Beyond the Gray Mountains by Tricia Goyer

Author:Tricia Goyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunrise Admin

Chapter Sixteen

Sunday, July 2, West Kootenai, Montana

With slow steps, Marianna made her way through the front door of Summit Community Church. The new church building had been built when she’d been in Indiana, and the interior was still unfinished. Pieces of carpet of various colors had been laid down on the plywood floors. The sound system consisted of a few microphones and speakers hung from chains from the ceiling—not that Marianna minded. She was still getting used to the instruments and the faster-paced songs. Her favorites were the hymns.

She’d barely reached the sanctuary area when Millie Arnold greeted her with a hug. Millie’s red lips smiled, and wrinkles extended around her mouth, splaying like cracks in weathered paint. A rancher’s wife all her married life, her face was as weathered as a leather saddlebag. She was the first to connect with anyone who came into the church. Millie was a greeting committee of one and did a fine job.

Millie pulled back from the hug and eyed Marianna approvingly. “Look at you. I love how you did your hair, and is that a new dress?”

Marianna touched the loose bun she’d twisted at the base of her neck. “I’m still not used to my hair down. Changing my clothes has been easier than changing my hair, especially when I find dresses this comfortable.” She glanced down at the dress. It was long, nearly to the floor, and a purple-gray color that wasn’t too bold. She liked the capped sleeves and how they hung loosely, not too tight. “Jenny picked up a few things for me at a yard sale down in Eureka. I think I’m still finding my style, but I do love this one.”

“Good for you.” Millie patted her arm. “I love how God created each of us unique. Did you know I grew up in Seattle and my first job was dressing mannequins in a store? Can you imagine? I never felt I fit in until I joined a friend on a trip to Montana to visit her aunt and uncle. My friend didn’t like the ranch or the hard work, but I’d never felt more myself than I did that summer. Didn’t take me long to move here for good.”

“I understand what you’re saying. When I got off at the train station in Whitefish, I was angry I had to leave my whole life. But it didn’t take long before Montana started to feel like home.”

“That’s good, real good. And I know Ben likes it here too. It’ll be good to know that wherever the two of you travel, you’ll always have Montana to come back to.”

“Travel? But—” Marianna’s words were interrupted by chords on a keyboard, a sign to the members that church would be starting soon and it was time for everyone to take their seats.

With a quick wave to Millie, Marianna hurried to the third row on the left. She scooted in to sit next to Annie. Edgar sat on the other side of Annie. Pastor Kellen rose to give the announcement, but Marianna had difficulty focusing on his words.

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