Veterans Way by Robin Lee Hatcher

Author:Robin Lee Hatcher [Hatcher, Robin Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

THE FIRST SUNDAY JAMES VISITED HART’S Crossing Community Church, he’d come alone. He’d sat beside Stephanie because she was the first person he saw whom he knew The next Sunday—the one following their night at the Apollo—he’d come alone but looked for her and only her.

This Sunday was a different story He’d arranged to escort Stephanie to church, after which the two of them would drive to the resort located in the mountains north of Hart’s Crossing. At the Timber Creek Lodge, they would enjoy a sumptuous dinner prepared by a French chef of some renown.

What happened after that would be up to Stephanie.

James had a hard time concentrating on the sermon, and even singing one of his favorite hymns, “Rock of Ages,” didn’t help the nerves twisting in his belly. He was mightily relieved to hear the benediction spoken. He hoped Stephanie wouldn’t be prone to linger and visit.

She must have read his mind. While she was polite, nodding her head and saying good morning to this friend and that, she didn’t allow anyone to delay their departure. In short order, they were seated in James’s Buick and driving out of town.

Once they reached the highway and a cruising speed of fifty-five, James said, “I have some music CDs in the player. Instrumentals. No singing. Would you like to hear them?”

“That would be lovely.”

He pushed a button, and the soft sounds of stringed instruments came through the speakers.

James cleared his throat, feeling the need for conversation. “I was hoping your daughter would be in church this morning. I’ve wanted to meet her.”

“Miranda and her family attend the Baptist church over on Park Street. Didn’t I tell you that?”

Maybe she had. They’d talked about many things—their children, their grandchildren, his career, her hobbies, the Bible, sports, people they knew as children in Hart’s Crossing, and so much more.

“When Miranda got married, she wanted to establish a life separate from her father and me, and that included going to a different church. She feared that too many people would still think of her as Stephanie and Chuck’s daughter rather than as an adult. She wanted to make her own traditions and not feel as if she was still tied to her mother’s apron strings.” She paused briefly, then added, “Not that she was tied to them. Miranda was always fiercely independent, even as a toddler.”

“Sounds like my Jenna.” James laughed softly. “The word independent doesn’t begin to describe her. For a long time, her mother and I doubted she would give up her precious autonomy for a more traditional lifestyle of love and marriage. But when she was thirty-six, she met Ray, and she fell for him. Hard.” A lot like her dad at the age of seventy. “They were married just a few months later.”

“Love is a wonderful thing.”

James glanced quickly to his right, then back at the road. “Yes.”

“You and I were very blessed to find the partners we did.”

“Yes.”

“So few people have staying power these days.” She sighed.

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