Sunshine Valley

Welcome back continued

    He was caught! Only she saw the look of bewilderment and terror on his face. After allowing a long breath to escape, he finally got up. A murmur fell over the church as Dillon strolled toward her from the last pew.

    Rebecca wanted to know if the man could look any taller. The black dress pants he had on made him look twice as tall as he really was. What can this rude beast of a man possibly offer to the church? She thought to herself. He’s crash and abrasive. She was sure nothing good could come out of him.

    Pastor Sam was on his feet waiting to greet Dillon.

    Evelyn whispered to him, then he took a seat behind the piano. His long fingers danced across the ivories making sure the instrument was in tune. 

    “This really isn’t a religious song,” Evelyn explained. “However, it’s my way of saying thank you for everything you all did for us. It is my understanding that a large group of you helped get the house ready for me.” She smiled at her dad. 

    Dillon began to play.

    As Evelyn began to sing, the entire church held their collective breath. 

    She was praying the entire time. God let me do this. When she reached her first high note, her voice wavered. No one really noticed it but her. She felt the off tone note quake through her body. By the time the next one rolled around, she nailed it. Thank you God. Her voice got stronger with each note. I can still do it. He didn’t beat it out of me after all.

    Widow Blake reached over and took Mr. Rice’s hand. He hadn’t noticed through his tears that she had moved to sit beside him. 

    Rebecca held on to Simon as Evelyn continued her song. To her amazement, he was crying. Okay, she admitted, something good was able to come out of this crotchety sheriff.

    Pastor Sam was in tears as well. Sue was present with him. Forgiving him with perfect love.

    It took everyone a minute to realize they had stopped. When they did, everyone rose to their feet with joy.

    “Yes,” Pastor Sam shouted through his tears. “Yes, God is working on us today church.” He started jumping up and down again.

    Widow Blake had taken Evelyn’s seat, so she walked to the back of the church and sat with Dillon. 

     Breathe, he told himself. Breathe. 

     Dillon noticed her hands were shaking. He gently took them in his, holding them. She accepted his offer with a smile and a down cast glance. His felt as if his palms were sweaty but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from getting to touch her. A secret part of him wanted to raise her chin to kiss her. 

     She noticed how pale he looked. Leaning over to him, smiling, she whispered. “Thank you.”

    “Music that prudy hadn’t been played in hur nie on 20 yars. Praise God. Thur at it again, singin’ and playin’ together. Praisin’ the Lord, a joyful noise.” Ole man Wagers, one of Mr. Rice’s good friends rang out over the congregation before the preacher started talking.

    Outside Dillon finally got the chance to ask, “What made you think of that song?That’s the last song we ever practiced together.”

    “Are you mad that I put you on the spot?”

    “At first, I figured it was pay back for last night.” He blushed through his sun baked skin. 

“I’m over it. Oh speaking of last night,” she reached into her purse and pulled out a cell phone. “How am I going to talk to you if you don’t have this?”

    He felt heat rise back to his cheeks; quickly shoving a smart phone into his pocket. “Thanks.”

    “Dinner at my house.” Rebecca shouted over the disbanding crowd. “5 o’clock.”

    “See you at 5?” Evelyn smiled then climbed into the driver’s seat of Mr. Rice’s truck.

    Dillon’s heart was about ready to explode. He just stood there watching her drive away. The ache in his heart was a different kind of pain than the last time he watched her drive away.

    “Welcome back.”

    Did he really hear that? He turned to see Bradley standing beside him. He didn’t know what to say. Welcome Back. Where had he been? He walked to his truck. In a heartbroken, God hating haze, that’s where he had been.

Sunshine Valley