by Leah Atwood
Her sharp inhale made a whooshing noise. “That’s deep.”
“If you want, I have a book in my office that might help you. I can give it to you before we leave.”
“Sure. Thanks.”
He dropped his gaze to their backdrop. “Ready to hang this?”
“Let’s do it.” She picked up her corner. “This one goes farthest back, right?”
“Yes, and then we’ll bring the palace scene up and hang it in front.” After he had a hold on his side, they carried it down an aisle and onto the stage.
“If we’re going to keep doing these plays, we should get a theatre curtain.”
His laugh came out on impulse. “I doubt we’d ever get that approved by the board. They barely approved hanging the wire for these backdrops.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you ever get sick of the constant process of having everything approved?”
He chuckled. “It comes with the territory. Sometimes it irritates me, but I tell myself they’re only like that because they’re passionate about the church.”
“You’re a lot more patient and understanding than I am.”
“Only because I’ve dealt with it all my life.” He cringed. “Promise not to judge me?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I can’t promise that. It only seems fair I get a turn.”
“Hold up. You did judge me.” He flashed her a playful grin. “Does stick in the mud ring a bell?”
She burst into laughter. “All right, all right. We’ll call it even, and I won’t judge you.”
“Did I ever tell you Aiden also called me that?”
“No.” Her lips twitched. “I knew I liked that kid.”
“Funny. All right, here goes.” He drew a dramatic breath and let it out slowly for emphasis. “My parents are on the board of our church in South Carolina.”
“Ahh” She nodded and one corner of her mouth lifted. “It all makes sense now.”
“Hey, you promised not to judge.”
“I’m not.” She winked. “Let’s just say I understand you a little better.”
He looked at the stage. “Where did the ladder go?”
“You put it in the side room after we hung the wires.”
“Man, I must really be tired. I don’t remember that at all.” He laid the sheet down again. “I’ll get it set up in place. Do you have the hooks?”
“They’re on the pulpit. Want me to start looping them while you set up the ladder?”
“Go for it.” He went to get the ladder.
When he spread it opened, it wobbled more than it had earlier. He examined the welds and joints and found a loose one. Hopefully it would hold up the rest of the night since he didn’t have the tools here to fix it. He put it into position, then helped Trixie finish looping the hooks through the grommets they’d added to the sheet.
She took hold of her side. “I’ll hang it if you hand it to me.”
“I don’t want you on the ladder. It has a loose joint, and if someone’s going to fall, I’d rather it be me.”
Creases surfaced on her forehead. “Maybe we should wait until we get another ladder. Neither of us needs an injury.”
“It should be fine, but I’d rather keep you safe if it loosens more.”
A curious expression crossed her face, and she handed him the end of the sheet she’d held. “I’ll trust your judgment. This is the side that goes up first.”
He held the end and climbed the ladder’s rungs until he could reach the wire without standing on his tiptoes. Even being careful, the ladder wobbled.
Trixie put a hand on the side to steady it. “Why don’t you hang all the hooks here, and we can slide it over once you’re done. You were right about the ladder.”
“Good idea.” He continued securing the hooks to the wires.
She let go to gather the final length of the sheet, and when he reached up the ladder moved and he lost his footing.
“Oh no.” Trixie grabbed the ladder, but it was too late for him to regain balance.
He leaned over and grasped the top rung, but that only threw the ladder further off-balance. The sequence of events became a comedy of errors and the ladder lifted off two feet and tilted dangerously to the left.
Trixie squealed. “Get off now.”
“I’m trying.” Unfortunately, he’d never regained full balance and although one foot landed on the floor, the other got caught.
Seconds seemed like minutes, and he felt the full weight of Trixie’s arms around him, steadying him while the ladder fell over.
His face burned with embarrassment. “The guy’s supposed to rescue the girl, not the other way around.”
“You did rescue me.” She met his gaze with pure appreciation in her eyes. “If you hadn’t insisted on being up there, it would have been me.”
She had a point, but it didn’t provide much balm to his ego. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her breath brushed his cheek, and he realized their position. Move away. Now. He didn’t listen.
His eyes locked with Trixie’s and energy sparked between them.
He waited for her to move—he couldn’t make himself step away. The comfort of her touch reached his heart, ignited emotions new to him. Deeper, more intense.
This can’t lead to anything. If you know what’s best for you, step away.
Again, he ignored his conscience. For the first time he could remember, he didn’t believe it knew best. Or maybe he just didn’t care.
He couldn’t break their contact. Why hadn’t he noticed the depth of her beauty before? Her hazel eyes were more green today and her features glowed. Her eyes held confusion, but her inner joy shone through. She’d changed since he’d first met her.
So had he.
Throwing caution to the wind, he rested his palm against her cheek. Gave her more time to move if this wasn’t what she wanted. Her ivory skin was smooth and warm under his hand.
Would her lips be warm as well? He moved his head closer to find out, only allowing their mouths to barely touch.
