Read Online A Brush With Love by Rachel Hauck - Free Book Online Page B

church?” Edward clapped Tom on the shoulder.
    “So he said.”
    “No offense, but considering all that happened with Tom’s dad, we can’t be too careful. Especially around you.”
    “Around me?” She fiddled with her scarf, smoothing it higher up on her neck. “What are you talking about?”
    “Edward, let’s go.” Tom tugged on his arm, reaching for the door knob.
    But Edward remained planted, his smile neither warm nor pleasant. “You know what I’m talking about, Ginger. I realize time has passed and with Tom not being married the rules are different, but nevertheless, there are expectations. We have to protect him from scandal and gossip all the same. He needs a good start in Rosebud if the church is going to make it.”
    “Edward, that’s enough.” Tom jerked him toward the door. “Ginger, I’m sorry.”
    “Sorry for what? Edward, what are you talking about? ‘Protect him from scandal’?” Ginger gazed at Tom, her lips pressed in defiance. See? Your friends won’t let you.
    “She doesn’t know?” Edward glanced at Tom, incredulous.
    “Ginger, you’re freezing and muddy. We’ll get out of your hair,” Tom said. Ed and his big mouth. He never did have any tact. “Say . . . I’ll come get you in the morning. What time?”
    “Don’t dismiss me, Tom Wells. What don’t I know?”
    “Nothing, Edward is just talking. You know, how it’s probably not good for Rosebud’s newest, young, single pastor to be alone on a dark and rainy night with a beautiful woman.”
    She snapped back, her expression sober, the sheen in her eyes a blend of confusion and what-did-you-just-say? But she stayed on task. “Edward, what are you talking about?”
    “Don’t you know, Ginger?” Edward stepped around thewingback chair toward her. His voice was smooth, his movements calculating.
    “Edward, enough.” Tom came around the other side, pressing his hand into the man’s chest. “Let’s just go.”
    “Your mom was the reason Tom’s dad had to leave town. Or at least she was the final blow.”
    Tom dropped his head with a heavy exhale. Edward had been wanting to do this since Tom agreed to start the church. He thought Tom should, “Get it out in the open.”
    “We don’t need any gossip or scandal cropping up.”
    Ginger glanced between them. “Excuse me? My mom? The woman who hates church? Who . . . wouldn’t . . . even . . . take me?” Her words slowed as some sort of revelation dawned. But only for a moment. “No, no, not my mama. Preachers were definitely not her type.”
    “Say what you will, but Shana Winters was in love with Tom Wells Sr.”
    “Edward!” Tom shoved him out the door. What was wrong with him? “Ginger,” Tom paused inside the threshold. “I’ll come for you in the morning.”
    “What are you talking about? She never even knew Tom Sr., let alone fell in love with him. My mother and your father? It’s laughable.” She turned away from them, disbelief tainting her expression. “My mother? She’s a lot of things, but not a home wrecker.”
    “You’re right. She wasn’t a home wrecker,” Tom said. He could deck Edward. Seriously. “We can talk about this later.”
    “No. Edward brought it up, so let’s talk about it now. My mother is responsible for your family leaving town, for your father losing his church? For you never calling me again?”
    “Okay, here’s the truth. My father is responsible for losing his church, for us leaving town, and I’m responsible for never calling you.”
    “So my mother wasn’t involved? Edward is lying?”
    “Not exactly lying. Your mother and my father were friends—”
    “He said something about love.”
    “Ed,” Tom said. “Can you give us a moment?”
    He started to protest, then turned for the door. “Hurry, it’s late. Eric’s waiting for us.”
    As the door clicked closed, Tom reached for Ginger but she stepped away. “Edward doesn’t know the whole story.”
    Ginger exhaled, the light in her golden eyes