By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition (8 page)

“I could tell. It was as if angels sang directly from your lips. My spirit wanted to rise up and fly with the eagles in the song.” She bit her lip.
What am I saying? I sound like a complete fool
. Heat warmed Victoria’s cheeks, and she knew blotches would soon follow on her face and neck. She looked back at Sondra. “I mean …”

Sondra raised her eyebrows and grinned. “Well, how was Sunday school?”

Bless you, sweet sister-in-law, for the change in subject
. “I felt an instant connection with the people in my class.”

“We were glad to have you,” said Chris.

Victoria forced herself to look up at him. “Thanks.”

“We don’t often have newcomers. Usually people leave us singles and join the marrieds.” Chris laughed. “I’d be happy to introduce you to more people in the group.”

“It would be wonderful for you to make more friends,” added Sondra.

Chris crossed his arms in front of his chest. “That’s right. One thing I’ve learned from Abby, girls love to chat with friends.”

“Well, I did meet one new person today.”

“You did?” Chris’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Something about his tone seemed to mock her.
What does he think, that I’m inept at meeting people in any way but crashing into their bumpers?
She brushed the thought away.
I’m just imagining things
.

“I think I have a job.”

“A job?” Sondra and Chris asked in unison.

“Yep.”

“That’s great,” said Sondra.

“Dylan introduced me to a man who works at your bank. Zack Bradshaw.”

Chris’s eyebrows furrowed. “Hmph.”

Victoria scowled at him. Why the man, out of nowhere, determined to set her fury wheels to spinning was beyond her. She’d never met a person who infuriated her so completely. “He asked me to come by tomorrow and fill out an application.” She smiled and looked back at Sondra.

Sondra hugged her with her free hand. “That’s wonderful news. You’ve got to tell me all about it”—she bounced Emily as the child started to fuss—“as soon as we get home. I think I’m going to have to get these kids home. Naptime is calling.”

“I’ll help.” Victoria reached for the bags.

“No, you stay here with Chris. He needs to talk to you, too.”

Victoria frowned. She didn’t know what Sondra was thinking. Victoria didn’t need to stay with Chris. She needed to help Sondra, to be away from Chris.

“I think God may have answered our prayers before we had time to actually mouth them.” Sondra winked and walked down the hall. Before she could take two steps Dylan had appeared and scooped Peewee into his arms.

“Makes sense.”

Victoria peered at Chris, noting the sarcasm that dripped from his words. She shifted her weight, anxious to get to the van and head back to the ranch. Something about the oversized mechanic made her uncomfortable. Not that he hadn’t always treated her as a respectable man should, he just made her feel different. And it had nothing to do with the car accident. “What makes sense? What are you talking about?”

“Zack Bradshaw.”

“Zack?”

“He’s definitely your type.”

Victoria lifted her purse higher on her shoulder and straightened to her full height. “And how, Chris Ratliff, would you know my type?”

He huffed. “It’s obvious.”

“I don’t know why Sondra wanted me to speak with you, but I’m sure it wasn’t so we could argue. Because I have no desire—”

He lifted his hand to stop her. “I’m sorry. I had no right. Zack’s a great guy.” He leaned his head back and glanced at the ceiling. “I’m just tired, overwhelmed really. I can’t seem to get a handle on her.”

Chris stared down at Victoria whose expression exposed nothing short of confusion. Why he had felt the sudden yank of jealousy at her mention of Zack Bradshaw was a mystery to him. He liked and respected Zack, and Chris definitely didn’t have any interest in Victoria.

Taking in her matching blue pants and jacket, the way her hair fell curly and full at her shoulders, and the sweet, soft scent that washed over him when she was near, Chris wondered if maybe he did. He shook his head, needing to remember the purpose of this conversation, and in truth, he felt confident Sondra had a good idea.
Now to convince Victoria
.

“What are you saying?” Victoria placed a manicured hand on her hip. She seemed none too happy to have been left with him.

Chris motioned for her to walk ahead of him. “Could we talk a minute?”

“Sure.” She didn’t budge.

“We could sit in the sanctuary.” She still didn’t move. He grinned. “Or we could stand right here and talk.”

Victoria exhaled. “Look, if it’s about the money for your car. I know I should have gotten with you before. I need to be honest …”

He lifted his hand to stop her. “I wasn’t going to ask you about the money for my car.”

“You weren’t?”

“You said you’d give it to me.” He motioned to his hand. “As good as in my hand, remember?”

Her mouth twitched. “Okay, so what are we supposed to talk about?”

Chris cleared his throat. “Well, I have a younger sister. She’s a teenager … and our mother has been gone for over a year.” He loosened his tie. “She’s gotten difficult for me to handle.”

Victoria furrowed her brow. “Okay, I’ve heard as much. What are you asking?”

“Actually, Sondra was saying that she needs a female influence. Someone who could teach her manners, how to be a lady.” Chris shoved both hands in his pants pockets and studied the floor. “She must think you’d be good for her.”

Silence permeated the hall. Most of the congregation had left the building. Anxious for some kind of sound, Chris jingled the change in his pocket. The cool metal had a calming effect on him, feeling good between his fingers.

“What do you think?” Her gaze bore into him with intensity.

The clear sincerity reflected in Victoria’s eyes attracted him in the most basic of ways. He couldn’t deny his attraction for her. Any man with a pulse would be drawn to her. “I think you’d be a perfect influence.”

Victoria smiled. “Then why don’t you introduce me to her.”

“Let’s go. She’s in the truck.”

