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missed first service, and he’d have to hustle to make second.
    Memories of his late-night design marathon resurfaced as he threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. That must be why he’d slept past his alarm—that and the fact he was still recovering from the worst case of the flu he’d had in years. But it didn’t matter. At least all the designs for Allie’s teashop were finished. He just needed to show them to her one more time, and then he’d send them off to the printer and sign company.
    Rubbing his hand down his face, he headed for the bathroom. Maybe he could catch her at church and invite her out to lunch, or better yet, they could come back here and cook lunch together. He smiled. Sleeping in and going to second service might work out for the best after all.
    His smile faded as he recalled the uncomfortable look on Allie’s face when she’d tried to explain why he never saw her at church. They did attend different Sunday morning services, but why hadn’t he seen her on Sunday evenings or at the singles’ Bible study? What was going on with Allie spiritually?
    During college she’d always been so certain about her faith. She was the one who’d patiently explained the importance of making a personal commitment to the Lord. It had taken him almost a year before he’d finally surrendered his life. Allie had been with him that night. But after his parents’ divorce, he’d turned away from his faith and everyone associated with it. Thankfully, God hadn’t given up on him. He sighed and looked in the bathroom mirror. Fine lines creased his forehead and surrounded his eyes, lingering evidence of the wild life he’d left behind.
    But what about Allie?
    The thought that she might have drifted away from her faith weighed him down like someone had just placed a thirty-pound pack on his shoulders. It couldn’t be true. She’d never turn her back on God, would she?
    Forty-five minutes later, Tyler walked into the second service at Harvest Chapel just as the first song began. He scanned the large sanctuary, searching for Allie, but he didn’t see her.
    Another wave of apprehension settled over him. Where was she? He purposefully shifted his thoughts to the words of the song. The music lifted his spirit, and he turned his concern for Allie into a prayer and released her back to the Lord’s care, firmly reminding himself that’s where she needed to stay.
    His motives needed to remain pure. Build a bridge, ask forgiveness, help her business succeed. That’s all. But as he remembered her visit to his apartment, her sweet, caring expression, and the way she’d prepared that hot soup for him, he couldn’t keep from hoping there might be more.
    The final notes of the song faded. Tyler glanced to the right. A couple moved into the row in front of him. Allie and Peter sat down in front of him, and his stomach clenched into a hard knot. Peter helped Allie slip off her coat; then he placed his arm around her shoulder.
    * * * *
    Allison shifted and tried to scoot a few more inches to the left, away from Peter. But he kept his arm around her and settled in a little closer. She sank a bit lower in the pew, wishing she could vanish.
    They didn’t usually sit this close to the front, but coming in late hadn’t left too many choices. She hadn’t realized Tyler was sitting behind them until greeting time when she’d stood and turned to face him. He’d said hello and reached to shake her hand. Her knees felt like noodles as she realized he must have seen every whisper and possessive movement Peter had made. She’d managed to mumble some sort of greeting before she sank back into her seat.
    Allison silently chided herself and corralled her runaway thoughts. She was here to worship the Lord. Lifting her gaze, she focused on Pastor Tom’s face.
    “God wants more than just a piece of our heart. He wants all of it. Nothing should take His place. That’s why Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, ‘Seek first his kingdom and