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Chapter 1
WESLEY
Slipping off my glasses, I toss them and my pen to my desk, then dig my thumb and pointer finger in my eyes. It’s been a long day. Even my bones feel weary. I woke at three this morning from a phone call from a parishioner, whose mother had a massive heart attack and wasn’t expected to live much longer. Tabitha was the caller, her mother was Marybeth, both of whom, along with their family, have been attending my sermons since I took over the church seven years ago. After rushing to the hospital, I spent the next hour praying over the elderly woman, her weeping family by my side. Sadly, Marybeth passed on to Heaven not long after.
It’s always hard losing a member of my congregation, but it’s even harder to watch their family in their grief-stricken state. Marybeth was no longer in pain, which is a blessing, but her family was.
The death of Marybeth isn’t the only reason my day has been long. I’m becoming more concerned over the girl who keeps sneaking into the church and stealing food. That food is donated to the church to offer to those less fortunate, so if her situation calls for it, the church is more than willing to give her what she needs. She just won’t request the help, opting to steal it instead. It’s not the food I’m most concerned about though. It’s what she took one of the last times she was here. Medical supplies and clothes for a young boy. Someone she knows is hurt, and it’s apparent she must have a child with her. The more time I have to dwell on it, the more worried I become.
Opening my eyes, I slide the journal I write my sermons in closed and slip it inside the top drawer of my desk. It’s just past eleven. Most nights I’m home by now, but I was behind on writing down my next sermon and wanted to get it done before I left for the night. Now that it’s finished, I can go home and get some much-needed sleep.
Grabbing my phone from my desk, I’m just sliding it in my pocket when it starts ringing. Pulling it back out, I look at the screen, then smile when I see the name. I prop up on the corner of my desk, crossing my ankles, and swipe my finger across the screen.
“It’s kinda late for you to be calling, isn’t it? Aren’t you usually in bed by now?”
Penelope, my younger sister, sighs into the speaker. “Your sister is driving me crazy.”
I chuckle. “My sister? I’m pretty sure she’s our sister.”
“I’m no longer claiming her,” she says, frustration lacing her voice.
“Tell me. Which sister has caused you so much grief that you’ve disowned her?”
“Taylor.” She says the name in a feminine growl.
“What has she done now?”
“She’s harassing one of my new clients.”
“Asa Sharpe?”
The guess is pointless. It’s a known fact Taylor’s had an obsession with the famous rock star since he made his record-breaking debut with the band Grey Water twelve years ago. He’s been a hot commodity ever since. Even if Penelope tried to hide that she recently signed Asa with her lucrative PR company, which is impossible in a town this size, there’s no way she’d be able to keep it from Taylor. Our crazy sister makes it a point to know everything about the man.
“Yes. Who else? If I see her outside my office one more time, I won’t be held accountable for my actions, Wesley.”
Stuffing my hand into my pocket, I look down at my black dress shoes. “Have you talked to her?”
“Yes. For all the good it’s done. I even recruited Camila and Harley. She’s ignoring everyone. Can you imagine having a client who has to have a restraining order against our sister?”
My brows scrunch. “It’s gotten that bad?”
“No.” Her breath crackles across the line. “But if she keeps it up, it wouldn’t surprise me if it heads that way.”
“I’ll stop by her house tomorrow and have a talk with her,” I tell Penelope.
“Good luck with that. I swear she has to be sleeping outside my office building. I had to tell security to not let her in.”
“Why? It’s not like Asa Sharpe is a regular there. I’m sure you do most of your business with him over the phone.”
“Yeah, well, she somehow found out he’s due to come in soon. She just doesn’t know when. She’s hanging out for when it happens.”
“I’ll take care of it, Pen. Stop stressing over it.”
“Thanks, big brother.” I can hear the relief come across the line. “Sorry for calling so late. I’m just at my wits’ end.”
“Don’t apologize. I know how Taylor is when it comes to Asa Sharpe.” I think all of Silver Falls knows of Taylor’s obsession with Asa.
“What are you up to? Are you at home?”
