Authors: Kristin Wallace
Kind? Yes, her father had been kind. He'd also been charming, funny, and sweet. He'd had a way of looking at you like you were the only person on the planet. When she'd been a little girl Julia had adored him.
She supposed it wasn't uncommon for girls to adore their fathers, but she'd had a serious case of hero worship. She'd always sensed a distance with her mother. Even as early as the toddler years Julia had understood that her mother didn't like to be mussed. “Mussed” as in hugged, which led to wrinkles in skirts, stains on blouses, or a hair out of place. Thomas Richardson had always been a hugger, a toucher, and a
look-into-my-eyes-and-tell-me-your-deepest-desires
kind of guy.
Julia still had vivid memories of Sunday mornings. She used to wake up early and pad into his study to sit on his lap while he read the paper. Most of the time they didn't speak, but sometimes he'd comment on an article he was reading. Julia hadn't understood what he was talking about, but it hadn't mattered. She was with him.
He'd been her prince. Her hero. Her friend.
Then he went away. Left her with the pretty woman who smiled vaguely and patted her head on occasion as she wafted out the door on a cloud of expensive perfume en route to her next date. There hadn't been any more Sunday mornings.
Julia swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “No, he was affectionate, but he always sent me away when it suited him, too. He simply never cared enough to stick.”
Sarah reached over and turned Julia's head back. “Like I said, not perfect, but not a monster either. For your own sake, you need to come to terms with him.”
The statement pulled Julia back from the abyss of her own maudlin memories. Thank goodness. She stared in amazement. “Good grief, when did you morph into your mother?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “I've caught myself spouting my mother's words lately, and it's unsettling. I think some ”wise momma” gene must get mixed in with all those pregnancy hormones.”
“Do they tell you that in those pregnancy books? Because I think women should be forewarned they're about to turn into their mothers.”
Sarah laughed outright. “I guess I don't mind becoming more like my mother. She's a pretty good example to follow.”
“True.” Julia stood up. “Well, I have an appointment with a client and a singer.”
“Oh, with Meredith?”
“I'm supposed to help the couple pick out music, though what I can contribute I can't imagine.”
“You'll do fine. Let Meredith handle everything. She's a dream to work with. Wait till you hear her sing. She's incredible. She was on her way to a big time music career, but she gave it up.”
“Why?”
“I probably shouldn't tell her secrets, but if she's comfortable enough, maybe she'll tell you herself. It's a fascinating story. I think you'd relate to her.”
“If I get around to it, I'll ask. Before I go, I have something for you,” Julia said, reaching for her gift. “Call it a welcome to the twenty-first century.”
Sarah's face lit up. “A present?”
Julia put the box in Sarah's lap. Her mouth formed an “oh” as she realized what was inside. “You got me a tablet?”
“Yes, a good one which includes the ability to do video calls so I can see you face to face when disaster is about to strike. I called and someone should be here to set up your wireless connection tomorrow.”
“Julia, this is too much,” Sarah said, even as she took out her new toy.
“There is no such thing as too much. After the last wedding, I knew you needed to be with me all the time, even if it wasn't physically. Plus, you can use it to order movies and books to ward off the boredom.”
Sarah beamed. “Or I could use it to order a pizza without getting up off the couch.”
Trust a pregnant woman to think of food. “I'm sure there's an app for pizza ordering, too.”
“I feel so modern.”
She leaned down and kissed the top of Sarah's head. “I really do have to go now.”
“Hey, don't be a stranger!” Sarah called out as Julia started to leave. “I've only been home one day, and already I know I'm gonna go crazy cooped up here all by myself.”
“Don't worry. I plan to pester you as often as possible. Now, take care of my little Mary. Gotta protect the woman who's destined to save my life someday.”
“I will.”
Julia's appointment was at Seth's church, where the singing phenomenon was also the Music Director. She'd spent too much time at Sarah's and was already running late. Betsy had helpfully written down directions on how to find the choir room, otherwise Julia would have ended up having to leave bread crumbs to find her way back out. At the foyer, she hung a left and circled around behind the sanctuary, then hurried down a flight of stairs. Someone was playing a piano as she rounded the corner. Then the singing stopped her cold.
The voice was smoky and rich. Part siren, part angel. Julia had never heard anyone express so much emotion through music. It was almost enough to make her believe in true love and happy endings after all.
