Cattle Valley Mistletoe CV2 Read Online Free PDF

pain slipped out. “Tell me,” Casey inquired. “Do you hate God or just those who pray to him?” He saw the red flush creep up Hal’s cheeks, and he knew he’d hit the nail on the head. Hal was angry at God.
    Letting go of his window, Hal said nothing, but he stepped back. Casey finished rolling up the window and put the car into gear. He wasn’t sure what had gone on between God and Hal, but he hoped there was room enough for forgiveness, because he knew he didn’t want to live without either of them.

    Hal watched Casey’s taillights disappear around the curve in the road. He turned and got back into his truck. Sitting in the heated cab, he felt tears trickle down his cheeks. “He brought me Thanksgiving,” Hal whispered.
    Pulling into his garage, he didn’t bother wiping his eyes as he made his way inside. Hal stood in front of the fire and looked around. He could still picture Casey stretched out under him, wrapped in his arms. Hal hugged himself, as he sat on the hearth.
    For weeks he hadn’t been able to think of anything but Casey. He’d tried his best to keep Casey at arm’s length, knowing they could never be together. Even coming off as an asshole was better than leading Casey on. It wasn’t that Hal didn’t want a relationship with him, because he wanted it more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life, but his beliefs wouldn’t change and neither would Casey’s.
    Hal looked up at the vaulted ceiling. “Once again you’re taking away someone I love.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Hal growled and shook his head. No way could he be in love this fast and especially not with a preacher. It was just the physical attraction he felt so strongly. He’d get over it, he had to, losing someone you love was too hard, and he’d be damned if he’d ever put himself in that position again.

    24

Chapter Four

    It had been two weeks since Thanksgiving. Casey stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
    He’d prayed every chance he’d gotten, whether working or resting. He’d taken the Lord’s name in vain Thanksgiving night and had yet to come to terms with his sin.
    By the time he’d arrived home that fateful night, he was hurting, and angry. Instead of going into the house, he’d unlocked the church and gone inside. Kneeling before the alter, he’d asked God why. What had he done to make a fine man like Hal turn his back?
    The longer he searched for answers, the madder he’d become. “God dammit, why can’t I have you both,” he shouted at the tall bronze cross.
    Casey’s shame over what he’d done had followed him since. Just thinking about it now had his stomach cramping. It seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Looking at the clock, he saw it was almost time for the alarm to go off, another day of working alongside a ghost.
    As the tears made tracks down the side of his face, Casey continued to question his vocation. He loved God, but he was beginning to wonder how much, because in the dark of night, he’d thought about giving it all up for Hal.
    Casey sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. And every day the sun rose in the morning sky, he remembered why he’d chosen his life’s work. Deciding to get an early start, Casey turned off the alarm and stood. Holding his abdomen, he walked through the drafty house to the shower. If he hurried, he could get a good thirty minutes worth of prayer in before his workday began.

    “Hey there stranger,” Nate said, closing the door.
    Casey waited until Hal got a few nails into the wallboard before letting go and walking over to Nate. Casey stuck out his hand, but just like he always did, Nate ignored it, and pulled him into a hug.
    “I’ve missed you,” Nate said, clapping Casey on the back. “Why haven’t you been returning my calls?” Nate pulled back and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, I’ve just been busy getting the church ready for Christmas.” Casey felt another bite of pain in his stomach at the lie.