Free October Joy (Moments In Paradise 1) by Melanie Wilber Page A

pocket rather than bothering with her purse.  She didn’t have any money after using the last of her cash on taxi-fare this morning and a cappuccino this afternoon.  She didn’t expect Andrew to take her anywhere where she would need some, but if he did, he would want to pay.  He was a gentleman through and through, just like Levi.  She had known that before tonight, but tonight had really proved it.
    She thought of something she needed before she opened the door, and she stopped to say a quick prayer, which didn’t turn out to be so quick.  She cried twice before it was over, asking God to bless her time with Andrew--a lot, and wondering if she should be praying for such a thing.  Even if Andrew was just a friend, was it right for her to be spending time with a man she had met yesterday?  Or was this another poor judgment choice she would be making today?
    It’s okay, Sarah.  Andrew is right about Me bringing him here for you.  I know what you need, and I’m providing it like I told you I would the night I brought Levi Home.  Trust Me in this, Sarah.  And enjoy Me by enjoying your life.  Yours isn’t over yet, and I don’t expect you to live like it is.  I have many more plans for you and many more years to show them to you.  Live, Sarah.  Live!
    She left the room and headed downstairs, taking the glass elevator and wondering what Andrew thought of her staying in a place like this.  Oh well, at least it was far enough away from the church to avoid anyone seeing them together.  That woman’s assumption about Andrew being her brother made her very aware others were watching her and had their own opinions about how Levi’s widow should be conducting herself in public.
     
    ***
     
    Andrew didn’t know what was going on with him, but when he saw Sarah step across the lobby to meet him, he took notice of her form and shape like he had never done with any woman besides Annika.  Sarah had been so properly and elegantly dressed both last night and tonight at dinner, her classiness had stood out to him more so than her figure, but in a pair of jeans...
    Whoa, Andrew.  Slow down.  You might not be in her room anymore, but she’s still vulnerable, and she’s only been a widow for three months.  You wouldn’t have been ready this soon after Annika.  Don’t force her to be.
    She smiled at him and seemed embarrassed, but not for the reason he was expecting.  “This place is too fancy,” she said.  “I can’t believe I’m staying here.”
    He glanced at the open area restaurant in the center of the atrium with lots of indoor plants and trees and a cascading waterfall.  “It looks like a good spot for dinner tomorrow night,” he said.  “We won’t be at George and Linda’s table, so they won’t be wondering where we disappeared to.”
    She laughed.  “And what about tonight?  I left my Bible in the auditorium and told them I was just going to use the ladies’ room when I left the table.  They’ll think I was kidnapped for sure!”
    “I called George,” he said.
    “You did?  Just now?”
    “Yes.”
    “What did you tell him?”
    “That you needed someone to talk to, so I’d taken you for a walk and then back to your hotel instead of going to the meeting.  They suspected you might be with me since I hadn’t returned either, and they weren’t worried about you yet, but he thanked me for calling.”
    “Did he ask where you are now?” she asked as they stepped outside.
    “No, and I didn’t say.”
    She was silent for a moment, and he stopped her before they went any further.  “Are you all right with this, Sarah?  I can say good-night now and see you tomorrow if you’d rather.”
    “I’m fine,” she said.  “I need this, Andrew.  There’s no one back home I can be like this with, and here--everyone’s been wonderful, but they all knew Levi.  I need someone who just sees me, you know?”
    “You mean someone who sat at your table last night and had to keep telling