“Who else?” she replied, smiling warmly at Pastor Lancaster. “I’m looking forward to Christmas. You guys must be busy.”
“Oh, good,” Mrs. Lancaster said as she moved slightly and tried to peer inside the cottage. “Your mother told me you were spending some time out here, and from what I can see, you’ve done a lovely job for Jake.”
“Ah, yes. I did this all for Jake.”
Another snort.
“You know, he needs a place to stay while he’s restoring the Wyndham house.”
Mr. Lancaster nodded and glanced behind him. “A wonderful idea. I was very pleased when I heard the property had fallen into local hands. Jake will do a wonderful job with it.”
Raine nodded. “Um, was there a reason you stopped by?”
Mrs. Lancaster was still trying to see inside, and Raine knew it was rude of her not to ask the woman and her husband in, but how could she? That’s all she needed—the pastor and his wife to be overcome by all the sex fumes. Wouldn’t that just ruin everybody’s Christmas.
Her cheeks darkened as she thought of the night before and of all the things she and Jake had done. Hello. Who knew if you bent this way and he did that with his…
“Raine?”
“Yes?” She shook the image from her mind and concentrated on the couple before her, though it was hard, because even though she was hot as hell, she was shivering and her teeth began to chatter.
“You’re going to catch a death of a cold if you don’t go inside,” Mrs. Lancaster said.
“Oh, yes.” She glanced down at her bare feet.
Mrs. Lancaster must have realized she wasn’t going to be invited in. She cleared her throat—pointedly—and gazed into Raine’s eyes with a look Raine remembered well from Sunday school. The woman wanted something, and she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Good. At this point Raine was willing to agree to anything so that the woman and her husband would just leave. Not very Christian of her, but there it was.
“I was making the list of floats for the parade tonight and noticed that the youth home you work at isn’t entered this year. I called but couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone, so I thought I’d check with you.”
“Oh.” Raine exhaled and looked away. “I, uh, haven’t been working there for a while now, so I’m not really sure what’s going on, but I can call Marie if you’d like. I’m sure it’s an oversight. The kids love getting a float ready.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Lancaster seemed a bit surprised and she glanced at her husband. “That would be wonderful.” Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I wasn’t aware that you no longer worked there.”
Raine shrugged, holding herself tighter as a blast of wind hit her in the face. “They needed someone more reliable. I—” She licked her lips and glanced away. “I missed some shifts and for a while wasn’t good for anyone, let alone counseling and helping troubled teens.”
“Well you look like you’re finally on the mend, and it’s wonderful to see.”
“Thanks,” Raine replied. “Was there anything else?”
“I was wondering if you knew where Jake was.” Pastor Lancaster stepped forward.
“No,” Raine answered hastily—maybe too hastily, judging from the look Mrs. Lancaster shot her way. “I mean, I haven’t seen him.”
“Oh.” Pastor Lancaster rubbed his chin and glanced behind him. “His truck is parked in front of the main house.”
Balls!
Raine shrugged. “He’s probably inside working on something?”
“We knocked, but there was no answer.”
“Hmm.” Her teeth were now rattling against each other so badly that Raine had to take a moment and force herself to speak. “He’s probably got his iPod on and can’t hear you. I can give him a message when I see him later, if you like.”
“No, that’s fine, dear.” Pastor Lancaster smiled. “I just wanted to say hello and ask him what his plans for the house are. Just an old man being nosy.”
“I’m sorry I can’t help you there.”