“Cassidy,” Beth gasped with wide eyes. “That’s crass.”
For saying the word sex? Or discussing how to get pregnant?
“I apologize for being so indelicate,” Cassidy looked down, her hands pulling into her lap beneath the table.
“We forgive you,” all the women said in unison.
Okay, that was weird.
“That’s alright, Cassidy. I know it’s hard to lose the ways of the world when you haven’t been raised in His Kingdom.” I looked at Beth and she continued. “Cassidy joined our church just two years ago. I joined four years ago.”
“What, um, what made you both join?”
Beth sighed, fidgeting with the sleeve of her dress.
“Well, I was lost. But He found me. God led me right to Reformation and I knew it was where I was meant to be.”
My stomach tensed realizing that her response sounded rehearsed.
“Yes. We are eternally grateful to God’s shepherds from Reformation for finding us lost sheep and bringing us into the fold.”
Neither of their answers actually explained how they wound up living here at Eden, but I just nodded like I understood.
“I feel lost right now. I think that’s why Theo invited me.”
The women gave me sympathetic expressions, several of them leaving their seats to put a hand on my arm or shoulder.
“You’re not lost anymore,” Beth said. “We’ve found you. God sees how special you are. Not just anyone has a direct invitation to Eden, and certainly not just anyone is invited by Elder Theodore Walsh himself. You are most definitely blessed.”
I forced a smile and nodded. Beth glanced at the clock on the stove and pushed away from the counter.
“Time to serve,” she waved her hands, to usher the women into motion.
Food was pulled from the oven and the fridge and the women lined up, each taking a plate to fill.
“Come,” Beth beckoned, handing me a filled plate. “For Elder Theodore.”
I took the plate with sweaty palms.
“Just follow our lead. You will do great.”
I followed the line of women to the living area where the men were seated talking and those facing us smiled.
“Wonderful.”
Beth made a beeline for the man who spoke and placed his food before him. I realized all the women were each doing the same and I quickly walked to Theodore, setting the food in front of him.
He smiled at me with a nod, and I glanced around the room to see all of them standing just behind the men. I copied and waited. Beth’s husband cleared his throat from where he sat directly across from Theodore.
“Let us pray.”
Most of the women had placed a hand on the shoulder of the man they had delivered food to, so I copied. Theo tensed beneath my hand and Beth’s husband flicked his eyes to me. My cheeks flushed and I realized all the women were staring at me.
Fuck.
I couldn’t see Theodore’s face, so I didn’t know if I should remove my hand. Beth’s husband bowed his head, and everyone followed suit.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for the food prepared and the evening gathered to worship you. Thank you for bringing us Miss Olivia, a lost sheep in need of your guidance. In your name we pray, Amen.”
