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CHAPTERONE
There were ways to make a good first impression, and ways to not. Lexi Franklin sighed as she picked herself up from the muddied ground outside Trinity Life Church. This was not how she had envisaged making her grand entrance to Trinity Lakes. Not that she had ever imagined anything grand. These days, slinking in from halfway across the world was more her style.
“Oh, Lexi!” Her mother helped her stand, wincing at the dark brown stains on Lexi’s white jeans-clad knees. That made two of them. “Are you okay?”
Way to go, feeling like someone two decades younger than her twenty-eight years, as her mother handed her a wet wipe. “I’m fine.” She summoned a tight smile for those strangers who had paused to watch the show. Stupid heels. Why had she thought wearing heels to church a good idea?
Maybe she could put it down to jet lag. Or gracefulness lag. Except she’d never owned much poise except when it came to the medical world. And after what happened three months ago? That probably couldn’t be said of her either.
“Want to go home and get changed?” her mother asked.
And miss Dad’s message? “I’m fine. Can we go inside, please?”
She followed her mother up the three wooden steps and inside the white building. A glory of stained glass soared at the front, clear panes on either side revealing the view down the hill to the lake beyond. For a girl from a beachside city in Australia, the picture postcard prettiness of Trinity Lakes, with its quaint main street, shops, and hill-draped lakes, was a breath of fresh air. Literally.
Her passage to a pew was delayed as her mother felt it necessary to stop and chat with several people along the way, introducing Lexi each time.
Names slid past her ears: Kennedys, Ladans, Anderssons, but she didn’t have space to retain information as embarrassment at her less-than-styled appearance choked any ability to recall names. So she smiled, said hello, and with immense gratitude finally reached her seat. “Hey, Dad.”
Her father looked up from his notes and wrapped an arm around her. “How’s my girl?”
“Looking forward to your message.”
Smile lines deepened. “It’s so good to have you here.”
“It’s good to be here.”
As soon as she’d stepped off the plane at the Tri-Cities Airport, she’d known the difference, and it had nothing to do with the US summer temperatures. There was an ease here, like she was coming home, even if she hadn’t lived in Trinity Lakes for years. Of course, part of that might’ve had something to do with being here with her parents, even if their protectiveness sometimes felt like a three-sizes-too-big winter coat. But she didn’t mind. Much. After being scared for so long, it was nice to finally believe she could maybe feel safe again.
The service began, and her focus sank into rituals she was long familiar with—music, announcements, her dad’s message. His words weren’t new—she’d heard him say similar things about gratitude over the dinner table these past two nights—and she let them drift over her. Thankfulness might be okay for some, but she wasn’t ready to be thankful for everything. Not yet. She played with the light scarf at her throat. Her mother looked at her, brow furrowed.
Lexi lowered her hand and took a moment to let her gaze slide around the congregation. The people seemed friendly, a mix of ages, ethnicities, and appearances, with everything from city-sleek types to those who looked more like farmers. The church had a nice feel, much like the town with its cute antique-style lampposts, and quirky shops. Trinity Lakes seemed a little different to what she remembered, new businesses, housing developments, new landscaping on the town limits that now displayed the poplars andWelcome to Trinity Lakessign to full advantage. Same, same, but different. Or maybe that was just her. Unsurprising, considering what had happened.
Another hymn was sung, during which the collection plate was passed around, then they were released to be a blessing to the world.
She swallowed—she used to feel that way, like she could be a blessing—and managed to fake smile her way out the door, nodding to people she’d met earlier whose names she could no longer recall.
“Ah, Lynette. So this is Alexandra, all grown up.” The pastor held out his hand. “Theo Ladan. It’s been a while. Last I saw you, you were just finishing high school.”
“It has been a while.” Lexi shook his hand, wondering how much her parents had told him. Probably everything.
“It’s good to see you here.” His eyes were kind.
Yep. He definitely knew. “Thanks.”
She readjusted the scarf at her throat, something which seemed to catch his attention, but he said nothing, only offering a smile, before a young family demanded his attention.
Exhale. She followed her mother outside, grasping the thin metal handrail as she made her way down the steps back to the cobblestoned path. Her foot wobbled, and she slowed her pace. For goodness sake. How did brides and people with actual high heels manage on this path? It was bad enough to still be wearing knee stains announcing her status as Clumsy Girl. She had no wish to confirm the label with a round two.
“Lexi?” Her mother beckoned her to where she stood with an aristocratic-looking elderly woman. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Mrs. Olivia Darcy.”
Lexi offered a smile that was fifty percent more genuine. “Good morning.” How many more people would she have to meet? How soon could she leave?
The woman nodded, her brow creasing as her gaze trickled over Lexi’s muddied ensemble, as if she couldn’t understand why Lexi hadn’t returned home and changed.
“Lexi had a little accident on the way into church.” Mum felt the need to explain, patting her on the shoulder.
Great. How to make her awkwardness more obvious: make it seem some other kind of accident more appropriate for a five-year-old. Mum might as well say she’d soiled her pants and be done with it. Even if that was technically true.
