Counting on Starlight by Lynette Sowell

several churches looking for youth pastors not far from here. Plus, there’s a college outreach program in Austin that needs a director. I thought of you with that one. I understand if you’re afraid of being a pastor’s wife. Maybe with ministering to students on a college campus, you’ll feel less pressure.” Matt smiled, and for a few seconds, she remembered why she fell in love with him.
    He made her feel as though she were the only person in his world. When he did that, it was easy to go along with almost whatever he proposed. When he had proposed marriage, she’d smiled as tears ran down her cheeks and he slipped the half-carat solitaire on her finger. He hadn’t asked her what kind of ring she wanted. He’d assumed. She should have seen the signs before then, however.
    “You think you know what I want—you’ve got everything figured out.” Liann shook her head. A trail of sweat tickled its way down her back. “I’m not afraid of being a pastor’s wife. That’s not the issue. I’m not called to do that, I’ve realized. Yet you make it sound as if you’re trying to accommodate me, as if I’m not at your level. Do you realize how patronizing this sounds?”
    Matt shook his head and waved her words away. “That's not it at all. I’m trying to protect you and think of your needs before mine.” Matt took her hand, caressing it in both of his. “Isn’t this what you wanted, when you used that metaphor of asking me how you liked your eggs cooked?”
    “No, it’s not.” She heard car doors slamming in the parking lot, the crunch of gravel under tires. She pulled her hand free then reached inside her purse. “Don’t rearrange your life for me. It’s too late for that.” She turned and headed back toward the front door of The Pit.
    “I’m staying at the HoJo Inn for the weekend, and then I’m heading for Austin. But I’m not giving up on us,” Matt called after her.
    Liann wanted to believe him, yet the very idea of going back to him made her feel as if a noose were slowly tightening around her neck. She entered the cool restaurant.
    Tamarind handed some change to a customer. “Your aunt just left, Liann.”
    “I know.” She tried not to sigh and took her phone from her purse.
    Thanks. See you next time,” Tamarind said to the departing customer, who passed Liann and headed out into the heat. Tamarind faced Liann with a frown. “You okay?”
    “See that guy out there in the parking lot, the one who came in a while ago?”
    “The one who kept staring at you while you ate breakfast?”
    “That’s the one.” Liann squinted out through the glass door. “That’s my ex-fiancé.”
    “He’s cute, but him staring like that? Well, that’s just a tad creepy.” Tamarind moved from behind the counter.
    “I really don’t want to talk to him anymore, and he won’t listen to no . I’d rather not call the police. He’s more of an annoyance at this point.”
    “And now you’re stranded for the moment, aren’t you?”
    “Sort of. I was going to call my aunt to come back for me. I can’t believe she left without me. I told her I’d be right back after I finished talking to Matt.” Liann raised her hands and shrugged.
    “Follow me. He’s coming back this way.” Tamarind waved her toward the kitchen. “Let me show you where the barbecue pits are. We make the real deal here. You can hang out there for a few while I persuade Mr. Wonderful to go on his merry way.”
    Liann followed Tamarind through the kitchen with its metal prep tables and walk-in fridge and freezer, past an office with a desk strewn with papers. The aroma of smoke and wood chips grew stronger. Tamarind pulled open a wooden door, and they entered yet another back room.
    This one contained two large smokers, with chimneys that extended to the ceiling. A closed exit door stood to their left.
    “Wait back here for a few minutes and relax. If it gets a little too smoky, you can always duck your head out the back door.”