Where Two Hearts Meet by Carrie Turansky Page A

even want to think about leaving Princeton.”
    “No one is moving today. This whole thing may just blow over. Let’s trust the Lord and see what happens.” Allison picked up her tray and headed into the dining room. “I’ll go set those tables.”
    “Thanks.” Tessa chewed her lip as she considered her sister’s words. Sometimes Allison’s spiritual strength amazed her. How could she hold on when her prayers went unanswered? Her faith seemed like a rock, strong and unshakable.
    Tessa shook her head sadly. I used to be like that. But the last three years had left her feeling weak and beaten down.
    But whose fault was that? She was the one who had slipped away from midweek Bible study, and she rarely took time to pray or read the Bible on her own. Sunday mornings were no better. She struggled to get herself out of bed in time for church and only made it to services two or three times a month. Matt and the kids went every Sunday, with or without her.
    Allison returned to the kitchen. “Tessa?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Don’t worry. This is all going to work out for the best.”
    Tessa forced a small smile for her sister’s sake. But she couldn’t shake the turbulent feelings swirling through her stomach.
    * * *
    The phone rang in Matt’s office. He looked up from his computer screen and rubbed his eyes, thankful for the break.
    Though he had a degree in accounting and was a CPA, he hated working with numbers all day long. But as a supervisor for Ampler, Madden, and Politzer in the auditing and accounting department, he had no choice. They serviced small to midsized companies in the pension, not-for-profit, and manufacturing industries. The job held little interest or challenge for him, but it paid the bills and provided for his family. So he kept at it, day in and day out.
    Matt picked up the phone on the second ring.
    “Matt, it’s Keith. You got a minute?”
    “Sure. What’s up?”
    “I’ve been praying for you and Tessa all morning, and I think I’ve got an idea.”
    “Okay, shoot.”
    “I know you’ve been looking for extra things to do around the house to make it easier for Tessa, right?”
    “Yeah, I spent all last Saturday cleaning out the garage.” Matt turned his chair away from his desk. Outside his third-story office window, the first traces of golden-green leaves sprouted from the oak tree.
    “What did she say?”
    “Nothing. She’s been bugging me to do it for weeks, but she didn’t even notice.”
    “Wow, she didn’t say anything?”
    “No. She’s too busy with the kids and the teashop to notice anything I do, unless I make a mistake, like forgetting to give her a phone message or taking the car when she needs it.”
    “I think it’s time to bring out the big guns.”
    “What do you mean?” Matt spun back toward his desk and picked up a pencil.
    “Plan something big, something she can’t miss.”
    “Like?”
    “Like a really romantic date. What does she like? French food, Broadway plays, classical concerts?”
    Matt scratched his chin. “It’s been awhile since we did anything like that. Money’s been tight. We usually just rent a video or grab some pizza.”
    “See, that’s what I mean. If you plan a really special date, that’s bound to get her attention. She’ll have to warm up a little.”
    “You think that’ll work?”
    “Yeah, women love romance. Trust me.”
    “Okay, I hope you’re right, ’cause I’m in the doghouse and fresh out of ideas.”

Chapter Three
    Matt hopped out of the van and hustled to open Tessa’s door.
    She looked up at him with a perplexed expression, her dark eyes serious.
    He smiled, glad she seemed to notice his gallant efforts. She looked great tonight. She wore a red and black flowered dress made of soft, gauzy material. It wasn’t a new outfit, but he hadn’t seen her dressed up like that in quite a while. Black beaded earrings dangled from her ears, and her lips were painted an inviting warm red. He had done a double take when she