“Wow, that's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard,” a young woman said, in a sad, wistful voice. “My dad used to hum that song to my mom.”
“Then it looks like we found the song for your first dance,” the owner of smoky voice replied.
Julia slipped through the doorway. The choir room was more like a cave, with white walls and no windows. Padded chairs were arranged in rows on three elevated steps. The woman with the amazing voice was seated at the piano.
The couple consisted of yet another tiny blonde and a strapping, brown-haired young man. They looked up as Julia entered, which caused the piano player to turn around.
“Hi, I'm Julia. I'm sure Sarah already called to let you know I'm going to be handling things until her baby is born.”
The owner of the spectacular voice stood up. Julia was thrilled to see the other woman was tall and willowy, with auburn hair and green eyes. Finally, she'd found someone who'd gotten left out of the blond, pixie gene pool.
“Yes, Sarah did call. I'm Meredith Vining, and I'm doing the music for the wedding,” she said. “This is Stacey and Carl, our bride and groom.”
Julia shook hands with both of them. “I see you've already gotten started.”
“I met with them two weeks ago, and we chose music for the ceremony,” Meredith said. “Now, we're picking special numbers for the reception. We just found the song for their first dance. Stacey's father passed away a year ago, so it will be a tribute to him.
“I'm so sorry about your father,” Julia said. “It must be difficult for you.”
Stacey's smile was sweet, but a little forlorn. “It is sad, but he's in a much better place now. He was ill for a long time. Now, he's at peace in the presence of the Lord.”
Julia blinked. She'd never heard death described in such a way.
Meredith put an arm around Stacey's shoulder. “I'm sure he'll be here in spirit, though. He would never miss his little girl's big day. Julia, why don't you have a seat, and we'll get these two settled?”
Meredith was so good Julia didn't have to do anything except nod her approval occasionally. The more she listened, the more impressed she became. Meredith was amazing. Everything she sang, whether a ballad or a dance tune, was flawless. Julia could picture her on any radio station in the country or on stage entertaining thousands. She wondered what had caused Meredith to give up her career and come back to conduct a church choir in a sleepy little nowhere town.
Once all the selections were made, Stacey and Carl thanked Meredith and left.
“You're amazing,” Julia said, once they'd gone.
“You're very kind.”
“I'm not being kind. What in the world are you doing stuck here in Covington Falls?” Julia asked, then winced at how rude she'd sounded. “Sorry. I probably shouldn't have been so blunt.”
“It's all right,” Meredith said, with a dismissive wave. “I'm used to it. I know it's difficult for most people to understand.”
“Impossible. Why would you walk away from your career? You were obviously born for it.”
“I was born to do exactly what I'm doing now,” Meredith said, with a decisive shake of her head. “I know to the outside world it seems crazy.”
Yeah, it did seem crazy. “But why?”
Meredith looked at her watch. “I'd tell you about it, but right now I've got music lessons, and I have to prepare for choir practice. Why don't I call you, and we can meet for dinner sometime?”
“All right.”
“Great,” Meredith said. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
Julia made her way back upstairs. She needed to get back to Marry Me to do⦠something⦠she was sure. She was passing through an empty hallway when she heard voices coming from one of the offices.
“Seth, I'm only letting you know what some of the members are saying about Miss Vining.”
The door was partially open, and Julia peeked in. Seth was seated at a large oak desk. His hands were folded on top of it, and she could tell he was trying to control his temper. She recognized his steely gaze. It was the same one he'd directed her way at the softball game. An older, white-haired man was seated across from him. Julia knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but couldn't help herself.
“I'm well aware of the attitude of some members,” Seth said. “Don't think I haven't heard the same things myself from the bolder ones. I know not everyone approves of Meredith.”
“With her past, can you blame them?”
His eyes turned frosty. “Actually, I can, Paul. We're the Church. We're supposed to rejoice when one of God's children finds their way back to the Lord. Meredith has changed her life, which is something to celebrate, not condemn.”
The man held up his hands in surrender. “Seth, I'm not the enemy here. I understand your support of her, and I even applaud it. I'm only warning you to be careful. There are some here who will use any excuse to make trouble for you.”
“I know. Thank you for your concern.”
They stood up and shook hands.
