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He sighed. “Somewhat. At least until I can sit down and work things out in person. Then I called Grace and introduced myself. Again.”
I chuckled. “That’s a lot.”
“I do feel like I’ve stepped far enough out of my comfort zone for the day, that’s for sure,” he said. “And I have you to thank for that, Faith, because I don’t know if I would have ever faced any of this without you...”
“You mean if I hadn’t barged into your life being chased by a Louisiana mob?”
He laughed. “Something like that. Speaking of, how’s that going?”
I took a breath and glanced around the dark parking lot for lurking figures. “It’s still going. But I won’t stop living my life because of it. I refuse to give it that power. So, when will you be coming to Redemption?”
“Well... Sunday.”
I nearly dropped the phone. “This Sunday? As in day after tomorrow?”
“That okay? I’m supposed to meet with Mr. Wexley on Monday.”
I gestured with my hands, not that he could see it. “Sure! I’d—offer you a place to stay, but I’m, uh, staying with a friend.” A friend. Yeah. That’s what I was calling it.
“Grace mentioned either their house or... your grandmother’s place?” he said, unsure. “I’m guessing not our grandmother?”
“Oh! Nanny Rae’s bungalow!” I said. “Yeah, that’s perfect; I’ll get it ready for you. And no, Nanny Rae was on our mama’s side. Dad’s parents died when Grace was a baby; we never met them.”
He let me know his flight times and we talked for a few more minutes before he thanked me yet again, and we hung up. It felt weird to be thanked for giving him the motivation to grab what Daddy had bestowed him. Or at least to acknowledge it... to come possibly take what was my church and my life. He didn’t say what his plans were, and I didn’t ask. I figured all that would come.
I texted Hope back about Matthew and settled back into watching the bar from the safety of my vehicle. I had the fleeting thought to turn around and go back to Grace’s. Make Adam think I stood him up. Make him wonder.
I rubbed my temples as my headache threatened to return. “Why, Faith?” I whispered. “Why do we need to be a bitch?”
Because...
Give me the benefit of the doubt.
Don’t assume the worst.
Ever since those words came out of his mouth today, I’d been edgy.
That’s exactly what I’d done. I’d seen his bike, heard the voices, and whizzed right past Go, to become judge, jury, and executioner. Without questioning even one second of it.
Why? Because I was a hot mess with trust and daddy issues?
“Grow the hell up, Faith,” I said under my breath, pushing my door open and getting to my feet. That was getting easier, I noticed. Only one little pang on the way up.
I watched as a few more people went inside, the music volume increasing and muffling with every open and close of the doors. I knew Adam was probably in there. I didn’t have to look for his bike; I knew he probably walked the few blocks. He hadn’t texted or pushed me, and I appreciated that. He was trying. I could do the same.
I patted my Jeep’s hood as I strolled past, feeling confident tonight for the first time in God only knew how long. I’d worked on my hair a little, figuring out what to do with my new hack job. I put on more makeup than usual including smoky liner and red lips, and a spritz of my favorite expensive perfume. After some debate, I’d put on the tight jeans with ripped thighs that Hope had gotten for me at some fancy store that she swore hugged my ass like a velvet glove, a fitted plaid button-down that showed more cleavage than I was used to, and dangly silver hoop earrings. Working at the church required me to dress somewhat conservatively—cute, loose dresses, and my favorite printed tees with skirts, but nothing I’d call sexy. But I didn’t work there anymore. I’d made that official today, too. I’d called the parish council and told them to take Redemption Road Church off the database. That we were no more. The parishioners were mostly going to nearby towns for their services now anyway—especially since word got out that I lost my mind and burned the house down. Tainted by association and all that.
Now Matthew could come see it for himself and figure out what to do with it. It was no longer my burden. That was a heady feeling. A relief. It was startling to realize just how much. And I let that weightless sensation carry me all day. I’d felt like a teenager again, getting ready at Grace’s house. Getting dressed, giggling with my sister. And pulling on my favorite powder-blue cowgirl boots.
I’d always felt invincible in those boots.
Gravel crunched beneath them, and I froze.
Blindly, I reached out to my side, my fingers landing against the smooth metal of a random vehicle, my head spinning as the sound bounced around like a pinball in my brain. Sweat broke out on the back of my neck, and nausea washed over me.
Was that all it was? Walking on gravel? Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I pressed my boot against it again, the grating sound sending my heart to an unhealthy rate.
But that couldn’t be it. There was no gravel outside the church, where the attack took place. Only smooth concrete and a patch of muddy grass. So what was I remembering?
