Page 86 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
“Sorry.” Kat clasped her hands together. “What did you say?”
Bernice frowned between Kat and Gabriel before settling on Kat. “He’s been bothering you, hasn’t he?”
Kat shrugged and picked up another strand of tangled lights.
“Katherine, say something to Allen.”
Kat loved Pastor Brighton dearly but didn’t want to make a big deal of it. Settling next to Bernice, she focused on untangling lights. “It’s fine. I set boundaries last time we spoke.”
Bernice peered at Kat over her glasses but stayed silent. Kat was thankful she didn’t bring it up again, instead finding more lighthearted conversation. As much as Kat usually enjoyed Bernice’s company, she couldn’t sit still with Gabriel watching her.
Ready to get out of there and home to Nex, Kat worked fast. When the last lights were untangled, someone else walked Bernice across the street. By the time Kat finished the decorations, she was on her own. She buttoned her coat and secured her red scarf around her neck on her way to the door.
A figure stepped in front of the exit. Kat tensed. Gabriel blocked her path. She tried to move around him, but he stepped in front of her again.
“I need to talk to you.”
Kat lifted her chin. “I think it’s better we keep our distance, Gabriel. We clearly have clashing personalities. Excuse me.”
She reached for the door, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. “Katherine, I need to talk to you. I’m trying to help you.”
Yanking her arm out of his hold, she held her hand up. “I don’t need help. What do you want from me?”
“I want you to be safe, and I don’t think you’re safe at home. Not with your boyfriend there.”
Kat balled her fists. “You don’t even know him. It’s also none of your business. In case you’ve forgotten, I asked you not to bother me.”
His hand closed around her arm. “Katherine,please. Please hear me out. I’m not doing this to hurt yo—”
A hand gripped Gabriel’s arm. “Let her go.”
Kat’s shoulders relaxed at the sight of Pastor Brighton.
Gabriel stepped back, holding his hands up. “It’s not how it looks. We were simply having a discussion.”
“A discussion doesn’t require you to put your hands on her.” Allen narrowed his eyes. “Another member informed me that this isn’t the first time you’ve bothered her despite her asking you to stay away. If you can’t respect her wishes, then there’s clearly a problem.”
“There’s no problem,” Gabriel said. “I was reconciling a misunderstanding.”
“Is that what happened?” Allen asked Kat.
Kat shuffled her feet. “No, that’s not what he was doing.”
“Gabriel, if you want to continue attending this church, then it will require you to keep your distance from Katherine and meet with me to discuss what kind of behavior is appropriate.” Allen stepped next to Katherine and crossed his arms.
“Pastor Brighton, with all due respect, you’ve only heard one side of the story,” Gabriel said.
“If you’re implying that Katherine’s being dishonest, then we have an even bigger problem.” Allen squeezed Kat’s shoulder, and she moved closer to him. “Because I’ve known her since she was a baby, and she doesn’t have a lying bone in her body. I don’t appreciate you twisting the story. If you want to attend church next week, give me a call to meet before Sunday. Because I won’t tolerate this behavior.” Allen directed Kat around Gabriel toward the door. “I’ll walk you home?”
“Please.” She didn’t want to walk alone after that.
“Just a minute.” Allen approached his wife, Myra. “I’m going to walk Katherine home, love. If I’m not back by the time you’re ready to leave, will you pick me up? I asked Derek to lock up for the night.”
“I can do that.” Myra kissed his cheek, then looked to Kat. “Goodnight, sweetheart.” She waved. “Thanks for helping.”
Kat waved and tried to smile. “Goodnight.”
Allen opened the church doors and motioned Kat ahead. They walked out into the snow, and Kat rubbed her arms as a chill that had little to do with the cold crept up her spine. Something was off about Gabriel.
