Page 9 of Reckless Harmony

“Date activity,” Nola repeated.

“That’s right. For example, one of our bachelorettes is offering a dinner at The Gilded Fork.”

Nola’s eyes widened. “That place is, um, kind of expensive.”

“It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy,” Rayna said hurriedly. “Another bachelorette is offering a homemade dinner and a beginner lesson in whittling.”

“Whittling,” Nola said.

“I know, right? Wild. Anyway, your date can be anything you want it to be,” Rayna said. “When it’s your turn, Zuri will announce your date night plan and if a guy or… girl?”

“Uh… I’m into guys,” Nola said, her face turning pink.

“Okay. If a guy is interested, he’ll bid on you.”

“I don’t really have anything to offer,” Nola said. “I’m a very boring person.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Rayna said. “Why don’t I give you my card, and if you’re interested in participating in the auction fundraiser, you can text me and -”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Nola’s face paled, and she took a step back from Rayna as a man with silver hair and a fat belly stepped into the kitchen. He wore a navy blue shirt that had to work hard to stretch across his stomach, and a white strip of paper was tucked into his collar. He stared furiously at Rayna. “I am paying you to fix the pipes, not to encourage my daughter to model your whorish ways.”

“Daddy!” Nola gasped.

Rayna stared steadily at him. “It’s actually the church who’s paying me, not you, isn’t that right, Reverend?”

The pastor’s face turned bright red, and he huffed out a snort. “Expect me to be speaking to your supervisor about your attitude, Miss…?”

“Abrams,” Rayna said. “Rayna Abrams. That’s Rayna with a y. I’ll write my boss’s number on the invoice so you can call him.”

His nostrils flaring, the pastor gripped Nola’s arm. “See that you do, Miss Abrams.”

He stared at his daughter. “What will Abraham say when he finds out you offered yourself up like a common whore?”

Nola looked like she was about to cry. “I wasn’t going to participate in the bachelorette auction, Daddy. I swear. Please don’t mention this to Abraham.”

“Actions have consequences, and Abraham deserves to know how easily his future wife was tempted by sin. Come to my office once you’ve escorted Miss Abrams from the building, and we will pray for God’s forgiveness for your sins.”

“I took the afternoon off today. Remember?” Nola said timidly. “I’m meeting Sarah for lunch and then helping her paint the nursery. I won’t be home until dinner.”

Her father made a loud snort. “If you would rather spend your afternoon in leisure rather than hard work, that’s your choice, I suppose.”

“Painting a nursery isn’t exactly an afternoon of leisure,” Rayna said.

The pastor looked like his head might pop off the top of his neck like an overripe tomato. “Mind your business! Nola, pay Miss Abrams and make sure she leaves her boss’s number with you.”

Nola cringed as her father stormed out of the kitchen. There was a moment of awkward silence before Nola, looking like she was about three seconds from crying, said, “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Rayna said.

“I should have told you right away that I had a boyfriend,” Nola said.

“No big deal,” Rayna said. “So, you’re engaged?”

“No,” Nola said quickly. “I mean, we will be, eventually… we’re very committed to each other, but Abraham hasn’t proposed yet.”

“Okay,” Rayna said.

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