Marry Me

by Kristin Wallace

  His mouth twisted in a wry grin. “So, you’ve got a perfectly full life?”

  “Yes.”

  For a moment their gazes locked, then those violins she’d first heard at the softball game started up again. So annoying. How was she supposed to fight with someone when her brain kept running an endless love story soundtrack?

  Apparently, Amy had heard enough because she stepped fully into Seth’s vision. “Seth, I wanted to talk to you about ordering the curriculum for next year’s Sunday school.”

  Seth blinked in bemusement. “Sunday school?”

  Amy’s head bobbed up and down. “Yes. I know it’s early, but it takes so long to decide and then wait for the order.” She turned to Julia. “I’m the Christian Education Director at Seth’s church.”

  Julia decided to escape before she had to endure any further interrogation. She needed to get her brain functioning again anyway. “No problem. You two go on and discuss your curriculum. I’m dying to sample some of this food.”

  Amy didn’t need any more prompting. She hooked an arm through Seth’s elbow and led him away before he could protest. Julia resisted the urge to watch them. Let Amy have him. Julia had no idea what a Christian Education Director did, but she knew about Sunday school, and if Amy was in charge, she would make a much better minister’s wife.

  Not that Julia was considering becoming a minister’s wife. Or that he was considering making her one. If only they could stop having these Hallmark moments. So unnerving. And they were going to stop.

  Right now.

  ****

  What had just happened? Seth fought the urge to watch Julia as she walked away. Amy continued to babble something about workbooks and the theological implications of one choice over another. He tried to concentrate, but his mind wouldn’t let him. How had their conversation gotten so deep so fast? One minute he’d been teasing her about being nice, the next they were engaged in a philosophical debate. What’s more, Julia was clearly as perplexed by their odd connection as he was. He’d seen it in the depths of her blue eyes, along with annoyance. She didn’t like it when he challenged her beliefs.

  Well, too bad. After the night he’d spent tossing and turning she deserved to be uncomfortable. For the wedding dress comment alone, she deserved retribution. Dreams of scissors and threads coming undone had undone him. He’d woken up in a state he hadn’t experienced since Beth became too sick to do more than cuddle in the bed. So, now not only was he alive, he was kicking.

  And it was all Julia’s fault.

  “Seth, did you hear what I just said?” Amy asked.

  He blinked away the image of revealed skin. “Of course, Amy.”

  “So what do you think?”

  Huh? “I think you’ll make the right decision.”

  She smiled, so he must have said something right. Meanwhile, he was losing his mind.

  And it was all Julia’s fault.

  Chapter Five

  The day after Sarah was released from the hospital, Julia showed up at the apartment bearing gifts. She knocked and heard Sarah call out.

  “Come in!”

  She twisted the handle, and the door swung open. “I know this is a small town, but is an unlocked door a good idea?” Julia asked, as soon as she spotted Sarah on the couch.

  “I asked Eric to leave it unlocked because our neighbor is supposed to come by to check on me every hour or so.”

  Julia sat on the end of the couch. Dropping her gift on the floor, she took Sarah’s hand. “How are you?”

  Sarah squeezed back. “I feel fine. Mary is kicking up a storm and not letting me sleep.”

  “Well, you certainly look better. The color is back in your cheeks. Where is your husband, by the way? Isn’t he supposed to be making sure you don’t get up? What about when you want to fix lunch? Or need to go to the bathroom?”

  “My neighbor is coming over. Between my husband, my mother, Seth, my mother-in-law, and nearly everyone in this building, someone should be here twenty-four-seven to make sure I don’t move from this spot without supervision.”

  Julia nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”

  Sarah smiled. “So, I hear you came through in the Ashley wedding. Betsy called and told me everything. I can’t believe you sewed Maureen into her dress.”

  “I think Maureen’s mother about had a heart attack when I suggested cutting the dress,” Julia said, with a grimace.

