From The Ashes. Sharon Mignerey

going to be great with his new owner,” she concluded, “who is participating in the last of his training.”

      “How do you know he’s going to be great?” Reverend Chester asked.

      “I just know—”

      “You have faith.”

      “Of course.”

      “No fear?”

      “Fear?” So there was the point he wanted to make. Her gaze went to the window where sunlight streamed in.

      “Faith is harder to keep in focus when you’re afraid,” he said. “Faith is knowing, the way you know the dog you’re telling me about will do well. Fear is letting the unknown consume you.” He paused. “And you know the pathway to faith, Angela.”

      “Prayer,” she breathed. He was right, of course. An obvious reminder she needed.

      “That’s right. And you know you’re in mine.”

      The door to the training yard opened accompanied by Brian’s and Maisey’s voices.

      “Thanks for taking the time to talk,” Angela said, looking toward the hallway where they were walking toward her. “I have my bearings back.”

      “You hadn’t really lost them,” Reverend Chester said. “Stay in touch.”

      Angela said goodbye and disconnected the call.

      “Here you are,” Maisey said after Angela hung up the phone. “You got rid of that Tommy person?”

      “For now.” Angela suspected he would be back, just like the bad penny he was. She had to figure out what to do about that.

      “Brian has decided to follow your recommendation about Jasper and wants to know when you guys can get started.” Maisey looked from her to Brian. “And I told him right away.”

      Good news…if it weren’t for Tommy’s threat to dig up dirt on Brian. And since Brian had confessed to her about reaping the rewards of his sins, she had the feeling working with him would be opening up Pandora’s box. But since she’d already agreed, how could she turn him away?