Page 68 of Beautiful Harmony

“No.” He started across the street, and Lucas followed him.

“We’re going to the Sip and Gulp now?”

“I need something,” Nix said.

“Right,” Lucas said. “It has nothing to do with the pretty girl standing on the corner.”

Nix didn’t bother to reply. The woman had stopped a couple holding hands, and she spoke earnestly to them as they regarded her with amusement and exasperation.

Behind the woman, two of the boys from the group of teenagers were approaching. Lucas frowned when the bigger of the two grabbed the woman’s ass through her skirt.

She jumped and dropped the stack of papers as the couple walked away. She whipped around to stare at the two laughing teenagers who catcalled and whistled before returning to their friends.

Nix increased his pace until Lucas nearly had to jog to keep up with him. Nix stopped in front of the woman and crouched to pick up the fallen stack of papers. A few sheets had blown into the street, and Lucas snagged them. They were covered with Bible verses, the ones that promised hellfire and damnation to sinners. At the bottom of the page, in smaller type, was an invitation to join Harmony Falls Evangelical Church every Sunday morning at ten, with their address and website printed below it.

He joined Nix and the woman, watching with some amusement as Nix carefully straightened the stack of paper he held before handing it to her.

The woman smiled tentatively at Nix. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Nix said. He studied her intently, his gaze roaming her face until she blushed.

She cleared her throat. “I’m Nola.”

When Nix didn’t reply, Lucas said, “I’m Lucas, and this is Nix.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Her voice was low and timid, and now that he was up close, Lucas could see how cold she was. Her ears and nose were bright red, and she was visibly shivering. She had pretty brown eyes and a tiny scar under her bottom lip. She wasn’t wearing eye makeup, but her lips were tinted with a pink gloss that made them shine in the setting sun's light.

“Where’s your jacket?” Nix asked abruptly.

“Many of the people we minister to in South Falls don’t have proper outerwear. My father believes that our ministering to them is more effective if we better understand the trials and tribulations they are going through,” Nola said.

Nix snorted. “How will you freezing to death lead these people to God?”

She swallowed hard. “I’m not that cold. The wind is… refreshing.”

Nix’s gaze dropped to her hands. They were bright red and already chapped from the cold.

“How long have you been out here?” Lucas asked.

“Just a few hours.” She hesitated and said, “Are you a Christian, Lucas?”

“My parents are members of the Willington Baptist Church,” he said. “I’ve spent my fair share of time in Sunday School.”

He grinned at her, and she said, “I’m glad to hear that. Do you go to the Baptist church here in Harmony Falls?”

“No, I kind of fell out of church-going in my teens,” he said.

“Well, we’re always happy to welcome new members to the Harmony Falls Evangelical Church if you want to return to the flock.”

She hesitated before turning toward Nix. “Are you a Christian?”

“No,” Nix said. “Atheist.”

“We welcome people with all viewpoints at the church. Even those who question God’s existence. I promise that we’re a very welcoming community that believes in supporting others. We would love to see you at a service sometime. Our website is at the bottom, and we have plenty of information about our church and community, and,” Nola’s voice stuttered just the tiniest, “how God’s love can transform your life and make it better.”

“Is your life better standing in a bad part of town handing out religious bullshit while you freeze your ass off?” Nix asked.

“Nix, take it down a notch, buddy,” Lucas said.

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