She immediately lowered her eyes to her feet and bowed her head. “Excuse me Elder Theodore. I was just bringing Miss Olivia. She’s an eager lamb ready to be shepherded.”
Theo’s smile split across his face as he looked me up and down slowly.
“Yes. Miss Olivia. Thank you, May-Lynn. She is in good hands. God be with you and have a blessed day.”
At her dismissal, May-Lynn gave me a discreet smile as she brushed past me and squeezed my arm.
“Good luck,” she mouthed.
I nodded at her and turned my attention to the group of five men all staring at me like I was an actual lamb, and they were the lions.
“I’m so glad to see you have joined us this Sunday, Miss Olivia. Did you enjoy the service?”
“Yes, thank you, Elder Sam,” I smiled.
“Good, good. I’m happy to hear that.”
I nodded, an awkward silence making me twitch.
Theo suddenly excused himself from the group of elders and took me by the elbow, leading us to his office. I took in the familiar space and followed his motion for me to sit down. I could feel his eyes on me, and I wiped my sweaty hands on my floral dress, taking a seat across him. He was relaxed, leaned back in his desk chair as he studied me.
“I’ve missed you. You’re all I’ve been able to think about, Olivia. I was overjoyed regarding your decision to join our flock.”
Fuck, that’s kind of creepy. But a good thing. It means he hasn’t lost interest in me.
He hummed, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. “So, tell me. What is it you want out of life here within the Reformed community, Olivia?”
“Happiness. Peace. Guidance.”
He licked his lips and let my answer linger in the air for a long moment. “And do you believe that you can find that with me?”
I swallowed, preparing to sell one hell of an emphatic yes. “I believe that God has led me to finding you at that event for a reason.” I watched his body tense at the mention of himself. “A reason that has led me here to this church, this community, and ultimately to God. Coming here today has only solidified to me that this is the path that I am supposed to be on. I don’t know where it will take me, but I have faith thatyoucan help lead me towards those goals.”
His eyes seemed excited, but his body remained still in his seat, his stare persistent and unwavering. Like he was memorizing every breath I took and every blink of my eyes.
“You must understand, Olivia, that should you complete this program I will make it so that you are my match, my wife. Because God did lead you to us, tome. And I have no intention of letting you slip away, Olivia.But…” he paused, leaning forward until his arms rested on his desktop, “as the wife of a leader in this community, of a Walsh, your duties will be greater than any other woman. If you have any seed of doubt about your ability to fulfill the duties of a leader in every capacity Our Lord wills, you must speak now.”
I swallowed, nervously rubbing my hands against my thighs again. “I…I think I can do that. But you haven’t told me whatthose duties are? How will I know if I’m capable if I don’t know what your expectations will be? I don’t want to disappoint you. I want to be a good wife.”
He narrowed his blue eyes, standing to his full height and stepping around his desk to stand directly in front of me. Theo leaned down, bracing his hands on the armrests either side of me, his presence clouding my senses.
“Can you obey? My orders and those that the Lord has given us? ”
I blinked. “Yes. Of course.”
“Then you will be extraordinary. It’s what you were born to do, love.”
I nodded, heart hammering and sweat beginning to pool under my arms. I didn’t think too much about the reason behind his infatuation with me because I was grateful that it was working in my favor. At least he seemed like he would treat me right if he was already so enamored.
He sighed, sitting back smugly against the edge of his desk.
“God really did make you just for me.”
I forced a smile that I hoped looked genuine and a knock at the door interrupted his stare down.
“Come in!”
The Elder who had spoken before about working at RLS stepped into the room, acknowledging me with a soft smile before turning his attention to Theo.
