I just groaned. "Why does everyone say that? Yes, I go to church. I just moved here a few weeks ago, so now that I'm settled in, I asked your father if he'd show me how to get here."
"That's amazing. I'm so glad - "
"Faith!" A woman snapped her name, gesturing for the child to come back. With a heavy sigh, Faith obeyed.
"That," Luke said, "is Meredith. The man with her is Brody, who she's set to marry next month."
"She's pretty," I said.
Because she was. Meredith had long, golden brown hair that fell in natural waves down her back. Her legs were long and her dress was just short enough to show them off. She had curves, too. Maybe a little more than most men liked, but I had a feeling she'd been a knockout when she was younger. Now, she looked a little more tired, but still stunning.
"Thought I was hot shit hitting that," Luke told me. "Everyone wanted her and I managed to get her. And now I can't ever get rid of her."
"Yeah, but Faith's got no hope, man." I smacked his arm. "Between the two of you, well, I figure you have about two years before chasing the boys away from her will be a full-time job."
"Do not remind me." He glanced over. "Meredith was sixteen. Faith turns thirteen in exactly one week. I'm having panic attacks about it."
"Let me know when you want me to broach that with her. I also happen to have enough medical knowledge to make a few birth control recommendations to her father. You know, like the long-term solutions. Can't do it for you, but I can certainly give you the questions to ask her GP."
"GP?" he asked.
"Family doctor, short for general practitioner." I paused as an older gentleman cut in front of us.
"Hey, Harvey," Luke said. "How you gettin' along?"
"Oh." The man looked back, only just realizing we were there. "I didn't see you, Luke. And who's this?"
"Dr. Cy Marshall," I said, offering him my hand. "Luke offered to show me the local church. I just moved here."
"Well!" The old man clasped my hand and shook it once. "A doctor, huh?"
"Psychiatrist," I admitted. "I spend all day sitting in a nice chair and listening to people talk. Good job if you can get it."
"Well, good. Good." Then Harvey just tottered away again.
"He's not doing so good," Luke told me, then he pointed at someone to the side. "That's the pastor."
As soon as we got close enough, the middle-aged man smiled, making it clear he saw us. "Hey, Luke," he said, then turned to me. "Nice to meet you..."
"Dr. Cy Marshall," I told him. "Cy for short. I'm new to town, and Luke's pretty much the only person I know."
"Well, we're glad to have you. I'm David Bigsby. How'd you two meet?"
"Same job, cutting hay. I didn't have a clue, and well, sometimes it's best to let the professionals direct things." I smiled and offered my hand. "It's good to be here. I'm mostly moved in now, so figured it was time to find myself a church."
"Pretty much just the one," Luke said.
"You Baptist?" David asked.
I shook my head. "My last church was a First Church of Christ just outside Denver. My fiancé picked it, the engagement blew up, so here I am in Texas. The fresh air is nice, though."
"Well, sorry to hear about that," David told me. "If you have any questions about the differences, I'm more than happy to talk you through it. All that really matters is that you show up, right?"
"Yes, sir," I agreed. "Thanks for taking the time to meet me."
Then we headed inside. Luke directed me to a pew near the back, and the pair of us moved into the middle. Then I scooted back over a bit, leaving a healthy space between us. More people were making their way in, and everyone headed in a specific direction, almost like they had assigned seats. Habit, I knew, but I still found it interesting.
"You certainly know how to charm people," Luke said softly.
