Ginny peered over Ryan’s shoulder and found him in Matthew 6, where she’d been studying since recommending it to Melody Man.
Melody Man, whom she’d be meeting in a few short hours. Suddenly, Ginny was prickled with more nerves and her own confusion. How could she reconcile the way she felt just sitting next to Ryan with the way she craved Melody Man’s advice and friendship?
As if sensing the change in her countenance, Ryan cleared his throat and quietly read about how the Lord clothes the lilies and grass of the field, and how they grow because He makes it so. How much more would that same God clothe and take care of his people. Of Virginia Remillard, a woman following after him.
Ginny closed her eyes and soaked up the words, letting them resound in her spirit.
Wait. Show him. Seek Me first.
Ginny prayed, as she had for weeks, for the desires of her heart to match those of Christ’s.
15
WHEREVER YOU WILL GO
THE CALLING
Ginny strolled down Main Street on Saturday evening, taking in the festival one booth at a time. The sweet smells of homemade baked goods, Duke’s BBQ, and fried foods filled the air. Melodies of laughter, conversation, and Ms. Jan’s eclectic playlist were the soundtrack of the balmy October night, framed perfectly by the color of fall leaves painting the trees lining the street in golden yellows, rich oranges, and vibrant reds.
The town had unanimously voted for the design Ginny liked best at the beginning of the celebration. Georgia surprised them all by having sweatshirts made for purchase in advance with that very design printed across them, explaining to Ginny that she knew the residents of Sugartree would choose the very best one.
Though Ginny wore her Hanson,Middle of Nowhere,tee for her meeting with Melody man, she carried her new sweatshirt in the crook of her arm, proudly. Holding onto it for when the autumn breeze would, God-willing, bring down the unseasonably warm temperature that evening.
“I can’t believe how nervous I am,” Ginny said, chatting with Sadie and describing all the sights and smells and Sugartree lunatics that her best friend was missing. “Should I be thisnervous? I’m tryin’ not to be… Oh my goodness, Charlene Emmerson is wearin’ her first place winner ribbon from the Cake and Bake competition. There's a crown and everything.”
“Aww,” Sadie cooed through the phone. “She must’ve won with that lemon bundt cake she’s always braggin’ about. I’m happy for her. She needed a win.”
“She’s getting it. She and another lady are staring daggers at one another in front of Duke’s BBQ. There’s a crowd. I can’t tell if they’re all wantin’ pulled pork or a show.”
“Be real, Virginia. It’s Sugartree. They’re there for both.”
“She just called the other lady a snake…”
“Betty Robertson,” Sadie sighed. “According to Mrs. Emmerson, she makes a banana puddin’ cake straight from the gates of H.E. double hockey sticks.”
Ginny laughed but then stopped in the middle of the street, listening to the two elderly women cut each other with the kind of remarks that almost sounded like a compliment.
Well, isn’t it so nice that you finally won first place.
I had no idea they’d allow a magazine recipe to enter, but good for you.
Have you been eatin’ all that lemon bundt cake all by yourself?
You’re absolutely glowin’. Must be all that lard ya used on that puddin’ cake…
“Sadie,” Ginny giggled, “no joke. That other lady just challenged Mrs. Emmerson to a bake-off.”
“It’s the sharks and the jets over there.”
“You’re not wrong.” Ginny got excited. “Maybe they’ll start a flashmob.”
“It’d be a realtreatto eat up,” Sadie mused.
“A mouthwatering musical performance.” Ginny crossed Main Street, which had been blocked off for thru traffic. “It’smakin’mecrave a treat. Think I might get a corn dog and watch from a distance.”
“You’re totally scopin’ out for Melody Man, aren’t you? Do you have binoculars?”
“I’m not scoping,” Ginny said, meandering through the crowd to the corn dog booth and ordering one to go. “But if I happen to see him in advance whilst enjoying a hot dog covered in perfectly fried, golden cornmeal, would that be so wrong?”