****
Seth waited for Paul to walk away before venting his frustration. He felt like cursing. Instead he let out a sigh mixed with a groan.
“It sounds like you've got a mutiny on your hands.”
His head shot up. Familiar flashing blue eyes regarded him with curiosity. “Julia?”
“You know how to make enemies, I see,” she said.
A small chuckle escaped. “In the Church, there are always enemies to be made.”
“I thought it would be all sweetness and light over here.”
If she only knew.
She wandered further in the room and started poking around the office. He wondered what she thought. He'd wanted his office to feel comfortable. The room consisted of dark wood wainscoting, with honey-colored walls, a sage-green carpet, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, an antique brass desk lamp, and two cushy sage-green armchairs. A big picture window looked out on to a pretty interior courtyard. He loved to write his sermons here.
“I thought everyone would be wandering around with angelic smiles on their faces all day long,” she said.
She'd made her way over to the bookshelves and was scanning the titles, an eclectic collection containing everything from Billy Graham to Charles Shultz to Shakespeare.
“Like a bunch of simpletons, I gather,” he drawled. “What are you doing?”
“Being nosy,” she replied, with a cheeky grin. “So, tell me about these enemies?”
“Well, in my opinion the real enemy isn't a person.”
“Who is it?”
“As someone more famous than me would say⦠Satan?”
Julia laughed at his spot on impersonation. “Satan is the reason you've got a bunch of judgmental biddies snapping at your heels trying to get rid of your Music Director?”
“You overheard?”
“I did eavesdrop, though I didn't mean to. I just met Meredith, and she's amazing.”
“That's why I hired her.”
Julia moved on from the shelves to the side table by his desk. There was a framed picture of a child's drawing depicting the church. Standing in front of it was a male figure with dark hair.
“This is supposed to be you, I assume,” she said, picking up the frame.
“So I'm told.”
Her eyes darted up to meet his, amusement evident. “Cute. So, what makes you think Satan is the problem?”
Seth leaned back in his chair. “Because he wants nothing more than to create problems in God's church, divide His people, and lead them astray. What better way to discourage people from embracing God than for them to see infighting.”
A brow shot up. “You actually believe there's a malevolent spirit out there trying to take over the universe?”
“Of course. If I believe in the ultimate good, God, then it makes sense there is an ultimate evil, Satan. I sense it everyday. Sometimes I feel like I'm under siege.”
“I guess that makes sense,” she said. “You're trying to do God's work, and if Satan can take you out he wins.”
Seth regarded her with a new respect. “For someone who claims to know nothing about God or religion, you understand better than most.”
“I understand people,” she said, with an annoyed little huff. “I know they can be selfish. If I were Satan, I'd play on their weaknesses. So, why are you getting flack for hiring Meredith?”
He dragged a hand through his hair. “Truthfully, she does have a bit of a past. Meredith went through a wild phase in her teen years. Her stint in the music business draws some ire as well. There are a lot of people who don't much like what the popular culture and its music represents.”
“You could tell them to get over themselves. What's the big deal?”
“It's not so simple.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out a CD, and then tossed it across his desk.
Julia snatched up the case. A low whistle blew past her lips. “That's Meredith?” she asked, opening the cover and pulling out the insert to look at the rest of the pictures.
Seth nodded. He didn't need to see the photographs again. Glossy shots of Meredith Vining, or Mika Vine as she'd been called then, in various states of undress, cavorting with a barely-clothed man. “There's a video, too. Wound up going viral. Meredith managed to get it taken down, but the CD won't go away. Cousins and friends and sisters-in-law of people in town love to mail them here when they find one.”
“Did she tell you about this scandalous photo shoot before you hired her?” she asked.
“Would it matter?”
“If you were blindsided with this little gem, then maybe she doesn't deserve the all-is-forgiven award,” she said. “Part of Meredith being this reformed citizen you claim she is, would include coming clean about her past. At least to you, since you're the one sitting out on the shaky limb.”
“She gave me the CD when she came in for her interview. And I saw the video long before it wound up on the Internet. She played it for me.”
“I knew I liked her. Good to know I didn't misjudge her.” Julia sat on the edge of his desk. “So, even after seeing the risqué antics of Mika Vine you still hired her? Why?”
