LITMIR.BIZ

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of Donna’s brown eyes. Oh, no! They were doing it again!

      Cassie cleared her throat and lifted her chin. “As for Peter—” she boldly named him. She didn’t know if she’d ever really see him again, but at least he was real. “I honestly don’t know yet. We’re merely at the exploring stage.”

      “Well, at least tell us—is he cute?” Liz asked.

      “Mmm, is he ever! He has eyes that are so blue….”

      Chapter Three

      Stars twinkled in the velvety heavens as Cassie reached the dark River Bluff parking lot Easter morning. It was barely 5:00 a.m. Several male figures, momentarily unidentifiable, were unloading chairs from a truck. One paused to peer at her.

      “Cassie?” Pastor Mike’s voice floated her way.

      “Yes, it’s me.” She hugged her blue wool jacket closer against the morning chill as she got out of her car. Her lined slacks felt comfortable for now, but she suspected she’d be glad to change them to something lighter by the time she returned home midmorning. “Can I help?”

      “Sure can. Come hold this lantern high so we can see what we’re doing. We’ve a number of metal garden hooks to hold our lanterns, but we have to get them into the ground. As soon as we have more lights hung, it won’t be so dark along this rocky path.”

      Cassie grabbed the camp lantern and held it high above her head. Another truck arrived with more chairs and more people. Pam and her two teenage boys piled out, saying hi, and then setting to work. As the tall garden hooks were inserted into the ground every few yards, Cassie traipsed back and forth from the truck to wherever a lantern was needed.

      Pam joined her in hanging lanterns as the men passed them along the way. Cassie enjoyed the camaraderie the work created. Soft voices rose in greeting as people arrived, a few calling to tease, some offering encouragement along every step on the path, some making reverent remarks. Finally, the metallic sound of unfolding chairs ceased. Above, the chairs were set in a semicircle facing east.

      Cassie, as directed, stationed herself about a third of the way up the path, where a sharp turn might create a difficulty for an older worshipper. Pam was just above her, shivering.

      “I hope it warms up in the next hour,” Pam remarked. “It’s chillier than I expected.”

      Cassie agreed, pulling gloves from her pocket. “I remembered to bring a blanket, just in case I might need one. Seems we’ll definitely need one.”

      Pam swung her torso around to rev up her circulation. “I did, too, but the boys have them.”

      “You can share mine if you want,” Cassie offered.

      “Thanks. I suspect I’ll need it.”

      As the sky lightened, more people streamed by on their way to the top of the bluff. Most were young twentysomethings, a number were teens and a few were families with older children. Less were older, but Cassie and Pam cheerfully leant an arm to those who needed it up the stone-filled path. Thankfully, Cassie noted that many carried a blanket or throw against the chill.

      Cassie gazed up the hill when she heard the first chords of a keyboard. A lovely soprano voice began to sing a joyous song, and then an alto joined in.

      “We should go,” Pam said, her head turned toward the music. They couldn’t see the singers, but their floating voices sounded wonderful. “They’re starting.”

      Glancing downhill, Cassie saw the parking lot was not only filled, but overflowed. And there seemed no one left to arrive.

      “Okay. Go ahead,” she said over her shoulder, starting downhill. “I’ll be there just as soon as I get my blanket out of my car.”

      A low roar reached her as Cassie opened her trunk to pull out the old navy blanket she used for picnics. A moment later, a heavy black motorcycle drove up into the lot and stopped. The motor shut off.

      The rider wore a scuffed black leather jacket, jeans and boots that had seen better days. He settled the bike and swung off, his hands going up to his helmet.

      Cassie closed her trunk, hugging the blanket close to her chest. Was he here to join the worship service or had he stopped for another purpose? This was a public park and the rider might not know that it was in use.

      Perhaps he’d like to join the service anyway. She took a step away from her car. “Can I help you? We have a sunrise worship—”

      The helmet came off, and a mass of silver hair sprang free. The man glanced over his shoulder, showing her his profile. A strong nose, a defined mouth, a firm chin and a lock of gorgeous hair over a dark brow. Cassie felt the breath swoosh out of her. “Peter?”

      “Am I late?”

      “A bit.” She blinked like a starstruck schoolgirl, instantly glad she’d taken the plunge to have her hair stylishly cut and highlighted the day before. It fluffed on top, but clung at the neck. It made her look at least five years younger. “Did you have trouble finding the park?”

      “No. The map and directions Pastor Mike sent me were good.”

      Pastor Mike sent him a map?

      “Then you must have come a long way this morning.”

      “Actually, I did.” He gave a halfhearted grin. “Had some business to wrap up that kept me up till midnight two nights running, and then yesterday, I couldn’t leave before late in the day. Shall we go?” His attitude was as if it were nothing. He gestured toward the lit path as the sound of the entire congregation in song drifted down.

      What kind of business kept him until midnight?

      “Sure. I was just going up, but came back for my blanket.”

      “Let’s go, then.”

      He took her elbow as they climbed the dirt path. For a few delirious moments, Cassie imagined he did so because he thought her worthy of protection. That she was his to cherish. It was little enough to dream on, she reminded herself, a simple act of kindness. Yet she was a little old to let herself go nutty over so light a touch. And a gloved touch, at that.

      Still, she let herself enjoy it.

      Cassie pulled her swirling thoughts around to concentrate on the service and pointed out two empty chairs next to Pam at the rear of the crowd. They made their way to them.

      A finger of sunlight shafted over the horizon as they sat down, and she felt her spirit lift high with the light and celebration. Without thought, she spread her blanket over her cold legs, distributing the ends to Pam and Peter on either side of her. Peter gave her a sideways glance, his mouth slightly tilting as he accepted his end.

      Resolute, Cassie focused her gaze forward.

      Christ our Lord is risen today…. A quartet reminded them in the old, meaningful song, then urged all to join.

      Lord, how grateful I am to be here this day. To worship You on a hilltop. It is the greatest reminder….

      Pastor Mike began his sermon. Behind him, the sunlight slowly pushed back the night. For one brief moment, a single ray lit Pastor Mike’s face.

      A fitting picture, Cassie thought. There’s nothing more completely dreadful and altogether beautiful than the recounting of the resurrection story. That terrible black day, turned to three. Then glorious victory…Christ’s victory over evil when He rose from death, and His salvation made available for us all through faith….

      Cassie’s heart swelled with that hope and faith. Beside her, she felt Peter grow still. Listening. Taking it all in, every word. How long had it been since he’d heard the story? Had he ever, she wondered? Or perhaps never to the point of belief?

      She had no way of knowing what Peter believed. She didn’t know where he was in his own walk with the Lord, or if he’d even begun one, but she suddenly felt the need to offer up a silent prayer for him.

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