The Trouble with Tulip (50 page)

Danny studied her green eyes, wishing more than anything in the world that he could take her face in his hands and kiss her and tell her that he loved her, that he was the guy she'd been waiting for all along.

But it wasn't the time for that now. Despite this astounding turn of events, Danny realized that God knew exactly what He was doing—and that what he needed most now was patience. In his heart, through silent prayer, Danny surrendered.

“So what's the news you had to tell me?” she asked. “Go ahead. It's your turn.”

Danny held on tightly to the hands holding his own. Friendship. For now, all he could have was her friendship. He looked longingly at her lips, and then back at her eyes. Her beautiful eyes.

The eyes of his love, his friend.

“I was just thinking,” he said, inhaling deeply and then letting it back out, “that you and I make a good team. That's all.”

She smiled, reaching up to tenderly touch his face. Then she sat there close beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“We do make a good team, Danny,” she repeated, patting his arm. “Truly, I don't know what I'd ever do without you.”

They sat there for a long time in a comfortable silence, Danny's heart soaring with love for this woman. He thought of the argument they had had last week, when he was trying to talk her out of getting married. When he had described what a marriage should be, Danny realized, he'd been talking about them and what they could be to each other.

“Hey, Jo?” he said now. “How about we meet back up this afternoon, go down to the hardware store and stroll around, and then maybe pick up some rocky road and an old Doris Day-Rock Hudson movie?”

It took her a minute, but then she sat up straight and laughed out loud.

“You're too much, Danny,” she said. “How I like to spend my free time, my favorite ice cream, and my favorite movies. I get your point.”

They shared a smile.

No, I don't think you do
, Danny thought.

But you will, Jo
.

In time, you will
.

M
indy Starns Clark's
plays and musicals have been featured in schools and churches across the United States. Originally from Hammond, Louisiana, Mindy now lives with her husband and two daughters near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Mindy's fast-paced and suspenseful inspirational writing—with a hint of romance and a strong heroine—are sure to delight readers everywhere.

Visit Mindy's website at
www.mindystarnsclark.com
to see a photo of the
real
Chewie and learn how he made his way into the pages of a novel.

And don't miss Jo and Danny's adventures in the next exciting Smart Chick Mystery, coming soon.

Other Books by Mindy Starns Clark

Philanthropy investigator Callie Webber has a new work assignment: Go to Philadelphia and present an old family friend of Tom's (her employer) with a check for $250,000. When Callie goes to his office, check in hand, she discovers him dead on the floor. At Tom's request, Callie moves into the family's home and begins a murder investigation. But it's a dangerous place to be, for the family has secrets they would rather not have uncovered.

Callie's only hope is that God will help her use her investigative skills to discover the murderer and escape the web of deceit that surrounds her.

 

Working to provide quality work clothes to women who can't afford to buy their own, Callie becomes involved with one young woman trying to come out of drug rehabilitation—just as she's charged with murder.

What appears to be a routine investigation in her sleepy waterside village suddenly becomes complicated amid international intrigue, cutting-edge technology, and deadly deception. In a desperate moment at what could be the end of her life, Callie cries out to the God who is as close as a whispered prayer.

 

In Book 3 of this exciting inspirational suspense series, Callie investigates a charity in North Carolina's beautiful Smoky Mountains. While there, a migrant worker mysteriously disappears. Now Callie must find out why someone wanted him out of the way. But will the villain strike again?

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It's April, spring is in the air, and Callie and Tom have just spent a wonderful few weeks getting to know each other after years of a telephone-only relationship. But as their time together draws to a close, they are called to the hospital bed of mutual friend Eli Gold, who has just been shot.

Eli asks Callie to find out who is responsible for the shooting and begs Tom to help her. The search leads Tom and Callie to the beautiful island of St. John in the Virgin Islands. There they face a sinister enemy who's willing to do anything to keep his identity secret and the past deeply buried.

 

When Callie learns that the man she loves is somehow connected to the man who killed her late husband, she confronts Tom. But he informs her that his hands are tied by the National Security Agency and he can tell her nothing.

Despite the secrecy surrounding Tom and the NSA, Callie decides to find out for herself exactly what is going on and how Tom may have been involved in her husband's death. Using her investigative skills, Callie throws herself into the most important mystery she has ever attempted to solve.

Will their affection be able to stand the strain? And what was God's plan in bringing Tom and Callie together—marriage or merely answers for her questions about Bryan's death?