The receptionist glanced up and smiled.
He peered at her and held out the scarf. "I need to drop—"
"Hi, JD." A voice drifted toward him from the hallway.
His heart fell into his shoes—no avoiding her like he'd planned.
The stunning woman in a tight gray skirt sailed toward him. A red blouse peeking from her jacket drew his attention to her curvy body. Her heels lengthened her toned legs and made her even taller than he remembered. Long hair, parted on the side like the person in his dream, cascaded down her shoulders.
His stomach did a flip as she neared. He jiggled the truck keys and shifted his weight. "I … here's your … uh, scarf." He drew the pink film back from the receptionist and held it out to Joella. Never in his life had a woman taken his breath away.
The corners of her mouth lifted in a slow smile. "Thank you." She handed the receptionist a file and grasped the scarf.
He cleared his throat. "I tried to wash it out."
"Don't worry about it. I'm surprised to see you after I almost ended your life." She took one step toward him. "Do you have time to chat a second? I'd like to find out how you're doing."
A curious heart-tug answered for him. "Sure." He limped beside her down a hall and into the first door on the right.
A swivel chair sat in front of her desk. "Sit down." She rolled a second chair closer and relaxed into the smooth leather. "I'm glad I caught you." Her coffee-brown hair fell into her face, and she pushed it behind her ear. "I still feel terrible about what happened."
JD rolled four fingers on the side of the chair. "I'm fine, and I take part of the blame for not watching where I was going."
Joella crossed one shapely leg over the other. "I hope you've changed your mind about suing me." The twinkle in her eye made his heart thud against his chest.
"No." He ran a hand through his hair. "I mean, yes. I'm not suing you." Get a grip, man. "I don't anticipate any long term effects." Other than a blow to his confidence.
He glanced around the room. "Nice office."
"Thanks. Are you sure there's nothing I could do to make it up to you? Do you like brownies? I could bake you some and drop them off where you work."
Whoa. That sounded like an open invitation. He gazed into her eyes. Filled with what—peace, joy, confidence? He'd never met a woman like her. "I do like chocolate. I wouldn't turn them down." He grinned and patted his stomach. "As you might guess, I eat a lot." Intuition warned that he'd said yes to her invite.
"You look to be in good shape."
He stared in fascination, his eyes following the rush of color that crept up her neck to stain her cheeks. Was she blushing? JD sat up straighter and leaned forward.
"I mean except for the limp."
Could she be more enchanting? The sooner he made an exit, the better—before he got tempted to ask her out. "Well, Joella, it's been nice to see you again, even under awkward circumstances." He offered his hand. "I have a short lunch break and need to get going."
She rose from her chair and clasped his hand. The soft, warm skin of her palm sent a jolt up his arm. His heart kicked up another notch. When she held the door open, her lips parted in a smile. "I'm glad you're okay, JD. No broken legs or anything. That's the important thing."
With a final wave, he plodded out of her office, his father's warnings about dating outside their religion pummeling his mind. Since she didn't attend his church, chances were unlikely she believed as he did. Maybe saying that a hundred times would salve the regret that he'd probably never see her again.
*****
Joella clutched the basket filled with double fudge nut chocolate brownies. The sign out front said The Ormond Complex. It had taken four days to get up the nerve to bake the chewy dessert. Even now, she had her doubts. Would God approve?
After a mental pinch, she admitted the truth. Though she didn't know if the gorgeous accountant followed her Christian faith, she wanted to find out. The good-looking guy who had such a great sense of humor and had forgiven her so graciously piqued her curiosity.
The front entrance led to the elevators. A sign on the wall listed the floors for building tenants. The second level—Grant, Tucker, and Associates Accounting Firm. After she punched up, the doors glided apart. She heaved a breath and pressed two.
JD hadn't initiated any contact since he returned the scarf. He'd shot out of her office Tuesday like she had a disease. Maybe he didn't want to get better acquainted—or perhaps he had a girlfriend like she'd first suspected.
