Page 82 of Love on the Run

They had a few more days left in Freedom, and Anna would make the most of them.

Chapter 25

Beau

Freedom Bible Church wasn’t very big, but the sanctuary held a bunch of people. They’d struggled to find seats even though they’d arrived early.

Locals came by to shake his and Anna’s hands in a continuous line, and Anna had done a pretty good job of giving each of them her attention while still watching the door for Brittany to arrive.

Anna had been asleep when he got back from the gym, but she’d brought up Brittany during breakfast. After a little back and forth, Anna decided to invite her to join them for the morning service at the church Joanna at the hotel recommended.

For a brief second, no one was introducing themselves and welcoming them to the church, and Anna fidgeted like an energetic kid in her seat.

“You okay?”Beau asked.

“Just wondering whether she’ll show up or not.”

“She’s not late. It was nice of you to invite her, but if she doesn’t come, that’s her choice.”

Anna faced him, and the small crease in her brow disappeared. “You’re right. It would just be great if she came.”

Beau wrapped an arm around Anna’s shoulders. “You’re too good. You know that?”

Anna rolled her eyes. “Inviting someone to church is easy.”

“No, it’s not. I know as Christians we’re supposed to go into the world making disciples of all nations, but it never dawns on me to invite someone to church.”

“You barely speak unless you have something to say,” Anna reminded him.

“Yeah, but that’s not an excuse. That’s something Ishouldsay, and I don’t.”

Anna could make a friend out of a stranger within five minutes, but Beau could count on one hand the number of new friends he’d made in the last ten years. Just because it came easy to Anna didn’t mean it was an order from God that he was exempt from.

Anna smiled. “You’re a good man. I wouldn’t have thought to invite her if it wasn’t for you.”

“Me? I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t do anything different. You woke up and read your Bible.”

They’d been waking up around the same time to read together, and to be honest, it was Beau’s favorite time of the day. Today, Anna said she wanted them to read the same passage. Beau had chosen the Beatitudes in Matthew.

“Do you remember what we read? Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Just when he thought she couldn’t get any better, she quoted Scripture and reminded him, again, of her pure heart.

Beau looked up just in time to see Brittany come to a stop at the end of the row. Slowly, he removed his arm from around Anna.

Brittany’s expression was completely blank. Whether she meant to come off as unfeeling or not, he was having a tough time understanding her.

Anna stood with a smile. “Hey! I’m so glad you made it!”

Anna wrapped Brittany in a big hug, and Brittany returned the gesture with much less enthusiasm.

“Come sit with us,” Anna said, dragging Brittany by the hand to their seats.

Seconds later, the worship leader began singing, signaling for everyone to settle down. He’d never paid much attention before, but Anna was a great singer.

Beau wasnota singer. He mouthed the words. No more. But hearing Anna’s voice lifted in praise was better than anything he could find on the radio.

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