π₯ πππ πππππππ β Whispered Southern Secrets (Magnolia Grove Series) Small Town Romance by Gail Haris
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My entire body stiffens and goes on high alert when from behind the podium a giant figure stands. Long dark hair is pulled back into a neat tiny bun. Piercing blue eyes look out into the congregation. His sharp features might now have a neatly trimmed beard, but thereβs no mistaking him. Then that deep voice echoes off the church walls. The preacherβs son was never tall, dark, and intimidatingly handsome. Cute would be a vast understatement.
Never. Never in a million years would I have expected to see my one-night stand at the church altar. Iβm beginning to hyperventilate at the gravity of this situation. My one and onlyβmy one night stand was with my mimiβs preacher! Isnβt that some big no-no? Arenβt pastors supposed to be held to a higher moral ground? What was he doing in a bar? He told me he was in the Air Force.
βHoney?β Mimiβs cool, bony hands gently touch my wrist. βAre you okay?β
No! No, Iβm not okay. Iβm going to hell. Iβm surprised I havenβt burst into flames. Of all the sins Iβve committed, I think this one ranks at the top.
βIβm fine,β I wheeze out.
Brother Johnny David. He went by J.D. at the bar. I know what that stands for now. And of course heβs going to lead the next hymn. His mother is beaming with pure love and devotion as she watches him begin to sing while she plays the piano.
That voice.
Iβve never heard a hymn sung like that. Itβs moving, soothing, and overpowering all at once. This man could make an atheist want to convert with that voice. He really is one of Godβs angels.
And Iβ¦
Iβm going to be sick. Worse, Iβm still being seduced by him. Iβm sitting here in the pew ogling this man. Who is Mrs. Jinnyβs son! Oh myβ¦ Iβll never be able to look her in the eye again. How can I look into that sweet face and know what I did to her son? Iβll have to avoid Brother Johnny too. I canβt shake his hands and allow him to bless me after what I did to his son. And I did a lot of things to his son. And his son did some pretty incredible things to me. His voice isnβt his only blessing. Heat creeps up the back of my neck and on to my cheeks. This is the weirdest situation Iβve ever been in. Thereβs this longing in my chest but a gnawing guilt, with a healthy dose of fear, swirling in the pit of my stomach.
This is God punishing me. Nobody can tell me the Lord doesnβt have a sense of humor, because right now He has jokes. It was three years ago, but He waited until the perfect moment, when I would least expect it, to be like, remember that one really sinful night you had? Youβve been fantasizing about it and praying to meet him again? Bazinga! Heβs the new preacher.
I wonder if thereβs a special place in hell for fornicating with the pastor? When we met he said he was in the Air Force. He didnβt mention being one of Godβs soldiers. He isnβt Catholic, so maybe he can date. Then again, dating and one-night-stands are two separate things. Thereβs the argument that a one night stand can lead to dating. Thereβs still the fact he laid with a woman he wasnβt married toβ¦ I feel like Iβm getting into a lot of gray areas. Lust is a sin. Thereβs a lot of lusting happening right now. Jesus would probably forgive me of my sins, but Iβm not so sure some of the ladies here are as forgiving. I can keep our secret if J.D. can.
I was worried about everyone whispering about my recent divorce. That seems quite a mild scandal compared to what would happen if anyone learned of my history with the new pastor.
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MURDER. LAUGHTER. HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Letβs make it awkward!
Gail Haris loves blending romance out of life's everyday chaos. Stories filled with humor, steam, and moments of sweetness, along with suspense and twists. Using coffee and her imagination, Gail writes in a variety of genres including romantic comedy, romantic suspense, small-town, and new adult/coming of age romance.
Gail enjoys living in her small town in Southeast Missouri, and then taking adventures all over the world with her two fierce princesses and Boo Bear, who is her ultimate real-life book boyfriend. When sheβs not getting into mischief or scheming with her two girls, sheβs busy coming up with crazy scenarios for her characters. Hopefully by following her dream, she can be an example to her daughters that their dreams can become a reality.
Never stop believing in love, dreams, and yourself. And coffeeβ¦especially the coffee. Donβt give up on coffee and books.
Learn more at gailharis.com
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