Page 19 of Evan

Women like Cassandra Daley would require courting, and he did not have the time nor the inclination to do so. She would want marriage and the two point five kids.

They were miles apart, not only socially, but also emotionally as well. The chasm between them was so wide, it could never be bridged. She was an innocent, and he had no business messing with her head. He knew better than that.

“I have to go.” His voice was unnaturally loud after the extreme quiet and unnecessarily harsh. Taking another long look at her, he turned on his heels and walked away.

Taking a deep breath, now that the spell had been broken, Cassandra sank down on the bench near her and clasped her hands in her lap, her expression pensive.

*****

“You are distracted.” Marjorie chided as she handed him the glass of white wine. They were at the cabin, designated for their assignation. It was hers and had been gifted to her by her late husband and came in handy because it was tucked miles away from other neighbors and very isolated.

William did not mind the drive and whenever he wanted to be with her, he would make the excuse that he was doing visitations. Ingrid would shrug indifferently and even though he was cheating on her, it pained his heart that she did not care where he went.

“You know me too well.” Forcing a smile to his lips, he took a sip of the chilled wine. They were seated on the front porch admiring the stunning view and the lush vegetation. Marjorie had made them a crab salad and he was quite full. For the next couple of hours, he could pretend that they were a couple.

“What is it? Or should I guess?” She smiled at him over her glass. “Cassandra and that hot and very wealthy young man. He seems to be quite taken with her.”

Pastor William’s expression turned moody and worried. “He is out of her league, and I would hate to see her get hurt.”

“You cannot shield her forever, William.”

“I am aware.” He had seen them walk off together and had been tempted to go after them. “He has a reputation.”

“Of being ruthless…”

“Of being some sort of playboy, whatever that means. Cassandra is sweet and kind and has this habit of trying to save the world.”

“And you love her very much.”

Turning his head, he stared at her, trying to decide if her comment was spiteful or there was a hidden meaning behind it. But he should have known better. Marjorie did not have an unkind bone in her body. Sleeping with him was probably the only overt sin she had ever committed.

“I do.” His expression softened. “Since the day I first dipped my fingers in the water and sprinkled it on her forehead. She was such an adorable baby.

She was also very curious and even when she was a little girl, she would ask all these questions about God and creation that it would take me some time to come up with answers.” His expression turned bleak.

“Losing Chad made me question everything I hold dear, but Cassandra has brought me so much joy and I never want to see her hurt.”

Reaching out a hand, she gripped his arm, her expression gentle. He was her pastor and also her lover and best friend.

She knew she could never have him the way she wanted to, but she was content with things to stay this way. She had prayed about what they were doing with each other and had become inured to the guilt. She couldn’t believe that loving him was wrong.

“You are going to have to let her step out and make her own mistakes. Who knows, it might be God’s will for her and that young man to be together.”

He gave her a startled look and shook his head, uttering a sigh. “I strongly doubt that.

The Bible says we are not to be unequally yoked, and that young man is of the world. I have looked into his eyes and from what I have read about him, he does not believe in God. Cassandra needs a man of strong Christian beliefs. She knows better than to get involved with someone like him.”

“And we both know that we do not get to choose who we fall in love with,” she murmured with a meaningful look at him.

Chapter 6

“Reschedule my meeting with the board for later this afternoon and ask Mr. Higgins to send me the report on the software company prospectus.”

“Sir?”

He had been jotting down notes as he fired off instructions to her. Adina Jones was a widow, who had lost her husband five years ago. The Lord had not blessed her with children and as far as she was concerned, it was just as well. The company was her child, and the man seated at the baronial desk her responsibility.

She had been working at Davenport Industries for almost thirty years and it was home. She secretly admired the young man who had taken over from his uncle. Evan Davenport was cut from an entirely different cloth and was a man of incredible integrity.