Lily of the Valley in May by Clare Revell Page B

Faith and as she lifted her head, the look in her eyes speared his heart. Joel led her to a table and pulled the chair out for her. “Do you trust me?”
    She looked at him. “Silly question. Of course I do. Why?”
    “The choice of meal is mine, but do you want juice, tea, coffee or hot chocolate?”
    Faith sat down and smiled. “Ooh, spoiled for choice. Ummm, hot chocolate please. And anything is fine, just no peas.”
    “Be right back.”
    “OK. I’ll be right here.”
    Joel made his way over to the counter. He stood there before deciding on chicken and chips, with hot chocolate topped with cream, marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, and a flake. That, as far as he was concerned, was the only way to drink it. He paid and took their meal back to the table. As he sat down, DC Blondell got up from where he sat to get his.
    Faith looked at the tray as he put it down. “Wow, look at that.”
    Joel looked at her. “What?” He sat down and passed hers across to her.
    “I haven’t had hot chocolate like this in years.”
    “It’s not real hot chocolate otherwise. Dad used to add candy canes to it at Christmas and call it melted snowman.”
    “Now that sounds familiar. Mum used to call it snowman soup.”
    Joel reached over, taking both Faith’s hands in his. “Let’s say grace.”
    After the meal, he led her back outside and around to his favorite place. He sat on the bench with her, watching the river rippling in the sunlight. Today had been perfect, and he knew he wanted more days the same.
    He also knew love came at a cost. But even Jesus knew that, he realized with a shock. Joel’d been betrayed by his wife, but Jesus had also been betrayed by someone close to him.
    Joel had to take a leap of faith. He had to know if he had any chance with Faith. If he didn’t, then they could remain friends, perhaps.
    “Faith?”
    She looked at him. Fair hair surrounded her face, brown eyes reflecting the sunlight back at him. “Joel.”
    He cupped her face in his hand, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. “I’ve really enjoyed the past few days.”
    “Being on the run?” She shuddered. “There is no fun in that, whatsoever.”
    “I mean being with you.” He leaned closer towards her. “Having three meals a day with you, and going to church with you. Praying and reading the Bible with you.” His lips hovered above hers. “I don’t want this to end.”
    “Joel, I—”
    He gently brushed his lips against hers. Her eyes widened then closed. Her lips were soft against his and parted allowing him to deepen the kiss. Her hands slid down his back as she responded. Before conscious thought left him, he prayed that this meant she felt the same way he did.
    ~*~
    At the next hotel, Joel pulled out his card to check in. Faith stood slightly to one side, letting him deal with this. He handed over the agency card. “The Wallac party.”
    The receptionist took it and looked at him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Wallac. If you could sign your party in here please.” She looked down at the computer screen. “Miss Chadwick had a package delivered about an hour ago.” She reached beneath the counter and pulled out a box.
    Joel looked at the small brown box, with her name and the address of the hotel written on a printed label, before handing it to Faith. Alarm bells rang in the back of his mind. “Not your birthday, is it?”
    “No.” Faith studied the package, her breath catching in her throat. “Who delivered it? Was it a courier?”
    “Yes.”
    “Oh, OK.” She started to open the box.
    Joel’s hand covered hers, his brows furrowing. No one knew she’d be here. Unless it was Rick, but he’d said no contact except through text. And why would a parcel come for her when everything was booked in his name? “Wait until I’ve finished. Open it in the suite, Faith.”
    DC Blondell tried to take the box. “Maybe I should open it.”
    Faith looked at them. “I don’t think so. You two are just jealous because I got mail