Page 81 of The Other Side

Linc raised his finger and pointed at Brett. “Don’t.”

Brett waved a hand above his head as he stalked toward the bathroom. “Meme ya later, alligator.”

He showered, shaved, and dressed in his Sunday best in record time. Grabbing his Bible, he headed back out the door. The first stop was the dining hall where he picked up breakfast. Vera had pre-packaged everything from bacon to biscuits.

Next up was Mr. Chambers. The old man could get around on his own, but Brett liked making his boss’s life easier whenever possible. With Bible in hand, Mr. Chambers stepped out onto the porch before Brett could make it out of the truck. They didn’t speak more than a quick good morning on the way to Hadley and Thea’s cabin. Hopefully, the man had some wisdom to impart later.

Mr. Chambers was light on his feet for the early Sunday hour, and they knocked at the cabin door right on time.

“Come in!” Hadley yelled from inside.

Brett opened the door but let his boss enter first. Was there time for another prayer? Hopefully, today would be a turning point for Brett and Thea. He was doing all he could to show her he was committed to her happiness, but she was still holding back.

Hadley sat at the small kitchen table with a newspaper spread out in front of her. Thea stood next to the coffee pot with a steaming cup in her hands. She looked back and forth between Hadley, Brett, and Mr. Chambers. When Hadley didn’t explain, Thea’s brow furrowed.

“Good morning. What’s up?”

Mr. Chambers nodded his head once. “Morning, Miss Howard. I hope we’re not imposing, but Brett thought you’d like to have an impromptu service this morning since you can’t necessarily go out and about around here.”

Thea’s eyes widened. “Church?”

“Yep,” Hadley said, hopping up from her seat. “Go get dressed.”

Thea kept her gaze on Brett as she put her cup down and started for her bedroom.

When the door closed behind her, Hadley whispered, “I think she’s in shock, but she’s gonna love this. She told me she’s been missing her home church.”

Brett put the bags of food on the table. “Vera sent breakfast, and she’s coming in a little bit with Stella.”

Hadley looked at her phone. “Jameson and Ava are coming too. They’re on their way.”

Stella and Vera walked in just as Thea emerged from her bedroom. Stella’s greeting was loud and true to her friendly nature, but Brett only had eyes for Thea. Wearing a white turtleneck sweater and a maroon skirt that hit the middle of her calves, she was a vision of modest beauty.

Thea tucked her elbows to her sides as she stepped out into the main room where their friends were making breakfast plates and hanging around chatting. The way her attention darted from one way to the other pricked a nerve of unease in Brett.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I just didn’t expect this.” She looked down at her feet. “Hadley picked up this outfit in town a few days ago, but I don’t have shoes.”

“I don’t think you’ll need them. We’re not going outside.”

She looked up at him with a nervous smile. “Thanks for whatever part you played in this. I was moping around about not getting to go to church.”

Brett winked and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I wouldn't want you to miss it. I’m sure Mr. Chambers has a good message for us today.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Vera sent breakfast. Get something to eat before we start.”

Thea eyed the spread of food laid out on the counter in the kitchen. “It smells amazing. I’m starving.”

Jameson and Ava walked in just as Thea made her way to the kitchen. Brett wrapped Ava in a side hug and offered his hand to Jameson. “Thanks for coming.”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Ava said as she snuggled closer to Jameson.

“You feeling okay?”

“Much better today.”

Brett gestured toward the kitchen. “Get something to eat. Vera sent all the good stuff.”

He looked toward the kitchen where Thea stood with a plate in her hand. Stella was talking a mile a minute, but Thea’s attention wasn’t on the conversation. She kept her chin tucked as she pushed a piece of bacon from one side of her plate to the other.

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