Page 25 of Look for Me

She had willfully left Savannah four years ago. Left her old life behind. Gone into the seedy side of Las Vegas. Met a gambler who took a chance on her. Broke up with the man of violence to protect her daughter. Wandered around the country.

And ended up here.

Corinne knew she couldn’t hide forever.

But there was no way she was going back to Martin. Her life had become too complicated. There was too much to unravel.

Martin wouldn’t want her now.

She’d have to find a way to tell him that he had to let her go. She had moved on, but it seemed that he hadn’t.

Chapter Twelve

Leaning against a tree and listening to the congregation sing, their voices lifted into the open air, was something unexpected for Martin.

So this is what an outdoor church looks like.

“We usually meet next door,” the man who called himself Pete said when everyone sat down after they finished singing. He pointed with his arthritic fingers.

Martin couldn’t see anything beyond the trees.

The man who called himself Pete—

Actually, he said that his name was Old Man Pete.

Martin almost asked him how old he was, because he didn’t look too much older than Dad, who was in his seventies now.

Martin stared at the wrinkles on his face, tanned from the sun. His arms seemed dry.

“I know you’re wanting to know how old I am,” Pete said. “After about three heart attacks, I’m finally living my age. I’ll be seventy five next month.”

“But that’s not why they call you Old Man Pete.”

“No, I got that because I dispense free wisdom to anyone who cares to ask.”

“Ah.”

“I know much of what I usually say is common sense, but this church knows that a widower needs to feel useful.”

“It’s a ministry then,” Martin said.

“Exactly.”

The pastor made some announcements. A baby shower here, a hospice visit there.

Then Martin watched as five ladies went to the front. Corinne stood to one side. She never looked his way.

He dared not look at her either. He began to doubt himself, doubt his decision to come to Key Largo to get a glimpse of the woman he had lost.

She must be strong if she could stand there and sing while he was in the same space as she was.

Then again, her focus had to be on God and not on him.

* * *

This is my Father's world.

O let me ne’er forget

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