By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition by Jennifer Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

we ready?” Victoria forced a smile.
    “Whenever you are.”
    “Let’s go.” Victoria turned toward the door and bumped into an even larger figure. “Oh, excuse me.” She glanced at her feet and tried to walk around.
    “Victoria, what are you doing here?” She looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and watched as Chris extended his hand to Dylan. “Well, hello, Dylan.”
    Victoria exhaled and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
This is just great
.

     
    “Dylan, I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen you in here before.” Chris shook hands with his friend. “You don’t play any instruments on the sly, do you?”
    Dylan shook his head and waved his hands. “Oh no.”
    “Buying some jewelry for Sondra?” Chris glanced at Victoria. Her eyes had doubled their size, and she appeared as if she might keel over. “You okay?”
    “Just running some errands,” answered Dylan. “So what are you doing here?”
    “Looking at guitars.” The color in Victoria’s face returned. He wondered if he’d scared her when he stormed off the other morning. He probably needed to apologize. Never would he want a woman, or anyone for that matter, to be afraid of him. “Victoria, I’m sorry if I scared you the other day.”
    “Vic’s all right. She’s a tough ol’ gal,” added Dylan.
    Chris frowned at Dylan. He was acting mighty strangely. Glancing at Victoria, Chris smiled. “You go by Vic?”
    She shrugged and half smiled. “Peewee gave me the name.”
    “I’m not sure if you look like a Vic. You’re young. Innocent. With a bit of fire.” Her eyes widened and Chris laughed. “Yeah. I guess it suits you just fine.”
    Victoria lifted her chin. “So what was it you said you were doing here, Chris?”
    He gazed down at his guitar and the music papers in his hand. “I love to sing worship at church, but my guitar has just about given out. It’d still be good for someone who likes to fiddle around a little bit, but it won’t make it much longer being used three times a week and then whenever I feel a drawing to her in the evenings.”
    “Does your guitar have a name, as well?”
    Chris laughed out loud. “As a matter of fact, she does.” He lifted the guitar toward Victoria. “Vic, this is Belle. Belle, this is Vic. I’m sorry you won’t get to know each other much as I’m getting ready to trade in Belle, but you’ve been introduced just the same.”
    “Do you trade in your girls often?”
    “Not the ones worth keeping.” Victoria’s neck and cheeks turned crimson as she looked away. He hadn’t meant anything by his words. Did she think he spoke of her? Chris drank in her whole image as well as considered her fiery spirit that mingled with sincerity and truth. If Victoria Thankful was anything, she was definitely worth keeping. “I don’t think that came out …”
    “Well, there you have it.” Dylan interrupted. He grabbed Victoria’s arm. “We best get going. Sondra’s expecting us back soon.”
    “Okay.” Chris waved, feeling confident he’d made a total fool of himself. “I’ll see you at church on Sunday. Hope to see you there, Vic.”
    Dylan and Victoria walked toward the door. She leaned closer to him and whispered, “What did he mean by that?”
    Dylan shook his head. “Not a thing, darlin’. Don’t go overanalyzing the things men say. Sondra makes me crazy when she does that.”
    Chris closed his eyes at the overheard conversation. He had hurt her feelings, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Frustrated, he turned and walked to the counter. “Hey, Vern. My guitar needs a bit of updating. Think we can make up a deal?”
    “I’d reckon.” The man pointed to the guitars hanging on the wall. “Pick out what you want, and we’ll see what we can do.”
    Chris selected the one that would suit his need but wouldn’t be too expensive. He set it on the counter and counted out the amount Vern wanted for the trade. “I was wondering …” He handed the money to