It was how he tried to live. It seemed that the older he got, the easier it was for him to be content. Or maybe he was just getting better at ignoring any discontent.
Jude looked down at the Bible in his hands, noting that she’d highlighted the passage the pastor was speaking on. Philippians 4:11-13.
Given what Angela had gone through in her life, he’d be interested to know her thoughts on the passage.
When the pastor gave another scripture reference, Angela leaned toward him and reached out to flip the pages of her Bible to find the verse.
The warmth of Angela's shoulder against his arm as they leaned over the Bible together filled Jude with a quiet contentment. He could smell the faint vanilla of her perfume mixed with a light floral scent that he couldn’t quite identify.
He forced himself to focus on the words in front of them, though his awareness of her next to him made concentration a challenge. The pastor was referencing Romans 8:28, and Jude watched as Angela's finger traced along the familiar verse about God working all things together for good.
She glanced up at him, her blue-green eyes thoughtful, and mouthed silently, "Even the bad things."
The comment hit him harder than it should have. He could hear the weight of her past in that simple statement.
Jude held her gaze for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Especially the bad things," he whispered back.
Angela stared at him for a long moment before a small smile turned up the corners of her mouth.
She turned back to her notes, writing something in the margin of her notebook. Jude wondered what thoughts were forming in her mind, what connections she was making between the scripture verses and her own difficult journey.
When the service ended, Angela closed her notebook and slipped it back into her Bible case.
"This was wonderful," she said. “I’ve been watching the livestreams from my old church in Briar Hollow, but it was nice to be here. The music. The preaching. All of it was a real blessing.”
“I hope that means you’ll come back again.”
She smiled at him as they got to their feet. “I would love to.”
“So, would you two like to join us for dinner?” Cooper asked.
“We’d love it if you would,” Melanie said, giving Angela a warm smile.
When Jude glanced down at Angela, she was looking at him with lifted brows.
“Would you like that?” he asked.
“Sure. That would be nice.”
“We can still go to the store afterward.”
“I’ll just text Kiara and let her know I won’t be back until later.”
Looking at Cooper and Melanie, he said, “Well, it looks like we’re coming to your house for Sunday dinner.”
“Wonderful!” Cooper’s smile broadened. “We’re just going to grab the kids from the children’s service, and we’ll meet you at the house.”
Cooper and Melanie went ahead of them up the aisle, while Jude and Angela followed more slowly. The foyer was full of people, so Jude held out his hand to Angela again.
She smiled at him as she took it, wrapping her smaller fingers around his in a firm grip. Keeping her close, he guided herthrough the clusters of people to the large doors that led out of the church.
The crisp February air hit them as they stepped outside, and Jude drew Angela closer to his side. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this kind of contentment following a service.
Not that he was discontent after the services. More that he didn’t really feel any sort of way.
Usually, he slipped in and out, exchanging brief greetings with Cooper and Melanie before heading back to the estate. Or sometimes, like that day, he’d go to their home for a meal following the service.
Today felt different, however. Richer somehow. He’d shared a spiritual and emotional connection with Angela that added a depth to their budding relationship that he knew would only strengthen the bond that was developing between them.
