Page 8 of More Than Anything

“Good. Hoping to farm it?”

Avery nodded. “Yes, sir, I am.”

“Good for you! I’m an educator, but my brother still farms our family property. His name’s Winston. Give him a shout if you need some advice.”

Finally! Someone was showing him some courtesy, someone other than the boozers down at the bar. “Thank you so much, sir. I’ll do that.”

“Well, come on in. I’ll introduce you around.” Walter swept his hand toward the steep steps up to the front doors of the church, and Avery proceeded in with Walter on his heels.

“Well, what do we have here?” a little lady with bluish hair crowed out as she made her way toward them. “Hello there, young man! It’s so nice to have you! Are you friends with Walter here?” she asked, beaming.

“Ms.Arlene, this is AveryHolcomb. Avery, this is ArleneBrandstetter. She’s one of the fixtures here in town,” Walter said with a laugh as Avery took the hand Arlene extended.

“Why, WalterCox!” she said and snorted. “Saying I’m a fixture here! Makes me sound like a toilet or a sink,” she said and giggled.

“You sure donotlook like a toilet or a sink,” Avery said and winked.

“Well, aren’t you the charmer! We’ve got to get him into the membership, Walter. We need a few live ones around here,” Arlene said and slapped Avery on the shoulder.

“Give the boy a break, Arlene! He just walked in the door. We may not be his cup of tea,” Walter warned.

“Do Methodists drink beer?” Avery whispered to Walter, genuinely not knowing.

“They sure do,” Walter whispered back.

“Well, good then! Forget the tea and bring on the BudLight. I’m all in!”

“Danette, get over here and meet this young man!” Arlene called out into the sanctuary.

A woman about Avery’s age but plain as unsalted butter stepped shyly toward them. “H-h-h-hello. I’m DanetteMoyers. Pleasure to meet you.” She held out a hand as though she were afraid Avery would bite, and he took it and gave it a gentle shake.

“AveryHolcomb. Nice to meet you,” Avery responded. He saw the writing on the wall, and it was starting to look a lot like a death sentence to him. From her mousy hair to her dress designed for a woman twice her age, Danette wasnotwhere he wanted to go.Uh-oh, his brain screamed.Run the other direction as fast as you can and don’t stop until you’re in Minnesota!He smiled at Danette and she just stood there, staring.Wow, this is awkward, he thought. “Is there some specific place I’m supposed to sit?” he asked in Walter’s direction, trying to break whatever spell he’d obviously, and inadvertently, placed on Danette.

“Nope. But you’re welcome to sit with me,” Walter answered. To Avery’s delight, Walter placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Excuse us, ladies.”

They found a seat and Avery leaned in toward Walter. “Thanks for getting me out of that,” he whispered to the older man.

“You’re welcome. I was afraid she was going to sprinkle salt on you and take a big ol’ bite if I didn’t get you out of there!” Walter whispered back.

Avery chuckled. “It was looking like a scary possibility there for a second or two.”

“And to answer the question, Danette’s a nice woman. She’s just a little, uh, backward, for lack of a better term,” Walter explained.

“Old maid?” Avery asked. Something about what Walter had said gave him pause, and it made him wonder if there was more to the story of Danette.

“We like to think of them as unclaimed blessings,” Walter threw out.

Avery nodded and rolled his eyes. “I see.” That drew a chuckle out of Walter. “I’m really not looking for attachments right now, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, I can understand that. Say, what brought you to town, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“My truck.” Walter shot Avery a look. “I’m not trying to be a smart aleck,” Avery said, remembering where he was. “It’s the truth. I just started driving and wound up here.”

Walter smiled. “A free spirit, huh?”

Avery shook his head. “More like a tortured soul.”

“Whatcha planning to do for a living?”

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