LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Four

      It seemed perfectly natural for Janelle and Rae to go to church Sunday morning with Adam and his daughter. Check-in time at the motel where Janelle had made a reservation for the night wasn’t until 3:00 p.m. She’d have plenty of time to pack after lunch. She’d unpacked only a few items of clothing anyway.

      Bear Lake Community Church was about a half mile west of town. Built on a cleared acre of land, the one-story, whitewashed building boasted a steeple topped by a wooden cross. Dozens of vehicles, mostly SUVs and pickups, filled the gravel parking lot.

      When they arrived several parishioners milled around the entrance, talking in small groups. Men greeted Adam warmly with a handshake and a friendly slap on the back. Hailey hung close to her dad, giving everyone a friendly greeting, as well.

      A woman Janelle recognized from the hot-dog stand at the festival approached her.

      “Hello there,” she said, with a quick glance in Adam’s direction. “I saw you and your daughter at the festival. I didn’t realize you’re a friend of Adam’s.”

      “I’m not exactly,” Janelle admitted. “I had an accident and my car was towed to his garage. Since there weren’t any rooms available in town, he was kind enough to let us stay in his cottage for a couple of nights.”

      “Well, I’m so glad you’ve come to church. We’re a small but friendly group. I’m Adrienne Walker, the pastor’s wife.”

      Janelle introduced herself and Raeanne.

      “Pleased to meet you. And you, young lady.” She smiled at Raeanne, who was holding Janelle’s hand so hard it almost hurt. “Raeanne, would you like to go into our Sunday school class with the other children?”

      Rae shook her head and hid her face in the folds of Janelle’s skirt.

      “Rae will be fine with me,” Janelle said. “Perhaps another time.”

      “Of course, dear. Do go on in. The service is about to begin and I must join our choir.” Leaving her with a friendly smile, Adrienne hurried off.

      A moment later, Janelle felt the press of Adam’s hand on the small of her back, warmly possessive, as he ushered them into the sanctuary. Her breath caught, startled by how natural his gesture felt and how much she enjoyed the touch of his hand.

      Like most of the men, he wore fresh jeans and a sport shirt. Hailey decided to forego Sunday school to sit with Raeanne. They found a pew near the front. Janelle entered first, followed by the girls and Adam on the aisle, the seating arrangement much like that of other families in the congregation. Except, she reminded herself, they were not one family but two small, unrelated families. Their acquaintance had been so brief, she couldn’t even think of them as friends yet. Although she thought they could be, particularly since Raeanne enjoyed Hailey’s company so much. Despite the five-year age difference, they got along quite well. Hailey apparently had a strong nurturing instinct.

      The pastor stepped out onto the stage, and the congregation stood for the opening hymn. Like his wife, Pastor Robert Walker was in his fifties and a bit stout. Fluffy white sideburns contrasted with his shiny bald head. If he’d had a beard and red cap, he could have passed for Santa Claus’s twin, his deep voice and jovial manner a match for the fictional character, as well.

      Settling back in the pew, Janelle admired the stained-glass window behind the altar where the small choir sat. The scene depicted Jesus kneeling in prayer in Gethsemane.

      Knowing Raeanne might get restless, she’d brought along an activity book to keep her occupied. Before long, Rae and Hailey were playing silent games of tic-tac-toe and “find the object.”

      By the time the service ended, Janelle felt refreshed by her communion with the Lord. This was the first church service she’d attended since Raymond’s funeral, and it felt good to be back in the fold.

      As they left the sanctuary and stepped out into the warm summer day, Adrienne Walker stopped her.

      “I do believe that was you I heard singing, my dear. You have such a lovely soprano voice.”

      Janelle flushed. “Thank you.”

      “If you decide to stay in Bear Lake long, I do hope you’ll consider joining our choir. So many of our members are getting older now and their voices are deepening. We’re out of balance with too many altos and basses.”

      Janelle had noticed the soprano section was particularly thin. “It’s kind of you to invite me. I enjoy singing but I don’t have a trained voice, and I haven’t sung in a choir since high school.” Although she had had the lead in the student musical her senior year. “If I do stay in Bear Lake, I’ll certainly consider it. Of course, I’d need a babysitter for Raeanne.”

      “I’m sure something could be worked out. We rehearse on Thursday evenings.”

      “I really don’t know yet what my plans will be.” Nor did she know when she’d feel comfortable again leaving Rae with a sitter.

      “Keep us in mind, dear, if things work out.” With that, Adrienne scooted off to speak with another member of the congregation.

      “Come on, Rae,” Hailey said. “I’ll race you to the truck.” The two of them dashed off as though they’d just escaped from solitary confinement.

      “Watch out for cars!” Janelle called after them, but they were already on their way, galloping across the parking lot.

      “They’ll be fine.” With his hand at her back, Adam nudged her toward his truck. “I’d say the pastor’s wife intends to hog-tie you and drag you into the choir whether you want to go or not.”

      “I think a pastor’s wife must be required to take a class in recruiting volunteers for church functions.”

      “In that case, I’d guess she got an A plus.”

      Janelle laughed. “The truth is, assuming I stay here in Bear Lake, I would like to sing in the choir. But I haven’t left Raeanne alone since—”

      “Since your husband died?”

      She nodded.

      “I understand. It’s hard to adjust after you lose someone you love.”

      Even harder when it turned out the one you loved didn’t love you in return. Certainly not exclusively.

      * * *

      After a quick lunch, Adam went into the garage and sat down at his desk. He had to figure out this tax business before things got any worse. And they would get worse. He’d finally deciphered the letter from the IRS. He was expected to appear at a hearing just weeks away.

      Chances were good that if he didn’t have some answers by then the lien on the bank account would be the least of his worries. He’d be behind bars.

      He got out the paperwork and turned on his computer, pulling up his tax return. For a moment he stared at the monitor. The numbers swam across the screen like minnows fleeing a largemouth bass.

      He blinked and knuckled his eyes. When he looked again, the image of Janelle appeared superimposed over the tax return. Smiling at him. Her lips slightly parted. A hint of laughter in her eyes.

      An ache tightened in his chest, and a rush of wanting caught him by surprise.

      Shaking

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