Part 12 (1/2)
She outlasted him. ”He wants to hurt you because you sang in his choir.”
”I really don't think he wants to hurt me,” she insisted. ”He just wants me back.”
”Why?”
”I'm his meal ticket. When I sing in his choir, the attendance goes up.”
”Ah, now I understand. The donations also go up, don't they?”
She nodded. ”People seem to like my voice.” She sounded embarra.s.sed to admit such a thing.
”I can see why they would.”
She smiled. ”You can?”
”Yeah, I can,” he said.
”Do you know what, Adam? You make me feel very safe.”
He laughed. Now that he knew what her problem was, his anger diminished. The trouble wasn't serious after all. It was just a nuisance, and one he would quickly deal with.
”I make you feel safe? If you knew some of the thoughts I was having about you on my way here, you wouldn't feel that way.”
She couldn't tell if he was teasing her or not. ”What were you thinking?”
”Never mind. Have you told me everything?”
”Yes, of course I have.”
”You didn't leave anything out?”
”Lord, you're suspicious,” she said. ”I'm not keeping any secrets from you. You know everything there is to know. Truly,” she added with a nod.
”If you were telling me the truth-”
”I was,” she interrupted.
”Then it's a very simple problem to solve.”
”It is?”
The eagerness in her voice made him smile. ”Yes, it is,” he a.s.sured her. ”I can't figure out why you didn't tell me about Ezekiel when we were at Rosehill. It would have made things easier.”
”I explained why I didn't confide in you. I didn't want you to get involved. Ezekiel Jones isn't a very nice man, Adam. He won't take no for an answer.”
”Did you tell him no?”
She rolled her eyes heavenward. ”I certainly did.”
”And?”