Read Online Irene Brand_Yuletide_01 by Yuletide Peril - Free Book Online Page A

exchanged a troubled glance with Lance. She turned her head quickly, so he wouldn’t detect the joy that must be revealed in her eyes. What had happened to her? She’d always shouldered her own responsibilities. Now that Lance had offered his friendship, her heart spun giddily at the prospects of having someone share the despair that threatened to crush her. Momentarily her independence surfaced. Would it lead to more heartbreak if she trusted Lance and he disappointed her?
    She faced him again and gazed with deep concentration into his face. Lance held his breath, fearful that she’d reject him. But a yearning look came into Janice’s eyes, and she said softly, “I’ve only had two really close friends in my whole life. I left Miss Caroline behind at VOH. My friend Maddie is busy with college, and I don’t see her often. I’ve never felt so alone in my whole life.” She held out her hand. “I desperately need a friend, Lance.”
    The tension in the car was suffocating as thoughts they couldn’t express bounced from one to the other.
    Janice’s eyes were luminous with unshed tears. He took herproffered hand, squeezed it and lifted it to his cheek. “I’ll be your friend.”
    Further words seemed unnecessary, so Lance reluctantly released her hand and started the car. They were silent during the short drive into Stanton.
     
    Brooke had enjoyed her trip to the movies with Taylor and her mother. She chatted about it as Lance drove them back to the motel, so Janice and Lance didn’t have any time for private conversation.
    When they got out of the car and Brooke ran into the motel, Janice said, “I appreciate your offer of friendship, but being my friend doesn’t mean you have to worry about my problems all the time. I’ll try to stay out of trouble for a few weeks—you’ll have your hands busy with getting the school year underway. You must have a large student body.”
    Lance felt as if he’d been dismissed, and he wondered if he had been too forward in pushing his friendship on Janice. But she’d seemed receptive to the idea.
    Trying to match her mood, he said, “There are about four hundred kids. We have kindergarten through the sixth grade.”
    “Which is going to be a big adjustment for Brooke,” Janice said. “Please send me word if she needs any special help.”
    “I will be busy,” he said, “but not too busy to help you. Please let me know if you need anything. ”
    She nodded agreement as she went into the motel. He watched her purposeful stride and ramrod-straight back, wondering why her attitude had changed so abruptly. He had intended to ask the Reids to attend his church tomorrow, but he didn’t want to push Janice too far. He’d only asked for her friendship, and he didn’t want their relationship to continuebeyond that point. He’d lived thirty years without any serious involvement with women. He liked living his own life. So why start up a relationship now?

Chapter Five
    S itting in their motel room, as she partially listened to Brooke chatter about the movie, Janice wondered why she’d been so abrupt with Lance. The man had been a wonderful help today, and she’d enjoyed his company immensely.
    The more she thought about it, she realized that she was afraid of Lance Gordon—afraid she’d become too dependent on him. The years before she’d been sent to VOH, she had to depend on herself. She’d allowed herself to be dependent on Miss Caroline, but at eighteen she left all of that behind. For the past three years she’d been on her own. Wasn’t it less traumatic that way? If you didn’t rely on anyone else, then you wouldn’t be disappointed if they failed you.
    Miss Caroline had told her often enough that God was a friend who would help her through any circumstances. After she’d moved to Willow Creek and gotten a job, when she wasn’t working on Sunday morning, she’d sometimes gone back to VOH for worship services. But she’d gone mostly to see Miss Caroline,