Read Online Stranger in the Night by Catherine Palmer - Free Book Online Page A

refugee family from Paganda, aren’t you?”
    He appeared perplexed for a moment. Then he nodded. “Oh, yeah. I worked on it this afternoon.”
    “These will help you.”
    This time he took the paperwork. “You caught me off guard. I’ve been shooting hoops.”
    She tried not to look at his chest. “Yes. Well, I hope you’re having fun. This is a nice place for the kids. Your friend has done a good job.”
    “Do you want to meet Sam?”
    “No. I mean, I just swung by to drop off the copies. I’m on my way home. Please greet the Rudi family for me.”
    Before he could respond, she turned toward the door.
    “Hang on.” He caught her arm, pulled her closer. “Liz, wait.”
    “Really, I have to go. I’m tired.”
    “Let me introduce you to Sam and Terell.” His hand cupping her elbow, he maneuvered her onto the basketball court. “Sam agreed to help me find Pastor Stephen a job. The guy wants to start a church, but—”
    “He does?” Joy washed through her. “We desperately need local churches for the refugees. Pastor Stephen speaks Swahili,right? It’s a common language in eastern Paganda, and many of our people pick it up while they’re living in refugee camps in Kenya or Tanzania. I’ve been hoping to start a Bible study for Swahili speakers at my apartment.”
    “You know Swahili?”
    “Not well. I learned a little while I was in the DRC, and I’ve been taking classes at the community center. It’s part of my preparation for the UN job.”
    He stopped walking. “Africa. You’re going to Africa.”
    “Lord willing.”
    For a moment, they looked at each other. Liz sensed the activity around them, kids running by, balls bouncing, a child crying, whistles blowing. But all she saw was the desire in Joshua Duff’s eyes. Desire for her.
    He wanted her.
    She felt his hunger wrap around her chest and tighten her heart. Her own response caught in her throat, taking her breath away. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak.
    “Who’s this?”
    A deep voice broke the invisible shell that had surrounded them. Liz glanced up to see the towering T-Rex, the impression of height increased by a golden-haired child perched on his shoulders.
    “You got a lady friend, Duff? Why didn’t you tell us she was coming over? Welcome to Haven.” He stuck out a large hand. “I’m Terell Roberts. This is Brandy, up here. She’s my sidekick.”
    Liz shook Terell’s hand and focused on the child. The angelic illusion of pink cheeks and blond curls faded beneath the reality of the little girl’s runny nose, matted hair and grimy face.
    “Hi, Brandy. My name is Liz Wallace.” She returned to Terell. “And you must be T-Rex. Shauntay pointed you out. I work for Refugee Hope.”
    “Liz Wallace—you’re the lady who…” His eyes darted toJoshua for an instant and then back, looking her up and down. “I heard about you. Yeah, you live up to your billing.”
    At that, Joshua sobered. “Terell, can you introduce Liz to Sam? I remembered something I need to tell Pastor Stephen. Thanks for the paperwork, Liz. I’ll put this to good use.”
    Before she could reply, he strode away, leaving her alone with Terell and Brandy.
    “Sergeant Duff and I don’t get along, you see,” she said. “We got off to a bad start this morning at Refugee Hope. The Rudi family came to the States through a different agency, and I didn’t feel I could help them. So we had a bit of conflict.”
    “You did?” Terell studied Joshua, who was going into one of the small rooms that lined one side of the basketball court.
    “That’s not what Duff told Sam and me at supper. The way I hear it, you’re the prettiest thing he’s laid eyes on in years. Said you’re making him crazy.”
    Liz knotted her fingers together. “I’m sure he meant crazy in a negative way. Anyway, it’s been nice to meet you—and you, too, Brandy.”
    The little girl waved down from her perch. “Bye-bye!”
    “Hold on now—you need to meet Sam,” Terell said.