Pastor's Assignment Read Online Free PDF

teetered so visibly that Laney feared she might crash. “Is Rock with you tonight?” Without waiting for Laney’s reply, she added, “He always has such nice things to say to me at the coffee table after service.”
    â€œRock isn’t here tonight,” Laney said, hoping Gertha would leave it at that.
    Now eye level with Laney, Gertha peered through the tropical plant. It took less than a minute for her to recognize Laney’s future mother-in-law and her date. Behind their black-rimmed frames, Gertha’s eyes fixed on Laney like blue headlights. “Are you spying on your mother-in-law?” Before Laney could answer, she continued in a shocked tone, “I knew you and Tilly weren’t close, but I had no idea things had deteriorated to this point.”
    â€œI’m not spying on Mrs. Weyeth,” Laney whispered.
    â€œSome people are like heavenly sandpaper,” Gertha noted wisely, quoting Pastor Bruce without attribution. “She’s been put in your path for a reason. She has a lesson to teach you.”
    â€œTeach me?” Laney replied. “She doesn’t even like me.”
    â€œHave you given her a chance?” She sighed. “Laney, we need to do some praying together.”
    â€œI’m not here to spy on Mrs. Weyeth,” Laney whispered.
    Gertha’s chair creaked alarmingly. “Then why are you crouching behind the tropical plants?”
    Laney fought the guilty giggle that worked its way up her throat. “I’m here on church business,” she finally managed.
    â€œChurch business?” Gertha Williams looked puzzled. “I haven’t heard of any church business to take place here.” She pressed her lips together. “As the church secretary, I would know.”
    â€œI’m sorry, but I can’t tell you without breaking someone’s confidence,” Laney said.
    Gertha’s skin drained of color. She looked positively ill at the thought of something happening within the church that she didn’t know anything about. “Is it part of your Pets-n-Prayers ministry?”
    â€œNo.”
    Gertha swallowed. “Is it evangelical?” She spoke the words so softly that Laney practically had to lip-read them. Besides her job as church secretary, Gertha also led the evangelical ministry.
    â€œSort of,” Laney said. “I really can’t say more than that.”
    Gertha’s eyes stopped blinking. Her mind probably was racing through its data bank of people who might know about Laney’s evangelical mission at Miguel’s.
    â€œI’ll pray for you,” Gertha said. “Just say the word, and the prayer chain begins.”
    Laney had no choice except to consent gratefully. Besides, the way things were going, she needed all the help she could get. “Thanks very much,” she said.
    A quick glance confirmed Ty had not returned to their table. Although she knew their business was far from over, she also knew she couldn’t stay. Not and keep her business with Ty Steele private. Not only was Gertha watching her every move, but all her future mother-in-law had to do was turn around and see her with Ty Steele.
    And so, before Gertha could question her further, she hid her face in an open menu and left the restaurant.

Six
    On Saturday evening, Laney had dinner at her father’s house.
    â€œSorry I’m late.” Laney slid into an empty seat at the dining room table. Angel jumped into her lap and looked hopefully at the chips and dip sitting in generous quantities on the antique mahogany table.
    Her father fingered his gray, lariat-type moustache in silent disapproval. He stretched his wiry legs forward, which sent his chair scraping back from the table several inches. Laney recognized another sign of disapproval.
    Rock leaned over to peck her cheek. “Hi, honey,” he said. He tried to smooth her hair but stopped when Angel growled. “Bad