Chapter One #3
Amusement gleamed briefly from his eyes. “That sounds like a good idea, but you probably should wear something that will fit
in at both parties.”
“Dale.” Lesley slid out of the booth and took a step in backward retreat. “Read my lips, because I have the feeling you never
hear what I’m saying,” she instructed. “I’m not going to Larry’s party. Not this year, not ever. You know what I think of
Larry O’Brien; I don’t want to have anything to do with him.”
“Lesley”—Dale murmured her name softly—“I’m sure you don’t mean that.”
What more did she have to say to reach this man? “I mean it, Dale.” Rather than argue further, she turned sharply and left the café.
The afternoon was another glorious one, but Lesley hardly noticed. What was the matter with her lately? Everything was going
wrong.
Instead of going straight back to the bank, she strolled down the street, stopping in a couple of shops along the way to browse.
“He was so handsome. Mark my words, that man has broken a few hearts in his day.”
Lesley picked up part of a conversation between a cashier and a housewife. Her interest sparked, Lesley stood behind a counter
pretending to examine a sweater as she listened to the conversation.
“Said his name was Cole Daniels.”
Hot color invaded her face. Was her ill-mannered neighbor going to haunt her all day?
“Tight-lipped, though,” the woman continued. “Hardly said a word. Just paid for his purchase. I asked if he was from around
here, and he said he wasn’t.”
“Did you ask where he’s from?”
Lesley was more than interested and silently berated herself for eavesdropping so blatantly. She hadn’t done anything like
this since Terry was sixteen and standing on the porch talking to her dates.
“I asked, but he didn’t say.”
The check he’d deposited had been issued from Indiana; Lesley knew that much.
“He didn’t seem inclined to talk about himself. Probably just passing through.”
“Probably,” the other woman agreed.
Silently, Lesley hoped they were both right.
The remainder of the afternoon proved to be uneventful. At five o’clock Lesley walked out of the building with Ben Fullbright. He, at least, didn’t mention Cole Daniels, and Lesley was more than grateful.
“See you in the morning.” She gave Ben a small wave, waited at the crosswalk, then ran across the busy street to her parked
car.
The car’s interior felt warm and stuffy, unusual for late October. Lesley scooted inside and immediately rolled down the window.
A cooling breeze flowed through the vehicle, whipping her hair across her face as she headed for home.
Her first impulse was to drive over to Terry’s. She’d spent several days helping her sister unpack and settle in the new house.
But Lesley hesitated. When Terry lived next door there was always an excuse to see each other, do something together. Things
were different now, and should be. Terry, Robert and the baby were a family in themselves. And although it felt awkward not
to share some of the things that had been happening with Terry, Lesley recognized it was for the best.
Since she’d skipped lunch, Lesley was hungry and pulled into a little mom-and-pop grocery store. The Walkers couldn’t hope
to compete with the large supermarkets, but their service was always friendly and warm. Both Paul and Martha Walker were strong
Christian people, and Lesley liked to give them as much business as she could afford.
Absently she noted that there was only one other car parked in front of the store. She pushed open the glass door and smiled
brightly. Her mouth froze. Cole Daniels was standing in front of the outdated cash register. Groceries lined the counter.
“Afternoon, Lesley.” Paul Walker glanced up, a look of distinct relief touching his eyes. “Guess you could say it was providential,
you stopping in today.”
“Oh?” Her hand clenched the strap of her purse tightly.
“Mr. Daniels is here, and being new to the community and all . . .” Paul hesitated.
“What he really wants to know is if the check is good.”
“You being from the bank . . .” Walker added.
The challenge in Cole Daniels’ eyes was unmistakable. He stood tall and proud, almost daring Lesley to deny that he had enough
money in his account to pay for his goods.
Self-consciously Lesley glanced from one man to the other. “Mr. Daniels opened his account with us today with a generous amount.
I’m sure his check is fine.”
Relief eased the age lines from the old man’s weathered face. “No offense intended, but I can’t stand to take a loss for this
amount.”
“I understand,” Cole Daniels returned in a surprisingly sympathetic voice.
Cole left the market before Lesley. She made an excuse to linger, not wanting to see him again if she could avoid it, staying
in the back of the store until she heard him leave.
After carefully inspecting the meat available in the small cooler, Lesley purchased a cube steak, julienned green beans and
lettuce for a salad. She nibbled on a package of potato chips as she laid the few items on the counter.
“Seems like a nice fellow,” Mr. Walker began.
“Who?” She was being deliberately obtuse. Cole Daniels had been invading her safe, secure world all day. She couldn’t take
much more of the irritating stranger.
“Daniels,” Paul Walker said and gave her a funny look. “I hated to ask about the check, but he didn’t have his name or address
printed on it.”
“I’m sure he will later.” Lesley strove to sound nonchalant.
“I told him if he was going to buy that many groceries, it would be cheaper for him to go to a supermarket. I can’t compete with their prices.
” His hands busily rang up her purchases on the antique cash register, then bagged her few items into a brown paper sack.
“I didn’t want to lose his business, but I hated to see him waste good money. ”
Paul Walker had to be the most unselfish Christian man she had ever known, Lesley decided. How many others who were working
to keep a business going would have made such a suggestion?
“We don’t get many strangers this time of year,” he added.
Lesley agreed with a quick nod. “I know.”
“How long is he staying?”
She motioned weakly with her hands. “He didn’t say, but since he’s rented the duplex and opened a checking account, I’d say
he intends to be here awhile.”
“Don’t suppose you know what line of work he’s in?”
“Not a clue.” She paid for her things and lifted the grocery sack off the counter. “Wish I could be more help, but I don’t
know much of anything.”
Paul Walker placed the money in the till. “I don’t mean to be such a gossip.”
The Walkers were nothing of the sort. “I’m sure you didn’t,” she assured him.
“Don’t know what it is about the man.” He paused to rub his chin with a thumb. “Sometimes the Lord gives me certain feelings
about people. I took one look at him and could almost see the bitterness.”
Lesley had felt that too.
“But more than that, I sensed he was running—not because he’s in trouble with the law, but running scared from unhappiness
and life.”
Lesley noted that, as he spoke, a soft look came over Paul Walker’s face. The old man hesitated. “Cole Daniels needs our prayers.”
She couldn’t agree with him more.