Free Hannah’s Beau by Renee Ryan Page B

“Longer than a week? But we don’t have that much time.”
    “I know.”
    “There has to be something we can do.” She slammed her fists against her thighs and circled the room again. “I can’t stand this feeling of helplessness.”
    The reverend’s patient gaze followed her movements, but he remained in his spot near the door. “It’s hard, I know. We’ll have to pray we get news soon.”
    She nodded. Prayer, yes. Always good.
    “In the meantime, I have a favor to ask of you.”
    Slowing her pace, she glanced at him from over her shoulder. “And what would that be?”
    “I’d like you to accept Laney’s offer to move in here.”
    The question stopped her in midstride. “You heard that part of our conversation?”
    “I did.” He gave her an uncomfortable smile. “Your voices carried as I was making my way down the hallway to find you.”
    That seemed possible. Nevertheless, why would he want her to stay at the orphanage instead of the hotel? Unless he thought she needed a babysitter. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you afraid I’ll set out on my own?”
    “I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind.” He raised his hand to keep her from speaking over him. “But the real reason is that I don’t wish for you to be alone in a cold hotel room, fretting over something you can’t do anything about.”
    “Are you saying you’re worried about me?” Her pulse picked up speed at the notion.
    “That’s what I’m saying.”
    Hannah simply stared at him. What was she supposed to do with that startling declaration? And more to the point, what was she supposed to do with the jolt of pleasure spreading through her at the prospect that thisman was actually concerned about her. Her! A virtual stranger. A woman whose own father had banished her from his home without a moment’s remorse.
    Hannah wasn’t usually prone to self-doubt, not lately, anyway. But something about this man, something in the way he threw her off balance with a simple declaration of concern, made her question whether or not she’d truly dealt with the lasting repercussions of her banishment.
    That last thought made her bristle.
    “I’ll tell you what I told Laney,” she said, keeping a careful lid on her conflicting emotions. “I’ll think about it.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his weight against the doorjamb, looking as though he had all the time in the world. “I’ll wait.”
    Hannah frowned at him. “You want me to make my decision now? ”
    “Within the next few minutes will do.” He wound his wrist in the air between them. “Carry on with your thinking and pacing and whatever else you need to do to settle this in your mind.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “Has anybody ever mentioned your phenomenal arrogance?”
    His eyes filled with amusement. “At least a dozen people, half of those just today.”
    A charming man was bad enough, but a charming O’Toole, Hannah decided, was downright dangerous. “So few?”
    He put his unreadable pastor face on and continued to lean against the doorway. He wound his wrist in the air between them again. “Continue considering Laney’s offer.”
    “You’re not going to budge from that position until I say yes, are you?”
    “Stubbornness is another one of my finer qualities.”
    “What about smugness, haughtiness and overconfidence?”
    His eyes crinkled around the edges. “Those, too.”
    “You win,” she said with a soft, feminine snarl that belied her growing amusement at his absurd attitude. “I’ll check out of the hotel. But just so we’re clear, I’d already decided to make the move before you asked it of me.”
    “Of course.”
    “Your suggestion carried no weight, none at all.”
    “Whatever you say.”
    “Did I mention you have an arrogant streak?”
    A slow grin spread across his lips. “I seem to remember something along those lines.”
    “I stand by my assessment.”
    “I expected as much.”
    “Are you going to continue