Free Changing Her Heart by Gail Sattler Page A

talking in the store wasn’t what she had in mind.
    He finished his transaction, called for Carol to relieve him at the counter, then accompanied Lacey to the food court.
    The second they were seated at a table, Randy raised one palm toward her so he could speak first.
    â€œI hope you know that whatever is said between me and Eric stays between me and Eric. Everything remains confidential. There can be no exceptions.”
    â€œBut he’s married to my sister!”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter.”
    Her expression immediately conveyed that she felt betrayed.
    Randy cradled his cup in his hands and leaned back into the chair. He wanted nothing more than for Lacey to trust him but, for now, Eric’s needs were more important than Randy’s wants. “You have to understand something. What I’m doing with him is highly confidential. It’s just like if you said something really personal to your pastor. You’d expect it never to be repeated to anyone, at any time, for any reason. It’s a matter of trust. If that trust isn’t there, then this won’t work. This is new for him, and he’s going to have to make some major changes in his attitudes, and his life. When he’s ready to share with other people, he will. And when that happens isn’t up to me.”
    She stared at him, her eyes wider than he’d ever seen. “Is that how you did it?”
    Randy’s chest tightened. “There was an older man who helped me along until I could be on my own and start offering help to others. I told him many things I never even told Bob, my best friend. It’s a unique relationship, and one that involves a lot of trust. And responsibility.”
    â€œOh.”
    He wanted to say more, but he couldn’t. He wanted to show her how much he’d changed and grown, to show her the man he’d become, versus the pathetic drunk he’d once been. But then, the only way to know the difference was to tell her exactly how pathetic he once was, and he wasn’t going to do that. By God’s grace, that person no longer existed. Instead, he would show her the man he was today.
    â€œI was going to ask if you would come to the Bible study meeting with me tonight, but I can’t go. I’m seeing Eric, instead.”
    He held his breath, waiting, hoping she was going to say something about driving him home from work.
    Lacey stood. “I think our break is up.”
    Randy stood so quickly he almost spilled the remainder of his coffee. “Will I see you after work?”
    Her hesitation nearly killed him. “You need a ride home, don’t you?”
    â€œYes.” He waited for her to say more, but shedidn’t. She hadn’t said, “no” so he took it as a “yes.” They walked back in silence until they reached Randy’s store.
    Randy rammed his hands into his pockets. “Do you want to stop for dinner on the way home?”
    â€œI thought you were going out with Eric.”
    â€œNot for supper. He needs to spend time with his family. I’m going to pick him up at seven o’clock, then go to the meeting after that.”
    â€œI wonder if I should go to be with Susan while he’s gone.”
    â€œThat probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Except I want to take my car tonight. How about if after dinner you take me to my place, I’ll pick up my car, then I’ll follow you to your place to drop off your car, and we can go to Eric and Susan’s together. Then when we’re done with Eric and Susan, maybe the two of us can go out for coffee afterward.”
    â€œThat sounds so complicated.”
    â€œIt probably is, but for now it’s important to take my car because it demonstrates to Eric who’s in charge. It’s kind of a guy-power thing. Tonight if we’re in my car, that puts me in charge. It’s harder to create that mental image of authority if he’s driving me around in his