Read Online Pastor's Assignment by Kim O'Brien - Free Book Online

has to be the most pathetic excuse for a poem I have ever seen.” He raked his hands through his hair. “It doesn’t even rhyme properly.”
    â€œWell, you were in a rush when you wrote it.” Laney knew she sounded defensive. She frowned, thinking she had expected a different emotion to surface when he read the poem.
    â€œI’d have to have been on drugs to write that,” Ty insisted. He handed her back the paper. “Here. Keep it. Only a completely insane person would think I wrote that.” He laughed humorlessly. “Tell your father he’s a much better sheriff than poet.”
    Laney looked at the smile on his face and saw the truth in his eyes. For a moment she clung to the hope that the look was a pose; but when his gaze met hers without flinching, she knew she’d done it again. Her heart sank to her stomach. Her gaze fell to her hands.
    â€œMy father didn’t write that poem,” she said miserably. “And apparently you didn’t either.”
    She stared at her ring. The fat diamond seemed to wink at her as if she were nothing more than a joke. The enormity of her mistake crushed her to the bone.
    She’d made an idiot of herself, sneaking around restaurants and even tailing him to the grocery store. How could she think God would choose her to do His work? It was all true—every Calamity ’Lane joke.
    She hung her head in her hands. “I’m such an idiot.”
    â€œYou finally believe me.” Ty sighed in relief.
    Laney looked at him through tear-filled eyes. “I was so sure I wouldn’t mess up things this time.”
    Ty coughed and looked away. “It was an honest mistake.”
    â€œRight,” Laney said. “Like anyone else would pick up a note in church and do what I did.” She sniffed. “Can you believe I actually thought God was giving me a chance to make up for all the times I’ve goofed up?”
    â€œI’m sure you meant well.”
    Laney shook her head. “I’m the last person who should try to help someone else. I’d probably shove someone off the roof trying to save them from jumping.”
    â€œYou’re not so bad,” Ty said in the stilted sort of way that told her clearly he was lying. “Besides, they have safety nets for jumpers these days.”
    She tried to laugh, but the noise sounded more like a sob.
    â€œI was only joking,” he said. “I’d trust you to save me if I needed it.”
    She looked up, and her hands fell away from her face. “You would?” She wasn’t sure she believed him, but she could at least hope he meant it.
    â€œSure,” Ty replied. He shifted an inch farther from her on the sofa. She watched his gaze go to the door. “Nobody’s perfect all the time,” he added.
    â€œBut I’m imperfect all the time.” Laney nodded. “It’s the truth.”
    â€œIt’s not the truth,” Ty replied. “Not just anyone is willing to help a stranger.” For the first time she heard sincerity in his voice. “Believe me—most people are interested only in themselves.”
    Laney’s heart began to beat harder, as if the sadness had been a weight that had been removed. Right now she felt closer to him than she ever had to any other person on earth.
    â€œYou’re not just interested in yourself, either,” she said. “I remember what you said about helping make schools safer when we were at the grocery store.”
    She couldn’t seem to look away from him. He was gazing at her differently, as if he saw something new and good about her.
    When his gaze dropped to her hands, she realized she’d been twisting her engagement ring around and around. Of course she would have to tell Rock what had happened. He’d be horrified, but she hoped he would understand.
    â€œI probably should go,” Ty said.
    Laney looked up, feeling strangely bereft yet finding she