Free Surrendered Hearts by Carrie Turansky

keep her in Vermont?
    * * * *
    Jenn pushed open the front door of Bill’s house and stepped inside. She glanced around and quietly closed the door behind her.
    She’d disappeared from work almost four hours earlier without telling Bill where she was going. Wes had found her in the nature center parking lot and offered to talk, but she wasn’t ready. He gave her a hug, and told her he loved her. That helped, but she still felt she needed to get away and think things through. He’d offered her the use of his car, and she accepted.
    She drove around for a while and then parked at the lake, hoping if she didn’t go home until seven, Bill would be gone. Evidently, she hadn’t stayed away long enough.
    The delicious smell of garlic, herbs, and chicken floated toward her, making her mouth water and empty stomach rumble. With a weary sigh, she gave in and followed the delicious scents into the kitchen.
    Bill stood in front of the stove stirring something in a large frying pan. He glanced over his shoulder at her then turned back to the stove and dropped some sliced green peppers and onions into the pan.
    Jenn stayed in the doorway, waiting. “I thought you were going over to Julia’s.”
    “We postponed it until next Friday. Lauren and Wes are meeting with Pastor Dan for pre-marital counseling, and Chad is sick.”
    “Oh.” She didn’t know Wes and Lauren were in Bill’s Bible study group. She walked a little closer. “What are you making?”
    “Chicken and ziti.”
    She watched him add some dried tomatoes to the chicken and vegetables. “Wow, it smells good.”
    He continued stirring the mixture in the pan, his back to her.
    She pulled in another tempting whiff and swallowed. Why wasn’t he talking? Was he going to let one argument ruin their friendship? What about all the fun they’d had working together at the nature center? And how about the way they enjoyed kicking back and relaxing at home?
    Her empty stomach rumbled as she recalled how she’d dumped her load of frustration and doubts on him, but she quickly forced that memory away.
    This was his fault. He had pushed her too far. She couldn’t stay here if he was going to pressure her to attend church or get involved in a Bible study group. She wasn’t ready, and she might never be.
    Of course this was the first time he had invited her, and he hadn’t actually pressured her in a mean way. He was probably just clueless and hadn’t sensed her rising frustration until it was too late.
    But still, he should know not to tease her about a personal issue like that.
    She pressed her lips together. There was no way around it. She owed him an apology. “I’m sorry I took off today. I just didn’t want—”
    “No, it’s okay.” He switched off the burner and turned to face her. “I was out of line. I thought joking around would convince you to come. I didn’t know—”
    She lifted her hand. “Let’s just forget about it. We don’t need to get into it now.”
    He studied her for a moment. “All right. I just have a couple things I want to say.”
    She steeled herself, preparing for an argument.
    He leaned back against the counter. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. You asked me some tough questions. I believe there are answers for them. But I won’t push you, Jenn. I’ll leave it up to you to bring them up again when you’re ready.”
    She blinked, stunned by his gentle tone and sincere expression. She’d rarely seen this serious side of Bill. “Okay. Thanks. I appreciate that.”
    He smiled at her with his slightly crooked grin. “So, are we still friends?”
    She smiled and nodded. “Sure.”
    “You want to try some of my famous Chicken Two Tomato Ziti?”
    She laughed. “Yes, I’m starved.”
    “How about eating out on the deck?”
    “Sounds great.” She opened the cabinet and pulled out two dinner plates.
    Bill’s comment about answers to her questions pricked her curiosity. She wasn’t ready to talk about them tonight, but