Trixie stopped writing and looked at him with an arched brow. “There better not be a next time.”
“You know what I mean.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re my one and only for life.”
“I know.” She smiled, then covered a yawn of her own. “Two more weeks and we can rest. At least for a few days until we move.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if we hadn’t gotten in late last night. Then getting up at six, I feel like I’ve been up the whole day, and it’s only noon.”
“Alice was still asleep when I left the house. I don’t think she’s ever slept this late.”
“She had a busy week too. It’s hard work being the belle of the island.” The memories made him smile.
“I had my doubts about taking her to camp with me, but it worked out well, other than taking the ferry from the mainland to the island.” She cringed. “But now we know she’s not a water baby.”
“She could grow into it.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’m putting another pot of coffee going. Want some?”
“Sounds good.”
Standing up, he stretched his arms and back before going into the kitchen. The refreshing aroma of freshly brewed coffee reached his senses, but the doorbell rang before he could pour a cup. He didn’t expect anyone, but had learned in the first few months that church members and his youth would stop by at any given time.
He trudged to the door and opened it, equally shocked by the person on the other side and the grim expression he wore. “Hello, Pastor McCann.”
“Good afternoon, Elijah.”
Fear pulsed through him. He couldn’t think of any reason Pastor McCann would have come all the way from South Carolina except to deliver bad news. “I never expected to see you this far north. Is my family okay?”
“They are fine, son.” Pastor McCann held out a hand. “May I come in?”
“Please do. My fiancée Trixie is here. I’d like you to meet her.” He moved aside to let the man enter.
Pastor McCann’s face tightened. “She’s the reason I’m here.”
“Pardon me?”
“Perhaps we could have this conversation in private.”
Elijah shook his head. “Trixie and I are a team.”
“As you wish.”
He led him into the living room and introduced Trixie and the pastor to each other, and they all sat down. Elijah sat next to Trixie and held her hand.
“Ms. Graff, is it true you have a child out of wedlock?” Pastor McCann asked in a no-nonsense manner.
Elijah bristled. “I don’t see how that concerns you.”
“It’s okay.” Trixie patted his arm and faced the pastor. “Yes, sir. I made bad choices, but I’m a new person now. My Alice may not have come into this world in a traditional way, but she is a beautiful blessing from God.”
“I see.” Pastor McCann frowned. “I’m afraid the rumors are true, then.”
“What rumors?” Creases formed on Elijah’s forehead.
“That you plan to marry a woman who has led a sinful lifestyle. When approached, your family would neither confirm nor deny.”
His family’s support was the only thing that kept him calm, but he couldn’t unclench his teeth. “We have all sinned. The only difference is Trixie got caught in hers.”
Pastor McCann sighed. “Nonetheless, you understand the church can’t have a pastor, especially one working with our impressionable youth, who doesn’t uphold the strictest moral code.”
Trixie’s face faded to white. “With all due respect, sir, you’re placing my past mistakes on Elijah and that’s not fair.”
