Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot

parishioners aren’t happy about it, either.”
    Barrett nodded. “I usually attend an earlier service, but Harrison slept too late.”
    Seemingly unchastened by his brother’s comment, Harrison grinned. “The train was tiring. Barrett wouldn’t know about that, since it’s been so long since he traveled on one.”
    Though Charlotte was curious about the currents that seemed to flow between them, this was not the time to ask. “We’d better take our seats.”
    As she led the way into the sanctuary, Barrett asked if they could join her.
    With the church only a quarter filled, there was no reasonfor them to share a pew with her, and yet there was also no reason for her to refuse. “Certainly.”
    As the congregation rose for the first hymn, Charlotte discovered two things about Barrett. He sang badly off-key, and it didn’t seem to bother him. Barrett sang like a man who knew that God heard the words of praise and knew they were sincere. The fact that his voice was less melodic than many didn’t matter. How different from Jeffrey. Charlotte’s husband had attended church services only when she insisted, and though he sang the hymns and recited the prayers with the rest of the congregation, she knew he had been there in body but not in spirit. Barrett was not like that.
    Her heart filled with warmth, Charlotte settled back in the pew and waited for the minister to begin his sermon.
    â€œToday we will be considering Proverbs 12:19.”
    In an instant, the warmth fled, replaced by a cold that penetrated more deeply than the frigid outside air. This had been one of Papa’s favorite verses, and he had used it as the basis for at least one sermon at each of the churches he’d served.
    â€œâ€˜The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.’” Though the minister was intoning the words, Charlotte heard her father’s voice. “Do you believe, as some do, that this verse condones lying, by saying it lasts only a moment?” Papa had demanded one Sunday. “That is false reasoning. Our God loves truth. He abhors lies. As God’s children, we must live our lives based on truth. Only truth.”
    Charlotte closed her eyes and tried not to shudder. Both Papa and Mama had taught her the importance of truth. What would they think if they knew what she had done? More importantly, what did God think? She knew the answer.

 6 
    M en!” Miriam pretended to pout as she pronounced the word. “They don’t understand anything. They think just because they decide to do something, we’ll be thrilled. They don’t know what’s involved in getting ready.” She accepted the cup of coffee Charlotte offered after settling in one of the gilded chairs that Barrett had refused when he’d visited Élan. Miriam’s voice was little less than a wail as she continued. “I know there isn’t enough time for you to make me a new gown, but Mama’s adamant that I can’t wear the green silk again. What am I going to do? I can’t refuse Barrett’s invitation.”
    Charlotte had anticipated this conversation ever since she’d left church on Sunday. When the service had ended, Barrett and Harrison had insisted on accompanying her back to her house, and as they’d crossed Ferguson Street, Barrett had announced that he wanted to have a dinner to introduce Harrison to his friends. “I hope you and Mrs. Amos will be my guests.” Charlotte, still reeling from the sermon and theknowledge that her deception had to stop, had nodded. It was only afterward that she had realized Miriam would also be invited, and she would want a new gown.
    â€œI would tell you that Barrett won’t remember what you wore to the symphony,” Charlotte said as she poured herself a cup of coffee and took the other chair, “but that would be a lie. Most men don’t