Page 40 of Threads of Kindness
“I’m taking an early lunch,” he said as she looked up from an industry journal.
“Sure,” she replied. “Take as much time as you want. We still have a few calm days until classes resume.”
Josh grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and stepped into the bright sunshine of the winter day. Sunday pulled to the curb at the bottom of the wide stone steps that led to the impressive façade of the Highpointe College administration building. He trotted down the steps and slung himself into the passenger seat.
They leaned across the center console for a quick kiss.
Josh studied her profile as she pulled away from the curb. “There’s an intensity about you this morning. We’re on a mission, aren’t we?”
Sunday flashed him a smile. “You’re right. I wanted us both to tour the college chapel.”
“I’d like to see our wedding venue too,” Josh said, “but we’ve got plenty of time for that, don’t we?”
“Actually, no. If we’re getting married there in two and a half months, I need to order the wedding invitations now.”
“Doesn’t everyone send them online these days?”
“Not for weddings,” Sunday said, her tone prickly. “At least I’m not doing online invites for our wedding. I’m getting ours from Celebrations. I have an appointment with Judy later this afternoon. Do you want to come with me and help select them?”
Josh raised both hands, palms out. “Nope,” he said. “That’s all you. I’m happy with anything you pick.”
Sunday nodded. “I know we’ve already selected the chapel as our venue, but I wanted us to see it together—before I order the invitations. We’ll get married at eleven, followed by a brunch reception.”
“I thought we agreed to that,” he said.
“We did, but I want to see what the chapel looks like at that time of day. It’s why I texted you. We’ve been in a rush to get ourwedding planned, and I want to make sure we don’t make any mistakes.”
“That’s smart,” Josh said. “I’m sure it’ll be perfect, but I’d love to see it with you before our big day.” He lifted her right hand from the steering wheel and planted a kiss on it.
She smiled again and turned into the chapel parking lot.
The red brick Gothic Revival structure nestled among the bare limbs of winter trees like an egg in a nest. The crenellated parapet along the roofline stood in sharp relief against the deep blue of the cloudless sky. A prominent rose window, reminiscent of the one at Notre Dame, dominated the façade.
“The altar is in front of that window,” Sunday said as they approached the entrance, “and the morning sunshine coming through it should be spectacular.”
“I’ve walked by this building dozens of times and always admired it. I don’t know why I never went inside.” He took her hand in his. “I’m glad I’m seeing it for the first time with you.”
Josh opened the right half of the arched wooden door for Sunday, wincing as the frozen iron hardware stung his bare hand.
They were alone in the chapel. Morning sun streamed through the stained-glass window, casting rivers of crimson, ochre, and sapphire across the polished wooden pews and pooling in glowing color on the slate floor.
Josh and Sunday joined hands. The air held the faint scent of beeswax and the lingering aroma of evergreens from the Christmas holiday. Hand in hand, they moved slowly, reverently, down the center aisle toward the altar. They stood in silence, soaking in the quiet grandeur of the space.
Sunday turned toward him, her eyes bright as if lit from within. “What do you think?” she whispered in the solemn stillness.
Josh swept his gaze across the face of the woman he loved. “Breathtaking,” he said.
She smiled up at him. “Isn’t it?”
“I was referring to you,” he said, “but, yes, the venue is perfect.” He bent to kiss her.
Sunday took a step back. “Nope,” she said, grinning. “The first time you kiss me in this space will be when we’re married.”
CHAPTER 21
Anita ran from the lunchroom to her desk and snatched up her phone just before the call went to voicemail.
“This is Anita,” she said, huffing and puffing.
