Their conversation had been cut short by Branch’s arrival, but it had haunted her ever since. Shane’s relationship with God was the real deal. She couldn’t argue with the peace he’d found, couldn’t deny that what he believed had given his life meaning. Last night, he’d invited her to church again, and as she’d lain in the darkness, Buttons against her side, she’d made her decision. She was going to see what it was all about.
She pushed herself away from the pole and stepped into the road. She’d left her sling at home. The doctor probably wouldn’t be pleased with her, but at least she wouldn’t have to field any unwanted questions. Besides, it was her non-dominant arm. She could keep it fairly immobile without calling unwanted attention to herself.
As she approached the church, her pulse picked up pace. A small group had gathered near the entrance, visiting before going inside. These were people she’d known all her life. And they knew her. Too well.
She squared her shoulders and moved closer. Carolyn Platt saw her first and did a double take. So did Autumn. And she hadn’t even made it to the front steps. She drew in a fortifying breath. This was hard enough without having to face the shocked expressions of half the population of Harmony Grove.
As soon as she stepped into the foyer, Roger Tandy met her. His shock was at least mixed with pleasure. The smile he gave her was reflected in his eyes. He shook her hand, then slipped a folded sheet of paper into it. An angry red scar marred his left temple, the only evidence of his run-in with the man who’d broken into his house. Unfortunately, the creep had never been caught.
Jessica stepped away from Roger to move farther into the building, and she glanced down at what she held. It was some kind of program for the service. Hopefully she wouldn’t need it. Shane would guide her and keep her from making a fool of herself. If she could find him.
She scanned those seated, searching for a familiar sandy blond head. When she found it, she had to stifle a groan. Third row from the front? She would rather slide inconspicuously into the back. But parading all the way up the center aisle was more desirable than sitting alone.
She sucked in a deep breath and made her way forward. Shane sat at the end of the row, next to the aisle, with an empty seat between him and BethAnn. Had he left that empty seat for her, hoping she’d accept his invitation?
When she stopped next to him, he looked up at her. The warm smile that spread across his face created a momentary flutter in her stomach. She tamped it down with a casual one of her own. “I decided to check it out.”
“That’s great.” He stood so she could slide in next to BethAnn. Maybe he thought she would be more comfortable sandwiched between two friends. Or maybe he was keeping her from being able to make a quick getaway.
BethAnn patted her arm, that ever-present enthusiasm of hers even more obvious. “I’m so glad you’re here. You know Kevin.” She motioned to her left, and Kevin greeted her. On his other side were Melissa and her fiancé, Chris.
Then BethAnn turned in her seat and spoke to the people behind her. “This is my friend Jessica.”
My friend. It had a nicer ring than my employee. Jessica had to give her credit. BethAnn was doing everything she could to make her feel welcome and included. Jessica twisted to look behind her as BethAnn introduced the people in the next row—Tia, Jason and Jason’s mother.
“Tia runs Peace House, the abused women’s shelter.”
Jessica returned their greeting. Harmony Grove now had a shelter for abused women? It had obviously started since she’d been gone. At least there were three attendees here today who didn’t have any preconceived notions about her.
She turned back around as six people stepped onto the platform. Three took positions at microphones and the other three at instruments. She watched a familiar figure settle onto the stool behind the drum set, and her jaw went slack. Jarrod Wilson? He’d run with Hammy all through junior and senior high and had gotten in almost as much trouble. Now he was playing at the church? Maybe there was hope for her yet.
The small band on the platform broke into song, and as if on cue, those in the audience stood to their feet and began to clap in time to the music. She stole a glance at Shane then at some of the others around them. This wasn’t the starchy, somber atmosphere she’d envisioned.
Actually, she hadn’t come with any preformed opinions. It wasn’t that she’d never been inside a church building before, because she had. But weddings and funerals didn’t count. Neither did any of her teenage shenanigans, like sneaking into the social hall during services and loosening the lids on the salt shakers.
The band segued into the next song, as lively as the first, and her gaze settled on Jarrod. He played with an enthusiasm that was contagious, his face exuding excitement, his mouth set in an ever-present smile.
For the next song, they dialed it way back, both in volume and intensity. A sense of reverence seemed to permeate the atmosphere, as strong on Jarrod’s face as anyone else’s. But there was something Jessica couldn’t grasp, something that seemed to reach most of the worshipers without quite touching her. It radiated from those on the platform, and when she stole a glance at Shane, then BethAnn, it was there, too. These people weren’t praising a distant, uncaring God. They were experiencing Him in a way she never had.
The song ended, and the singers and musicians exited the platform. Jarrod brought up the rear and took a seat in the front row. When the pastor stepped behind the podium, she was still trying to reconcile
