Bonnie Winn - Lone Star Blessings

“Sure.” Seth glanced at their older son. “As long as I get Toby to help.”

As the guys left, Kate grinned at the image of this strapping man having difficulty wrangling two-year-olds.

“Thanks for steering me in the right direction, Emma. I haven’t told you—but it’s, um…been a while since I’ve been to church. One more reason I’m nervous about teaching this class.”

“The Lord will be with you.” Emma’s expression was encouraging. “Trust me, there won’t be any awkward silences. Twelve-year-old girls never run out of things to talk about.”

“Good.” Kate clasped the teacher’s edition of the Sunday school lesson book. “I studied the materials, and at one time I was a regular at Sunday school, but I’ve never been a teacher.”

“That’s okay. Just be yourself and the girls will love you.”

“The last time I had anything to do with preteens, I was twelve myself.”

Emma laughed. “You are a good sport. Your dad and I kind of bulldozed you into teaching.”

“Agreed,” she replied with a wry smile, “but seeing Dad so happy…well, I’m grateful you and the other members are such good friends to him.”

“Marvin’s great. I’ve always thought he ought to have a passel of grandkids.”

Kate grimaced, remembering the abrupt end of her engagement. “Afraid that’s not going to happen. At least not in the foreseeable future.”

“I didn’t mean to pry—”

“You didn’t.” Kate cleared her throat, remembering how Emma had confided in her, trusting her, treating her as a friend, not an acquaintance. “My fiancé couldn’t cope with me coming here to help out Dad. So…”

Emma linked her elbow with Kate’s. “I’m sorry. Maybe he’ll come around.”

Kate shook her head. “Family’s not important to him—something I was way too late noticing. And it is to me—important, I mean.”

“Marvin’s always talked about you,” Emma confided. “He’s so proud of you.”

“You know I don’t have any siblings, so Dad and I have always been close…I don’t want that to ever change.”

“In my book, you made the right decision. And, honestly, I try not to put my nose in anyone’s business, but maybe Marvin’s break was a lucky one for you. It’s not always easy to learn what a person’s all about before you marry.”

“But you and Seth…”

Emma grinned. “I’m the luckiest woman on the planet. Our marriage gets better every day. Just when I think it couldn’t possibly improve even a fraction, it does.”

“Like I’ve said before, you guys are a living Norman Rockwell portrait.”

“I believe you’re a true romantic, Kate Lambert. I keep hearing we’re a dying breed.”

“Probably for good reason. Talk about embarrassing, I planned to marry the man and never even thought to ask about family.”

Emma squeezed her arm. “When we love someone, we excuse a lot of things we wouldn’t otherwise.”

“How’d you get to be so wise?”

A shadow flickered in Emma’s eyes. “Not wise, observant.”

“Oh, Emma!” Kate was stricken. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up—”

“It’s okay. Really. They’re always in my heart, too. I’ve been so blessed. Not everyone gets a second chance…a second family.”

Incredibly grateful that Emma was her first friend in Rosewood, Kate stayed by her side as they arrived at the general assembly. The opening prayer, announcements and one hymn passed too quickly.

Emma walked with her to the girls’ classroom, then gave her a discreet thumbs up. Even more nervous, Kate gingerly stepped inside and took a chair. She watched the girls enter, bidding them hello. They all looked curious. Rosewood was a small town—one where almost everyone knew each other. And she stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb.

Some of her uneasiness disappeared as she recognized the sheriff’s daughter. When all the chairs were filled, Kate addressed the small group. “Hi. My name’s Kate Lambert. I’m going to be in Rosewood for a while, taking care of my father. And I’ll be teaching your class for however long that is.”

The girls stared at her. Silence.

“Um, why don’t you tell me something about yourselves?” Kate smiled at the curious faces. “Let’s start with Alyssa.”

Each of the girls gave her a few basic facts. They were all in the same grade and had known each other since nursery school days.

“Miss Laroy let us have a slumber party at her house,” Sasha announced.

“And we had our own booth at Harvest Festival,” Amber chimed in.

“Well…” Kate took a deep breath, hoping she looked composed. “Why don’t we wait a bit to discuss activities?” She held up her Sunday school book. “Did everyone read this week’s lesson?”

Various answers tumbled out.

Kate regained most of her footing as the lesson progressed. She wouldn’t compare Sunday school to riding a bike, but everything was coming back to her. Still, she was relieved when the first bell rang, indicating time to finish up. Since Alyssa had remained interested and upbeat, Kate asked her to say the closing prayer.

Bending her head, she listened to the girl’s words. They were about what she expected until almost the end.

“…and bless the ones we love and please make them love You.”

They all chimed in when Alyssa said amen. Opening her eyes, Kate studied the girl, watching as Alyssa unclenched her hands. And wondered what was troubling her so.

Tucker leaned against the broad trunk of a live oak tree on the north lawn of the church, the heel of one boot braced on the rough bark. He’d had to dust his dress boots, since he hadn’t worn them in a while. It seemed strange to stand in front of the church, a place he’d practically grown up in. When he was a kid, unless blood or loss of limb was imminent, his family was in church every week. His mother used to say that if she missed church, the whole week was off because it didn’t have a beginning.

When he was eighteen, his parents were killed in a car wreck. The pastor had helped Tucker and his older sister through the loss. Karen had married and moved out of state not long afterwards. Although losing his parents had torn him up, Tucker had reconciled the loss by knowing that his parents were together forever, that neither would have been happy without the other.

Then he met Shelley and was certain that his theory was right. They were married in the chapel, and when Alyssa came along, they’d had her blessed in the same spot. And now it was the one place he couldn’t bear to enter.

As he watched, the tall, wide sanctuary doors pushed open, and people spilled out onto the front steps. Strands of conversation and laughter floated in the air like early spring butterflies. He could make out snatches of words; others were muffled by the footsteps of children who rushed out, anxious to be in the fresh air, ready to begin the picnic.

The first Sunday of the month potluck had been a tradition since he was a boy. On the rare occasions when bad weather clouded the skies, and during the winter months, they met in the Sunday school building. But his mother always said the Lord smiled on Sundays, that’s why it was usually sunny.

Alyssa sprinted toward him, her face one huge smile. “You came!”

Tucker’s gut clenched. Had he been that neglectful? He draped a hand over her shoulders. “Couldn’t keep me away.” His full attention on his daughter, he didn’t notice the approach of several surprised, pleased-looking members.

“Tuck, I thought it was you!” Grinning, Michael Carlson pumped his hand, then clapped the other on Tucker’s shoulder. “It’s been too long.”

Before Tucker could respond, several of the other people zoomed in, all talking at once. He must have shaken two dozen hands within mere minutes.