Always Tried and Proven Read Online Free PDF Page A

handkerchief in his coat pocket, that matched.  "I suppose it did."  She agreed superficially.
         The waitress came, and Callie was eternally grateful for the diversion.  She ordered a Seafood salad, and then began to fidget, when Sadie excused herself to go to the Ladies' room.  She longed to go along with her friend, but she knew without thinking about it that she wasn't going to get off the hook.  So, she sat and waited, just wilting under his scrutiny.
         Sam put his warm hand over hers.  "Callie, please.  Will you relax?  I won't bite."  He promised, whispering in her ear.
         She looked up into his smiling eyes, that seemed to chastise and entreat her at the same time.  She blushed profusely, and tried to look away.
         "Tell me what's wrong."  He insisted gently.
        "I wish I knew."  She answered shortly.  "You are a ... a very unsettling man."  She pulled her hand out from under his, and put them in her lap. 
       "That could be quite positive."  He mused aloud.  "Actually, I'd certainly consider it so; except for the fact that you despise preachers."
         Callie looked up at him in horror, and he laughed at her without rancor.  "Care to tell me why?"
        Callie looked away, and shook her head in horror and disbelief. "Mr.  Stringer," she objected stonily.
          "My name is Sam," he corrected softly.
          " Sam ," she echoed patronizingly,  "I am just not the type.  Okay?"
          "What type is that, Callie?" he asked, patiently.
         "The type to ... oh, I don't know!  To go to church.  To be a Miss Perfection.  To be a good little Christian girl.  Don't think for a moment that I'm anything like Sadie!  I'm simply not!"  she sputtered.  Then, she was horrified by her confession.  Now, he knew the truth and he’d be on the salvation trail, for sure.  She closed her eyes and nearly groaned aloud.
         Sam sighed patiently, and leaned back against the seat, to give her a little more room to breathe.  "Good!  I'm glad you're none of those things.  Tell me about yourself then, Callie.  What kind of woman, exactly, are you?"
         "Are you having fun at my expense?" she asked suspiciously.
         Sam leaned close, and looked her steadily in the eyes.  "Not a bit of it.  I just want to know you better, that's all."
         Callie drew herself up, and braced herself to look into his steady eyes.  "You wouldn't be terribly interested in all honesty, Mr. Stringer."
         "Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" he suggested lightly.  He simply waited.  He watched  her patiently.
         Callie twisted her lips wryly.  "All right." She agreed, and went on, using a very bored voice.  "I'm certainly not a Christian.  I am not even interested in being a Christian.  I sing in bars, and I have an occasional drink.  I don't do drugs, I don't smoke and although I've never been particularly promiscuous, I'm certainly not a virgin, either.  So please, don't get any ideas about saving me, preacher, because I really don't want to be saved.  I'm having a bloody good time, and I'll continue to live without it."
         When she ventured a look at him, he was watching her with benign interest.  It appeared that her blunt confessions had not upset him, in the least.  "Why are you so convinced that I don't accept you as you are?  Why do you think that my mission is to revamp your life?"
         "How could it not be?" she challenged with light sarcasm.  "Everybody who believes in Jesus, is trying to save me from the unfathomable pit."
         He had to laugh, and rubbed his eyes ruefully.  "Oh, Callie.  I am sorry.  You've been the victim of a bit of hard sell, have you?"
       "I'll admit that I have.  And I've had enough of it.  You and I, sir, are diametrically opposed; and there is simply nothing to be done about it.  I'm sorry if that sounds rude."
         "No."  He answered slowly.  "Not