Taking Faith Read Online Free PDF Page A

She didn't care. Maybe he'd be repelled that she stunk and kick her out. She felt the small tug at the corners of her mouth at that thought.
    "Your first smile. What's that about?"
    She made her mouth a flat line and said, "Nothing."
    "I bet," he answered dryly. "It wouldn't have anything to do with my untimely demise would it?" He chuckled and stopped at the red light, downshifting the gears. She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy by Kenny Chesney played in the background from his beat- up radio. "Maybe by strangulation…or rat poison, huh?"
    She kept her face toward the window, but actually had to fight a small smile. He was trying to make jokes, obviously trying to ease her. But why? Someone yelled at them from the sidewalk and Roger raised his hand in hello before taking off and heading through downtown. He pulled into an old building with large structures in the back. She had no idea what it was, but the sign said " Mitchell's supply".
    "We're here," Roger announced and put the truck in park. He sighed. "Please remember what I said about the rules . They'll be customers in and out all day because I've been closed for a while."
    She nodded, keeping her head down, and climbed out of the truck. But as soon as she opened her door, there was a man there. When she lifted her gaze, it was Roger's father and he wasn't alone. There were a few other men with him and they eyed Amy with disdain. She didn't understand. If th ey wanted her and the other wome n so much they'd go to such lengths to steal them, why did they hate them so much?
    "Father?" Roger said in surprise and came to stand in front of Amy. He put his hands on his hips. "What are you doing here?"
    " Gettin ' lippy with me, boy?" his father growled.
    "No, sir. Just wondering. I didn't even tell anyone I was coming in today."
    "You know better than that," he laughed. "I have eyes all over this town, son. Speaking of eyes," he turned to a man behind him, "Mike has been assigned to come over tonight for supper."
    "Yes, sir," Roger said and even Amy could hear the resignation in his voice.
    "Well, I'll let you get back to it. I'm surprised you stayed out of work this long, to be honest." He spit on the ground, from the color of it Amy guessed it was tobacco. "You're behind so you better catch up fast. It ain't so easy being a real man, now is it?"
    He laughed and the other men laughed. Amy just watch ed Roger's shoulders tense. His father t ook a step forward. "You gettin ' froggy , boy? Wanna take a swing at your ol ' man?"
    "No, s ir," Roger ground out.
    There it was again. That little ping of pity she felt for him.
    Roger's father put a finger in Roger's chest. "You best be remembering where you came from. And remember who I am."
    "I never forgot, Dad. We'll be ready for Mike this afternoon."
    "You better," he drawled and peeked at Amy over Roger's shoulder. "Still a perty white skin and not a mark on her. Hmm," he sniffed and walked away.
    Roger's shoulders relaxed, but he took her by the arm and to the door. He fumbled with his keys to find the right one. She realized then how angry he was, his hands shook from it. Once inside the small office he closed the blinds and turned to look at her. She looked around the dirty place with a crumpled nose. Papers were stacked everywhere, the floor hadn't been swept in ages it looked like , and the windows had fingerprints all down the panes. He scoffed as he saw her looking around. "What? Not good enough for your standards?"
    She said nothing, but straightened her face. He went on. "This'll be your desk, here." He pointed at a desk piled high with papers and take-out cups. "It, uh…needs a little cleaning, but that's what you're here for now, right?"
    She winced and swallowed. He did the same and she stared at him. She'd never met someone who confused her as much as he did. Why would he wince when he was the one who said it? He must have seen the heat she was giving him from her glare. He seemed almost happy as he said, "What? Say