I nearly collided with a sturdy man in a rain slicker. “I hope you’re Martin.”

      “One and the same. This your car?”

      “Yes. Is it…?”

      “Worth saving?” He stroked his chin. “I’ll know better once it’s in the shop. Besides a new radiator, you need a new front end, and the frame looks bent. Nothing we can’t handle, but I hope your insurance is current. It’ll cost a heap.”

      My legs felt week. I had cleaned out most of my bank account to store my belongings and cover my expenses in Florida until funding for my position was approved. This was a financial bombshell.
Martin grabbed my elbow. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll give you a loner.”

      “You don’t understand. I was leaving town. I don’t have a home here anymore.” Tears filled my eyes.

      “That’s a pretty wrinkle. Still, things could be worse.” He handed me a tissue.

      “I can’t imagine how.”

      “For one, you could be injured. Come on, admit that there’s a bright side to your problem.”

      His folksy voice and the support of his strong arm were comforting. I tried to smile. “You make my troubles sound so insignificant, I’m embarrassed. Things wouldn’t look so bleak if I had a place to stay while it’s being repaired.”

      Martin beamed. “Lucky you! You ran into the right person. Sheila Cameron’s family made a fortune in Northern Virginia real estate, and she inherited the agency. She has apartment buildings, town houses, single homes, you name it! She’ll find you a place.”
I brightened. “You think so?”

      “Positively! And it won’t cost a cent. She’s a great lady. Can’t say the same for her son. Some kind of prodigal, away for years, it seems. Nobody knew he existed until he showed up recently and she gave him a plush position. Caused some talk, believe me. I lease my garage from the Cameron company, and not a week goes by that he isn’t after me to move my business. Wants to erect a multi-million dollar office complex on the land, like the ones at Tyson’s Corner and Fair Oaks.”

      “Can he force you out?”

      “Probably could if his mother didn’t insist that my business suits this location. Offices would only increase the traffic.”

      I surveyed the scene dominated by my hulking, immobile car. “Nobody can move because of me.”

      Martin chuckled. “That’s why the sooner I tow your car to the garage, the better. Hand me your keys. I’ll help unload your things before I take it away. Explain your situation to Mrs. Cameron and she’ll take care of you until your car’s ready.”

      It sounded too easy to be true. I let Martin carry my suitcase back to the church office, hoping to find Henry Conyers still there so I could apologize for my curt departure. To my dismay, he was gone, so I went in search of Mrs. Cameron.

      Inside the sanctuary, enclosed pews marched down both sides of the aisle. Cheerful whitewashed walls and high arching windows defied the gloom outside. I was about to mount the narrow stairway to the choir loft for a closer look at the organ when a metallic sound from behind startled me.

      “I’m sorry if I frightened you.” Sheila Cameron was arranging silver chalices on the altar as she spoke. “Did Martin ever come?”

      “Yes, he did.”

      “Splendid. Then he’ll have you on the road in no time.” Sheila stood back to admire the classic simplicity of her setting.

      “I don’t think so.”

      She wheeled around. “Then it’s a big job?”

      “A very big job.”

      “Oh, dear. That’s a shame. Can I give you a lift home?”

      “Yes…and no. You can give me a lift, but there’s no home to go to.” Before I could control my emotions, I burst into tears.

      Without a word, Sheila scurried down the aisle and guided me to the nearest pew. Comfortably cloistered within, I unburdened myself to a stranger for the second time that hour.

      As I neared the end of my lament, Sheila donned a serene, determined expression and began patting my knee in a rhythmic, understanding motion, never missing a beat. The moment my voice faltered, she said, “What a lucky young woman you are! I can solve all of your problems at once. You need a place to stay, and I have the perfect spot. It’s a lovely furnished apartment in one of my buildings near Tyson’s Corner. I keep it available for visiting friends, relatives, and occasions such as this.”

      Exactly as Martin prophesied, she added, “You’re welcome to stay there as long as you like, at absolutely no cost. And since you’re here, it occurs to me that I might tempt you with a temporary position in my McLean office.”

      “Thanks, but I don’t…”

      “Nonsense! I size up people quickly and I can tell that you’re perfect for my staff. The young women I hire must be intelligent, well spoken, and striking in appearance. You fit the bill perfectly. We’ll give you all the training you need for the present. If you stay on, you’ll have to pass a state exam eventually, but credentials aren’t important right now. We’re successful because I run the business on the premise that a charming, considerate woman is far more persuasive than a fast-talking wheeler-dealer.”

      “I don’t follow you.”

      “You’ve had a traumatic experience, so I won’t fill you head with trivia. Everything will become clear once you start. I know you’ll learn quickly.” She shook a finger at me. “There’s a mysterious purpose behind everything in this life. Something prevented you from leaving town and brought you directly to Pohick.”

© 2003 Emily Pritchard Cary. All Rights Reserved. Contact Emily Cary at