Always Tried and Proven Read Online Free PDF

really, but I can't accept it, either.  Callie,” he entreated her, gently turning her face so that she had to look into his eyes,  "I like you.  And I think you could like me too, if you'd ever give me just half an inch."  He raised his eyebrows enquiringly and grinned.  “I’m really not so bad.”
         Callie blushed, and felt terror rising up inside her.  He was getting far too bold.   Not in any inappropriate way, yet it felt dangerous.  Very dangerous.             
         "Eh, Callie?  Come on, now.  Give me a break.  We're going to be working on the same team tonight; I'm just trying to break the ice.  I want you to feel at ease with me.  Give just a little, won't you please?"
         Callie opened her mouth, and then shut it again abruptly. 
         "Is it asking so much?" he asked gently.
         She shook her head in confusion, and closed her eyes.  "Please, Mr. Stringer.  Don't take this personally.  I just don't know if I can do this.  I should never have told Sadie I'd sing!  You know, I just don't think that I'm going to fit in; and I hate being rude ..."
         "Then don't be."  Sam suggested, a bit forcefully.  "Just treat us the same way you'd treat anybody else, and see what happens."
         Callie looked at him in shock.
        "Callie, it's obvious that you're carrying some deep scars; but I'm asking you, anyway.  Please don't hold them against me.  Give me a chance to redeem the name of Jesus a bit, will you?" he coaxed.  "That's all I want; just to be your friend.  I know you don't want me to preach at you, and I certainly don't intend to.  I don't condemn you for being a musician, or for anything else.  Come on, now.  Meet me halfway.  Will you, lady?"
                  Maybe it was the sexy accent, or the dancing eyes, or the boyish smile; but Callie found herself thawing, just enough to smile.  "Well; do you promise me that you will not try to give me the old evangelistic one-two?" she prodded suspiciously.
         He raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders.  "It's not my thing.  I really was never very good at it."  He whispered confidentially.
         Callie had to laugh.  This man was real, and there was no keeping him out.  He went where he wanted to go; and he got whatever he went there for.  This time, it had been her friendship. 
         "Oh, my.  You're smooth, aren't you?  Now, you listen to me:  If you ever start down the path of condemnation, I'm going to get physical."
         He laughed aloud.  "I'll just bet."  He assured her challengingly.  He didn't seem even slightly intimidated.  "But I wouldn't be throwing any tempting challenges this way if I were you, lady."  He warned.  "You might just get more than you ever bargained on."
         Callie looked at him out of the corner of her eye and found a burning look of pleasure in his eyes.  She could only laugh and shake her head in derision.  "Please.  Don't make me laugh."  She said flatly. 
         "I beg your pardon?" Sam asked very quietly.
        "Don't you dare start patronizing me, by trying to appeal to my vanity.  I really don't need any pumping up."
         "Just what are you insinuating, Callie?" he asked evenly.
        "You know what you were trying to do.  Flattery will get you nowhere!  I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are not going to be flirting with an unsaved barroom tart on your day off.  Cut the crap, Reverend Stringer.  Please."
         Sam laughed so hard his shoulders shook.  "Callie, I'm stunned!  Do you really?  Could you possibly really imagine that that is how I see you?  Who in the world has been tearing your soul apart in the name of Jesus?" he marveled.
         "Oh, there have been quite a few."  She assured him in a very cold voice.
        Sam raised an eyebrow and shook his head.  "Wow.  Well, that is going to give me plenty of room to turn your head around,