A Valentine for Kayla by Kimberly Rose Johnson Page A

dream?”
    â€œRight.” He wiped his hands on a napkin. “The church position is on a one-month trial basis. If Pastor Miller or I feel it’s not a good fit, I walk away.”
    That was exactly what she feared would happen. “Are you concerned about drawing the paparazzi into the church?”
    â€œNo. They won’t go in there. I was more concerned with being a distraction and taking away from worship.”
    She nodded. “I can see why you’d have that concern, but that’s not for you to worry about. You have no control over people and where their minds are at church.”
    He grinned. “Great point.” He tilted his head. “What’s different? You’re being nicer.”
    She chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about the way I acted before.” She reached for her cup of water and gulped down a few swallows, then set the cup down slowly. “I realized I was being silly. You had a right to keep your past private. Although I’m not sure how you expected that secret to stay hidden forever. It’s not like we are on another planet.” She shook her head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude. It’s just that—”
    He reached across the table and grasped her hand. “Relax. I think I understand. You didn’t like that I deceived you and didn’t get why I wasn’t up-front about my past, since it was bound to come out eventually.”
    â€œPretty much.” The feel of his touch sent tingles rippling up her arm. Derek might think he was sticking around, but time would tell. How much time would pass before she was convinced he was staying? What if she waited too long, and he found someone else?

Chapter 10
    K ayla waited in the foyer of the church a few feet from Derek as a couple of women a year or so younger than her fawned over him. She’d gone to high school with these ladies, and their behavior knotted her stomach. From the strained look on Derek’s face, he was desperate to escape.
    Surely he was used to this kind of thing, but she couldn’t bear to see him so uncomfortable. She marched up to the threesome. “Hey, girls. How’s it going?” She offered her best smile and motioned for Derek to make a run for it.
    â€œIf you ladies will excuse me.” Without waiting for a reply, Derek fled across the foyer and down the stairs leading to the church office.
    She returned her attention to the women. “That was a great service.”
    â€œUh-huh,” the duo said in unison.
    Kayla pointed. “Oh, look, my mom is waving for me to hurry. She likes to get to the restaurant before the church across town lets out. See you.” She hustled through the foyer and caught up with her mother at the doors leading to the sidewalk. They’d walk to Bridget’s Diner since it was only a block away.
    â€œYour Derek did a fine job this morning,” Mom said as she clipped along beside Kayla. “I heard a lot of folks talking and they were pleasantly surprised.”
    â€œAbout what?” She’d let it go that Mom called him her Derek since even though it wasn’t a reality, she’d like to secretly think of him as hers.
    â€œSome of them doubted his ability to lead worship, but I must say he did well.”
    Kayla’s insides warmed, and she walked with a little bounce in her step. “I agree. I’m afraid I was one of those doubters, too, but not anymore. I’m really proud of him.”
    â€œI have a surprise for you at the diner.”
    A smile touched her lips. She loved surprises, and her mom’s were always good. “What is it?”
    Mom dragged a finger across her lips; then she mimed locking them and tossing the imaginary key.
    â€œNot even a hint?” Several people milled around outside Bridget’s. Hadn’t her church service gotten out on time? She glanced at her cell phone and gasped. “We’re ten minutes late!”
    â€œNo