A Time to Forgive and Promise Forever Read Online Free PDF

I’m doing my job.”
    She reminded him of Gran, intent on doing what she wanted to no matter how well-intentioned her family’s interference was. The comparison made him smile.
    â€œAre you always this stubborn?”
    â€œAlways.” Something that might have been amusement touched her face. “I’m not your responsibility.”
    â€œWell, you know, there’s where you’re wrong. In a way, you are my responsibility.”
    She lifted level brows. “How do you figure that?”
    He patted the ladder, and it shook. “Everything about the building and grounds of St. Andrews is my responsibility. Including rickety ladders.”
    She grimaced. “I’ve been on worse than this one, believe me.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be up on a ladder at all.” An idea sprang into his mind, and it was such a perfect solution he didn’t know why it hadn’t occurred to him sooner.
    Steel glinted in Tory’s eyes. “If you think I’ll give up the project because I have to climb a ladder, you have the wrong impression of me, Mr. Caldwell.”
    â€œAdam,” he corrected. “I think my impression of you is fairly accurate, as a matter of fact. But I was referring to the ladder, not your personality, Ms. Marlowe.”
    A faint flush stained her cheeks, and she fingered the fine silver chain that circled her neck. “Maybe you’d better make that Tory. What about the ladder?”
    â€œIt’s not safe. I’ll have a crew come over from the boatyard to put up scaffolding so you can inspect the windows safely. That’s what we should have done to begin with.”
    He was taking charge of the situation. That, too, was what he should have done from the word go, instead of letting himself get defensive.
    â€œYou don’t need to—”
    â€œAs far as working on them is concerned—” he swept on “—we’ll take the panels out completely. That way we won’t have to worry about St. Andrews getting slapped with a lawsuit.”
    He thought her lips twitched. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
    â€œDefinitely.”
    She nodded. “Well, in that case, since you’re being so cooperative, I will need a workroom, preferably with good light, where things won’t be disturbed.” She glanced around. “Is there a space in the church that would do?”
    â€œNothing,” he replied promptly. Ms. Tory didn’t know it, but she was walking right into his plans. “We have just what you need at the house, though. It’s a big room with plenty of light and a door you can lock. We’ll move in tables or benches, whatever you need.”
    He could see the wariness in her face at the idea. “I don’t think I should be imposing on you.”
    â€œIt’s not an imposition. It’s my responsibility, remember?”
    â€œHaving me work at your home sounds well beyond the call of duty. I’ll be in your way.”
    â€œYou haven’t seen our house if you think that. It’s a great rambling barn.”
    â€œEven so…” She still looked reluctant.
    â€œYou don’t want me to bring up the big guns, do you?”
    â€œBig guns?”
    â€œPastor Wells and my grandmother. They’ll agree this is the best solution. You’d find them a formidable pair in an argument.”
    The smile he hadn’t seen before lit her face like sunlight sparkling on the sound. “Thanks, but I think you’re formidable enough. All right. We’ll try it your way.”
    â€œGood.” He was irrationally pleased that she’dgiven in without more of a fight. “I’ll have a crew over here later this afternoon to set up scaffolding, so you can inspect the rest of the windows tomorrow. Don’t climb any ladders in the meantime.”
    She lifted her brows at what undoubtedly sounded like an order. “Are you always this determined to