Noble Pursuits Read Free

study an hour after the congregants disbursed. “Um, Burke, you look awful.”
    “Sums up how I feel, if you want the truth.”
    Tim Zimmerman sat in his chair behind an immense desk and propped his feet on the top. “Tell me about it.”
    “Do you mind? Will Kathy—”
    “We don’t eat lunch together. Sundays are our free days. Talk.”
    “I’ve got female troubles.”
    “PMS or PPD?”
    Nolan laughed. “Thankfully, PPD isn’t an issue, but I seem to cause PMS anyway.”
    “PMS? I really don’t think you’re responsible for the hormonal rages of biologically timed-out women.”
    “I’m speaking of the lesser known, but just as dangerous, Pre-Marital Syndrome.”
    Chuckling, Tim reached into his drawer and pulled out an insulated lunch bag. “Here, have a sandwich. I have a feeling we’re going to get hungry. There are water bottles in that fridge next to you. Pass me one, will you?”
    For the next hour, Nolan described the constant influx of eligible females that flocked to his side. He was embarrassed at how conceited he sounded, but desperation called for strict honesty about both the situation and his dismay over it. “Am I doing something to encourage this? Is there something I should do to prevent it? I don’t want to attract this kind of attention—”
    “You can’t prevent it all, Nolan. Women, many of them anyway, find money and power very attractive. You could be Quasimodo in the looks department and still attract attention. Unfortunately, you don’t even have the Quasimodo thing going for you.”
    “So, do I just disappear into the wilds of Colorado and hope some cattle rancher’s daughter likes me?”
    Tim stifled a laugh and said, “Nolan, rancher’s daughters, coal miner’s daughters, and welfare-dependent single moms. You know there will always be women who will throw themselves at you.” He frowned. “You know, maybe a change of scenery would do you good. Go somewhere where you aren’t well known or recognized. At least you’d have a little time before your reputation and financial information became household gossip.”
    “I thought about moving, but I just assumed it’d be the same thing anywhere I went.”
    Tim sat thoughtfully considering Nolan’s concerns. “I really think moving might be the best thing, but where you move counts. Don’t stereotype women by locale. Find a place with a high percentage of single women and get to know them. Visit the churches in the cities and towns around the loop. Check out Hillsdale, Marshfield, New Cheltenham, Westbury, and even Fairbury. I always thought Alexa Hartfield would be a good match for you.”
    “I know her brother…”
    “Talk to him,” Tim insisted.
    “Call him and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got a sister, and I’m looking for someone, so how about fixing us up?’ That’s insane.”
    Tim leaned forward on his forearms and rubbed his knuckles with his thumb. “Nolan, tell your friend your problem. Tell him the kind of woman you’re looking for, tell him you’re looking at the towns on the loop, and you want any information he has about Fairbury. If he thinks you’re good for his sister, I’ll bet he says so.”
    “Tim, he tried to fix me up with her in the past, but there are a few problems. I want a family. She doesn’t.”
    “Well, that is a problem, but it doesn’t negate his knowledge of Fairbury. Call him. I think the church needs to start helping one another in this area.” Tim’s eyes earnestly urged Nolan to step out of his comfort zone and take the first step toward his future.
    “Maybe I’ll do it. Thanks.”
    ~*~*~*~
    “Wes, good to see you, man. Where’ve—” Nolan paused to acknowledge a couple passing their table, “—you been lately?”
    “Just got back from Afghanistan.”
    “You know, I’ve never asked. How does your family feel about those trips to Afghanistan and Iraq?”
    Wes grinned. “My parents don’t ask. Alexa gets concerned, but I tend to be vague with her. This time I