“Oh?” She accepted the small box and lifted the lid, let out a laugh. “Bread pudding from the diner. Jessa and I just finished our lunch from Tippy’s.”
“I didn’t know what you liked, but their bread pudding passes this Southern boy’s taste test.” He shifted his weight. “May I come in?”
“You’re not afraid for your reputation?” The snarky tone slipped into her question unannounced, yet she didn’t regret it.
Elijah cringed. “I deserved that.”
Yes, you did. She stepped aside and gestured. “Come in.”
She closed the door, wishing she could shut out the awkwardness with it.
Jessa walked in—saved by the sister. Her wide eyes registered surprise. “Pastor Eli, I didn’t expect to see you.”
Trixie hated hearing him called Pastor Eli. In her admittedly biased mind, he didn’t deserve the title.
“I came to ask a favor of Trixie.” His gaze darted between them.
“I’ll leave the two of you to talk.” Jessa looked at Trixie. “I’m sorry to eat and run, but Phoebe got stuck in the snow. I told her I’d get Landon’s pickup and pull her out.”
She cast her sister a pleading stare.Don’t leave me. “Since when do you know how to do that?”
“I’m full of surprises.” Jessa shrugged, but smiled and gathered her belongings. “I’m sorry. I’ll come back when I’m done—I need my auntie time with Alice.”
Although Trixie believed Jessa told the truth—she’d never been a good liar—she couldn’t believe the timing. Jessa knew how Elijah had treated her, and that he was the reason she hadn’t returned to church. Surely she wouldn’t have left her alone with him unless necessary.
Once Jessa had left, Trixie stared—glared—at Elijah. Hurt feelings died hard.
Reluctantly, she led him to the family room, and sat in the far recliner. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to speak.
Sitting on the edge of the sofa, he appeared as uncomfortable as she felt. “First, I want to apologize for how I treated you. I’m ashamed it took so long, but now I realize what a judgmental pig I was.”
She broke a hesitant smile. “At least you recognize it now.”
“I’ve lived a sheltered life. It’s no excuse for how I treated you, but I was raised in church a different way.” He took a breath and continued. “I followed the rules to a T all my life and saw everything in terms of black and white. Everything was absolute to me, including consequences.”
“For a long time, I was like that as well. I pushed my limits, but always stayed one toe-length behind the line. Right was right and wrong was wrong.” She swallowed, apprehensive to go on. “I think the problem is, especially with a lot of Christians, is we’re afraid to admit there can be gray areas.”
Elijah nodded. “It’s true. I know I am at times, because if there can be a gray area, what does that say about absolute truth?”
“They aren’t mutually exclusive. That’s what I had to learn.” She sat up with her back straight. “I was wrong to be with a man outside of marriage. There’s no getting around that, but what next? Once I got pregnant, did I stay with Alice’s father and try to make it work even though that would have been a horrible mistake, or did I venture on my own? It’s not always clear, although her dad made it easy to choose.”
“He’s not in the picture?”
She clenched her jaw and shook her head with force. “He has no legal claim on her.”
“I’m sorry.” The statement came out as a question, and curiosity glimmered on his face. To his credit, he didn’t ask.
Because he showed that respect, and seemed to be trying to understand, she decided to give him the short version. “Tanner, Alice’s father, freaked out when I told him I was pregnant. He kept insisting on an abortion, but I wouldn’t budge. Rather than fight with him and try to force him into her life, I gave him an out, and he took it. He signed over all rights.”
“What a scum.”
Her lips curled at the corner. “I think we finally found something to agree on.”
“I’m sorry it’s about that.”
“Don’t be. I knew he was no good when I got involved with him, but I was young, dumb, and didn’t care.” She heard Alice waking up. “Excuse me a minute. I have to take care of her.”
“Take your time. Is there anything I can do to help?”
