For the Love of God by Janet Dailey Page A

blinked.
    “I should have said, heaven on earth,” he conceded, with the richness of amusement deepening his voice. “I found a quiet, little spot in the country. It’s peaceful, beautiful—the perfect place for a picnic.”
    “A picnic.” She smiled at the initial appeal of the idea, then became serious as she began to think about what food she had in the apartment that she could fix.
    Seth appeared to read her thoughts. “I already have a picnic basket filled with more food than we can possibly eat. It’s sitting in the back of my car. You don’t have to worry about fixing a thing.”
    “Isn’t there anything I can bring?” she asked.
    “Just yourself.” His gaze claimed her with a vibrancy that made Abbie feel shaky inside.
    “All right.” Her voice was tinged with a soft breathlessness as she let herself drift under his persuasive spell.
    The telephone started ringing, its shrillness making a sharp intrusion between them. Abbie bit her lip in indecision and glanced at the ringing phone.
    “That has to be one of the Coltrain sisters,” she murmured and wondered what excuse she could give them for not having any more of their manuscript typed.
    “I’ll answer it.” Seth was already moving toward the phone when he spoke.
    “Oh, but—” Abbie started to protest, taking a step after him.
    But Seth already had his hand on the receiver. He sent her a backward glance over his shoulder. “You get those groceries put away so we can leave,” he ordered. “I’ll handle the sisters for you.”
    Abbie gripped the sides of the cardboard milk container she had taken from the sack and watched anxiously as Seth picked up the phone. What would the sisters think when he answered her phone?
    “Miss Scott’s residence,” he said into the mouthpiece and paused. “She’s busy at the moment. This is Reverend Talbot. May I help you, Miss Coltrain?” He glanced over his shoulder and noticed Abbie just standing there.
    His mouth curved into a wry line as he motioned her to get busy. Without taking her anxious gaze from him, Abbie moved sideways to the refrigerator and opened the door to set the milk inside.
    “No, she hasn’t finished the typing for you,” he said into the phone. “Miss Scott planned to type more today, but I have decided she’s been working too hard, so I’m taking her out for the balance of the day.” Seth half turned from the waist up to send a smiling look at Abbie and nod in response to the voice on the other end of the line. “I knew you’d understand, Miss Coltrain.”There was another short pause. “Yes, I’ll tell her. Good-bye.”
    Abbie quickly pushed the loaf of bread into the bread drawer as Seth replaced the receiver on its cradle and crossed to the counter. Her glance bounced off his masculine features.
    “What did she say?” she murmured.
    “Isabel apologized for rushing you about the manuscript and hoped you weren’t too exhausted by all the typing you’ve done for them.” Seth relayed the message. “She thought the outing was an excellent idea.”
    Abbie turned away to put the box of cereal in the cupboard. “But didn’t she …” She didn’t finish the question, concerned that she might be too sensitive and guilty of overreacting.
    “… didn’t she think it strange that I answered the phone?” Seth completed the sentence, almost verbatim to what was in her mind. “Why should she?” he countered evenly when Abbie turned with a guilty start. “It’s normal for a minister to call on members of his congregation in their homes.”
    “Yes, but …” She couldn’t finish that sentence either.
    “… but you are a young and very attractive single woman.” Again Seth accurately guessed the rest of it. “And I’m a bachelor.”
    “Something like that, yes,” Abbie admitted.
    “As romantically inclined as those two spinster sisters are, I’d guess they’re tittering with the possibility a romance is developing betweenus.” A suppressed smile