Free A Time to Protect by Lois Richer Page B

else. But there was no escape.
    Mrs. Gardener was a great biology teacher but she was also the worst gossip in town. When she spoke, people listened. At the moment she was smiling genially as a group of church women surrounded her. They were all waiting for a response.
    “I was told of your call, Mrs. Gardener.” Chloe drew on her coat. “Last night I was called in to work. They were shorthanded so Madison’s soccer coach stayed with the kids.”
    “I never knew Brendan Montgomery to babysit before.” Lucia Vance stepped forward, her voice cutting through the room. “How long did he last?”
    As the church women exchanged quick looks, Chloe schooled her features, grasped at calmness. “I’m not sure how long.” She gulped. “I was at work. Mrs. Mills had an emergencyso he kindly agreed to stay with Kyle and Maddy until she could arrive.”
    “There’s the great babysitter himself.” Lucia’s voice climbed to eardrum-shattering proportions. “Brendan! I hear you’ve got a new job.”
    Chloe winced, wished she were anywhere else. Brendan said something to the man he was with then walked toward them, his eyes meeting Chloe’s in a question before he faced Lucia. “I beg your pardon?”
    Did he think she’d started this? Chloe straightened her spine. She didn’t need someone to deflect gossip. She could handle this herself.
    “She and Mrs. Gardener are concerned about the time you spent at my place with the kids on Saturday night,” she said softly, fingers clenching in her pockets.
    “Why?” He looked nonplused.
    “Just curious.” Lucia’s smile hinted at more. Chloe longed to run but Brendan had hold of her arm.
    “You’re embarrassing her, Lucia. Now stop teasing and be nice.”
    “I apologize, Chloe.” Lucia touched her hand. “I’ve spent a lot of years trying to pay back Brendan’s teasing. He tormented me when we were kids, but that’s no excuse to put you in the middle.”
    “It’s okay.” Chloe just wished she could slink out without anyone noticing.
    “Kyle asked me to get him some information on the model club,” Brendan explained, ignoring those gathered around whose ears perked to hear everything. “I put this package together but I can’t find him anywhere.”
    “Yes, he’s been talking non-stop about that club. I think he’s out in the van at the moment. It’s this way.” She walked forward, hoping against hope that he’d follow her without comment.
    Outside she sucked in a breath of crisp autumn air and heaved a sigh of relief when no one followed.
    “You made it. Just don’t look back.” He caught her quick glance of surprise and grinned. “Please don’t be offended. Lucia and the others weren’t being mean. Good Shepherd is a Bible-based church with kind caring people.”
    “I know. It’s all right, really. I was just caught off-guard. And you’re right about it being Bible-based. I don’t think I’ve ever heard sermons like the ones I’ve heard here.” She walked slowly, choosing her path carefully because of her high heels. Why had she worn them today?
    “What do you mean?” Brendan stared down at her, his green eyes narrowed, assessing.
    “Don’t misunderstand,” she said, wishing she’d never said a word. “I really enjoy Pastor Dawson’s sermons. They make you think of your life in everyday terms, the changes you can make now. It’s not that.” Chloe knew from the way he was studying her that he expected the whole truth. She sighed. “I’ve gone to church for most of my life. We went every Sunday.”
    “Nothing wrong with that.” He leaned against the van, waiting.
    “I guess it didn’t hurt.” She smiled at his quirked eyebrows. “But we didn’t go there to worship, Brendan. That wasn’t what it was about. My family went to be seen as the happy, well-adjusted family with happy smiles.”
    “Sounds difficult.” He made a face.
    “Difficult and dishonest. There were a lot of problems in our house, though I don’t suppose