  “Be glad her mother was one of the reasonable sorts. You wouldn’t believe how crazy some of them get when it comes to weddings. Speaking of Maureen’s mother, she called and told me to relay a message to you.”

  “What?”

  “Maureen says you were right about her husband cutting off the dress. Then she thanked you for suggesting it.”

  Julia laughed.

  Sarah gave her a quizzical look. “I guess you know what she’s talking about?”

  “I think you had to be there,” Julia said, still chuckling.

  “All right, changing the subject. How is everything going at the house? Eric told me your first meeting with Seth was pretty tense.”

  Julia glanced away. “I think he takes his role as surrogate big brother very seriously, and I’m not sure he trusts me. We’re managing not to kill each other, though.”

  “I was hoping you’d get along better.”

  “I don’t think we’ll ever be best friends. We have nothing in common.”

  “I wanted things to be different, so we could all be a family of sorts. Only a better one this time because—”

  “My father isn’t around to muck it up?”

  Sarah gave her a stern look. “You should work at getting past your anger at him. Your dad wasn’t perfect, but then none of us are. He did have good qualities.”

  “Sure, he was charming when it suited him or got him what he wanted.”

  She rapped Julia’s hand like a prim schoolteacher. “He was also kind to me. He knew how much I wanted a daddy, and he obliged. He never brushed me off when I wanted attention or treated me like I was an annoying kid. Was he different with you?”

  Kind? Yes, her father had been kind. He’d also been charming, funny, and sweet. He’d had a way of looking at you like you were the only person on the planet. When she’d been a little girl Julia had adored him.

  She supposed it wasn’t uncommon for girls to adore their fathers, but she’d had a serious case of hero worship. She’d always sensed a distance with her mother. Even as early as the toddler years Julia had understood that her mother didn’t like to be mussed. “Mussed” as in hugged, which led to wrinkles in skirts, stains on blouses, or a hair out of place. Thomas Richardson had always been a hugger, a toucher, and a look-into-my-eyes-and-tell-me-your-deepest-desires kind of guy.

  Julia still had vivid memories of Sunday mornings. She used to wake up early and pad into his study to sit on his lap while he read the paper. Most of the time they didn’t speak, but sometimes he’d comment on an article he was reading. Julia hadn’t understood what he was talking about, but it hadn’t mattered. She was with him.

  He’d been her prince. Her hero. Her friend.

  Then he went away. Left her with the pretty woman who smiled vaguely and patted her head on occasion as she wafted out the door on a cloud of expensive perfume en route to her next date. There hadn’t been any more Sunday mornings.

  Julia swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “No, he was affectionate, but he always sent me away when it suited him, too. He simply never cared enough to stick.”

  Sarah reached over and turned Julia’s head back. “Like I said, not perfect, but not a monster either. For your own sake, you need to come to terms with him.”

  The statement pulled Julia back from the abyss of her own maudlin memories. Thank goodness. She stared in amazement. “Good grief, when did you morph into your mother?”

  Sarah rolled her eyes. “I’ve caught myself spouting my mother’s words lately, and it’s unsettling. I think some ”wise momma” gene must get mixed
in with all those pregnancy hormones.”

  “Do they tell you that in those pregnancy books? Because I think women should be forewarned they’re about to turn into their mothers.”

  Sarah laughed outright. “I guess I don’t mind becoming more like my mother. She’s a pretty good example to follow.”

  “True.” Julia stood up. “Well, I have an appointment with a client and a singer.”

  “Oh, with Meredith?”

  “I’m supposed to help the couple pick out music, though what I can contribute I can’t imagine.”

  “You’ll do fine. Let Meredith handle everything. She’s a dream to work with. Wait till you hear her sing. She’s incredible. She was on her way to a big time music career, but she gave it up.”

  “Why?”

  “I probably shouldn’t tell her secrets, but if she’s comfortable enough, maybe she’ll tell you herself. It’s a fascinating story. I think you’d relate to her.”

