speaking of help…”

      He beamed. “Your new assistant, of course! Isn’t it wonderful? I could hardly believe it when Quinn said he wanted to work with your class.”

      “Yes, well, you see…” In the face of the pastor’s pleasure, it was amazingly difficult to say she didn’t want him. “I’m not sure this will work out. Maybe he’d do better with a different class.”

      Pastor Richie wiped his hands on his apron, his gaze assessing her. He always seemed able to look right into people’s minds, but never seemed surprised at what he found there.

      No, not into hers. He’d never guessed the secret she hid, even from him, and for an instant she felt ashamed.

      “I’m afraid a different class wouldn’t work,” he said slowly. “Quinn told me Kristie was counting on his presence. Poor child, she sees little enough of her father.”

      His words were arrows, hitting her heart. She tried to put up a shield against them. “But surely he’d feel more comfortable working with older children. Or he could help with the games.”

      Pastor Richie was already shaking his head. “Ellie, please. I realize it may be a little uncomfortable, having the father of one of your students there, but this is a special case. So many of us have been praying for Quinn.”

      “I know.” How could she not? Gwen constantly asked for prayers for Quinn from her prayer partners.

      Sympathetic pain flickered in Pastor Richie’s eyes. “He’s had a difficult time of it since his wife’s death, and he hasn’t let us minister to him the way we should. Don’t you think God expects us to grasp this opportunity to help him if we can?”

      He seemed to be putting a charge on her. Much as she’d like to avoid it, she couldn’t. She tried to manage a smile. “Yes, of course, Pastor. You’re right.”

      He squeezed her hand. “I knew you’d understand, Ellie. Perhaps God has guided Quinn to a point where he can be helped.”

      “I don’t know that I’m the best person to help him.” If the pastor knew why Quinn was here, he’d realize how true that was.

      “Nonsense.” He squeezed her fingers again. “Your warm heart will tell you what to do and say, my dear. Just follow it, all right?”

      This situation had spun entirely out of her control, and she seemed to be out of choices. She tried to smile. “All right. I’ll try.”