A Treasure of the Heart. Valerie Hansen

Smallwood had piled everywhere. It was a real mess.”

      “I moved a lot of that stuff to the basement but I kept it for the day when the church has its own library. That’s just one more reason why we need a larger building.”

      “I suppose it will be expensive.”

      “God will provide.”

      James wasn’t about to admit that the idea of borrowing all that money for the building project occasionally gave him pause, in spite of the hours of prayer and discussion he and his deacons and trustees had dedicated to the decision. He really did believe God was in control. Looking back, the handiwork of the Lord was easy to see. Looking forward, however, it was a little more difficult to be positive you were on the right track.

      He huffed. Who was he kidding? It was a lot more difficult.

      Lillie paused and zeroed in on a framed diploma hanging on the far wall. “Wow. Massachusetts? I’m impressed. You actually graduated from a seminary there?”

      “Yes.” James joined her, his hands stuffed nonchalantly into the pockets of his jeans. “I wasn’t raised in the church like a lot of people are. When I finally gave my life to the Lord I wanted to do it right, so I decided to go to school to learn about the Bible. One thing led to another and here I am.”

      “Amazing.” Lillie read aloud from the certificate. “James Robert Warner.”

      “That’s me.” To his consternation, she began to giggle. “What’s so funny?”

      “You really don’t know?” Chuckling, Lillie turned to face him. A wide grin split her face and made her blue eyes sparkle with delight.

      “Know what?” Of all the reactions he’d had to his higher education, hers was the strangest. He couldn’t imagine that she disapproved, yet she certainly wasn’t taking his hard-won ordination seriously.

      “You’ve missed a great opportunity here,” she said, obviously struggling to keep from breaking up as she spoke.

      “I have?”

      “Yes. You shouldn’t go by Brother James or Brother Warner.”

      “I shouldn’t?”

      “No.” A chortle shook her shoulders and roused the kitten, so she absently scratched it behind the ears. “This may not be Georgia or Louisiana but it’s still the South,” she said. “If you really want to fit in around here you have to start calling yourself Brother Jim Bob!”

      His eyebrow arched. “That’s a joke, right?”

      “Yes. And no. In case you haven’t noticed, most of us have two first names.”

      “Like Darla Sue?” He paused, smiling. “So, what’s your other name?”

      “Just Lillie.”

      “Oh, no, you don’t. You started this. Come on. If you don’t fess up I’ll keep asking around until somebody tells me. What’s your middle name, Miss Lillie?”

      She pulled a face. “I forget.”

      He crossed his arms and shook his head. “Uh-uh. Not good enough. Shall I guess? Sue? Lynn? Mary?”

      “Much worse than that,” she said with resignation. “My mother was a flower lover. She couldn’t decide which of four names to use so she tagged me with all of them. I’m officially Lillie Rose Iris Daisy Delaney.”

      Grinning, James was incredulous. “You have to be joking.”

      She snorted derisively. “I wish I was. You’d be doing me a big favor if you didn’t use any of them. Okay?”

      “Okay. As long as you don’t start calling me Jim Bob and inspire everybody else to do it, too.”

      She stuck out her hand. “Deal.”

      As James took it to shake on their agreement, he was struck by how soft her skin was, how lovely she looked with those loose flower petals dusting her silky light brown hair.

      He quickly pulled away. The last thing he intended to let himself do was admire another woman. He’d been married once and had experienced the agony of his wife’s disloyalty and their subsequent divorce. When she had died unexpectedly, he had still grieved, yet his mind was made up. Never again would he trust like that, love like that. It had hurt too much.

      Besides, he reminded himself, he had work to do for the Lord. That was all he needed or wanted. His congregation was the only family he required and his life was already complete. Period.

      Looking at Lillie and seeing her guileless smile, he wondered why, for the first time in years, he was tempted to question that sensible conclusion.

      Chapter Four

      Lillie had ended up taking Fang home to Darla Sue’s with her because James had refused to consider himself permanently responsible for the kitten. She desperately needed a confidante so she decided to phone Chancy Boyd, an old friend who ran an antique shop in nearby Serenity.

      “Lillie! Is that really you? It’s great to hear from you after all this time,” Chancy said. “Where are you staying? Are you moving back or just visiting?”

      Lillie laughed. “It’s good to hear your voice, too, Chancy. I’m here for keeps. I’ll be staying with Gram for the time being. Her number’s in the book but if you can’t reach me there, feel free to call the café or stop in some time and we’ll visit. Looks like I’m going to be spending a lot of time there, at least for a while.”

      “I can’t believe it’s really you. Wait till I tell Nate.”

      “Who’s Nate?”

      Chancy giggled. “My gorgeous new husband. I’m Chancy Collins now.”

      “Congratulations!” Lille was happy for her friend but a bit envious, too. “I’m never getting married. You won’t believe what’s happened here. Grandpa ran off with another woman. A younger one. Gram is fit to be tied and I don’t blame her.”

      “Wow, you really stepped into a mess, didn’t you?”

      “That’s not the half of it,” Lillie said with a shake of her head. “I haven’t told Gram I’m here for keeps and I’ve already gotten stuck with an extra cat—a kitten to be exact. I hope she’s not going to mind my bringing it home with me. If I’m cautious, maybe she won’t notice.”

      That made her friend giggle. “Oh, dear. How senile is she? I mean, wouldn’t most people notice?”

      “Not as easily when they already have a houseful of cats,” Lillie explained. “At least I hope not. I’m standing here in the kitchen, talking to you, and there’s a calico on the chair, an orange tabby rubbing against my leg and three more gray-and-white ones sleeping in the corner by their food dishes.”

      “You need a dog,” Chancy teased. “Nate’s grandparents have a wonderful one.”

      “Well, right now I seem to be the proud owner of a really cute kitten and that’s enough, thanks.” She sighed. “It truly is good to hear your voice. I’ve missed living close enough to get together with you when I need a pal.”

      “Call anytime. Honest. Or stop by the shop when you get over this way. It’s not far. Nate’s building us a house on the Collins farm but until it’s done we’re still living in the apartment over the shop, so I’m always here.”

      “It’s a deal. Well, I’d better go. The kitten is getting restless and I’m not sure where Gram is. I want to introduce him to the older cats before she has a chance to tell me they won’t get along.”

      “Will they?”

      “I think so. All of Gram’s cats have been altered so there shouldn’t be any territorial squabbles. I’m hoping one of the old mama cats will adopt this baby and protect it. I’ll keep you posted.