Healing Sands by Stephen Arterburn, Nancy Rue Page B

it’s a coincidence that this particular clinic needs me at this exact time.”
    â€œGod doesn’t do coincidence. So have you looked her up, or are you just wallowing?”
    Holy crow. Even from thirteen hundred miles away she read him like a picture book.
    â€œThe last place she worked as a counselor was at a church a couple of miles from here,” he said.
    â€œYou’ve gone there.”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œAnd why are we dragging our feet?”
    â€œBecause I’m still not altogether sure why I’m doing this.”
    â€œWell, I guess you better find out.”
    â€œYou’re not going to cut me any slack, are you?”
    â€œNone whatsoever. But I will say this.”
    Sully held his breath, in case the sound of his own air should cover even a syllable that came from those marvelous lips.
    â€œJust be sure you aren’t trying to out-God God. You know God won’t have that, now.”
    â€œAnd neither will you.”
    â€œMm-hmm. Well, it’s not me you have to answer to, is it?”
    â€œSince when?” Sully said.
    â€œMm-hmm,” she said again.
    When she hung up, Sully looked wistfully at the phone. If it weren’t for Porphyria Ghent, he might be in a psychiatric hospital or tucked, by his own choice, into a coffin. He wouldn’t be taking steps back into the life he’d had to leave behind for months while she helped him face his demons.
    His wife hadn’t been so blessed. She hadn’t had a Porphyria Ghent. She’d had Belinda Cox, and Sully had to find the woman and make sure she never did to another human being what she had done to Lynn. And to their baby girl. At least, that was the reason he’d given himself, until other possibilities had begun to muddy the waters.
    A tap on the door signaled Olivia and—what was that applicant’s name? Sully dropped the phone into his pocket and stood up.
    â€œCome on in,” he said.
    Olivia poked only her head in. “He’s waiting in the conference room.”
    â€œI think I’ll see him in here, Olivia.”
    She pressed her lips together until a deep dimple appeared on either side of them. “He’s cute,” she said.
    â€œThat being one of the major qualifications, things are already looking good for Mr.—”
    â€œKyle Neering,” she said.
    Sully didn’t know from cute in other guys, but the tall, slender, thirtysomething man Olivia showed in a moment later was definitely a sharp dresser. He also had a neat haircut and a firm handshake, and he looked directly into Sully’s eyes when he introduced himself.
    â€œIt is a pleasure, sir,” he said.
    â€œIt would be a pleasure for me if you wouldn’t call me sir,” Sully said.
    Neering shook his head as he took the chair Sully offered him. “Sorry. I just have a lot of respect for you and your work. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.” He gazed around the room as if he’d just entered the Oval Office. “So this is where it happens.”
    â€œWhere what happens?”
    â€œThe amazing things you do with people.”
    â€œI don’t see clients in here, if that’s what you mean.” Sully sank into the other client chair, which fit him the same way a necktie would. “In fact, I’m not seeing clients at all at this clinic. I’m just here to make sure it’s going in the right direction.”
    â€œAnd I’m here to convince you I can help with that.” Kyle leaned forward. “I’ve read everything you’ve written, studied your pod-casts— I even caught your seminar in Little Rock a couple of months ago. I’m a total admirer of your work.” His face glowed from handsome jaw to dark brown hairline.
    â€œWell, don’t stop now,” Sully said drily. “You were just getting warmed up.”
    â€œLook, I’m not trying to pump up your ego. I mean, I would love to have