The Thing About Home by Rhonda McKnight

Author:Rhonda McKnight
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2023-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

21

March 31, 2019

The Blacks went to church on Sunday. Granna hadn’t insisted before, but she let me know I was going today. Fortunately, I had something to wear. I never went anywhere without a few all-purpose dresses and a few good pairs of stilettos.

I stood in front of the mirror and pulled the dress over my head and thanked the God of southern food that I could still fit into it. I inspected my profile in the mirror. I sucked my stomach in and twisted to inspect my backside. I had put on a few pounds thanks to Granna and Aunt Thea’s cooking. I didn’t look bad, and I’d always told my followers: No matter your size, no matter the fit, believe no one could wear it better, and the world will believe with you.

I heard noises outside my window and walked over to peek out. Nigel had locked the door to the Airstream, and Star was walking a doll across the hood of his truck. Granna had to be at church obscenely early for prayer, so I’d opted to meet her at the start of service. However, I wanted to follow Nigel so I could enter with him, just in case I couldn’t sit with Granna. I grabbed my bag and rushed outside.

As promised, Cousin Jay fixed my car and checked all my sensors and belts so there wouldn’t be any more surprises. He even drove it to me so I didn’t have to pick it up.

“Good morning, Miss Casey,” Star said cheerfully.

I returned her greeting and said, “Don’t you look pretty.”

Blushing, Star shrank inside into the wide collar of her dress.

The click of Nigel’s truck locks interrupted us. I raised my eyes to his. Nigel looked good in the turquoise-colored dress shirt he’d chosen. I was sure the wrinkles had been removed not with the dryer but by a hot iron. It was crisp and pressed along the seams. The top buttons were open, exposing the strong lines of his masculine throat.

Nigel stared for a moment like he was seeing me through fresh eyes. I suppose he was; I was wearing church-appropriate attire. “If you’re going to church, you should ride with us.”

I hadn’t considered riding with them, but it sounded nice. “Are you sure?”

“Of course.” He pulled the doors open. Once he hefted Star in, he turned to me. “You look nice. And tall. Very tall.”

In my three-inch heels, I was eye-level with him. “Thank you.”

We piled into Nigel’s truck.

The trip to Choppee Church by the River was short. The paved parking lot was full, so we had to park on the grass.

“Daddy, it’s April,” Star cried from the back seat. I heard the snap of her seat belt right before her door opened.

“Leave the doll,” Nigel said, getting out.

Star’s lips morphed from a smile to a pout within seconds. “But she’ll be hot.”

Nigel opened my door. When my hand slipped into his, warmth spread up my arm and throughout my body. Our eyes held for seconds longer than they should have.

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