Their kiss opened a well of emotions, and he realized he cared about her. Not as a friend, but much more. Knowing her past, he didn’t want to scare her. He wanted to deepen the kiss, especially when she showed no sign of distress, but out of respect, he stopped the kiss at a grazing of their lips.
He stepped back, letting his hand fall from her face to her shoulder.
She stared at him with a half-dazed expression and a shy smile. “That was unexpected. Unexpected but nice.”
“It was.” His brain threw question after question at him, but for once, he didn’t want answers, didn’t have a desire to form a plan of what came next.
He wanted to savor the moment, cherish the gift she’d given him.
Why ruin it with thoughts of how a relationship could never work?
“Ah-hem.”
Trixie and he both jerked their heads to see Pastor Gray standing at the back of the sanctuary.
Pastor Gray’s eyes focused on them before drifting to the upended ladder. “What’s happening?”
“The ladder’s out of commission until it’s fixed.” He leaned over and picked it up, shook it to prove his point.
“I have one at the house I can bring over.” Pastor Gray switched his gaze between them. “How much longer are you working tonight?”
“I’m leaving now.” Trixie darted a brief glance at Elijah before running off the stage, swiping her purse from the front pew and escaping out the side door.
Elijah resisted the urge to rub his temples. The pastor’s appearance had spooked her, and in a big way. Maybe it was for the best. Nope. He really didn’t believe that.
Pastor Gray made his way to him. “I came to pick up my notes for Sunday’s sermon and heard a commotion in here.”
“As I said, the ladder had technical difficulties.”
“I see.” Pastor’s Gray eyes told Elijah he saw much more than he let on. “You’re a good man, Elijah, but you ne
ed to be careful.”
Before Elijah could respond, the pastor turned and walked away without another word, leaving Elijah to wander about his warning.
Chapter Ten
“You did what?” Trixie stared at her mom like she’d grown a second head.
“I invited Elijah to share Easter dinner with us.” Her mom squinted her eyes, confusion written on her face. “I didn’t realize it would be a problem.”
“You know we don’t get along.” Even as the words slipped past her mouth, she knew they were flimsy.
“What’s going on? I thought you and Elijah had formed a friendship of sorts?”
“We have, but that doesn’t mean I want him invading our family meal.” Stop now, Trix, before you dig yourself deeper.
“Be gracious, Bebe. He doesn’t have any family to spend the holiday with.”
“Any number of members would be happy to have them at their table.” Goodness, why couldn’t she let it drop?
“Beatrix Ann Graff, what in the world has gotten into you?” Mom put a hand on her hip and gave her the mom look.
Trixie felt as tall as a grasshopper. “I’m sorry. I’m being a brat.”
Mom smiled and held her thumb against her forefinger. “Just a bit.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“If it’s that upsetting to you, I can take back the invitation.” Concern etched into Mom’s features. “I don’t want you uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s fine.” She forced a smile to her face. “I wasn’t expecting it, but now I’m prepared.”
“Prepared for what?”
“Nothing.”
Mom shook her head with her brows raised. “You’re not making sense … but as long as you’re good.”
“What time is everyone coming over?”
“Your sisters will be here any time to help get ready, but we won’t eat until this evening at five.”
That gave her the time she needed. “Would it be okay to leave Alice with you while I run an errand?”
“Sure. Where are you going?”
She rocked on her heels. “During the service this morning, I started thinking about Hunter and decided it’s time I go see him.”
“That’s wonderful. Yes, absolutely go see him. Alice is fine here.”
“Thank you.” She wouldn’t feel bad about not being there to help with the prep work because she’d done a lot last night, including making the deviled eggs and layered salad.
Seeing her brother for the first time in over two years was important. And nerve-wracking. What if he had changed, become hardened during his time there? As the two youngest, they’d shared a different bond, had spent a lot of time together as children. She focused on his rededication. No matter how he was different, they shared a family bond, both physical and spiritual.
Her visit with him would give her an unexpected benefit—distraction from Elijah’s impending visit with her family. They’d made it through the rest of decorating and the play with relative ease, but they’d kept any interactions strictly professional. No personal talk at all, not even a “How ya doing?”
It seems we’ve reached a tacit agreement to not talk about the kiss.
She didn’t know whether that was a good thing or bad, but for the time being, she needed time to sort through her emotions. In her wildest dreams, she’d never imagined developing feelings for Elijah Brewer, let alone kissing him.
Which presented the million dollar question—what, if anything, did she do with those feelings? She was trying to get back on her feet. Why complicate that with a potential relationship? Not to mention he’d be leaving in August. Further involvement wouldn’t be fair to either of them. In that way, maybe it was best to act like they’d never kissed. Judging by Pastor Gray’s face when he saw them, that was probably ideal on all accounts.
She peeked in on Alice asleep in her crib. If Alice took one of her marathon naps, Trixie might be able to get to Farthington, visit Hunter, and come home before Alice woke up. She stood at the door and blew her a kiss, whispering, “Love you, sweetheart. Mommy will be home soon.”