  “If I get around to it, I’ll ask. Before I go, I have something for you,” Julia said, reaching for her gift. “Call it a welcome to the twenty-first century.”

  Sarah’s face lit up. “A present?”

  Julia put the box in Sarah’s lap. Her mouth formed an “oh” as she realized what was inside. “You got me a tablet?”

  “Yes, a good one which includes the ability to do video calls so I can see you face to face when disaster is about to strike. I called and someone should be here to set up your wireless connection tomorrow.”

  “Julia, this is too much,” Sarah said, even as she took out her new toy.

  “There is no such thing as too much. After the last wedding, I knew you needed to be with me all the time, even if it wasn’t physically. Plus, you can use it to order movies and books to ward off the boredom.”

  Sarah beamed. “Or I could use it to order a pizza without getting up off the couch.”

  Trust a pregnant woman to think of food. “I’m sure there’s an app for pizza ordering, too.”

  “I feel so modern.”

  She leaned down and kissed the top of Sarah’s head. “I really do have to go now.”

  “Hey, don’t be a stranger!” Sarah called out as Julia started to leave. “I’ve only been home one day, and already I know I’m gonna go crazy cooped up here all by myself.”

  “Don’t worry. I plan to pester you as often as possible. Now, take care of my little Mary. Gotta protect the woman who’s destined to save my life someday.”

  “I will.”

  Julia’s appointment was at Seth’s church, where the singing phenomenon was also the Music Director. She’d spent too much time at Sarah’s and was already running late. Betsy had helpfully written down directions on how to find the choir room, otherwise Julia would have ended up having to leave bread crumbs to find her way back out. At the foyer, she hung a left and circled around behind the sanctuary, then hurried down a flight of stairs. Someone was playing a piano as she rounded the corner. Then the singing stopped her cold.

  The voice was smoky and rich. Part siren, part angel. Julia had never heard anyone express so much emotion through music. It was almost enough to make her believe in true love and happy endings after all.

  “Wow, that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard,” a young woman said, in a sad, wistful voice. “My dad used to hum that song to my mom.”

  “Then it looks like we found the song for your first dance,” the owner of smoky voice replied.

  Julia slipped through the doorway. The choir room was more like a cave, with white walls and no windows. Padded chairs were arranged in rows on three elevated steps. The woman with the amazing voice was seated at the piano.

  The couple consisted of yet another tiny blonde and a strapping, brown-haired young man. They looked up as Julia entered, which caused the piano player to turn around.

  “Hi, I’m Julia. I’m sure Sarah already called to let you know I’m going to be handling things until her baby is born.”

  The owner of the spectacular voice stood up. Julia was thrilled to see the other woman was tall and willowy, with auburn hair and green eyes. Finally, she’d found someone who’d gotten left out of the blond, pixie gene pool.

  “Yes, Sarah did call. I’m Meredith Vining, and I’m doing the music for the wedding,” she said. “This is Stacey and Carl, our bride and groom.”

  Julia shook hands with both of them. “I see you’ve already gotten started.”

  “I met with them two weeks ago, and we chose music for the ceremony,” Meredith said. “Now, we’re picking special numbers for the reception. We just found the song for their first dance. Stacey’s father passed away a year ago, so it will be a tribute to him.

  “I’m so sorry about your father,” Julia said. “It must be difficult for you.”

  Stacey’s smile was sweet, but a little forlorn. “It is sad, but he’s in a much better place now. He was ill for a long time. Now, he’s at peace in the presence of the Lord.”

  Julia blinked. She’d never heard death described in such a way.

  Meredith put an arm around Stacey’s shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll be here in spirit, though. He would never miss his little girl’s big day. Julia, why don’t you have a seat, and we’ll get these two settled?”

