Free The Preacher's Daughter by Fiona Wilde Page B

for losing sleep over Jasper. It was only her second day as Eric's assistant; she wanted to do a good job.
    Beth slid from the seat behind Naomi to sit beside her.
    "You know you're not supposed to change seats when the bus is moving." Eric glared at the girl.
    "Sorry," Beth said. "I won't move again."
    Eric glared at her a moment more before turning his attention back to the road. When he did the girl turned to Naomi.
    "So I heard Chelsea's dad was over at your place," she said.
    Naomi wasn't sure whether she should respond. She was supposed to be an authority figure and instinct told her talking about her personal problems was the wrong move. But at the same time she wanted the kids to like her.
    "He kept her out today, Chelsea's dad did," Beth continued. "He said he's not going to let her take part in any youth activities until you repent."
    Naomi became angry enough to ignore her instincts. "Hell will freeze over before I stand up before all the hypocrites in that church and apologize," she said quietly. As she spoke she cast a wary eye on Eric, who was now pre-occupied with navigating the dirt road the bus had turned onto.
    Beth's eyes widened. "You're not going to do it?"
    "No." Naomi's voice was adamant. "It's nothing but a show, Beth. It's all a show."
    Beth grew quiet. "You really think so?"
    "Yeah, I do," Naomi said. "Religion is about control."
    "Wow," Beth said. "I've never heard a grownup say that before." She sounded impressed.
    "Well, adults should be more honest," said Naomi, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice. She looked up at Eric, thinking how much easier things would be for her if he were in some other line of work. If he were a mechanic or an accountant or anything else it would be easier for him to overlook her past. But the only reason he was with her was because he thought she'd done nothing more than pan-handle.
    It was probably good that they'd pulled into the farm, because Naomi didn't want to say any more. The deacon's attitude was maddening. She didn't care that his fat, petulant daughter was being kept away from the group. What did bother her was that he apparently still thought she'd be giving some ridiculous confession, which she had not intention of doing. Naomi wondered if her father had come to his senses in that regard sense their talk.
    "Here we are!" Rev. Eric Feagans cut the engine to the bus. The door hissed as he opened it and warm air rushed in from outside. Even so early in the day it was already hot, and Naomi knew that the heat would only serve to make her sleepier.
    She kept her seat as everyone filed out. Once outside, Eric took her hand but Naomi pulled away.
    "Eric," she said. "Are you crazy? They'll see!"
    "So?" he said, taking her hand again. "I'm not ashamed of you, Naomi."
    She said nothing as she bit her lip and blushed. She was ashamed of herself, that was the problem. But it felt so good to feel her small hand engulfed in his large one that the pleasurable sensation drove the negative feelings quickly from her mind.
    When Eric was by her side she felt like nothing could hurt her. She felt safe, protected, nurtured. By mid-morning Naomi's fatigue had fled, burned off by sun and good humor along with the fears she'd entertained the night before. Jasper was many states away, after all, and L.A. was full of pretty girls who would fall for his lines. He'd realize soon enough that she was replaceable and when he did he'd forget about her, right?
    By lunchtime the group was back at church, lugging buckets of red, juicy berries to the church kitchen where the plan was to turn them into ice cream. Conversation swirled as the girls began pulling out colanders, pots and other tools they'd need while the boys fetched ice from the ice machine in the storage room.
    "Did you hear that Melissa Raybon is moving?" one of the girls asked.
    "Why?" Beth asked as she began cutting tops off the berries and tossing them in a colander. "She and her parents just moved here something