A Sin and a Shame by Victoria Christopher Murray Page B

course, there’s a spare in the trunk?” he asked in a tone that told her he suspected this was no ordinary flat tire.
    She wanted to slap that smirk from him. “I would think so.” She crossed her arms. “But I don’t know. It’s a rental.”
    “Give me the keys.” She dropped them into his hand. “Wait here.”
    Her eyes followed as Brother Hill stepped outside to the car and knelt by the back tire. With the cold of the night, she was sure he’d work fast.
    I should have taken out the spare.
    But there was still time. When Brother Hill popped open the trunk, Jasmine took a deep breath and returned to the reverend’s office.
    “Thank you so much, Reverend,” she said as she stood at his opened door.
    “Not a problem,” he said, looking up from papers scattered on his desk. “Brother Hill will take care of you.”
    She nodded. “Would you happen to have any coffee or tea?”
    He shook his head. “No, Sister Whittingham cleans up everything when she leaves. Sorry.”
    “That’s okay,” Jasmine said entering his office and settling into a chair.
    But before she had the chance to lean back, the reverend said, “Sister Jasmine, would you mind waiting outside? I’m sure Brother Hill will be finished in a few minutes and I’m expecting a call.”
    “A call?” she said.
    “Yes, I have an interview I have to do.”
    No, you don’t.
    “I’m preparing for that now.”
    Still, she sat in place.
    “Sister Jasmine?” He stood and came around his desk. “Would you mind waiting in the lounge?”
    She nodded and stood.
    Think, Jasmine. Think.
    He escorted her to the couch in the outer office, then peeked out the window. “It doesn’t look like it’ll take Brother Hill too long,” the reverend said. “It sure is cold tonight.”
    “I can call Triple A so he doesn’t have to be out there.”
    “No, Brother Hill has it under control.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry, Sister Jasmine, but I’ve really got to prepare for this call.”
    How could she tell him there would be no call? What could she say to get him to focus on her?
    But she stayed, sitting silently, as he stepped into his office. And closed his door. And left her no closer to him than she was fifteen minutes before.
    Think, Jasmine. Think.
    She didn’t have a plan when she finally stood and marched to his door. But she’d figure out what to say when she was inside. There was no way she was going to waste this time, especially not after the charge that had shot between them in the parking lot.
    Her hand was still in the air, preparing to knock, when she heard Brother Hill behind her.
    “Sister Jasmine, your car is ready.”
    Like all the other times she’d come face to face with Brother Hill, Jasmine wanted to curse him out. How could he change a tire so quickly?
    She smiled, hiding her frustration. “Thank you so much…Brother Hill.”
    He took off his gloves and blew on his fingers. “It’s cold out there.”
    She said nothing. Didn’t think it was a good idea to tell him that she wished he’d frozen to death.
    He said, “Can I give you some advice?”
    Still, she kept silent.
    Brother Hill spoke as if she’d invited his words. “You need to set your sights on someone else.” He paused and looked directly at her. “Reverend Bush is not interested in you.”
    She crossed her arms.
    He continued. “Do you think you’re the first woman who has thrown herself at the reverend?” he asked with a chuckle in his voice. “Women like you run through this church like the A train. There’s another one coming along in a few minutes or so.”
    “You have a lot of nerve talking to me that way,” she hissed.
    He raised his eyebrows. “Talking to you what way? Like you were a woman hurling herself at a man who’s not interested?”
    Jasmine was tempted to reach for the glass paperweight that sat on Mrs. Whittingham’s desk and knock his squat behind silly. She rolled her eyes and brushed past him. As she paused to close her