Pastor's Assignment by Kim O'Brien

couldn’t tell the exact moment when the anger in his eyes turned into something else. Only that it had. She looked away, not wanting to see that things had changed for him.
    Laney took a step backward as he approached the deck, his hand on the railing, as if he would climb over it. She saw his purpose in the intensity of his gaze.
    Her hands fumbled along the railing then closed around a plastic watering can. In one swift motion she emptied it down the front of his shirt.
    They both stood, speechless, watching as water dripped onto the ground. Ty squeezed water out of his shirt.
    â€œI’ve been punched, kicked, and shot at, but never watered down.” He shook his head as if in wonder. “You’re something, you know that, Laney?”
    Laney didn’t deserve his admiration. She was more than glad that Ty Steele no longer needed her help. He needed dry clothes, perhaps, but not her.
    She, on the other hand, needed a lot of help. Heavenly Father, Laney prayed, somehow I misread signals and have been trying to help the wrong person. Please forgive me for following Ty Steele and now for ruining his clothing. Please give me a new plan, Lord, and another chance to make things right.

Thirteen
    Laney’s new plan involved a stakeout. On Sunday morning at church, she watched the gymnasium fill. People she knew by sight but not by name smiled at her. She waved back, wondering if they had seen Rock in the parking lot greeting people.
    Laney sat straighter in her seat, filled with a quiet pride in the knowledge that Rock could be counted on to do a job well. He gave new meaning to the word dependability .
    Music soared through the gymnasium, announcing the beginning of the service. The last stragglers hurried to their seats, and a couple settled themselves into the very seats Laney had been watching.
    She couldn’t believe her eyes when she recognized Terry and June Whitley, friends since high school. Although she and June had gotten a bit out of touch the last few years, Laney still counted June as one of her closest friends. It dismayed her to think her friend might have been the one to have written that sad note. At the same time, she wouldn’t repeat her last mistake. Before she confronted June about the note, she would do her best to find evidence that June or her husband had written it.
    Two days later she found herself on June’s doorstep.
    â€œI’m so glad you suggested getting together this evening,” June said. She held the door to her house wider. “And you brought Angel.” She bent to greet the dog. “How’s my best buddy?”
    â€œHe’s fine,” Laney said. “Hope you don’t mind that I brought him.”
    â€œDon’t even worry,” June replied. “It’ll be great to spend time with both of you.” She smiled in apology. “Between the business and the kids and Terry, I don’t seem to have a minute to call my own.”
    â€œI know what you mean,” Laney said.
    Laney walked past her into the restored Victorian that served both as home and business. Angel trotted happily inside, checking out the sights and smells.
    June and Terry lived on the second floor. The first floor had been converted into a full-service beauty salon.
    â€œI hope you know,” June continued as Laney settled herself onto the couch, “that I’m here for you. You can call me anytime.”
    Here for her? Laney frowned. She was supposed to be here for June. Not that June appeared to need help. Her friend looked wonderful. The new color and short, choppy cut framed her round face perfectly.
    Gazing into the mirror on the wall, she saw that she, on the other hand, had dark circles beneath her eyes and cheeks as pale as the moon. She looked as if she hadn’t slept in days, which was the truth.
    â€œWhen I saw you in church,” Laney said, “I knew we had to talk.”
    â€œIs it about Rock?” June fingered a spike