Jasmine's Place Issue No. 5 - May/June 2013 | Page 44

apologizing." They both stopped what they were doing and looked up at each other. Paige's breath caught in her throat. First, because of the tremendously handsome face looking back at her. Second, because she realized he had to be the new youth minister. Suddenly , she felt mortified. "Please don’t tell me . . . you’re Nathan Price, our new . . . youth minister." He gave her a brilliant smile and chuckled. "Okay, I won't tell you." She couldn’t help smiling. "I’m truly sorry." "It’s okay . . . really. I’ve got some extra clothes in the rectory. I’ll run and change." He gave her another knee-melting smile and turned to walk away. Looking back over his shoulder, he added, "Sorry about your salad.” Paige made her way the back of the church. Searching the crowd which had gathered for the cookout, she spotted Tara over by the food tables. Tara handed her a paper plate as soon as she made it to her side. "Where's the salad? I was looking forward to it.” Suddenly, she felt mortified. "Please don’t tell me . . . you’re Nathan Price, our new . . . youth minister." He gave her a brilliant smile and chuckled. "Okay, I won't tell you." Paige rolled her eyes. "Don't ask." Tara gave her a questioning look, shrugged her shoulders and moved on to finish filling her plate. Paige decided to do the same. She then walked to the large oak tree and sat down at its base. Concentrating on her food, she didn’t realize she had company until he spoke. JASMINE'S PLACE 44 44