  Meredith was so good Julia didn’t have to do anything except nod her approval occasionally. The more she listened, the more impressed she became. Meredith was amazing. Everything she sang, whether a ballad or a dance tune, was flawless. Julia could picture her on any radio station in the country or on stage entertaining thousands. She wondered what had caused Meredith to give up her career and come back to conduct a church choir in a sleepy little nowhere town.

  Once all the selections were made, Stacey and Carl thanked Meredith and left.

  “You’re amazing,” Julia said, once they’d gone.

  “You’re very kind.”

  “I’m not being kind. What in the world are you doing stuck here in Covington Falls?” Julia asked, then winced at how rude she’d sounded. “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t have been so blunt.”

  “It’s all right,” Meredith said, with a dismissive wave. “I’m used to it. I know it’s difficult for most people to understand.”

  “Impossible. Why would you walk away from your career? You were obviously born for it.”

  “I was born to do exactly what I’m doing now,” Meredith said, with a decisive shake of her head. “I know to the outside world it seems crazy.”

  Yeah, it did seem crazy. “But why?”

  Meredith looked at her watch. “I’d tell you about it, but right now I’ve got music lessons, and I have to prepare for choir practice. Why don’t I call you, and we can meet for dinner sometime?”

  “All right.”

  “Great,” Meredith said. “It was nice to meet you.”

  “You, too.”

  Julia made her way back upstairs. She needed to get back to Marry Me to do… something… she was sure. She was passing through an empty hallway when she heard voices coming from one of the offices.

  “Seth, I’m only letting you know what some of the members are saying about Miss Vining.”

  The door was partially open, and Julia peeked in. Seth was seated at a large oak desk. His hands were folded on top of it, and she could tell he was trying to control his temper. She recognized his steely gaze. It was the same one he’d directed her way at the softball game. An older, white-haired man was seated across from him. Julia knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but couldn’t help herself.

  “I’m well aware of the attitude of some members,” Seth said. “Don’t think I haven’t heard the same things myself from the bolder ones. I know not everyone approves of Meredith.”

  “With her past, can you blame them?”

  His eyes turned frosty. “Actually, I can, Paul. We’re the Church. We’re supposed to rejoice when one of God’s children finds their way back to the Lord. Meredith has changed her life, which is something to celebrate, not condemn.”

/>   The man held up his hands in surrender. “Seth, I’m not the enemy here. I understand your support of her, and I even applaud it. I’m only warning you to be careful. There are some here who will use any excuse to make trouble for you.”

  “I know. Thank you for your concern.”

  They stood up and shook hands.

  ****

  Seth waited for Paul to walk away before venting his frustration. He felt like cursing. Instead he let out a sigh mixed with a groan.

  “It sounds like you’ve got a mutiny on your hands.”

  His head shot up. Familiar flashing blue eyes regarded him with curiosity. “Julia?”

  “You know how to make enemies, I see,” she said.

  A small chuckle escaped. “In the Church, there are always enemies to be made.”

  “I thought it would be all sweetness and light over here.”

  If she only knew.

  She wandered further in the room and started poking around the office. He wondered what she thought. He’d wanted his office to feel comfortable. The room consisted of dark wood wainscoting, with honey-colored walls, a sage-green carpet, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, an antique brass desk lamp, and two cushy sage-green armchairs. A big picture window looked out on to a pretty interior courtyard. He loved to write his sermons here.

  “I thought everyone would be wandering around with angelic smiles on their faces all day long,” she said.

  She’d made her way over to the bookshelves and was scanning the titles, an eclectic collection containing everything from Billy Graham to Charles Shultz to Shakespeare.

  “Like a bunch of simpletons, I gather,” he drawled. “What are you doing?”

  “Being nosy,” she replied, with a cheeky grin. “So, tell me about these enemies?”

  “Well, in my opinion the real enemy isn’t a person.”

  “Who is it?”

  “As someone more famous than me would say… Satan?”

  Julia laughed at his spot on impersonation. “Satan is the reason you’ve got a bunch of judgmental biddies snapping at your heels trying to get rid of your Music Director?”