Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Or what? You’re going to punch me?” Lester asked, challenging him.
“Do you need bruises to be nice to someone? That seems to go against biblical law,” Faust answered, leaning slightly forward to lurk over him.
“Like you know anything about the bible.”
“‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Matthew 7:12.”
Faust heard a giggle from behind him as the sanctimonious man’s mouth dropped open. “Don’t challenge people you know nothing about. It doesn’t end well. And never doubt that I am a man of my word. I will hurt you if you don’t treat Molly as the amazing person she is.”
The man sputtered, obviously struggling to respond to that assurance.
“Lester, I put some paperwork on your desk last night before I went home. Could you look that over and see what the church would like to do with the information?” Molly asked, giving him an out.
Almost walking backward to keep Faust in view, the man scurried down the short hallway and darted into his office. Lester closed his door with a bang. There was no mistaking the click of the lock engaging.
“Is he always like that?” Faust asked sharply.
Shrugging, Molly tried to brush off the question. “Was there a reason you came to see me today?”
“I wanted to check on your tire.”
“You tracked me here—because of my tire?” she asked. “How did you find me anyway?”
“There’s a sticker in your back window. Give me your keys and I’ll take your car to get the tire changed.” Faust held out his hand.
This time it was Molly’s mouth that dropped open. “I can’t ask you to do that. Besides…”
When her voice trailed off, Faust understood. A church secretary couldn’t make a lot of money. “Give me your phone.”
Without even asking why, Molly grabbed her purse and rummaged in it to find her phone. “Oh, it’s almost dead. In all the excitement, I forgot to plug it in.”
She handed it to Faust who noted the red indicator at the top. Faust opened her contacts and added his information before calling himself. Returning the device, he asked, “Do you have a charger?”
Molly set her phone back on her desk and started pulling things out of her purse. Faust watched in amazement as a pile grew. He noticed she tucked a tampon under a few other things so he wouldn’t see it. Her cheeks turned a rosy pink.
Finally, she admitted defeat. “I don’t. It’s okay. I have a landline here.”
“Keys.”
“Really, I’ll get it taken care of by the end of the week.”
Faust said nothing but stood there with his hand out. Finally, she relented and moved a few things in the jumble on her desk to find her keys. Placing them on his palm, she looked worried.
“Your car is safe with me, Molly.”
“I’m not worried about that.” She searched his face before adding, “Why are you doing this?”
“Because you’re mine, Little girl. What did you name the bear?”
“Yours?” she repeated.
“Mine.”
“You can’t know that,” Molly whispered.
He just raised one eyebrow as he looked at her. Did she really think he didn’t recognize his Little? “What’s your stuffie’s name, Pixie?”
“Angel.”
Faust snorted and nodded. “That’s perfect. I’m going to leave my motorcycle here. Will you keep the asshole from having it towed?”
She started to laugh and controlled the urge. Her voice held a warble of amusement as she assured him, “I’ll make sure it’s safe.”
“Thank you. I’ll have your car back soon.”
Molly rushed around her desk to hug him. Faust pulled her tightly against him, holding her close for several long seconds before stepping back. Immediately, he missed the feel of her. Shaking his head in disbelief that she’d already made such an impact on his brain, Faust headed for the door and forced himself to not look back.
Chapter
Four
Molly tried to tune out the assistant minister’s snide comments all morning as she worked. By the time their boss arrived, she was ready to pull her hair out. Immediately, her thoughts returned to the kind lady he’d gone to visit.
“Is she…” Molly asked.
“Adele is gone. Her family and I were at her side. It was peaceful,” the minister assured her.
Blinking away the tears, Molly nodded. “I went through all the other messages and set a few notes on your desk.” She heard the slam of a door opening so vigorously it banged against the wall. “Oh…”
“Steve, you need to get rid of this woman,” Lester blathered over her.
“Get rid of Molly? The church would fall apart without her,” her boss answered. “Besides, the parishioners would not be happy.”
“They would if they’d been here this morning to see her conduct with that tattooed biker. I walked in to see her sitting on his lap!” The man’s tone increased with each word to a final shout of indignation.
“That does not sound like our Molly,” the minister observed, turning to look at Molly.