Calm down
. Victoria scurried to keep up with Chris’s much wider stride.
I have no reason to be nervous. The man whose car I trashed just wants me to be a good influence on his wayward sister
. Victoria exhaled, blowing stray curls away from her eyes.
How did I get myself into this?

Scanning the parking lot, few vehicles remained. Sondra and Dylan stood on each side of the van leaning into it, probably buckling both children into their car seats. She knew the kids had to be on the verge of a complete exhaustion meltdown, so she’d have to make this introduction quick. Looking ahead of her she noticed the aged, dark green truck occupied by an obviously disgruntled teenager.

Chris gently touched her elbow in a way that felt protective. His breath kissed her ear as he whispered, “I apologize ahead of time for anything Abby may say to you.”

“Don’t worry.” Victoria swatted the air as a knot formed and tightened in her gut. The attraction she felt for Chris made no sense, and she had to fight it. She focused on the truck, and as they drew closer, Victoria noted Abby’s arms were crossed in front of her chest. The teen’s clamped lips formed a straight line, and her squinted eyes glared out the windshield and past them, as if she were staring at the church.

Somewhere inside Victoria a giggle formed. She coughed and willed herself to squelch it, but it wouldn’t go away. Feeling it wiggle its way up to her lips, Victoria couldn’t shake Abby’s resemblance to a younger version of Granny from the
Beverly Hillbillies
and the sour expressions she constantly wore.

“Are you okay?” Chris stopped just before the truck and peered at her.

Victoria nodded and then covered her mouth with her bulletin as another giggle escaped. She walked to Abby’s door to avoid looking at Chris for fear she might burst into full-blown laughter. Victoria sneaked a peek at Abby, whose eyes squinted in defiance. The teen bit her bottom lip, and Victoria wondered if Abby had trouble holding her own giggles at bay. The expression proved too much and Victoria laughed. Offering her hand through the rolled down window, Victoria said, “I’m Victoria. You must be Abby.”

Abby half smiled and nodded.

Victoria coughed and tried to clear her throat to settle down but couldn’t shake the smile from her lips. “Look, I’ll just be honest. I’m new here. In fact, I’m the gal who hit your brother’s car.”

“You’re the Mary Ann Mangler?”

Victoria raised her eyebrows and glanced at Chris, who looked away from her but not before she noticed his face had turned bright crimson. “Yes, that’s me. Well, your brother mentioned that you—”

“Dylan, did you say you need some help? I’m coming!” Chris yelled toward the Wards’ van. Dylan looked up, an expression of confusion on his face. He eyed Sondra and shrugged. Chris glanced back at Victoria. “I’ll be right back.”

That dirty rascal
. Victoria shook her head.
He just ditched me
.

“Chris can’t take the heat,” said Abby.

Victoria glanced back at the teenager who smiled, exposing perfect, white teeth and eyes that sparkled in merriment. “Abby, you’re a beautiful girl.”

“Huh?” Abby’s eyes widened and she leaned back in her seat.

Victoria pulled down the visor. “Look at yourself. You’re a natural beauty. When you smile, your whole face lights up.”

Abby sneaked a quick peek. “You think so?”

Victoria nodded. “Definitely.”

Abby exhaled and tapped her fingers on the dash. “Okay, fine. I’ll be your project.”

“What?” Victoria stepped back in surprise.

“But only if you promise not to boss me around. I hate it when Chris does that. I’m seventeen years old. I’m not a baby.”

“No, you’re not a baby.”

Victoria thought for a moment, unsure how to respond. She didn’t have any experience mentoring a teenager.

“That is why Chris brought your over here to meet me, right?” Abby’s tone took on a sarcastic flare. “Because I need a good female role model.”

The truth shall set you free
. The scripture sang in Victoria’s heart. If she intended to mentor Abby, she planned to be as honest and genuine as she could be. They’d have to learn from each other.

Victoria grinned. “Yes, you’re right. Beautiful and smart.”

Abby nodded, and Victoria realized the teen needed her to be honest and upfront with her. “Okay. You want to come over tomorrow evening? I’m grounded, so I’ll be there.”

For the first time since she’d arrived in Lasso, Victoria felt needed in a way that had nothing to do with herself. Sure, she’d felt needed by Peewee and even Emily, which was something Victoria had always yearned for. But helping Abby gave Victoria a purpose. She could shower the teen with all she knew about makeup, clothes, manners, boys … okay, maybe Victoria could use a little help in that area as her experience had been little to none. It didn’t matter. Victoria could feel that God had given her a project … and a friend. “Absolutely.”

Sitting straight and proper as she had been taught in etiquette class, Victoria clasped her hands, resting them on top of her crossed legs. The white, tiny-flower print skirt and matching bright green summer top she wore spoke of a mixture of professionalism and femininity. She had been careful to apply extra foundation to ensure coverage of the freckles that made her appear young. Taking additional precaution, she swept her long curls into a tight clip allowing only a few ringlets to escape and frame her face.

Lord, please let me get this job. And let me get my Suburban back
. She thought of Sondra taking a sleeping Emily from her bed and buckling her into the car seat. Peewee had been happy to make the trip to Lawton, but Victoria knew it to be an unplanned excursion and interruption in a busy day for Sondra.
Hopefully, I’ll get my vehicle back soon
.

A middle-aged lady with a beehive hairdo approached Victoria. She held a stack of folders in her hand. Her frazzled expression bespoke that the last thing the woman wanted to do was take care of a job applicant. “Mr. Bradshaw will see you now.”