I glanced through the open doorway to where David and Bastian were talking in low murmurs. Bastian was frowning, his hands gesticulating in an agitated manner. He said he wanted to stay. He wanted to join the flock. But looking at him now, I knew my instincts were right. He was a liar.
But I had led him here. I had opened the door. Pastor had been ready to leave him on the other side of the gate. Yet I had insisted.
All because I was moved by his love for his brother? I felt foolish and beyond silly.
But he was here now. There was nothing to do except keep an eye on him. Make it right before I made it worse.
“Perhaps he shouldn’t be here…” my words drifted off and I immediately felt shame at voicing my inner concerns. Because they sounded judgmental. And we were supposed to be beyond judgments. Those were reserved for God.
But Pastor Carter didn’t chastise me. He squeezed my arm, his hand hot. His light green eyes became cold. Hard. “If there’s a wolf amongst the sheep then we will do what’s best for the flock,” he replied softly.
Something inside of me tightened. His words felt like a threat. Towards Bastian.
Towards everyone.
“Do you understand me, Sara?” he asked.
I nodded, even though I didn’t. Not really. Not in the way I should.
“Let me know how he gets on,” Pastor added as he turned away from the open door. Away from the two men. He began to walk down the steps, but then stopped. “Be my eyes and ears, Sara. I trust your sight.”
He trusted my sight.
He trustedme.
I felt myself glow with pride. With purpose.
I stood there watching David and Bastian for a bit longer.
Mostly Bastian.
Pastor Carter trusted me.
And I didn’t trust Bastian Scott.
“Should we go say hi?” Anne asked, fidgeting a bit. I could tell she wanted to.
Stafford blew out a noisy breath. “I’m not really interested.”
Minnie playfully smacked his arm. “Staff, remember to keep your heart open.”
“And your soul pure,” Anne, Bobbie and I murmured by rote.
Stafford got to his feet and brushed grass off his pants. “Okay, let’s go make the newbies welcome.” He didn’t seem thrilled by the idea. Stafford was testy at the best of times. I found him and Minnie hard to be around. They said the right words but I knew in their hearts, they were far from the path. They gossiped and judged. They coveted and were full of malicious thoughts.
Outside of the gate, I suspected I wouldn’t have anything to do with either of them.
But here, in this place, we were bonded together.
Bonded by a faith. Bonded by a journey.
Bonded by one man.
We were family.
The threads of our particular fates squeezed and squeezed until we couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move.
“Let’s go,” Anne agreed, standing up. I followed suit. A little slower. Bobbie, Caitlyn, Minnie, and Stafford approached the Scotts as a group. Anne trailed behind them. I hung back, watching the brothers, in no rush to approach them. My heart did strange hiccups in my chest. Compressed and tight, my insides were a jumbled mess.
