been her confidante, too.
Matt’s expression had softened and, for a brief moment, they had shared a connection. It was as if he understood the importance of having someone to talk to. Someone who didn’t judge your every thought and action. Who didn’t care that you weren’t perfect…
Zoey shook the thought away.
She couldn’t imagine anyone being critical of Matt. Why would they be? He had never hurt anyone.
Matt didn’t have to live every day with the consequences of a youthful mistake.
“Do you think George would rather be with Matt? I could take her back.” Maybe Matt already regretted his decision to return George to her former owner. After all, Zoey had admitted that she’d abandoned the animal once before.
Liz glanced down at George, draped around Zoey’s ankles like a luxurious feather boa. “I think she’ll wear a path between here and the carriage house. You and Matthew might have to share custody.”
The thought of sharing anything with Matt sent a shiver up Zoey’s arms.
She deliberately steered the conversation to safer ground.
“Did you need anything before I turn in for the night, Gran?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I could use your opinion.” Liz opened the closet doors and pulled out two blouses. “Which one do you like better?”
“The yellow one,” Zoey said promptly. “It reminds me of spring.”
“I think so, too.” Liz hung the pink shirt back in the closet and draped the yellow one over the back of a chair. “Now, we’re all set.”
“All set for what?”
“For church tomorrow.”
“You’re going to church?” A wave of panic crashed over Zoey, catching her in the undertow.
“Of course.”
“I thought Dr. Parish wanted you to stay home and rest for a few days.”
“And I did.” Liz’s rounded chin lifted a notch, as if she were preparing for an argument. “Four days to be exact.”
Zoey rubbed damp palms against her jeans. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait another week?” Or two? “Give yourself a little more time to get your strength back?”
“I’m sure.” Liz rummaged through the top drawer of her dresser and pulled out a patterned silk scarf. “It’s only an hour and I’ll be sitting down. I miss Matthew’s sermons and the fellowship.”
Only an hour.
An hour surrounded by people who remembered the person Zoey had been, not the person she was becoming.
An hour of staring at Matt, who had begun to invade her thoughts and her dreams. But could never be a part of her future.
Chapter Eleven
“M ornin’, Pastor.” Daniel Redstone shuffled into the sanctuary. “You’re here bright and early this morning.”
Matt checked a smile. It didn’t pay to point out the obvious—that Daniel had arrived at the church early, too. The elderly carpenter also served as the church’s part-time custodian but refused to be paid for his work.
The men had become good friends, and when Matt needed an older man’s advice, he often turned to Daniel.
“Just spending some time in prayer before the service.” Matt prayed for everyone that walked through the doors on a Sunday morning. He didn’t bother to mention that he’d been there since 6:00 a.m. Or that the majority of his conversation with the Lord had centered on Zoey.
Laughter danced in Daniel’s coffee-brown eyes. “I thought maybe you were taking Martha’s place today.”
Matt stared down at the piano keys. It probably did look a little odd, finding the pastor sitting at the piano instead of kneeling at the altar. “Are you kidding? I’m trying to draw people in, not send them running for cover with their hands over their ears.”
Daniel chuckled. “The psalmist encouraged us to make a joyful noise, if you recall.”
“And that’s exactly what it would be. A joyful noise. ” Matt stood up and stretched, the dull ache in his back testifying to the length of time he’d been sitting on the wooden bench.
“I’ll put a pot of coffee on.” Daniel backed out of the
Matt’s expression had softened and, for a brief moment, they had shared a connection. It was as if he understood the importance of having someone to talk to. Someone who didn’t judge your every thought and action. Who didn’t care that you weren’t perfect…
Zoey shook the thought away.
She couldn’t imagine anyone being critical of Matt. Why would they be? He had never hurt anyone.
Matt didn’t have to live every day with the consequences of a youthful mistake.
“Do you think George would rather be with Matt? I could take her back.” Maybe Matt already regretted his decision to return George to her former owner. After all, Zoey had admitted that she’d abandoned the animal once before.
Liz glanced down at George, draped around Zoey’s ankles like a luxurious feather boa. “I think she’ll wear a path between here and the carriage house. You and Matthew might have to share custody.”
The thought of sharing anything with Matt sent a shiver up Zoey’s arms.
She deliberately steered the conversation to safer ground.
“Did you need anything before I turn in for the night, Gran?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I could use your opinion.” Liz opened the closet doors and pulled out two blouses. “Which one do you like better?”
“The yellow one,” Zoey said promptly. “It reminds me of spring.”
“I think so, too.” Liz hung the pink shirt back in the closet and draped the yellow one over the back of a chair. “Now, we’re all set.”
“All set for what?”
“For church tomorrow.”
“You’re going to church?” A wave of panic crashed over Zoey, catching her in the undertow.
“Of course.”
“I thought Dr. Parish wanted you to stay home and rest for a few days.”
“And I did.” Liz’s rounded chin lifted a notch, as if she were preparing for an argument. “Four days to be exact.”
Zoey rubbed damp palms against her jeans. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait another week?” Or two? “Give yourself a little more time to get your strength back?”
“I’m sure.” Liz rummaged through the top drawer of her dresser and pulled out a patterned silk scarf. “It’s only an hour and I’ll be sitting down. I miss Matthew’s sermons and the fellowship.”
Only an hour.
An hour surrounded by people who remembered the person Zoey had been, not the person she was becoming.
An hour of staring at Matt, who had begun to invade her thoughts and her dreams. But could never be a part of her future.
Chapter Eleven
“M ornin’, Pastor.” Daniel Redstone shuffled into the sanctuary. “You’re here bright and early this morning.”
Matt checked a smile. It didn’t pay to point out the obvious—that Daniel had arrived at the church early, too. The elderly carpenter also served as the church’s part-time custodian but refused to be paid for his work.
The men had become good friends, and when Matt needed an older man’s advice, he often turned to Daniel.
“Just spending some time in prayer before the service.” Matt prayed for everyone that walked through the doors on a Sunday morning. He didn’t bother to mention that he’d been there since 6:00 a.m. Or that the majority of his conversation with the Lord had centered on Zoey.
Laughter danced in Daniel’s coffee-brown eyes. “I thought maybe you were taking Martha’s place today.”
Matt stared down at the piano keys. It probably did look a little odd, finding the pastor sitting at the piano instead of kneeling at the altar. “Are you kidding? I’m trying to draw people in, not send them running for cover with their hands over their ears.”
Daniel chuckled. “The psalmist encouraged us to make a joyful noise, if you recall.”
“And that’s exactly what it would be. A joyful noise. ” Matt stood up and stretched, the dull ache in his back testifying to the length of time he’d been sitting on the wooden bench.
“I’ll put a pot of coffee on.” Daniel backed out of the
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