Before she could ask, Sherry spun back to her. “Did I tell you that Danielle and Ruth have told everybody that they’re dating?”

Why the sudden change of topic? “Really? Wow, that’s great.” Madison was happy for Danielle, but at the same time, all she could think of was how it might feel to date the woman you were in love with, how it might feel to really be in a relationship…with Sherry.

Strangely, instead of thinking about them in an intimate setting, her mind provided images of her and Sherry working side by side at the Archer, laughing and flirting.

No! Working at the Archer was her past, and Sherry was fulfilling a contract with her, nothing else. She just had to get that into her head, and all would be fine. Okay, she and Sherry got along great, and maybe they were even becoming friends. But there couldn’t and wouldn’t be more. Ever. “Wanna see what I do all day?”

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Sherry sat down on the pew and glanced at Mrs. Fielding sitting beside Madison. To spend Christmas Eve with this woman reminded her of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Jake took a seat between Sherry and Madison. With wide eyes, he took it all in. “What happens now?”

Sherry lowered her gaze in shame for not going with him to at least one service before.

“We sit around, listen to what the pastor has to say, sing a little bit out of here” —Madison held up the book in question—“and go home again.”

“Madison!”

“What? I’m sorry, Grandmother, but it’s the truth.”

Sherry bit her lip, trying not to laugh, and turned to Mrs. Fielding. “Jake hasn’t had the opportunity to visit a church yet.”

“Mom, that’s not true. Rita Mae took me to a church.”

“Really? When was that?” Why hadn’t Rita Mae told her?

“Last summer. She said we had to pray so that we would have more money.”

“Well.” Mrs. Fielding leaned back. “That wish certainly came true, didn’t it?”

Jake nodded. “Yeah, but when Rita Mae and I went, the people in the church looked happier. And they were standing and singing great songs about Jesus.”

“Baby, I’m afraid tonight’s sermon will be different.”

“Because we’re not Baptists, young man.”

Jake furrowed his brow. “Then what are we?”

“Methodists,” Mrs. Fielding said.

“You can become whatever you want,” Sherry said. “And of course you can also become a Baptist if you like that more.”

“Good heavens, what kind of nonsense are you teaching your son? He’s a child. He can’t decide anything for himself.”

Jake looked back and forth between Mrs. Fielding and Sherry while rubbing his neck.

The gesture reminded her of Madison, who sometimes did it when unsure about how to react. Sherry couldn’t help but smile.

Mrs. Fielding crossed her arms. “Do you even know what we celebrate today, young man?”