Free Hearts Crossing (Woodland) by Marianne Evans Page B

there was someone in need of God's loving embrace, and a renewed faith, Collin, it's you.
    I don't know all the details. I don't need to know all the details yet. I simply need to reach out to a questing soul and maybe help you find your way back home.
    The words seeped into Daveny's mind as though spoken aloud and directly.
    Will of God? A purpose?
    Her teeth sank gently into her lower lip when she found herself lost within his eyes and saturated by the pleasure she felt in simply being near him.
    Collin called to a longing in her heart; he elicited patterns in Daveny's soul that left her yearning and wistful. She wanted a man like Collin Edwards in her life. She craved his intimacy, a connection both physical and emotional.
    In that moment she leaned close once more, the space between them closing slowly but surely; at the last second Daveny blinked and took a deep breath—trembling.
    “I want you to know something,” she said. “It’s OK if you don’t open up to me today or in a week or even a month. I just hope you do so at some point. I’d feel honored by that degree of trust and faith. ’Til then, I promise I won't push. The ball is in your court, OK?”
    Something about the statement left his eyes seeming haunted.
    But he nodded—and that was enough. For now.
    They resumed their task, and Daveny mulled over the circumstances.
    Sandy was a member of the media. As such, Daveny could probably perform an Internet search and gain some unobtrusive history simply by virtue of her stature. Something in her arrival and the currents she stirred piqued Daveny's curiosity.

 
     
     
     
     
    11
     
     
    Tuesday morning dawned with sunshine, sweet air, and soft breezes. Collin carried his golf clubs out of the garage, settling them next to his truck.
    C'mon, Edwards. This is no big deal. Explain everything to Daveny. Move forward. Move forward or you'll regret it.
    That truth didn't make his present reality any easier. Sandy's reemergence gave Collin much to think about—not because of harbored feelings, but because the situation treaded fine lines both in his relationship with Daveny and the very real, very passionate feelings he maintained about his faith life.
    Bottom line? Big deal or no big deal, Daveny Montgomery infiltrated a part of his heart he had deliberately and resolutely nailed shut. Something about her compelled Collin toward the truth, and into a more objective, distanced view of the guilt and shame he still had difficulty releasing.
    “Hello, Collin.”
    A beat of silence passed as Collin absorbed the greeting of a familiar female voice.
    Well, he thought wryly, she hasn't forgotten the way to my condo.
    “Hi, Sandy. How are you?”
    His tentative greeting faded to nature noise, billowing breezes and more distant traffic sounds. Collin hoisted and stored his clubs, closing the back latch of his truck. Then he turned to face the inevitable.
    “I'm OK,” she replied. “I saw you the other day and wanted to say hello, but—”
    “Yeah, I saw you and your crew from WWJ.”
    “But you didn't stop by either.”
    Her eyes teased, but he read between the lines. We saw each other and practiced avoidance.
    “I didn't want to get in the way,” he said, extricating himself as best he could.
    She offered a shrug and a gracious degree of understanding. Pulling a hair tie from her pocket, she threaded fiery hued curls into a ponytail. “I'm glad to see you helping out. It's actually why I'm here.”
    “Oh?”
    “Can you spare a few minutes to talk before pulling out?”
    Briefly she glanced at the golf clubs. Due to finals scheduling, Collin didn't have to report to school until after lunch so he was on his way to a morning session at the driving range with Marty and Jeremy.
    “I've got a few minutes before I have to leave. Come on back and I'll get us some lemonade.”
    Collin led her to the backyard patio and extended the table umbrella to afford them a bit of shade.
    “I'm actually here in an official