that?â
Reaganâs eyes narrowed. âOf course I can see that, Sally, but youâre not going to be here forever! You can say something to shut me up for the moment, but when youâre on your own, are you happy with who you are, fine hotel or not?â
Sallyâs eyes narrowed right back, but she didnât say anything right away.
âYou can take off on Sundays to go to church unless it doesnât work.â
âWhy wouldnât it?â
Sally shook her head in amazement. âYou have more guts than anyone I know, Reagan. I hand you a favor, and youâre ready to argue.â
Reagan didnât reply. In her haste to have her own way, she often forgot that Sally was her boss.
âThank you for giving me time to go to church.â
âIf you get all religious, are you going to start carrying your Bible and drive us all crazy?â
In a heartbeat, Reagan thought of the difference between the two Christians sheâd known in New York and Russell Bennett. It was not hard to answer Sally.
âI wonât say anything unless you ask me.â
âFair enough. Had enough to eat?â
âNo,â she said, tucking back into her plate. âLet me finish, and Iâll clean up for you.â
Sally, whoâd had a long, arduous day, was not going to argue with that idea.
âWas she here this morning?â Russell asked Cash before their meeting started at the church just two weeks later.
âYes. Just like last week. I think she must slip in just before we start and back out again on the last song. Have you had a chance to ask her about it?â
âNot really. Holly and I are both afraid of pressuring her. Weâre both praying that sheâll know where to come if she has questions.â
Both men would have been delighted to know that Reagan was on her way to Hollyâs door right then. She was not aware that Russell was not at home, but she had some questions and could only hope that someone in the big house had the answers.
Seven
âH OLLY , ARE YOU BUSY ?â
âNot at all, Reagan. Come right in.â
Reagan entered the familiar home, but unlike the first time, she didnât enjoy her surroundings. She was too distracted for that.
âHave a seat,â Holly invited. She had a word with one of her children in the kitchen and then joined her guest.
âWhat can I do for you?â
âI have a few questions.â
âAll right.â
âI went to church this morningâlast week too.â
Holly nodded. She hadnât been certain of this, but she was glad nevertheless.
âIf I believe as your church does, do I have to get married?â Holly had all she could do not to look surprised. This was the last thing she expected.
âMay I ask you a question?â Holly said after a momentâs recovery.
âYes.â
âWhat do you mean, âbelieve as my church doesâ?â
âBecome a Christianâbe savedâlike Pastor Ellis talked about.â
âLike the Bible explains?â Holly questioned again, hoping they were talking about the same thing.
âYes. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and living for Him.â
Holly nodded, now feeling satisfied that she and Reagan were on the same track.
âNo one in our church is going to force you to get married, no matter what you believe.â
Reagan looked so relieved that Holly smiled.
âWhy did you ask, Reagan? Can you tell me?â
âItâs not something I want, Holly. Marriage, that is. I donât want a husband. I donât want a man to rule over me and control my life.â
âWhat about a man to love and cherish you?â
Reagan smiled a little. âI donât think Iâm the love and cherish type.â
Holly could not have disagreed more, but she didnât argue with her.
âIs that all thatâs on your mind, Reagan? Are you understanding what youâre hearing in
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