Page 74 of A Heartfelt Christmas Promise
Tightness at the back of Vanessa’s neck caused her to raise her shoulders and take in a breath. “That’s the woman I gave the retirement package to that everyone in town is so upset about.”
“Oh?” Anna pulled her lips into a tight line. “She seemed to be on top of the world.”
“In a small town I guess we’re bound to run into people.” Vanessa wished Anna hadn’t run into Edna, though. No telling what they talked about, and the last thing Vanessa wanted to do was raise any more emotion in this town than necessary.
“Anyway,” Anna said. “It’ll be fine. She’s a delight and Buck seemed to be very tight with her. Church service is in an hour. We better get dressed.”
I’m pretty comfortable right here.“I haven’t gone to church in a long time.”
“All the more reason for us to go while we’re here together.”
“I really try to keep my distance from the people impacted by the changes I bring to their community. It makes things easier,” Vanessa explained.
“Come on. It’s the holiday season, and have you seen thechurch? It’s so inviting. It’s begging for us to attend today.” Anna put her hands together. “Please do this for me.”
“How can I say no to that?”
“You can’t.”
At the tiny white church on the hill, there wasn’t going to be any chance of fading into the crowd. A few people waved at Anna, and she was cheerfully reciprocating as if she’d known them her whole life.
“I love this town,” Anna remarked as she waved to another lady across the way.
Vanessa slid into the second-to-last pew, and Anna scooted in next to her. Her body temperature rose in response to the narrowed gazes from the people around her. One woman even grabbed her child’s hand and pulled her closer, as if Vanessa were some kind of outlaw. How did Anna not notice the reverberation of resentment surrounding them?
Anna sat there beaming.
The preacher came out and welcomed everyone, making the announcements for the upcoming events and church-related gatherings, including a game night.
“Now, that sounds fun.” Anna nudged her.
Then he announced the details for the Christmas cantata and encouraged everyone to come and bring someone new along.
Anna nudged her again.We should come,she mouthed.
Vanessa relaxed as the preacher began the service and all hearts and minds clung to his words. By the time they’d sung and made it through the service, she found herself smiling at the others rather than worrying about how they felt about her.
When they walked out Buck approached them. Edna was in his wake.
“You made it,” Buck said to Anna.
Anna made a beeline for them. “I didn’t see you come in.”
“We always sit on the other side in the back row together. Kind of our spot.”
“Hello, Ms. Larkin,” Edna said, extending her hand. “It’s nice to see you here.”
A baked-potato-size lump formed in Vanessa’s throat. “Thank you. It was a lovely service.”
“We both enjoyed it,” Anna chimed in. “Will we see you at the parade later?”
“No one misses the parade,” Edna assured them.
Buck nodded. “She’s right.”
“We’ll see you there.” Anna grabbed Vanessa’s hand. “I love this place.”
Vanessa squeezed her hand, and the two of them walked over to Anna’s car.
