“I’m Maggy,” she said, eyes scanning her clipboard with a frown. “I’m sorry to say we’re completely full up here. Some of the surrounding communities are full too.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “I don’t think we’ve met before. Where’s your place located?”
“Callahan Ranch,” I muttered.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh! You must be James’s boy.” Her expression softened. “I was sorry to hear about your father’s passing. He was a complicated man, but he did a lot for this community.”
I bit back a sarcastic comment. Everyone in this town seemed to have known a different version of my father than I had.
“Yeah, well, now his house is gone too. Tornado took it clean off the foundation.”
“Good Lord,” Maggy sighed. “We’ve got nowhere left to put people, I’m afraid. Unless...” She looked over my shoulder, her face lighting up. “Mike! Mike, come over here.”
A tall man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pressed shirt approached us. He was all smiles and sunshine, the kind of person that found the good in any situation. The moment I laid eyes on him, I despised him.
“What’s up, Maggy? I just got back from Beau’s wedding. Looks like all hell broke loose while I was gone.” He scanned the room. “Everything okay?”
“This is Cash Callahan,” Maggy said. “James’s son. His place was destroyed in the tornado, and we’re out of room.”
Mike extended his hand, which I reluctantly shook. His skin was soft and warm, definitely not the hands of someone that worked for a living like everyone else in this town. “Cash, it’s nice to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Likewise,” I mumbled, not meaning it.
“Everyone’s set except for Cash here,” Maggy explained. “I don’t know where to put him.”
Mike scratched his chin thoughtfully, a perpetual grin on his face. “Anyone have room nearby?”
“Everyone in town with a spare room has lent them out already,” Maggy sighed. “And the churches for the next twenty miles are full up. We weren’t the only town hit by the tornado.”
“Hmm… that is a problem.” Mike glanced around once more, looking for a solution. The moment the idea struck him, his entire face lit up. “Isn’t there a spare room in the pastor’s lodging?” he asked, that smile getting bigger. “It’s just a bed and a closet, but nobody else is using it.”
“I don’t want to be in the way,” I said, trying to sound genuine. In reality, the last fucking thing I wanted was to live with a preacher for a month. I’d rather just spend the money on a motel.
“Nonsense!” Mike laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. “You won’t be in the way. I only use the one room, anyway. I don’t need two.”
I stared at him. “Wait…you’rethe pastor?”
“I’m so sorry,” he laughed again, shaking his head. “I didn’t introduce myself properly. I’m Pastor Mike.”
“You’re the pastor?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Aren’t you a little young for that kind of work?”
He laughed. “I get that a lot. But there are some of us who find the calling early in life.” He gave a knowing nod to Maggy. “I haven’t met everyone in the community yet since I just got here about a week ago, so I’m sure it’ll be a surprise to several.”
“I’m not from here anyway,” I replied. “Well, I was until… Anyway, my father died and left me his ranch. The one that just got leveled.”
Pastor Mike opened his mouth, like he was about to start preaching, then stopped. “Are you a man of faith?”
I scoffed, unable to stop myself. “No.”
He nodded. “Well, then I’ll reserve my sermons for Sundays,” he smiled. “But you are more than welcome to the room, whatever you situation or beliefs are. You can stay as long as you like.”
For a long moment I stood there, waiting for the catch. People didn’t just offer things without wanting something in return. That was a lesson I’d learned early and often.
“Why would you do that?” I asked bluntly. “I’m a stranger in this town.”
Mike shrugged. “Because you need help, and I can give it. That’s reason enough, isn’t it?”
I wanted to refuse. All I could imagine was this young, golden-retriever of a pastor trying to save my soul over breakfast. Just the thought made me want to punch him. But my options were limited, and pride wouldn’t keep me warm tonight or make my limited funds last longer at a motel.
“Fine,” I said reluctantly. “But I won’t be staying long. Just until I can get rid of the ranch and get the hell out of here.”
