Free Amazing Love by Mae Nunn

deserved some positive response from Luke. Didn’t it? But based on this reaction to the Today’s Times crew, she’d obviously misjudged the value of her surprise.
    Unaccustomed to being snubbed, Claire felt the heat of anger rise in her cheeks.
    â€œIt’s okay, son. There’s time enough tomorrow to wrap up the details.” Pastor Ken stepped around Luke and covered the moment of rudeness. Ken took over the introductions, extending his hand to the newcomer.
    â€œI’m Ken Allen, the senior pastor here.”
    â€œPastor Ken—” She hesitated, toying for a moment with the idea of ignoring Luke completely. “And Luke Dawson, I’d like to introduce Arthur O’Malley of Today’s Times Magazine.”
    Luke turned, watched Ken and Art exchange comments about the band’s performance, then tucked his chin and inched away from the circle of light that surrounded them. When he glanced up, his lips were pressed into that tight line she’d seen several times. Claire wanted to shrink from the aggravation on his face but she stood tall.
    Ken excused himself to rejoin the council. Art motioned for the cameras to wait for him at the door and then turned to Luke.
    â€œPleased to meet you, Luke. We got some great footage of the audition and we’d like to get a few stills of Claire and the youngsters she sings with if you don’t mind.”
    Luke avoided any possibility of a handshake by grabbing the contract and rolling it into a tight paper tube, as he turned toward the stage.
    â€œNope. No time for publicity tonight,” he said, refusing the request. “We have real work to do.”
    Claire clenched her fists at his abrupt dismissal. She could wring Luke’s ornery neck.
    â€œWell…” Art politely retreated. “Maybe tomorrow, then. I can come back when you’re not so pressed for time. From what Claire tells me you have quite an impressive setup. Maybe our entertainment editor would be interested in doing a piece on you.”
    Luke jerked his head toward Art. There was no denying the message in Luke’s eyes. He made no effort to disguise the pure, unadulterated disgust.
    â€œNo thanks, hotshot. Use the band to help out Miss Savage all you want, but my work speaks for itself.” He turned on his heel and strode toward the mass of middle schoolers that still dominated the front of the sanctuary.
    â€œLuke!” Claire gasped. She was embarrassed to the core by the uncalled-for surly behavior. Determined to give him a piece of her mind, she took two steps in his direction. Art caught her arm, stopping her progress.
    She yanked her arm free of his touch.
    â€œSorry!” Art insisted. His eyes were round, his palms raised and spread declaring his innocence. “I didn’t mean to startle you, just let you know you don’t need to bother with Dawson. It’s okay if he’s not interested.”
    She glanced from Luke’s rigid back to Art’s wide eyes, a loud sigh voicing her exasperation.
    â€œAnd don’t give his comment another thought.” He angled his head toward Luke. “If I got my feelings hurt over the way some people react to the press I’d spend a lot of time in the fetal position.”
    â€œStill…” She risked a quick look toward Luke. He was engaged in conversation with the teens, seemingly oblivious to her feelings, never giving her the time to explain her intentions.
    â€œHey, thanks for letting us interrupt your day.”
    She pried her gaze away and turned to Art.
    â€œI’m the one who should be thanking you for this opportunity. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.” She followed him up the aisle toward the exit. “Any chance I’ll get to preview the article before it goes to print?”
    â€œSorry, no. My editor makes the final changes and at that point deadlines are tight. But I’ll fax an advance copy to you before the issue hits