The Best Christmas Ever by Cheryl Wolverton

realized it was because she was looking forward to going to church with no worries over what she wore or how she looked. What an eye-opening revelation, she thought, stunned. She’d always felt pressured to dress for André’s father. But Justin wouldn’t care if her dress was simple or elegant, if she wore her hair in a French braid instead of a French twist. She had a feeling Justin was the type who enjoyed going to church simply to worship. And she was looking forward to that, indeed.
    With a sense of freedom, she whispered another small prayer. Thank You, Father, that You led me here. I have a feeling I was in a bigger slump than I realized. Realizing how much I had dreaded going to church only goes to show me how out of line my priorities had gotten. Thank You for the joy You’ve restored and the forgiveness I saw in Justin’s eyes. And most especially, Father, thank You that I’m once again going to be back in church with someone who evidently shares the excitement of going.
    She smiled and, with renewed energy, whipped the batter for her pancakes, thinking she’d better hurry or she’d end up making them all late.

Chapter Nine
    S he’d been right.
    Justin took one glance at her simple drop-waist, floral dress and smiled. “You look great,” he murmured, and held the door open for her as she climbed into the sleek Mercedes he’d been allowing her to drive.
    He slid into the driver’s seat. “Fasten your seat belt,” he said to Mickie, glancing in the rearview mirror.
    Sarah fastened her own, watching as Justin stretched to reach his belt and clasp it. In his charcoal gray suit, he, too, looked great. She had to grin over his tie, though.
    “What has you smiling?”
    She met his amused gaze. “Cartoon characters?” she asked, motioning to the brightly colored tie.
    “I got to pick it out,” Mickie said from the back seat. “I gave it to him for his birthday last year.”
    She tried not to laugh. “I see.”
    He lifted it and waved the end at Sarah, daring herto say anything. “I think it’s great,” he said, grinning, his eyes twinkling. “Mickie has wonderful taste, don’t you think?”
    “Uh-huh. A great artistic eye.”
    She relaxed in the seat as Justin drove them to the service. When they got out of the car, Mickie ran ahead of them. Sarah started to call her back, but Justin forestalled her.
    “Don’t worry. This is a small church. Everyone knows everyone else. And the kids run in a gang until church starts.”
    Sure enough, two little boys and three other young girls met Mickie at the door, then in unison they turned and headed inside the church.
    “The congregation of the church I went to numbered almost one thousand.”
    “I like the smaller church better. More intimate.”
    “Well, hello, Justin.”
    Sarah knew that voice—unfortunately. Turning, she saw she was right. Stephanie Williams, dressed in a fashionable, expensive-looking suit came forward. Her hair was perfectly styled in a sleek, chin-length cut and she brushed a stray lock aside with a flick of one manicured finger. Sarah looked down at her housework-chafed hands and felt positively dowdy.
    She noticed Justin had a smile pasted on his face. But it was different from the smile she’d witnessed at home. It was what she thought of as his practiced business smile.
    “Hello, Stephanie. You’ve met Sarah, haven’t you?”
    Stephanie ran her gaze over Sarah’s dress and hairdo, then turned back to Justin, dismissing her.“Why, yes, I have. Tell me, has Mickie gotten over her little trauma? The poor dear was inconsolable when I found her.”
    Sarah flushed but didn’t comment.
    “She’s just fine,” Justin replied.
    “That’s good,” Stephanie cooed. “You’ll have to come over someday soon for dinner, Justin. Bring Mickie. She always has so much fun with my daughter. I’m sure your housekeeper wouldn’t mind a day off.”
    “My sister-in-law knows she can have a day off whenever she wants,” Justin