Undercover Engagement by Lucy McConnell Read Free Book Online

family church, the constant shuffling and shifting from the children helped me feel at home. Even though I sat alone, I didn’t feel lonely there. On my third week, the preacher called me in and asked me to head up the children’s organization. Even though I felt overwhelmed, I knew it was right.
    My first Sunday conducting the opening meeting where we learned children's songs and prayed, I fell in love with the kids. How could I not love them as they sang songs about the Savior and bore simple testimonies of gospel truths?
    “Do you go to a singles' congregation, Jason?” Mom asked.
    “No. I spend most Sundays at Alyssa's church.” Jason gave me a conspirator’s wink. “Have I told you this is delicious?” He pointed his fork at his almost empty plate.
    “Is that your way of asking for fourths?” Mom smiled.
    Jason leaned back, patting his completely flat stomach. “I’d better not.”
    “I’ll just put the leftovers in the fridge.” Mom grabbed the trifle bowl on her way out. I picked up a couple of plates and followed her into the kitchen. Dad had been genuinely nice during dinner, so I didn’t feel too bad about leaving the boys alone. Mom scraped the dinner dishes into a bucket for the chickens.
    “Jason’s a nice guy.” She giggled. “He’s tough too. I loved the look on your dad’s face when he cleaned that gun. Did you know he could do that?”
    I laughed. “Jason is full of surprises.”
    “How well do you know him?” Her tone stayed light, but I knew from eavesdropping earlier, that there was real concern wrapped in the question.
    If she had asked me that two days ago, I would have told her that I felt like I’d known him forever and that he was an open book. Today? Today I felt like we were starting over. Not in every aspect of our relationship. Our chemistry was still there. Even though he’d been under cover, he must have let his façade drop when it was just the two of us because I hadn’t seen many changes in us . However, I was noticing new things. Like the gun cleaning show – that was pretty cool. I had peeked in the guest room – talk about military precision. I think he remade the bed when he unpacked because my mom had never had perfect corners on the blankets. She liked to keep the covers loose and let them hang over the edge to display her stitchery.
    I couldn’t explain all that to my mom, though. “It feels like I learn something new about him every day.” I put the milk in the fridge. “But, they aren’t bad things, per se, he just has a lot of layers.” I mentally patted myself on the back for that one – it was a Jason worthy answer – vague, yet calming.
    Dad walked in with a stack of dessert dishes. “Alyssa, your boyfriend wants a shower, will you tell him where to go?”
    I ignored Dad's jibe. “Oh, yeah.” I laughed. “Millie sneezed on him.”
    “I always liked that horse.” Dad patted my shoulder. I headed back to the dining room.
    Dad called after me, “Was he wearing my jacket?”
    I kept walking like I hadn’t heard him.
    Mom sighed. “I’ll take a look at it, dear.”

Chapter 10
     
     
    I hate nine o’clock church. It's too early on a Sunday to feel like I've lounged in bed. Of course, I hate three o’clock church too because you spend the whole day waiting for church to start. Really, eleven o’clock church is the only acceptable schedule. My parents had the early option. I rolled over when my alarm went off at seven and nearly jumped out of my skin when my hand hit Jason’s on the snooze button.
    Groan . “Would you stop sneaking up on me?”
    He grinned like a cat. “I wanted to make sure you got up on time.”
    I stayed firmly pressed against my pillow. My hair had limitations. It looked lovely splayed across the pillow; but if I sat up – so would my hair.
    “All right, I’m up.”
    He kissed my forehead. “I’m going out with your dad to do chores.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Good luck with that.”
    “T.C.S. –