“We’ll remember that.” Lily could understand someone Granny Hayes’s age not having a cell phone, but she didn’t know a single soul this day and age that didn’t at least still have a landline. How did a person live without a connection of any kind to the outside world?

Very simply. Vera was back in her head.

Lily thought about how much simpler her life had been since she’d taken away all her kids’ devices, and nodded in agreement with her mother’s voice.

“I’ll go get the truck and drive it up close to the door,” Mack offered.

“I’m going with you,” Braden said, and followed right behind him.

Lily extended a hand to the elderly woman. Granny Hayes put her veined and bony hand in hers and said, “Thank you. Old bones like mine don’t like the cold weather or the wet, neither one, and when it’s both, they really do fuss.”

“You’re very welcome,” Lily said. In spite of the layers of clothing, Granny Hayes felt so light that pulling her to her feet was like picking up a bag of marshmallows.

“It’s a real chore on Sunday to ride into town for church,” Granny Hayes said as she moved toward the door. “But the Good Book says that I should give my best to the Master, so I try to do just that.”

“We’d be glad to come get you on Sunday mornings and take you home.” Lily followed behind her.

“I appreciate that offer. Sally has said the same thing, but the truth is, Dusty kind of likes to come hear the singin’,” she told them, “and the ride quiets my soul and gets me ready to listen to what Preacher Drew has to say to us.”

“Well, anytime you change your mind, we’ll be glad to come and get you,” Lily said.

Granny Hayes nodded and pulled her scarf up around her ears. When they were outside, Lily rushed around her and intended to open the truck door for her, but Mack beat her to it. Rain was dripping off the brim of his hat, but he had a smile on his face when he motioned for Granny Hayes to get into his truck. With the agility of a teenager, she hopped into the back seat and slid over to the middle. Lily got in right beside her. Holly ran around the truck and was already seated on the other side of Granny Hayes, buckled in, and had the door closed before Mack got behind the wheel.

“Don’t you wish you had got some rubber boots like mine?” Braden asked from the front seat.

“What good are they doing you?” Holly shot back. “They’re at home in the foyer, not on your feet.”