“Good call. How many pastors are we meeting with?”
“Just Pastor Steve and his wife, Tami.”
Beth pulled her hand free, grabbing her mugs and starting toward the doors, but Bryce caught her wrist gently. With her standing a step above, their eyes met evenly.
“I meant what I said, Lizzy. I want to try. I want to make this marriage work.”
Beth swallowed hard. His voice was earnest, his hand warm on hers.
Taking a mug from her, he led her up the stairs, opened the door, and held it for her.
Inside, she realized—her hand was still in his. And it fit perfectly.
She let go quickly, face flushed, and hurried toward the offices.
CHAPTER7
“Elizabeth dear, you arrived just in time!” Tami called out, as the office door opened. “Steve and I are having the hardest time remembering the proper coffee ratio. This is our second attempt. The first pot was so weak I could read the paper through it! Coffee-making certainly isn’t a gift God gave me—and I’m a pastor’s wife, no less. But He definitely gave it to you!”
“Actually, you should ask Bryce to make it. His coffee puts mine to shame,” Beth said, smiling as she accepted warm embraces from Tami and Pastor Steve. Then she stepped back to Bryce’s side.
“Bryce, I’d like you to meet my pastors, Steve Ambrose, and his wife, Tami. Pastor, Tami, this is Doctor Bryce Jensen.”
Bryce nodded politely and took in the older couple as Beth introduced them. He couldn’t help but think Pastor Steve could pass for Santa Claus if he had a beard. Tami, with her silver-streaked bun and short, round frame, looked every bit the part of Mrs. Claus.
After a pause, Bryce extended his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Lizzy’s talked about this church and both of you countless times over the past three years.”
“It’s a pleasure, son. I guess I didn’t realize you’ve known our Elizabeth that long. Three years, you said?”
“Yes, sir. We met during her first interview at Penrose Hospital.”
“We did? I don’t remember that,” Beth said, surprised.
Bryce grinned. “You may not remember, but I certainly won’t forget. You left a lasting impression with your two-inch heels and business suit that matched the color of your eyes.”
Beth blushed. “When did we meet? I didn’t talk to anyone at the hospital that day.”
“I was observing the process before I officially joined the team, so I was sitting off to the side.”
Beth’s mouth dropped open. “You were the quiet guy in the corner!”
“Guilty.” Bryce smiled, something fond flickering in his eyes. “You were so nervous—but so sure of yourself, too. You had this fire in your answers, like you knew exactly why you were supposed to be there.”
Beth blinked at him, surprised. “I don’t even remember what I said.”
“I do.” His tone was quiet, thoughtful. “You talked about nursing like it was a calling, not a job. Said you wanted to be the kind of nurse patients could trust with their mind, body, and soul. That stuck with me.”
They locked eyes for a moment longer than either expected.
Tami, smiling warmly, linked her arm through Bryce’s, bringing the moment to an end.
“Now, Bryce dear, you’ll have to make us some of your coffee. For Beth to recommend it so highly, it must be divine.”
Pastor Steve leaned toward Beth and said in a low voice, “He seems quite taken with you.”
Beth nodded softly. “So it seems.”
Pastor Steve looked at her with a thoughtful gaze. “Ah, but how does Elizabeth feel about the good doctor?”
