Free First Mates by Cecelia Dowdy

shared a long passionate kiss before he’d boarded his flight. As his plane flew into the air, she waved goodbye before touchingthe beautiful ring gracing her finger. She’d planned on visiting London, but he was always too busy and overworked to accommodate her visitation requests.
    â€œJust answer my question.” She clenched her teeth and folded her arms. “What in the world are you doing here?”
    He chuckled as he continued to caress her with his eyes. “My job assignment in London is over. That’s why I’m back in town.”
    â€œWhy are you here at my church? I know you didn’t come to praise God.”
    Continuing to smirk, he touched her arm, but she slapped his hand away. “Don’t you ever touch me again, Jordan Summers.”
    â€œCalm down. I know I messed up, but I’d like to tell you how sorry I am. That’s why I came here tonight.” He paused and studied his hands. “Besides, this is not your church. Remember you used to say that the House of God belongs to anyone who wants to worship.”
    In spite of the warm air, chills fluttered down her spine. Was he planning on attending her church from now on? “Why are you interested in praising God? You said you attended service and Bible study just to please me. The last we spoke, you said you weren’t even a Christian,” she spat. She clutched her Bible so hard she thought her grip would cut through the leather cover.
    â€œI think we still might have a chance—”
    â€œJust be quiet. I don’t want to hear this, not now.” Pain settled into her forehead and she rubbed her temple. As soon as she got home she would take some aspirin and go to bed. She leaned against the car.
    He glanced at Winston before he continued. “Look, I see you’ve got a new boyfriend now, but what we had was special. I think we have a chance at happiness.”
    She opened her mouth and closed it. When she found her voice, she expressed her doubts. “Look, you need to stop this. I’m never going back to you. Besides, what happened to the woman in London? Are you here with me now because she dumped you?”
    He looked at the cars leaving the lot. Before he could say another word, she turned around and walked quickly toward Winston.
    Winston’s firm tone brooked no argument as he glared at Jordan. “I think you’d better leave so that Rainy can get into her car and go home.”
    Fear glittered in Jordan’s eyes as he opened his car and threw his briefcase inside. Minutes later, he sped away in his fancy sports car.
    â€œI can’t believe the nerve of him to want to speak to you,” Winston began.
    â€œI’m so tired. I just want to go home.”
    â€œMaybe we can still go out for ice cream?”
    She rubbed her forehead. “No, not tonight.” She gazed around the now empty parking lot. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
    â€œOkay.” He looked into the darkness and sighed.
    She touched his arm as he led her to her car. “I’ll explain everything to you soon, but not now.”
    He nodded as she unlocked her door. “I’m going to follow you home in my car. I don’t trust that guy.”
    She rubbed her temple again and started the ignition.“Jordan isn’t the nicest man around, but he’s harmless. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
    â€œDon’t argue with me. I’m going to follow you home no matter how much you object.”
    Driving home, the sight of Winston’s headlights in her rearview mirror brought her comfort. As she entered her house, he honked his horn. She turned on her lights and waved goodbye to him from her window.
    She dropped her Bible on the coffee table, walked to her bathroom and opened her medicine cabinet. She poured a glass of water and swallowed three aspirin tablets before she returned to her living room and lay upon her jade-green couch. She sighed