Johnnie’s eyes lit up with humor, and he put his hand on his lips as the faintest giggle escaped.
The sound was so pure and unexpected that Hazel, Father, Paddy, and I stared at him—and then we began to laugh.
Johnnie’s laughter joined ours, and it was so sweet. Tears gathered in my eyes as I watched him.
The door opened, and Sam entered, his curious frown slipping around the room until his gaze fell on Johnnie and his lips parted in surprise—and then joy.
He crossed the kitchen and lifted Johnnie into his arms, a grin spreading across his face.
The little boy’s laughter died down as he became serious again.
“Don’t stop,” Sam said, shaking his head. “Don’t ever stop, Johnnie.”
Johnnie hugged Sam’s neck, their cheeks pressed together, and his gaze landed on Hazel.
She was still grinning, which made Johnnie smile.
“What was all that about?” Sam asked as he turned to me.
I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I told the children I’m taking them to church.”
Sam’s joy disappeared as his shoulders stiffened. “Why?”
His response made me grow serious. “Because church is good for our souls. We need fellowship with other believers and to hear the Word of God.”
“I can’t stop you from going, but I don’t want Johnnie at church.”
I put my hands on my hips, tired and frustrated and surprised after what I’d heard Sam say during Bess’s burial. “Why?”
“Because it’s no place for people like us.”
“On the contrary,” Father said as he stood and put his hand on Sam’s back, “church is for everyone.”
“Not criminals.”
“Johnnie’s not a criminal,” I reminded him. “And if church isn’t for criminals, then who is it for? Jesus didn’t come for those who were perfect, because they don’t exist. He came for the sinner—people just like you and me.”
“That might be true,” Sam said, “but there’s no church in SydneyTown, and I’ve seen the way people look down on us from other parts of the city. They wouldn’t let us in the building.”
“I think you’re wrong.” My gaze didn’t waver. I decided to say the one thing I thought he might like to hear, but it cost me dearly to say it, because it made me vulnerable. “Even if no one else wants you there, I want you to come, Sam.”
It was the first time I’d used his given name.
He studied me for several seconds, and I couldn’t read his emotions. Finally, he said, “I’ll go for you.”
Father watched me from behind Sam, and his jaw tightened just enough for me to notice. His warning returned to me, and I had to wonder if he was right. Was Sam developing feelings for me?
“I want you to go for you and Johnnie,” I said, not wanting to be the reason he did anything. I turned to Paddy. “Will you come?”
Paddy glanced from me to Sam, a question in his eyes.
“You can stay here and watch the place,” Sam said.
That seemed to relieve Paddy as he nodded and left the kitchen before I could stop him.
“Do you think you can walk there?” I asked Father.
“I’ll do my best.”
