The whole feeling in the room had shifted. The anticipation was replaced with a sense of acceptance, love, and openness. Evie barely had time to wipe under her lashes and get herself situated before the meeting was at an end and Tosha and Cassidy were leaning over her pew to talk to her.
“My teacher loved my outline.” Tosha brushed her hair behind her ears. “She said it was ‘insightful.’” She put air quotes around the last word.
“Yeah, and she said she could tell that I’d put a lot of thought into mine.” Cassidy bounced on her toes. “I just know I’m going to get a good grade and be able to go to prom. Can we meet again this week? I know I don’t go to your church, but …” Her eyes cut to Seth, who was still up front, shaking hands. “I want to.”
He glanced their way, and worry furrowed his brow. He quickly wiped it away with a swipe of his hand and was back to listening to Mrs. Green.
Something was up with him, but Evie had no idea what, and there was no time to figure it out right now. “We sure can.”
Tosha turned just as Terri approached. “You’re coming too, aren’t you?” She grabbed Terri’s hand and pulled her into their circle. “I’m dying for another one of your cookies. I practically ate the whole plate myself on the ride home.”
Terri’s eyes sparkled. “You really liked them?”
Evie could have hugged these girls. They had no idea how much their inclusion meant to Terri.
Tosha snorted. “Yeah! I had to hide two of them in my dresser so my dad wouldn’t eat them all.”
Mr. Henderson turned at hearing his name. “I’m a man who knows a good thing when he sees it.” He smiled before turning back to help corral his youngest, who had climbed on the pew and was trying to jump up and grab his neck so he’d carry her.
Terri sputtered. “I-I’ll have to check my work schedule, but I’ll do my best to be there.”
The girls squealed. “Yay!” Cassidy grabbed Tosha’s arm and tugged. “We’ll see you then! I have to get home. Mom said I had to weed the flower bed out front today, but Max said he’d mow his lawn at noon, and this way we can see each other without my parents freaking out. Bye.”
They met up with Tosha’s parents at the door and headed out.
“Aren’t you a nurse?” Mrs. Gardmon asked Terri.
“I am.”
“I have a question …” She moved so that Evie was blocked from the conversation.
Evie didn’t take offense. Medical matters could be private things. What she did do was offer a silent thank-you to the heavens for Mrs. Gardmon respecting Terri enough to ask her professional opinion.
Evie turned away to give them some privacy, only to find Seth standing right behind her. Instead of taking a step back like one who was startled, she felt drawn to him and almost stepped into his arms. Stopping herself took all of her willpower.
“You did a good thing there.” He nodded to Terri, who was talking with her hands. His hand touched Evie’s, and her blood heated into steam.
He moved on before she had a chance to ask him about why he’d changed his mind about singing. He moved on to talk with Mr. Lucas.
Evie just stood there and basked in the feelings his words stirred inside of her. Tears sprang to her eyes. She’d overheard Hannah’s husband say that to her several times. Maybe she was getting the hang of this preacher’s wife thing.
But more than that, Seth’s acceptance and praise showed that he was aware of her, of what she cared about. She loved Terri like a sister in God. And she knew that because Terri’s happiness had become her own, Terri’s sorrow brought Evie to her knees in prayer and supplication on behalf of her friend.
Things were all coming together. Perhaps it was time she and Seth finally talked about that kiss. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be brave enough to tell him that she loved him. Not just as a preacher, but as a man.
Her whole body lifted at the thought. She’d wait for the right moment, a quiet time between the two of them when they had hours ahead, and then she’d open her heart. She wasn’t afraid anymore.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Seth
Seth stood at the front window, watching the branches sway on the trees in the yard. “It looks rough out there. Are you sure you want to go?”
Behind him, Evie gathered her keys and purse. She stopped at the coat rack and grabbed a rain jacket. Seth hurried over to hold it for her to slip her arms into. Things had shifted between them again. Singing in church had been a miracle in many ways. A miracle he’d gotten through it, yes. But the results were undeniable.
“I can’t miss this lunch. It’s been ages since I’ve seen Maisie.” She started buttoning the jacket, and Seth backed up to give her space. Her scent was too much for him and took his breath away.
An acorn hit the window and bounced away. “I can’t help but feel like the storm is a bad omen.” He shivered as if the Wicked Witch of the West was flying his direction and cackling.