Unease twisted down her spine. It took all the courage she could muster, but her goal drove her on. She simply had to see if he might be potential marriage material. Maybe God had a reason for placing him in her path. The worse that could happen would be he'd offer some excuse and ask her to leave.
Less than polite rejections from guys to whom she'd refused physical intimacy happened all too frequently. That alone had caused her to date only Christian men. But even some of them expected too much. One had dropped her like dry ice when he learned of the secret she wanted to keep buried.
But brownies? Heat traveled up her cheeks. Baking brownies for a guy? The gesture appeared sophomoric at best.
Joella straightened her shoulders. It would be a shame to waste all the effort and expensive ingredients. She'd deliver the brownies, give him another apology, and leave.
The elevator's ding brought her back from her thoughts. With hesitant steps, she approached the receptionist's desk.
An attractive blonde looked up from her computer screen and smiled. "May I help you?"
"Yes. I'm looking for JD Neilson's office."
"Is he expecting you?"
Joella bit a nail. "Well, no. I'm a friend." A friend? Did that best describe how he'd think about her?
"May I have your name, please?"
Chin up, girl. She cleared her throat. "Joella Crawford."
The perky blond punched in a number on her phone. "Mr. Neilson, a Joella Crawford is here to see you." A smile appeared on her face. "Yes, sir." She glanced up. "You may go ahead. Past the glass windows on the right." She pointed down the wide hallway.
"Thanks." With a nod to the woman, Joella ambled down the hall, and tried to exude poise she didn’t feel.
She rapped a quick knock below the plaque printed JD Neilson, CPA. Her courage drained to her ankles. With a glance back to the receptionist's desk, she juggled the basket from one hand to the other. JD might not like forward women, though she didn't consider herself brazen. But standing at his doorstep with a basket of—
The door swung open. JD's sea-foam eyes and parted lips dazzled her. His light brown eyebrows lifted. "Joella, how are you?" He dropped his gaze to the basket. "Come in." Stepping back, he allowed her to enter the spacious office.
She was a schoolgirl again—bearing brownies. "In case you see me on campus tomorrow, and you're tempted to shoot me—or retaliate, here's a peace offering." She held out the basket. "And I don't need the container back." The last thing she wanted was for him to think she'd planned a ploy to see him again.
His eyes lightened a shade with his grin. "It's a deal. I won't shoot you. Do you have time for a brownie?" He set the basket next to the computer.
A brownie would settle in her stomach better on Thanksgiving day after a big dinner than now, thanks to her nerves. "No. They're all yours. I wanted to see how your leg is doing."
"Well, I'm not on crutches." He smirked. "Actually, it's healing." JD rested on the corner of the desk, folded his arms over his chest, and peered at her with an expression she couldn't interpret—maybe scrutiny.
Her courage evaporated. She couldn't allow him to stare at her hot face any longer. "I'd better go. I have an appointment." She bolted for the door. "I just wanted to bring the brownies. Take care, JD."
"Weird."
Weird? That's what he thought of her efforts? So much for a polite rebuke. She pressed her lips in a firm line and turned back to confront him.
He shook his head.<
br />
Though his opinion of her brownies stung, at least he'd told the truth. "I understand. Like I said, it's only a peace offering." Her white-tinged knuckles gripped the doorframe.
Biting her lower lip, she spun on her heels, fighting tears that burned her eyelids. She'd hoped for a chance to get to know him better, perhaps even make a new friend, but she couldn't have been more wrong. Her pulse pounded double time as she counted the tiles from the floor to the elevator. Her cheeks blazed. He'd been honest, but his disinterest rolled over her like the pin her mother used to flatten the crust on her apple pies.
"Joella, hold on a sec," his voice rang out as she reached the elevator.
*****
Weird. Joella had shown up at his office only minutes after JD decided to call her. Since Tuesday, he had more than one wrestling match with himself. Sure, he'd made the best decision in not seeing her again. But an idea continued to surface.
