A Match Made in Heaven by Colleen Coble Page B

you?”
    Nick smiled with what seemed like genuine pleasure. “I’d love to come, Lucille. I had thought to take Warren and Barbara to lunch, but since they already have previous plans, I’m free.”
    “Maybe we could join you next Sunday,” Barbara put in.
    Was that longing on her face? Callie’s heart clenched with sympathy. Barbara seemed to be a lonely woman. She needed Jesus.
    Impulsively Callie leaned over and took her hand. “Would you like to have lunch one day this week, Barbara? I know several great restaurants downtown. We could eat; then you could see my shop.”
    Too late she realized how it must look to Nick. His brows drew together, and she knew he assumed she was trying to sway Barbara to her side of any argument that was looming over the design for the house. She bit her lip and looked away.
    “What day?” Barbara leaned forward eagerly.
    “How about Wednesday? I have a light day, and maybe we could even do a little shopping. My favorite dress shop is having a sale this week.”
    “Sounds great.” Barbara beamed at her.
    Callie’s heart lifted. It had been the right thing to do. Whether or not Barbara commissioned her to do the design work, she needed a friend. Callie knew a lot of people in town. She could take her around and make her feel Heaven could be her home. And maybe the Lord would speak to Barbara, and the real heaven would be her ultimate home.
    As they made their plans, Callie could feel Nick pulling away from her. She felt bad, but she couldn’t explain it to him. He wouldn’t believe her anyway.
    “Do you need a ride?” Nick asked after a strained silence.
    “No, I came with Gram,” Callie said.
    “Oh, you go on with Nicky,” her grandmother said. “Mel can come with me. You two have a lot to talk about with this new house project and all. Barbara was asking me about your work, Callie. I told her about all the awards you’ve won. She seemed quite impressed.”
    It was getting worse and worse. Nick’s expression was thunderous. Callie followed him to the truck. He opened the door, but he didn’t look at her. His lips were pressed together so hard they looked bloodless. His touch on her arm as he helped her into the truck was light and impersonal. He shut the door behind her then climbed in on his side and started the truck.
    “It’s not what you’re thinking,” she said in a low voice.
    Nick didn’t reply for a moment as he backed out of the parking space and turned onto the street. “Isn’t it?” he said slowly. “Then how is it? You come to dinner with me then worm your way into a deal with my clients. You push yourself forward at every opportunity. Your grandmother sings your praises until Barbara thinks you’re some kind of design diva sent to Heaven just for her.”
    Callie’s eyes burned, and she stared straight ahead through the windshield. “Stop the car. I’ll walk to Gram’s. You shouldn’t be in the same room with me if that’s what you think of me.” It was hard to swallow past the huge lump in her throat. She knew it looked bad, but she hadn’t realized it would appear that heartless to Nick.
    Nick sighed. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I’ll take you to your grandmother’s.”
    “I’ll take myself. Stop the truck!” All she wanted was to get away from him. She’d thought she was falling in love with him, but she had to be mistaken. What did she know of love?
    “I’m not dropping you by the side of the road.”
    She jerked at the handle, but the door was locked. “Let me out of here!”
    He pulled the truck to the side of the road. “Look—I said I was sorry.” He took off his cowboy hat and ran a hand through his dark curls. “Can we start over? You explain, and I’ll listen.”
    Callie’s vision blurred with tears. “You don’t want to know the truth. You just want to blame someone else for the extra work you see looming ahead of you.”
    “Ouch. Okay, maybe you’re right. Before I met you, things were going