He slapped it into her palm, then sat back and smugly crossed his arms.
“Hmm, yes, a graceful slant, nicely rounded letters, clean and confident lines. Quite passable. Well done, Mr. O’Grady.” Her teasing expression turned apologetic. “Excuse me. I guess that should be Reverend O’Grady. I didn’t know until the meeting that you’re a minister.”
Shaun glanced away, his jaw clenched. “Wish Emily hadn’t said anything.”
“I’m sorry,” Brooke murmured, concerned she’d somehow offended him. “I didn’t realize you wanted to keep it private.”
“It’s not that so much.” Drawing a deep breath, Shaun folded his hands on the table. “But people respond to clergy a little differently, and since I didn’t come to Juniper Bluff for anything more than some much needed R and R, I don’t advertise my professional background.”
Brooke nodded. “That helps me understand your reluctance to get involved in this service project. If you really don’t want to do it—”
He interrupted her with a weak laugh. “Hey, if it’ll give me a break from mucking stalls and hauling hay bales, I’m in. So let’s hash out some ideas, okay?”
They spent the next half hour comparing notes and listing the pros and cons of various service possibilities. Brooke quickly discovered they were coming at the project from two very different perspectives—hers shaped by results-oriented efficiency, while Shaun leaned toward the personal aspects. By the time Brooke had to leave for the office, they’d whittled the list down to the top three service projects they could agree on.
“Let’s think on these and meet again in a few days,” she suggested. “I’ll do more research, too.”
Shaun fingered his empty coffee mug, his brows converging to form a pensive crease down the middle of his forehead. “You know, there’s one thing we haven’t done yet, and I’m embarrassed for not suggesting it.”
Brooke looked up from tucking her tablet into her tote. “Oh? What have I missed?”
“We haven’t prayed about what we’re doing.”
Now Brooke was embarrassed, and more than a little ashamed of how her mother’s lengthy illness and death had slowly eroded her prayer life. “You’re right. I can get so focused on the details that I forget to bring God in.”
“But I’ve got no excuse.” Shaun’s mouth twisted in a pained smile, and he lowered his voice. “I’m a pastor, remember?”
The resignation in his blue-gray stare shifted something in Brooke’s heart. Diana was right—there was much more to Shaun O’Grady than met the eye. “Would you like to say a prayer now?”
Shaun bowed his head, and Brooke did the same. “Lord, we’re two newcomers to this town and church, but for whatever reason, we’ve been called upon to serve. Guide us and help us to do our best for You and for those who will be blessed by our efforts. In Your Son’s name, amen.”
“Thank you,” Brooke said, a catch in her voice. “Remind me to have you pray at each of our meetings.”
“We could take turns, you know.”
“Uh, no, that’s okay. You’re the pro in the prayer department.” With a quick breath, she stood and slid the strap of her tote to her shoulder.
Walking out together, they agreed to meet again on Saturday, and Brooke hurried across the square to the chamber office. There, at least, she could pretend for a while that she had everything under control.
The next few days had Shaun overanalyzing everything about Wednesday’s meeting with Brooke—including his openness to pray. Proved he and God were still on speaking terms, anyway, even if he was still light-years away from discerning the Lord’s plan for his life.
Walking one of Kent’s horses out to pasture on Saturday morning, he gave the gentle sorrel mare a scratch under the chin. Posey snorted her appreciation, her warm breath forming clouds in the chilly air. “You’ve got it good here, girl,” Shaun said as he unbuckled her halter. “Maybe if I spent my days munching grass and rolling in the dust, life wouldn’t seem so complicated.”
“Talking to horses is good therapy.”
Shaun turned to find Kent grinning at him across the fence rail. “One thing’s for sure—they don’t give me grief like my future brother-in-law.”
Kent released the gate latch and waited for Shaun to amble out. “Thought you were meeting with Brooke again today.”
“We’re having an early lunch at the supermarket deli.” He looped the halter and lead rope over the rail. “Which means I need to finish my chores pretty quick and clean up.”
“Work any harder around here and I won’t know what to do after you move on.”
Laughing, Shaun started back to the barn. “Maybe hire someone you’ll actually pay?”
“Room and board’s not enough for you?” Kent gave him a playful slug in the arm. “If you’re holding out for cable TV and maid service, you’re gonna be disappointed.”
They traded a few more friendly gibes before Kent saddled Jasmine and rode out to check on his cattle, and Shaun got busy mucking stalls.
He’d enjoyed getting to know Kent over the past few weeks. Watching him with Erin evoked not only joy at seeing his sister so happy after her failed first marriage but a twinge of envy as well. Serving on the mission field, Shaun had encountered more than a few single women his age who shared both his faith and his passion for those in need. He’d even had a couple of relationships he thought might actually go somewhere.
But something always held him back. In one case, it was because he’d felt the call to transfer elsewhere, but she hadn’t sensed the same leading. His second time around, they ultimately agreed their personality differences would only lead to problems down the road. But a huge factor for Shaun was the fear of divided loyalties. Could he sustain a healthy marriage while also devoting himself to mission service? And what of children? Starting a family involved a whole different set of decisions.
Now here he was, ankle-deep in soiled shavings and doing nothing remotely close to the plans and goals he’d set for himself as a seminary student. Was that the root of his current dissatisfaction—that he’d rushed ahead with his own agenda instead of listening more closely for God’s direction?
He couldn’t deny he’d experienced a sense of peace and relief when he’d first returned to the States and Greg had suggested he spend some time in Juniper Bluff. So maybe his stay here—yes, even the Christmas outreach project—was part of God’s will.
As for meeting Brooke Willoughby? Guess he’d have to wait and see.
Two hours later, he climbed into the battered green hatchback he’d held onto since college, mainly so he’d have something to drive during his stateside visits. Arriving at the deli, he claimed a table to wait for Brooke. When she sauntered in,
