Page 9 of Wish You Faith

“Tiawanna Jones, the resort director—you know, the one who asked for the wreaths and poinsettias—sends me one every year. This year, I almost skipped it, but Amy is not well. She wants me to accept the award on her behalf this evening.”

“In that case, we’re both stand-ins for the Therouxes.”

Evan asked the cloakroom attendant where they could get a spare mask, and it turned out that he had them. There were five harlequin and artsy masks left, and Rosie didn’t know which to pick.

“You pick one for me,” she said.

“Okay.” He picked a sparkling silver mask. “Matches your eye color.”

When he mentioned her eye color, it was a bittersweet moment for Rosie. Over the years, many people had remarked about her eyes, but each time they had, it had only reminded her about how much she missed Dad, who had the same eye color as she did.

Evan helped Rosie with the mask. He adjusted it to sit perfectly on her nose. They were face to face and she felt self-conscious.

Wait. I’m thirty. I’m not shy anymore, am I?

Then again, couldn’t she still be shy at any age? She chuckled.

“What’s funny?” Evan asked.

“Nothing.”

“Have you eaten anything?” The question came out of nowhere.

“I had a late lunch.” She had two lunches, in fact. One was a brunch with Mom, and the other was at three o’clock when she felt hungry. She made a ham-and-cheese sandwich when Mom was taking her usual afternoon nap.

“I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. Go with me to check out the food?”

It was a loaded question. Did Evan just ask her to hang out with him? Or should she take it literally. He was merely looking for food for his stomach. End of story.

“Let’s go.” Rosie decided not to think too much about it. After all, they were both single.

They made a beeline for the hors d’oeuvres. She smiled at the cute petit fours and wondered if the gown seams would snap if she ate them now instead of after dinner.

After they filled their plates, Evan carried her plate for her as they looked for two empty chairs together. Rosie said grace quietly on her own before she ate. She wasn’t sure if Evan also said grace too. Her eyes had been closed when she prayed over her food.

If Evan wasn’t a Christian, then there would be no path ahead of them.

What path?

She startled herself with her own question.

“I hear that you teach Sunday school at your church,” Evan said.

Rosie nodded. “Third grade. I co-teach with another teacher.”

“Which church is this?”

“Riverside Chapel. Five blocks from here at the waterfront.”

“I know. It’s housed on a riverboat, right?” Evan asked.

“Yep.”

“Cyrus and Amy invited me to church tomorrow.”

“Good.” Rosie enjoyed the little mini cakes. They were almost too sweet, but she needed the sugar to keep her awake for the evening. “Which service are you going to?”

“The one you’re attending.” Evan grinned. Two faint dimples appeared on his cheeks.

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