Angel of the Cove by Sandra Robbins

him.
    Anna laughed at the flush in Simon’s cheeks. He turned to her and chuckled. “So you think that’s funny, Miss Prentiss? Well, just for that, I’ll be here.”
    â€œI didn’t doubt that for a minute, Reverend Martin.” Anna tilted her head to the side and a grin tugged at her lips. She walked to the door and picked up the basket that hung on a peg on the wall. “This man looks like he had to chase that rabbit down a creek, Granny. You feed him, and I’ll go gather the eggs for you.”
    She glanced over her shoulder before she stepped outside and chuckled at how the flush on Simon’s face had deepened. Swinging the basket in her hand, she fairly skipped across the backyard to the henhouse. She didn’t know when she’d ever felt so good in her life.
    A few minutes later she stepped out of the small shed that housed Granny’s few chickens. Simon, his arms crossed, was leaning against the side of the building. He straightened when she exited and smiled. “So you think I look like I’ve been wading in a creek. And after I spent all morning trying to put food on your table.”
    Anna let her gaze drift over his dirty pants and shirt. “Then I suppose I should thank you instead of making fun.”
    â€œYou should if you don’t want me to think you’re an ungrateful woman.”
    His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and the way he looked at her made her heart skip a beat. Then she remembered what had happened last night. Her eyebrows drew down across her nose. “I’m not ungrateful, Simon, but I am sorry about the way I acted last night. And I’m especially sorry you had to see me like that.”
    His smile disappeared, and he shook his head. “Granny told me the two of you had talked about it this morning. Don’t think about it again. Try to focus on what’s ahead of you here, not what’s behind you.”
    She nodded. “I’m going to try to do that. I don’t want to let Granny down.” She took a deep breath. “And not you either. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”
    His dark eyes bored into her. “You could never disappoint me, Anna. If I can help you in any way while you’re here, let me know.”
    â€œI will. It’s good to have a pastor who is also your friend.”
    His shoulders slumped, and he exhaled. “I hope…” Surprise flickered on his face as he gazed past her. Before she could ask what had startled him, he sidestepped her. “Matthew, what are you doing here?”
    Anna whirled to see a young boy walking around the side of the cabin. His black hair hung over his ears and down his neck. He looked as if he hadn’t had a haircut in a long time. His dark eyes flitted from Simon to her and then back to Simon. He held a basket in his hand.
    â€œMa sent Granny a fresh loaf of bread.”
    The boy moved closer, and Anna thought something about him looked familiar. Simon nodded. “That was mighty nice of your mother. Granny’s in the kitchen. Do you want to give it to her, or do you want me to?”
    He glanced at the back door. “Thanks, but if it’s all the same to you, I reckon I better give it to her myself.” He took a step toward the house but stopped and turned back to Simon. “Ma said if’n I ran into you I was to thank you kindly for bringing Pa home last night.”
    Anna sucked in her breath. Now she knew why the boy looked familiar. He was Luke Jackson’s son.
    Beside her, Simon spoke. “I was glad I could help. How’s he feeling this morning?”
    Matthew shrugged. “Not good, but I reckon he’s gonna live.” He turned an expressionless face toward Anna and stared at her for a moment. His intent gaze suggested he was trying to make up his mind whether or not she belonged in the Cove. Maybe he and his father had already had a good laugh about how she had run like a scared rabbit the