There was no law against having non-church acquaintances. He had plenty of friends at work and at the university. Why not Joella? Of course, he could never become romantically involved with her, but the two of them could be buddies. Maybe then he could better understand her aura of serenity. She might share some secrets for self-improvement. Why hadn't he thought of that before?
When she paused at the elevators, he couldn't help but notice her shapely backside. "Joella, hold on a sec." He paced down the hall toward her.
"I need to show my appreciation somehow. Especially if I want some more of these delicious looking brownies."
"I thought you said they were weird."
JD gave a loud guffaw. "No, your brownies aren't weird. When you came to the door, I was thinking about you—quite a coincidence. I was just about to call you at New Trends." JD cleared his throat. His nerve threatened to abandon him, but Joella's amber eyes sparked his desire to know her better. "Look. I've got a couple of tickets to see the Peking Acrobats on campus next Friday. Why don't you join me?"
She whirled around, one eyebrow raised as if she didn't believe him. "Well …" A slow grin spread her lips. "Sounds like fun."
"But if I see you on campus tomorrow, you'll have to promise not to run me down again."
She lifted a palm in the air. "I promise."
"I'm taking you at your word." JD pressed on. "So would you like to go?"
A glow lit her face. Her nod encouraged him. "Why don't I pack some sandwiches, and we can have a picnic afterwards?" Her eyes held that familiar twinkle.
"Great idea, but the concert lets out a bit late."
"Haven't you ever picnicked after the sun goes down?" She angled her head to the side, giving him a flirtatious smile.
He winked at her. "You're right. It won't be dark. The stars will be out."
The shimmery elevator doors closed in front of the smiling interior designer after she raised her hand in a quick wave. Monday he'd call her at work and get her cell number and home address.
His heart pounded harder with the prospect of seeing her again. But no problem. Their association would go no further than a casual friendship. He'd see to that.
Chapter Four
Echoes of pounding Asian drums and agile flying acrobats filled Joella's head as she floated out of the theater in a dream. She touched JD's arm as he guided her across the lobby. "I have to remind myself those entertainers weren't silvery birds soaring through space." She lifted her gaze but focused on his handsome face a few seconds longer than she'd planned. "I'm glad you brought me. Thanks."
The gorgeous guy in a leather jacket over a gray shirt stuffed his hands in his jeans pocket and offered a shy smile. She gave herself a mental pinch. Was he for real? She couldn't remember having a better time on a date.
Three hours together and no suggestive remarks about where they'd go later. This man had proven the perfect gentleman, so far. For once she relaxed in a guy's company without wondering when the next foul word would roll off his tongue.
He grinned like a bashful little boy. "I couldn't help but laugh when the performer who could've doubled for a Sumo Wrestler stepped out on the stage and beat the gong. You almost jumped out of your seat."
"Don't remind me." Though she'd instinctively grabbed JD's arm when the sound startled her, he'd only smiled. The scent of spicy aftershave floated toward her on the breeze.
JD scratched behind his shirt collar. "I wonder how that girl with the feather headdress made it all the way to the top of the five-man tower. I'm glad I wasn't the one on the bottom." His laugh crinkled the corners of his eyes into little V's.
"I failed Gymnastics 101. The Peking Acrobats would fire me after my first day." Chatting and laughing seemed so natural. He put her at ease, and she could talk without pretending to be someone else. The sun disappeared behind the trees and buildings, leaving a pinkish, rose glow. The fresh air energized her.
They followed the path to the parking lot. JD clicked the locks and helped her step up into the passenger’s seat. Lips pursed, he rounded the front of the truck, whistling an unfamiliar tune.
"What's that song? Sounds catchy."
He cleared his throat. "Oh, just a hymn we sing at church."
A church-goer—that answered her question. If his heart belonged to the Lord and he honored God's Word, it wasn't likely he'd want to go drinking later. She wouldn't have to insist on going home, since a bar was the last place she wanted to go tonight … or ever.
The music of Jeremy Camp filled the cab again. The words infused her with peace, and she sank her shoulders into the comfortable seat back. "I like that artist, too."
