Terri tapped her nail on the counter. “Being a nurse was the best decision I made.”
Evie beamed. “Looks like you two have your essay topics.”
The three of them turned to Terri. She leaned back. “Don’t look at me. I haven’t got any answers raining down on my head. Except that I love nursing. It’s the best part of my life right now.”
Evie laughed and patted her hand. “They’ll come. Just keep praying.”
“What’s this?”
Evie turned to see Mr. White in the doorway. He had a strong set to his jaw and a determined look in his unfriendly eye.
She smiled, hoping to disarm him with a happy answer. “We’re doing homework and making cookies. Care to join us?”
His eyes narrowed into slits so thin she couldn’t make out the baby blues that had always been his best feature. “No. I need to talk to the pastor.”
“I believe he’s at the house.” Evie checked the clock. “And our time is up. I’ll bet your ride is out front.”
Mr. White disappeared without so much as asee ya later.
The girls helped load the dishwasher and clean up. Terri made a plate of cookies for each of them to take home to their families. They waved and went out front when Mr. Henderson texted that he’d arrived.
“You going to be okay?” Evie asked Terri as they walked out to the parking lot where Terri’s car waited.
Terri’s eyes were on something else, and Evie turned to see Mr. White stomp away from the cottage. His face was colored in anger, and his hands were in fists.
Her feeling that all was right in the world evaporated.
Mr. White slammed his car door and jammed his cell phone to his ear. He didn’t even slow down for the biggest pothole in the parking lot. His poor car bounced through and groaned like an old man getting up off the couch.
“I wonder what’s got him all in a tizzy.” Terri pulled a lighter out of her purse and began flipping it.
Evie’s eyes were drawn to the movement.
“Oh, don’t worry. I just like to flick it. Soothing sounds and all that.”
Evie smiled, thinking of the fidget cubes she’d seen kids use. They’d been all the rage a couple of years ago. Maybe she should pick one up for Terri.
Terri readjusted her purse strap. “I’m making a decision this weekend about what to do with my husband. I’d be obliged if you’d pray for me.”
Evie was touched by the request. “Of course.”
“Maybe …” Terri looked up at the leaves over their head. Pretty patterns of light played across her forehead and cheeks. “I’ll try prayin’ too. I’m not a pretty speaker like you and the pastor, but maybe God doesn’t mind so much.”
“That’s the wonderful thing about God—He meets you where you are.”
“I’m gonna have to think about that one.” Terri suddenly wrapped Evie up in a hug and released her just as quick. “Thank you. You’ve been … a friend.” With that, she ducked into her rust-covered car and cranked the engine.
Evie smiled as she hugged herself. Terri certainly wasn’t the type of person she would have sought a friendship with; in fact, the whole thing had just sort of happened. But she was glad it did. Her mom used to say that there was beauty in every soul. Evie had always believed her, but she was starting to know it for herself.
All because she’d married a preacher.
Chapter Twenty-One
Seth
Midmorning was an excellent time of day to immerse himself in scripture, and Seth took full advantage of the quiet in his office. The Holy Spirit often spoke in a whisper, and it was difficult to hear when his thoughts were so full of Evie, the parish, and the general list of tasks needed to keep this place running smoothly. But in the neighborhood stillness after the morning traffic settled down and the kids were off to school, he found a connection to the divine.
He was reading in Exodus 17; Moses was always an inspiration. He loved how while Moses did the simple things, they had great effect on the people. Like holding his hands in the air to open the doors for angels to battle with the Israelites. His soul stirred as he closed his eyes and asked the Lord what small and simple thing he could do for his small flock.
