Amy Phipps - Amanda Blakemore 01 - A Bazaar Murder by Amy Phipps Read Free Book Online

familiar voice called Amanda's name. Slowly taking her arm from her face she turned her head toward the trunk. The driver climbed out and made his way toward her with a look of concern on his handsome features. 
    Swiping at the tears on her face and sitting up she said.  “Pastor Max, I didn't know you drove a tow truck.” Hoping he wouldn't notice that she was having a complete breakdown.
    “Yeah when necessary, but most of the time, I'm a mechanic down at the Carl's.”  Looking down at her he asked. “Are you alright?”
    “I didn't know that either.” She sniffed trying to force a smile. 
    “You didn't answer my question.” He continued giving her a meaningful look and taking a seat next to her on the ground.
    “No” She answered weakly and sniffed again. “My life is falling apart and there's nothing I can do about it.”
    “It's hard when life deals you some hard blows.” Glancing at her mud covered clothing.
    “Tell me about it.” Holding up her dirty fingers to count off the bad that had happened to her. “First, I find my husband in bed with another woman. Second, I lose my job because the woman he's been having the affair with was my boss. Third, I have no money because Daniel froze all our accounts. Fourth, I find a dead body that my grandmother thinks was actually murder! And last but not least I took a job dog walking and he ran away and now I can't catch him.”
    “Sounds like you had it rough lately.” He said sympathetically handing her a tissue.  “You know I was married once.” Taking the tissue she shook her head no. “Before I was a Pastor. I was married, her name was Sarah. I loved her so much.” He smiled at the thought of her. “She died in a car accident. It was so sudden, my life changed in an instant. I began drinking a lot and became a person that my wife would have been ashamed of. Then one day I woke up in a puddle of my own vomit and realized that I had to change things. So I asked God to help me change the things that I could control and accept the things that I cannot.” He smiled and continued. “And he will do the same for you if you ask him.”
    “ Wow, that kinda makes my problems.....” Sighing she climbed to her feet and continued. “You're right, I've been so caught up in feeling sorry for myself that I didn't even think to ask God for help.”
    “We can't always manage things by ourselves and we don't have to.” He said climbing to his feet and patted her on the back.
    “Thanks I needed that.” She smiled up at him.
    “Glad to hear it. I think I can help you with one of your problems.” He returned her smile.
    “You can?” She looked at him in astonishment.
    Smiling he informed her. “You know there is a reason why that dog is named Twinkie”
    “There is?” He could hear the surprise in her voice.
    “Wait here.” He ran back to the tow truck and came back with a Twinkie in his hand. “Here try this.” She didn't look convinced so he explained. “Jonah dated my cousin, trust me.”
    “I guess......” She shrugged, “What do I have to lose.”
    “I better get going if I'm going to get that old car of your grandmother's fixed.”
    “How long do you think it will take?”
    He shrugged, “Your grandfather kept it in good shape so maybe a couple of days.”
    “My neck and stomach thanks you. They could use a break from riding in the car with Olive.” They both laughed.
    She watched as he climbed into the tow truck and drove away. Looking up at the heavens she prayed. “I'm going to need your help.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see the massive hound rooting in the flowerbed of the house across the street. Giving one last glance back up at heaven she whispered. “Here goes nothing.”
    Making her way across the street with the Twinkie in hand she stopped on the sidewalk and crinkled the wrapper. Twinkie ears perked up and he turned his head to look at her. “Looky what I've got you drooling monster.” She said in