"Yeah, I enjoy hearing the clean lyrics. There's so much profanity in pop music." Sixth Street led them off campus.
JD attended church, didn't use foul language, listened to Christian music, and appeared to respect her by not suggesting she hop into bed with him. So far, he seemed like a guy committed to Christian values. But those high standards didn't actually make him a believer in the Lord. She needed to know more. "So, you go to church?"
"Yes, every Sunday. My book of wisdom is back there." He pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
A black leather-bound volume rested on the backseat. Hmm. Book of wisdom. That was one way to refer to the Bible. "That book is filled with wisdom. I have to agree." If JD read the Bible, what did that say? All the signs pointed to the conclusion she hoped for. He was a Christian.
******
JD followed Cherry Boulevard and pulled under the Murray Park sign over the arched entrance. The glow from the setting sun barely lit the horizon. He couldn't remember going on a picnic with a girl since high school—especially at this time of day.
The road wound around the park to an area thick with trees. A sturdy table with two seats attached sat near the lighted lampposts next to Big Camino Creek. He lifted Joella's cooler from the back of his truck and plopped it on the table. "How's this?"
"Perfect." She unpacked sandwiches, potato chips, paper plates, and napkins. Chilled bottles of lemonade completed the meal.
"I'd hold the chair out for you, but this bench isn't going to budge."
With a giggle, she eased down onto the concrete seat. "You make me laugh."
And she made him happy, like any good friend. "Maybe that's because you're so easy to get along with." He slid in on the other side. "Do you mind if I say the blessing?" He'd prayed over meals since childhood. No reason to stop now, whether Joella practiced a religion or not.
"Please do." Joella bowed her head.
Eyes closed, JD spoke the words he'd learned. "Thank you, Father, for your son, Jesus. Bless this meal to our good health. Amen."
Ah, Jesus. Even saying that name sent a quiver down his spine. Exalted Father demanded so much from his son, and Jesus had lived up to the expectations surrounding him—as JD and every other member of the true church should do.
The gurgling sounds of the creek brought JD back to the picnic—and Joella. When he raised his head, her lashes rested on her cheeks. She lifted her chin and gazed at him with sear
ching eyes as if wanting to ask something.
Maybe she believed in the tales that men wrote down in the Bible. But Jesus only came to earth to tell man about the Scale of Balance. To put a stop to his message, the Jews killed the great prophet.
Joella touched his hand. "I hope you like turkey." A yummy sandwich sat on the paper plate.
"My favorite. Really, I'm glad to get anything to eat these days. My cooking skills leave a lot of room for improvement." He snickered.
"I wouldn't want to see a big guy like you starve. You'd better take the extras home."
After JD ate three well-stacked sandwiches, he patted his stomach. Sitting under the stars and sharing this meal with Joella brought a sense of serenity, a chance to unwind. Tonight he didn't need to prove anything to anyone. Since she hadn't heard about the Scale of Balance, he didn't have to brag about good works. "How'd ya like to do some star gazing?"
She stretched her arms. "When I was a little girl, I used to take my younger sister, Tammy, outside in the backyard. We'd throw a blanket on the grass and stare at the heavens for hours trying to find the constellations."
Was she as pretty then as now? He lifted the reclining lawn chairs he'd borrowed from Mom out of the back of his truck and set them side by side facing the creek.
Joella lengthened her legs and leaned back.
Hundreds of chirping crickets joined an owl's hoot in a nocturnal chorus. A clear sky provided a backdrop for the galaxy's luminous lights. "Did you know we can see about five thousand stars on a clear night?" He rolled his head toward Joella then returned his gaze to the sky.
Her softly drawled words floated like a whisper on the night air. "It’s hard to believe there are so many." With one cheek resting against the chair, she blinked her eyes. "Everything we want to know about God is evident in creation." One slender hand waved, encompassing the vast heavens. "I can’t imagine how He made all this out of nothing."
JD had suspected she held to the religion many others believed—the teachings the eleven founders discovered to be false. The universe began after the Big Bang, but he couldn't point it out to her now.