Read Online An Aussie Christmas Angel by Clare Revell - Free Book Online Page B

girl’. She was the One—wasn’t she?
    “Yeah, I did.” Her bubbly voice confused him. “How are you?”
    “I’m OK. We’ve just got back from church. How are you?”
    “Really good. I got your letter. It came on Friday, but I was out of town, so I didn’t get it until I got home this evening.”
    “Oh, I see.” Now the moment was here he felt physically sick. His palms were damp and he tucked the phone under his chin, wiping his hands on his suit trousers. He undid his suit jacket and loosened the tie that was threatening to choke him.
    “Yes.”
    “I’m sorry?” He rubbed his chin, almost dropping the phone in the process. He caught it just in time, gripping it tightly in his fist. She’d lost him completely.
    “The answer to your question is yes. I would love to start a long distance relationship with you.”
    John wasn’t sure he’d heard her right. “You—you would?”
    “Yes, I would.”
    “Say it again.” Surely he hadn’t heard right? His breath caught in his throat and his tie once again felt too tight. He pulled it off and unbuttoned his collar.
    “I would love to start a long distance relationship with you.”
    His heart leapt into his throat making speech almost impossible. He hadn’t expected that answer. “That’s great.”
    “John, are you all right?” She paused. “John?”
    “I’m fine.” He coughed.
    “Are you sure? Or would you like me to say it for a fifth time?”
    “Yeah. No…Yes, I’m fine. No, you don’t need to say it again. Unless you want to.”
    “Yes, I want to go out with you.” Her smile was audible.
    He sat there, the scientist in him trying to analyze how he felt. Heart pounding, pulse racing, temples throbbing. His stomach felt like a million birds had taken flight. The nausea replaced with a light-headedness and… He stopped. There were no words to describe the joy flooding him. She said yes. Thank You, God, she said yes. She said yes!
    “John? Are you still there?”
    Her voice dragged his attention back. “I honestly thought you were calling to say no.”
    Jo laughed, and the sound was like a peal of silver bells straight from heaven. “No, nothing like that. But I can if you want.”
    He laughed with her. “No, please don’t change your mind. You didn’t come to see me off when I left. I wasn’t sure how you felt about me. I thought perhaps I’d scared you off completely when I wrote and wondered if I got it all wrong. That I imagined you felt the way I did.”
    “No. Mail just takes weeks to get here sometimes.” She took a deep breath. “My turn to be honest. I didn’t come to see you off, because I was going to church to complain to God.”
    “Seriously? I thought you were going to the mission.”
    “Very seriously. The mission was just the reason to go. I was mad at God for raising my hopes and then smashing them. And I mean really angry. God finally gives me a bloke who wants to date me, more than once, and he lives twelve thousand miles away. I did nothing but whine to Him for days. Then I remembered that naughty step conversation we had. Figured God was giving me time out to calm down. It took me a while to work that out.” She paused. “It’s been a really long two weeks not hearing from you.”
    “I’m sorry and I did write, even if it did take two weeks to get there. But it was your turn to e-mail…” He paused. “That was a rubbish excuse.”
    She giggled. “Yep, but yeah, it was my turn. I promise to do better on the email front. As long as you promise to reply.”
    “Instantly. Well, as soon as I log on and find one from you.” His heart overflowed with happiness. Was it spilling onto his voice? He glanced across the hall, seeing his reflection in the mirror. He had a goofy grin on his face and figured it would just stay there the rest of the day. Or month. Or year.
    “I’ll send one in the morning.” She yawned. “I’m sorry.”
    “Am I boring you?” he teased.
    “All the time,” she giggled,