likely distracted others. So today he’d lay down the law and put a stop to the practice. They were all plenty old enough to sit through an hour-long church service.
He used his key and let himself in through the back door, then traveled the narrow hallway leading to the fellowship hall and church kitchen. He rounded the corner from the hall and nearly collided with Lori Fowler. His feet slid to a halt, as did hers, and all of a sudden he remembered he hadn’t sent her a thank-you for the brownies he’d found in his office last Wednesday. He choked out an embarrassed laugh. In his usual style, his intentions had been grander than his follow-through. Mostly because he really didn’t like writing anything personal. But here they were, face to face, so he could remedy the situation now.
“Lori. Hi.”
Her cheeks glowed as red as the stripes on his tie. “Yikes trikes, Brother Jase, you startled me.”
What a unique exclamation. And she’d startled him, too. Why was she here so early? The kitchen team weren’t preparing for a dinner after service, were they? He crunched his lips into an apologetic grimace. “Sorry about that, but actually I’m glad I ran into you. I wanted to say thanks for the brownies. I ate the last of them this morning for breakfast.”
The red in her cheeks faded to pink, and she grinned. Her dimples really showed when she smiled. “You’ve got great self-control if they lasted a whole four days. I’m glad you liked them. Did you use them to celebrate or to comfort yourself?”
He laughed, this time heartier. “They were definitely celebration brownies.”
“Oh, I’m so glad.”
She meant it. He could tell by the sincerity in her tone and expression. Beech Street sure had a lot of nice people. “Me, too. It was a great way to top off the night, so thanks again for thinking of me.” He peeked into the kitchen. The light was on, but no one was inside. “Is there some kind of get-together here after church today?” Whatever it was, Sister Kraft wasn’t involved, because she’d invited Jase to join their family for Easter dinner. All four of their kids and their families were in town, so he’d given a polite “No thanks.” He’d feel like a fifth wheel intruding on their big family gathering.
Lori shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of. And if there was something, I’d know because…” Pride glowed in her eyes. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Lori, the new custodian here at Beech Street Bible Fellowship.”
Stifling a chuckle, Jase shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.” He gave her outfit a glance. She wore an ankle-length skirt covered in flowers the size of dessert plates, a loose yellow sweater-type top, and white sandals—different from anything he’d ever seen a janitor wear. “You don’t look much like the previous custodian. Or any custodian, for that matter.”
She linked her hands behind her back. “It’s my first day, and my only responsibility today has to do with opening and closing up the building. I was actually going to unlock the back door when you came in, so you helped me out. Tomorrow when I come in to clean, I’ll be dressed in something more custodial.” She wrinkled her nose. “Custodianish? Oh, well, you know what I mean.”
Jase grinned. “Sounds like a plan. And speaking of plans, I’ve got some work to do before the kids get here.” He eased around her, aiming his feet for the row of Sunday school classrooms. “So if you’ll excuse me…”
She waved at him, and keys jangled from a pink plastic spring around her wrist. “If you need something, like extra chairs or whiteboard markers or…or…” She laughed. “Well, anything. Just gimme a holler.”
“Thanks, I will.” He turned and hustled up the hallway to the youth room. He dug a marker from the top drawer of the bedroom dresser that served as a storage unit and began writing a list of Scripture references on the dented whiteboard attached to the wall. A sound at the door stole his focus, and he peeked over his shoulder. Lori again. Automatically, a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. What was it about her that made a person want to smile?
“Brother Jase, pardon me for intruding.”
He turned fully and faced her. “You’re not an intrusion. Whatcha need?”
“Well…” She crossed the threshold and sent a slow look around the room while she talked. “I wondered if you had plans