“Meredith came back a changed person,” he said. “Her desire was to serve the Lord through her music. I gave her the opportunity. I've been trying to move this church â and the town â to a place where we can stop sitting in judgment of others. It doesn't mean we condone sinful behavior, but if we ever hope to change hearts, we have to approach people with compassion and mercy.”
She looked at him for a long time. Finally, her head swiveled back and forth. “Who knew you'd turn out to be a maverick?”
Heat crept up his cheeks. “I'm only serving the Lord as I hope He'd want.”
“You must get so overwhelmed. Doing the Lord's work while fighting off the forces of evil.” She said the last part with a little boxing duck and dodge move.
Another jolt of surprise ricocheted through his body, and he went still. “How is it you get me better than people who've known me my whole life?”
And why does it have to be a woman who scorns everything I believe?
“I'm sure you have people in your life who understand,” she said, taking a deep breath.
“Beth was the only one who seemed to really get it, but her father was a minister so perhaps she had special insight.”
At the mention of his wife, Julia's gaze went to the framed photograph on Seth's desk. This picture was older than the one in his apartment.
Julia leaned forward. “Is this Beth?”
“Yes. It was takenâ” He stopped. Memories assaulted him. This photo had been taken when they'd bought their first house in Memphis after he'd graduated from Seminary. The one in his bedroom had been taken here in Covington Falls. Beth had looked completely healthy, but in truth she'd already started to die. The injustice of it hit him again. A wave of anger and grief threatened to take him under.
“Before she got sick,” Julia said. “She was beautiful.”
The softly spoken words snapped Seth back to the here and now. Julia was looking at him, and in some odd way he had the feeling she was trying to give him strength. And a chance to recover.
He cleared his throat. “She was.”
Seth was about to say something else when a sprightly, middle-aged woman joined them.
“Pastor Grahamâ” She broke off when she saw Julia. “Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were with someone.”
Seth stood up and walked around the desk. “It's all right, Clarice. Have you met Grace's stepdaughter?”
The woman blinked. “No, I haven't had the pleasure.”
“This is Julia. Julia, Clarice Johnson, one of our members.”
“Nice to meet you,” Julia said.
Mrs. Johnson's head swiveled back and forth between them. “Likewise. I hope I'm not intruding.”
“Not at all,” Julia said. “I came by to meet with Meredith Vining about a wedding, and I couldn't resist stopping in to see where Seth works.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Johnson said, before turning to Seth again. “Pastor Graham, I came by to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. My niece is visiting. She's just back from the mission field in Venezuela, and I know you two would have so much in common.”
Oh, not again!
He forced a smile. “I'd be honored to meet her and enjoy your splendid hospitality.”
Mrs. Johnson looked delighted. “Wonderful! We'll see you at seven tomorrow then?”
“I look forward to it.”
Julia turned, brow arched as Mrs. Johnson bustled from the room. “She wants you to meet her niece?”
“Mrs. Johnson has no children of her own, but she comes from a big family and so does her husband. I think she must have about twenty nieces.”
“Do people try to fix you up a lot?”
Seth shifted, uncomfortable with the topic. “It started about eight months ago. The fix-ups anyway. At first it was only dinner. I guess they thought I'd starve on my own, even though Grace fed me well. Then eventually eligible women started to get thrown into the mix. Seems everyone in town has a sister, daughter, granddaughter, or niece of marriageable age whom I need to meet.”
“Any interesting prospects?” she asked, picking up the letter opener on his desk and twirling it between her fingers.
Seth looked down at Beth's picture. Sadness reached out to swallow him whole. “No.”
“She wouldn't want you to live your life alone.”
Something in her tone brought his head back up. Their eyes met. Hers were flat and guarded. Seth realized the question hadn't been idle curiosity and knew his answer had hurt her. He wished he could make her understand.
“I know. I just can'tâ” he tried to explain. “I'm not sure anyone will ever take her place.”
“You're not ready yet, I get it.” She stood up, looking anywhere but at Seth. “I need to go.”
Yeah, she was hurt all right, but there wasn't anything he could say to undo it. He ran a hand through his hair. “Juliaâ”
She did look up then, but keep-your-distance Julia Richardson was firmly back in place. “Seth, I
know.
I'll see you around.”
What had happened here?
He blew out a deep. “Right. See you.”