Abide With Me by Delia Parr Page A

permission.”
    “Jamie already agreed? Are you sure?”
    “He’s right next door helping with the little ones. You could ask him yourself.”
    “No. It’s fine. If Jamie wants to do it, then sure. He can see Tim at noon.”
    Peggy stood up. “Thanks. I’ll tell Tim. Oh, I almost forgot. Tim said to tell you to send Doris Blake over early. Say nine-thirty? He’ll try to get those business cards finished by the end of the day. And if you need anything, anything at all…”
    “I will. Thank you.”
    As Peggy made her way back to her husband, a clamor of voices drew Andrea’s attention. When she looked in the direction of the disturbance, which had evolved into a round of applause, she clapped her hand to her heart.
    Russell Stevens, her brother-in-law, had entered the room and was approaching his wife with a bouquet of purple daisies in one hand and a dazzling smile on his face. At two inches over six feet, he was still as trim and good-looking as he had been in college when Madge first met him and brought him home to meet the family. True, he now sported a few gray hairs at his temples, and the years had etched character into his face, but he still commanded attention in any gathering.
    Attentive and handsome, he was the husband every woman dreamed of claiming for their own. Generous and outgoing, he was the neighbor everyone wanted living next door. In short, he was the town’s favorite adopted son, active in community affairs and local politics whenever he was home from his travels.
    Andrea’s eyes filled with tears of joy as Madge hurriedinto her husband’s embrace. He hugged her to him and swung her off her feet, much to the delight of the crowd. As charming as ever, Russell Stevens conquered every heart in the room, including Andrea’s, and guilt tugged at her conscience. “Judge not,” she repeated, and offered a quick prayer as penance for her earlier negative thoughts.
    Madge beamed as she led Russell over to the table. Surprise and joy had erased all signs of sadness in her eyes. “You’re here. I can’t believe you’re actually here,” she gushed. “Look, Andrea. Russell’s here!”
    Andrea laughed. “As you can see, you’ve made my sister very happy. Thanks, Russell. The award means so much more, now that you’re here to share it with her.”
    He put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “I wanted to get back in time for the banquet last night. Unfortunately, I had some car trouble on the way. I couldn’t get my hands on a rental until late last night.” He paused, and his expression grew troubled. “I’m sorry to hear about…about everything. Then to have such an avoidable accident with that boy. I’m terribly sorry,” he murmured.
    Grateful that he did not mention the word cancer with so many people around who might overhear, Andrea swallowed hard. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m doing pretty well. Madge is taking good care of me. Jenny, too.”
    He squeezed Madge to his side. “That’s my girl.” He looked down at her. “What kind of plans have you made for the afternoon?”
    Madge blushed. “I—I promised Andrea I would come by and work on her garden.”
    “Don’t be silly,” Andrea countered. “The flower beds cansurvive another day or two. Go. Spend some time with your husband,” she urged.
    Russell grinned. “I’ve made reservations at La Casita for four o’clock. Think you’re up to celebrating with us, Andrea? I called Michael early this morning. He and Jenny are coming.”
    Madge elbowed him. “Michael knew you were coming home today?”
    He feigned injury. “Not until this morning. What do you say, Andrea? Are you feeling up to coming? It would mean a lot if you could.”
    Andrea hesitated. Her shoulder was still very sore, and her ankle was throbbing. She was also a little tired. But the mere mention of La Casita, the new Mexican restaurant on the avenue, had her mouth watering and eased every ache and pain in her body. “I’d walk a mile on