Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,1
she spied Katie entering the church. She waved at her, then gave her attention back to the Turners. “I think I’ll try matching up your kids first. Besides, there’s no one in Clear Creek I’m interested in.”
Angie gave her a mischievous smile. “But there used to be…”
Holly looked away. “Yeah, used to be.” She smiled, turned around and waited for Katie.
When she reached the pew, Katie ushered her children in first. All of which wedged past Holly so their mother could sit next to her. As soon as Katie sat, she heaved a sigh. “What a morning. I’m wore out already.”
Holly glanced at the children and back. “You know, I could have just scooted down. You didn’t have to make them sit first.”
“See what I mean? I wasn’t thinking. Sorry.”
“What happened?”
Katie slumped in the pew. “You name it. First Jack couldn’t find one of his shoes. Then Tiffany lost her doll. Then Carlton found Jack’s missing shoe but hid the other one just to be funny,” she leaned past Holly and glared at her middle child. “Then I lost the car keys …”
“That’s the worst. I hate it when I do that,” Holly said. “Where did you find them?”
Katie rolled her eyes again. “In the car!”
“Wow, you were really tired last night, huh?”
Katie yawned. “Still am. I’m going to need a nap later, that’s for sure.” She turned in the pew and smiled at her parents, Angie and John. “Great wedding!”
“Be sure you get that nap in this afternoon,” her father said.
She nodded in agreement as Pastor Brody sat in one of the front pews next to Mavis and Lincoln Cooke.
Holly giggled. “Just once I’d like to see the Cooke clan sit someplace else. Boy, would that ever confuse Pastor Brody.”
Katie elbowed her. “He’d probably think they went on vacation.”
Holly studied her surroundings. “We should play musical pews one morning, just to mix things up.”
Katie made a face. “Will you stop?”
The worship band began to play, and everyone stood for the first song. This was always Holly’s favorite part. She loved to sing and church was the only place she got to do it. She wished there was a choir like the old days growing up, but all there was now was the worship band.
When worship ended, Katie sat and leaned toward her. “Do you want to have lunch after church?”
“Sure. Where?”
“The kids like Daisy’s. Is that okay?”
“Works for…” she froze.
“What’s wrong?”
Holly couldn’t speak and instead blinked, unsure if she was seeing things. But no. Her voice came back. “Oh. My. Gosh.”
Katie followed her gaze, trying to see what caught her attention. “What is it?”
Katie nodded toward the front of the church. “Is that who I think it is?”
Both women were short and had trouble seeing. Katie finally stood to see. She gasped. “It is.” She sat again. “Zane Brody.”
Holly gulped. “What’s he doing back in town?”
Katie shrugged. “Why don’t you ask him after service?”
Before Holly could answer, Pastor Brody got up, took his place upon the platform, and began his sermon.
Zane Brody sat in the front pew next to Rhys Cooke. His parents usually sat in the pew across the aisle and he should have joined them when he slipped into the sanctuary. Instead he went straight for the closest pew and sat. On the one hand, his parents were elated that he was in Clear Creek. On the other, he hadn’t explained yet why. He wanted to feel things out first, see if his family would warm to his reason for returning. After all, this wasn’t a simple visit.
He’d left years ago for college and after graduating never returned. Clear Creek had always been like a prison to him. Located in the eastern part of Oregon, the nearest big cities were either Portland or Boise. The town was in a beautiful area, to be sure, it just wasn’t his cup of tea. He liked the nightlife, excitement, entertainment. All the things a big city could offer, which is why he chose New York University. NYU was as far from Clear Creek as he could get. But New York, with all its gritty glamour and history was a tough place for a country boy. It had been especially tough on his heart.
As soon as his father finished his sermon, Zane plotted his escape. Rhys, who’d been blissfully quiet throughout the sermon, had other ideas. “Zane! When did you get back?”
He forced a smile. “Last night. It was pretty late.”
“Too bad. You missed a great wedding.”
“My dad told me all