She could let Alan rule every second of her world the way he wanted to, or she could push her worry deep down and try to get on with her life.

For now, she chose the latter.

Chapter 23

Harmony

Harmony leaned forward to whisper into Nolan’s ear—actually, given their height difference, it was more like his shoulder. “Not a word of this to Virginia. I’d hate for her to worry.”

“But—“

She jabbed her finger into his chest hard, which cut that argument off at the quick, then shook the same finger in front of his face and warned, “Not. A. Word.”

“Have it your way,” he said, kicking off his shoes in a defeated gesture, then lining them up neatly side-by-side in the coat closet. “But seeing as I already know and I’m already worried, I hope you can tell me more later.”

“Fine,” she agreed. “But later.”

“Virginia,” Harmony called as they headed toward the kitchen with both dogs trailing behind. “We have visitors!”

They found her standing in front of a fry pan tending to a simmering batch of greens that had been smothered to within an inch of their life with butter.

“Smells great,” Nolan said, taking a long, appreciative sniff of the air that hung heavy in the kitchen. “Thanks for having me and Pancake. That is, if you’ll have us. I didn’t exactly hear Harmony ask.”

Harmony’s jaw fell open. Now he was lecturing her on proper decorum? Of all the teachers in the world, he hardly seemed the most qualified in this particular subject.

Mrs. Clementine, however, was in her element. “Of course!” the old woman crooned. “The more, the merrier. I always make too much and end up bringing the leftovers to Pastor Elliott the day after. I’m afraid it’s starting to show on his waistline. You, however, look like you have plenty of room to expand on that tall frame of yours.”

Harmony laughed as she pictured Nolan with a spare tire to match the pastor’s, and it softened her feelings toward him once again. Still, she hoped the lack of leftovers wouldn’t disappoint Pastor Adam too much, especially after the conversation they’d had earlier that evening.

“What are we having tonight?” she asked. “And how can I help?”

Virginia shook the pan then settled it back on the burner. “Just a chicken and rice casserole. I realized afterward that I forgot to include even an ounce of vegetables, so I busted out the turnip greens to right that situation. Harmony, would you please go ahead and pour the tea?”

Ten minutes later, they were settled around the table with the delicious spread before them.

“I must confess,” Ginny said as she glanced from her plate to Nolan. “I’m a bit nervous for a professional like yourself to be tasting my food. If I’d known in advance that you’d be gracing us with your company I’d have whipped out The Joy of Cooking. Maybe tried one of those fancy French recipes.”