The Price of Trust Read Online Free PDF Page A

something to the driver, and they both laughed and drove past.
    The walk didn't seem as pleasant anymore, so she quickened her pace to the church as the car turned around to come back. She reached the steps as the car stopped in the church parking lot. She tried to act unconcerned and unafraid as she struggled to keep her pace even going up the steps. If she ran, they'd know that they bothered her. Then they wouldn't leave her alone.
    She didn't notice Todd, his girlfriend, and a couple of other people out on the steps, and would have walked right past them if they hadn't spoken to her.
    "Excuse me," the blond girl with Todd called to her.
    Carly turned. "Yes?" She tried to smile, but she could only see the Camaro out of the corner of her eye.
    "My name is Kelly Martin. Are they bothering you?" she asked, noticing Carly's anxiety.
    "Hi, I'm Carly Adams; it's nice to meet you. Yes, they're making me a little nervous. I've already met Billy Pruit, but I haven't met the driver. I don't think I want to," she said, looking over at the car again, shuddering involuntarily.
    "Would you like me to ask them to leave you alone?" a deep, husky voice asked beside her. She turned. A young man about twenty-five or twenty-six leaned lazily on the railing.
    She couldn't help but notice that he was very handsome. Tall, broad shouldered, dark eyes, brown hair, nice smile.
    Take that back. He was better than handsome. Lots better. She stared at him for a moment, unable to tear her eyes away.
    "No, I'm afraid that if I act scared, Billy won't leave me alone, and I don't want to make things worse. But thank you, I appreciate your concern." She smiled, her face turning bright pink. She hoped he wasn't able to read her thoughts as she forced herself to look at the blond girl that had spoken to her first.
    "Todd, let's go in so they can't stare at her anymore. If they want to see her, they'll have to come inside," Kelly said, taking Carly by the arm and leading her into the church. "Would you like to sit with us? We usually sit together, and we'd like for you to join us."
    "Thank you, I'd like that." Carly smiled, relieved to be inside and away from the piercing eyes of Billy Pruit. "Who was the driver?"
    "Well, that was Randy Pruit's car, so I'd have to say it was Billy's little brother, Randy. Not a nice group of people there. Would you like me to introduce you to some of my friends?" Kelly asked, smiling. She was a likable girl. Blond hair, brown eyes, and friendly. Carly was comfortable with her right away.
    "I don't want to be a bother. No, I'll be all right," she protested as Kelly led her to the group of young people that had been on the steps when she walked up.
    "You're not a bother! I'd love to introduce you! You need some good friends to help you look out for the Pruit people. This is Mark, Christy, Paul, Angie, Meg, Todd…he's my boyfriend," she whispered. "Greg is over there, and this is my cousin, David. Oh and there's Jeff coming inside right now."
    "Hi, it's nice to meet you." Carly shook hands with them. They were all pretty friendly, but she found herself looking for the tall guy she had seen outside on the steps. Disappointed, she turned her attention to the people in front of her. They didn't have much time to talk as the pianist started playing, and they were asked to open the hymnbooks to page twenty-four.
    The group found their seats toward the front and opened their books. Carly was a little ill at ease being in front of so many people, but she endeavored to be comfortable. She was near the end of the long pew, with Kelly to her left. No one was next to her on her right, which was nearest the aisle. She began to unwind with the singing and enjoy the service when a movement caught her eye. She turned to see the tall man who had spoken to her outside take a hymnal and stand next to her.
    It was impossible to be comfortable now.
    Maybe he'll go away after the singing, she thought to herself.
    But she didn't really want him to