“Yes, of course. Now let’s sell some pastries.”
Glenn grins down at her and she ignores him as she moves to greet her first customer.
Anika spends the rest of the day laughing, selling her food and meeting the church members. Most of the women are standoffish until the first pastry is bought. Glenn stays close to both ladies, making sure any available men treat them with respect. Delaney makes new friends, and the quilt managed to be raffled off for eighty-five dollars.
“Pastor Donegal, you must be thrilled with today’s outcome,” Daisy exclaims.
“Yes, our town folks really showed up today.” He clears his throat and glances at Glenn before looking at Anika. “The sale of the Quilt was a success, though it came with one stipulation.”
The family falls quiet as Glenn steps behind Anika to listen. “The purchaser asked that the creator of the quilt deliver it.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Anika says glancing at Delaney who is happily munching on a cookie and twirling in her dress with a friend.
Glenn stares hard at Pastor Donegal before asking what they all want to know.
“Who bought it?” Anika asks sensing his discomfort.
“Rhemi Darlington,” he replies.
“That letch!” Savannah snarls.
“Savannah!” Daisy says, hushing her.
Anika laughs at the absurdity of this situation. “Eighty-five dollars is a lot of money. The children need it. I can handle one simple drop off.”
“Well, that's not all. He also requires that the creator of the quilt agree to a private carriage ride with him before he will pay.”
“Over my dead body,” Glenn scowls.
“Why is he so obsessed with that stupid carriage?” Savannah whispers.
Anika wraps her arms around herself in a protective gesture Glenn has come to know well. “That will be enough,” she snaps at Glenn. “Pastor, could we talk in private, please?”
“Of course.” He guides her into his office and Glenn follows only to be stopped by Anika.
“You’re making a scene, Glenn, go back to your family!” She hisses and shoves at his chest and tries to close the door.
Just before the door closes, he leans in and whispers, “I’m so proud of you, Anika, and how you stood up for yourself, today.”
Shock has her stopping in stunned silence. Glenn pushes into the room and closes the door.
“You will not be alone with that pig, I don’t care what he paid.” Glenn turns to the Pastor, “I will buy the quilt.”
Anika glances at the Pastor and blushes in embarrassment. “You will not. We just have to out-think him, Glenn.”
The Pastor grins with delight at this change of direction. “I like the way you think. What do you have in mind?”
“What exactly did he say?” she asks.
“He said and I quote, “he wants a ride with the creator of the quilt.”
Anika grins and smooths her skirt. “Very well then.”
“Not happening, Anika,” Glenn rumbles. “The church members are already gossiping, it will only get worse if you are alone with him.”
Pastor Donegal’s eyes narrow. “Is that so?” Glenn nods at him and crosses his arms over his chest.
“It doesn’t help when you act like a buffoon.” She snipes back at home and turns back to the Pastor. “Besides, I’m not the creator of the quilt. It was made by your mother’s sewing group.” She grins, “All nine of them, I merely assembled the final product.”
Pastor Donegal bursts out laughing at the shock on Glenn’s face. “Perfect. I will take those names from you.”
Anika gives the names and turns to Glenn, “You will wait until I leave before following. I won’t have them spreading more lies about us.” Glenn frowns and watches her leave.
“You have a bit of a problem on your hands, don’t ya son?”
He turns back to the Pastor, “What do you mean?”
“You have to choose between holding onto the past or being thankful for what remains. It’s time to look forward to all God has in store for you.” He walks around his desk and stops in front of Glenn. “When you’re ready, God is waiting to heal you, son.”
Glenn drops his head, “I’m trying, but I don’t know how to get back, or even if I can.”
“Son, you are allowed to be angry, to scream, but you are not allowed to give up. Allow yourself time, and when you are ready, remember, he never left you. He is beside you, patiently waiting.”
“Thank you.”
Glenn joins his family outside as they ride together to the cemetery. After the wagon is parked, Glenn lifts Anika down.
“We’ll only be a moment,” Anika says softly. “Delaney?” She opens her arms and lifts her from the wagon.
Hand, in, hand they walk across the cemetery. A solitary little team. It's them against the world and shame strikes him hard. “We don't deserve them, do we?” he asks softly.
His parents glanced at him in surprise. “That's a stupid thing to say!” His mother hisses at him.
“Mom!” Savannah gasps.
“They need us, just as much as we need them. God is amazing, son. You have your eyes on the mess, instead of the message. Look at them, they are not defeated.” Daisy turns to climb from the wagon.
Allen jumps down and lifts her before she can move. He tells his son, “They are victims of tragic circumstances, just like the rest of us and no one should have to walk through a storm alone.”
They walk away and Glenn smiles through tears at his sister. “Well, Hell. I guess they just gave me what for.”
“Yes, they did. Now help me down.”
Anika watches Delaney lean down and wipe the dirt off her sister’s mound. She takes a flower from her dress that Clara had pinned on earlier in the day and places it on top. Anika doesn't wipe the tears that flow away. There is
