Page 220 of Taken Away

One immediately caught his attention.

Four young people stood beside a lake.

Harold Blackwood.

Mabel.

A broad-shouldered man Burke assumed was Patsy's husband.

And Patsy.

"They were your friends."

Patsy followed his gaze.

"My best friends."

Her expression softened.

"Mabel and I met the first day of ninth grade."

"And Harold?"

"He was chasing her before either one of them realized it."

Burke glanced back toward the picture.

"And your husband?"

"My Fain."

The smile that crossed her face wasn't sadness.

It was love.

"Fain pastored First Baptist for thirty-six years."

Burke nodded.

"I've heard his name."

"He married half this county."

She laughed.

"And buried the other half."

The humor faded naturally.

"I still catch myself waiting for him to come through that door."

Burke looked toward the kitchen table.

Two coffee cups already sat waiting.

She noticed.

"I know."