Alice sighed contentedly in her sleep, and Trixie liked to believe it was because she heard and understood her mama’s words. Making a conscience effort to move her feet and leave the room, she looked at Alice one more time. On the way out she gave her mom instructions for when Alice woke up, even though Mom already knew the routine.
More cars were on the road than she’d expected for an Easter Sunday afternoon. She kept her eyes on the road and planned what she’d say to Hunter. Emotions played games with her, but she reigned them in. Elijah had helped her release the guilt she held onto, and the pastor’s message today had reminded her that life on earth was short and no one was guaranteed tomorrow.
Today could be her last day here, or Hunter’s. It wasn’t a possibility she cared to dwell on, but ignoring it didn’t take away its validity. She wished she had thought about it earlier so she could have stopped at the store and taken Hunter a small gift, even a few snacks. Was that allowed?
She drove into the prison’s parking lot and said a prayer before she went in. After parking, she locked her purse in the trunk and carried only her keys, wallet, and phone in with her. As soon as she entered the prison, she had to go through a metal detector and body search. Uncomfortable, but necessary.
A guard directed her to a window where she had to fill out paperwork. Since this was her first visit, she had to wait for approval before being allowed to enter the visitation area. Twenty minutes later, a different guard directed her to a set of lockers where she’d have to leave her belongings during the visit. Once they were secure and she had nothing on her person, she was escorted to a barren room that only had tables.
The guard led her to one of the center tables. “This will be your table. Moving from your assigned spot is not permitted and grounds for early termination of the visit.”
“Thank you. I’ll stay put.”
He gave an abrupt nod. “He’ll be out shortly.”
While she waited, she observed the room. There wasn’t much to see, but she was drawn to the other person visiting with a prisoner. She tried not to eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help overhearing pieces of their conversation and it broke her heart. From what she gathered, they were in a romantic relationship, though she couldn’t tell if they were married or dating. They did, however, share a child, and that struck a chord with Trixie.
Her mind wandered, considered various scenarios. She regretted that Alice didn’t have a father who wanted her, but was no relationship better than one where her father was in jail and she didn’t get to know him? It wouldn’t surprise her if Tanner ended up incarcerated one day. She wasn’t certain, but toward the end she suspected he’d been involved in illegal activities.
The heavy metal door to the room opened, and Trixie looked behind her. Hunter walked in with a guard at his side. She wanted to run to him, but remembered the admonition not to move from that spot, so she stood and waited for her brother to be brought to her.
Tears welled in her as he came closer. He looked like the same Hunter she’d always known, but several years older and with an air of maturity to him.
“You’re here.” His voice shook as he stood in front of her, then he engulfed her in a brotherly hug. “I thought it would be Mom or Dad.”
“It’s me.” She laughed nervously. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“Not at all. I can’t believe you’re here.” He released his hold on her and backed away. Lowered his voice. “We better sit. They get suspicious if we stand too long.”
They sat and scooted their chairs under the table to face each other. “You look good. I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
He laughed softly. “If you’d come a year ago, you’d have seen a different person.”
“Then I’m glad I waited.”
“Me, too, though I missed you, Sis.” He crossed his hands on the table. “I’ve heard you had a rough time too.�
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“Yes, but it’s in the past.” She smiled. “Only good times ahead.”
A wry smiled curled his lips. “We’re a pair, aren’t we?”
“A hard-headed one at that. We never did learn the easy way.”
“You can say that again.” He waved his hands over his prison suit. “Although this stint has cured me of that.”
“Good.”
He sobered. “I’m really sorry, Trixie. I messed up royally, and I’ve spent many nights blaming myself for your leaving. I’m your big brother and should have set a better example.”
“You’re not to blame for my actions, any more than I’m to blame for you driving drunk. We both messed up and paid a price. Now, all we can do is move forward.”
“Amen to that.” His smile surfaced again. “I thank God every day that I didn’t hurt or kill anyone with my stupidity. It’ll take time to rebuild my life, but I will. I’ve even thought about talking to the local schools and asking to share my story with their students.”
“That’s a fantastic idea.” Her heart beat with pride for him. “You’ve really grown up.”
“I wasn’t given much choice.” He blinked once. “We don’t have much time. Tell me about my niece. I can’t believe you’re a mom.”
“You’ll love Alice. She’s full of life and into everything.”
“She turned a year last month, right?”
“Yes. We had a party at the church to celebrate.”
A frown played on his mouth. “That’s the hardest thing about being here, missing out on family events.”
“I heard it won’t be long now. June, right?”
“If all the paperwork goes through. My lawyer says everything’s in order, but the process drags on forever.”
“It will be here sooner than you know it.”
“I hope so.” He leaned back. “Tell me more about Alice. Does she look like you?”
“Yes. Everyone calls her my mini-me.” She wished she hadn’t had to leave her phone in the locker. “Mom pulled out my baby book, and she looks exactly like I did at that age, but with brown eyes.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. You should show her pictures of me now, and tell her it’s Uncle Hunter so she’ll know me.”
