Holiday Homecoming by Jean C. Gordon Page B

disappointed if I didn’t get the job. Kirk seemed to be the only person who had faith in me.”
    â€œWas that the only part he played?” Connor couldn’t stop himself from asking, and he wanted to put part of the blame on something other than both of them being childish.
    Her eyes widened.
    Connor shifted on the hard wooden floor. “Jared said he’d read something in one of the suburban Chicago newspapers when he was racing in the Midwest.”
    She hugged herself. “I promise, I wasn’t... There was nothing between Kirk and me, except a bad case of hero worship on my part, until I took the job in Chicago. But what Jared told you is probably true. I’m ashamed of my behavior, even though I thought he was divorced, and accept the reputation it gave me.” Her voice caught. “The station director at the next station I worked at after Chicago didn’t hire me for my reporting ability, if you know what I mean.”
    Compassion for Natalie smashed what was left of the wall shielding his heart. He wrapped his arms around her, and she rested her head on his chest, seemingly oblivious to the rustling Connor heard below them. He should release her, but couldn’t.
    The trapdoor dropped open. “Here they are.” Natalie’s niece’s lilting voice carried through the attic. “I told you I thought I saw them come up here.”
    Natalie jerked away from him as if burned, and Connor looked down into the faces of most of the members of the Hazardtown Community Church women’s group and evangelism committee.
    * * *
    Horror filled Natalie. She glanced from Connor to the faces below to her niece, who was sneaking away down the hall. “Amelia Theresa Bissette. Stay right there.”
    Natalie scrambled down the ladder ahead of Connor. The women parted, giving her free access to Amelia. “What were you thinking?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, Aunt Natalie?” Amelia said, eyes wide with feigned innocence.
    Sympathy for her sister crashed over Natalie. Andie had to deal with this—times two—every day.
    â€œShe means, why did you lie to us and trap us in the attic?”
    Natalie started at the deep boom of Connor’s voice, her heart leaping to her throat before sinking. She could handle her nieces. He didn’t need to come to her rescue. The last time she’d let a man intervene for her had been the start of the mess she was in—Kirk and his job offer in Chicago. Natalie straightened to her full five foot five. She knew Connor well enough still to know he didn’t have any ulterior motives. Maybe worse, he felt sorry for her, for the situation she’d gotten herself in with Kirk. She didn’t need anyone’s sympathy. Why hadn’t she stuck to her plan not to tell anyone the real reasons she came home for Christmas this year? Now, she’d told Connor about being out of work
and
the fiasco with Kirk.
    Connor cleared his throat, waiting for Amelia.
    She knew why. Because he was Connor. He’d always been so easy to talk to.
    Amelia looked up at him wide-eyed. “Aimee and I didn’t mean anything. Don’t be mad, Pastor Connor. We really like you.”
    Her niece batted her eyelashes.
She batted her eyelashes.
Andie and Rob were in for some interesting times ahead.
    â€œAnd Aimee and I really like Aunt Natalie.” Amelia beamed at her.
    â€œI like your aunt, too,” Connor said.
    Natalie couldn’t allow herself to dissect his meaning, even if she wanted to. She had to stop this train wreck of a conversation. “Where is Aimee?” Natalie made a show of checking the time on her phone. “We probably should get going.”
    â€œBut Pastor Connor asked me a question. It would be rude to not answer him.”
    Connor lifted an eyebrow. Normally, Natalie would agree with her niece.
    â€œAnyway,” Amelia continued, “everyone at church says it’s time Pastor Connor thought