Read Online Now and Always by Lori Copeland - Free Book Online Page B

considering the nature of the shelter, she couldn’t be too careful.
    She got behind the wheel and drove out of the lot, avoiding any sudden swerves that would shift her carefully packed bounty. The envelope holding the weekly amount for jeep fuel lay on the seat. She’d burned extra gas making the twenty-mile round trip to Warehouse Blowout, but that was a minor problem considering the amount of money she’d saved on staples. Besides, gas had dropped two cents, so by her calculations, she could fill the tank and have a dollar left over for the following week. So far the budget was working like a charm. She was grateful for Warren’s expertise, but she wasn’t kidding herself. The budget was going to be hard to follow. But she could do it. If it meant saving Candlelight, she could do most anything.
    A red light brought traffic to stop and while waiting, she leaned backward and located the orange sack. The drawstring opening gave her a little trouble, but she managed to extract one before the light changed. She peeled the round globe of juicy fruit with her teeth and bit into it. Sweet juice popped out and rolled down her chin. Fumbling for a tissue, she eased up on the gas about the time she heard the piercing scream of a siren. A glance in the rearview mirror confirmed her suspicions. Ben. The sedan with the wailing siren was on her tail now. Katie pulled to the side of the highway wondering what he wanted. She wasn’t speeding. The budget said nothing about speeding tickets, but Warren would undoubtedly freak at the wasted money. She rolled her window down and waited as the sheriff approached.
    He bent down, placing his folded arms on the open window frame. “Hey there. How’s it going?”
    â€œWhat are you doing this far from home?”
    â€œI was about to ask you the same thing.”
    She reached for a sign and slapped it on the windshield.
    He grinned. “I can’t read it.”
    â€œYou know what it says.”
    â€œDo you have dandruff?”
    Dandruff? What a question. “No, I don’t have dandruff.”
    â€œYou sure wash your hair enough.”
    She slapped the sign back on her seat. The guy was impossible. He flashed an easy grin, his hazel eyes sparkling. Reddish blond hair, ruddy complexion, and a sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of his nose made him the typical, ornery redhead. “Okay, so I stopped you in hopes you’d misread my sign. Would you like to go out for dinner Saturday night?”
    â€œYou turned on your siren and scared me half to death to ask for a date? I expected a ticket at the very least.”
    â€œI can arrange that if you like; however, I’d rather take you out.”
    Katie really didn’t want to date him, but she didn’t want to hurt him either. Sure she was still miffed about the prom, but over the years she’d decided the spat wasn’t worth a serious grudge. These
days they had fun tormenting the other with their silly signs. Actually, thinking up new rejections had gotten to be a game with Katie. When Ben married — if he ever married, she’d miss the poster board banter. “I don’t go out much because I never know when I’ll be needed at home.”
    She could take care of herself. At any rate, there had never been any romantic sparks, and she didn’t want to start something she wouldn’t be inclined to finish.
    He shook his head. “I admire your commitment, Katie, but you’re putting your life on hold for the shelter. It’s time you did something for yourself.”
    â€œAnd the women would do what?”
    â€œAnytime you want to go out, I’ll send a man to watch the house.”
    â€œThat isn’t the point. There’s little I could do if trouble erupted, but I feel a need to stay close. They’re insecure.”
    â€œHow much of this is what God wants you to do, and how much is based on your family’s