Page 21 of Lee

“That really speaks to how much she trusts you.”

“I hope so. I really don’t want to let her down when she’s taken a chance on me.”

“I’m sure you won’t.”

Rori doubted that Essie knew just how much Rori cherished the woman’s confidence in her. It hadn’t been something she’d had a lot of in her life.

“Do you like music?” Essie asked.

“Yes. I love music.”

“Would you like to come to an evening of singing at our church on Sunday?”

“What type of singing?” Rori asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Southern gospel. Hymns. That sort of thing.”

Rori wasn’t familiar with any of that kind of music, but the pull to go to an evening of live music was strong. And spending time with Essie and her husband would be nice as well.

“Sure. I’d like to go with you.”

“That’s great! It starts at six-thirty, so we’ll swing by and pick you up around six.”

“Would it be easier if I just meet you there?” Rori asked. “I don’t mind driving myself.”

“This first time, let us pick you up.”

Rori wasn’t going to argue. It would be easier to walk into the church with Essie and her husband than by herself.

Happy to have something to look forward to, once their call was over, Rori opened her music app and searched up some Southern gospel music to familiarize herself with the genre.

Over the next couple of days, Rori listened to gospel and hymn playlists whenever she had her music on. And interestingly enough, she actually ended up enjoying the songs.

By the time Sunday rolled around, Rori felt more prepared to attend an evening featuring hymns and southern gospel music, and she was looking forward to it.

Essie and her husband, Al, were right on time, and Rori greeted them with a smile as she climbed into their car. She and Essie had agreed early in their friendship that they wouldn’t talk about Rori’s mom, so their conversation as they drove to the church centered on other things.

When they stepped into the foyer, Rori heard a familiar voice and turned to see Rachel hurrying toward her.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Rachel said after she gave Rori a hug. “This is great!”

“Essie invited me,” Rori said, gesturing to the woman.

Rachel smiled at Essie, then said, “Lee goes to church here too, and so does Alys.”

Rori tried not to react to the news that she might see Lee that night, but there was no way to control the butterflies that had suddenly fluttered to life in her stomach. That wasn’t why she’d come, but it was a definite bonus if he did show up.

“If I don’t see you later, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Rachel said as a girl around her age approached them. “I’m glad you came.”

Once Rachel and her friend had left them, Al led Rori and Essie to a pew about midway down the aisle. Somehow, Rori managed to keep from looking around for Lee. But when Essie turned to greet someone, and Rori followed suit, her gaze landed on Lee where he stood talking with a small group of people.

Though she tried not to stare, she couldn’t help but observe the people that stood with him. There was a cluster of men and women around him, as well as a few children.

Rori wasn’t sure if Lee had a girlfriend. He’d never said, and, of course, she’d never asked. So it was possible that one of those women was with him. Or maybe they were his sisters, since she knew he had several. Although that was probably wishful thinking on her part.

Essie introduced her to a few people but thankfully didn’t overwhelm her with names. The rows were filling up quickly, and by the time people climbed onto the stage, there weren’t many empty spaces left. It seemed that this was a popular event.

Lee ended up on the opposite side of the sanctuary. He sat next to a woman with dark hair, but it was the man on the other side of her who had his arm around her. Also, the woman now held a baby in her arms, which made Rori think that she was his sister, Charli.

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