Natalie grew more incensed by the minute.
Faith Fontaine would be so disappointed in her. The deceased woman’s beach house exuded an indescribable, tangible sense of peace and love. It always had. On the two occasions Natalie had visited Faith with Rex, she assumed the woman’s personality responsible. But she knew better now. Renting her house as a vacation place, she believed Faith’s character actually lived on. In the air. In the walls. Wherever, however. That could produce the heebie-jeebies in some people. The exact opposite occurred every single time she visited, though. Peace permeated. Peace and love, goodness and mercy—
Until now.
As far as Natalie could tell, Kenzie and Pepper and the Martha Mavens were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Her niece had thanked her already no less than three times for organizing the shower. Susan absolutely beamed, more attractive than ever in her new clothes and haircut. Even Tess had loosened up and left her role as director of women’s ministries behind at the office.
Natalie poured water into the coffeemaker and punched the “on” button and tried not to think about what she’d rather be punching. Or rather, whom.
“Natalie.”
She jumped at Mildred’s voice right behind her and turned.
“Are you all right, dearie? You seem a bit nettled.”
No use pretending with the Prayer Warrior. “Try mad as a wet hen.”
“Ah. Anything I can do for you?” She smiled. “Besides pray, I mean.”
“Thank you, Mildred. I don’t know what it would be. Besides pray.” Natalie clenched her teeth. They could leave it at that, like an unspoken prayer request. Mildred wasn’t asking for details. She never needed to know them. But that seemed like a coward’s way out.
She touched the old woman’s arm. “Can we talk?”
“Certainly.”
“Let’s go back here.” Natalie led her off the kitchen, past the side door and a bathroom, into a closet-size bedroom at the rear of the house. It was a favorite hideaway of hers. She would read in it, undisturbed while Rex and the boys did other things.
The room contained a daybed against the far wall, one window, an armoire, and a hardback chair. Those few things totally filled the space.
Natalie pulled the trundle out and smoothed the coverlet. Mildred’s short legs would never get her up atop the daybed. “Have a seat.”
They sat beside each other.
“Mildred, I have to tell someone.”
“Before you pop a gut?”
Natalie burst into laughter. How did such words drip from that honey-sweet smile? “Yes, before I do that.” She paused. “I want to murder my brother-in-law.”
“That would be Pastor Drake.”
“Uh, yeah. Here we are, loving on Kenzie, trying to take care of her needs, show her support. But it’s like putting salve on an open, gaping, bleeding wound. It won’t solve anything. She’ll leave here tonight with that great big hole still there. Her dad won’t speak with her or acknowledge to his congregation that she’s alive, let alone expecting his grandchild. Totally asinine.”
“Well, dearie, you’re sticking your neck out pretty far.”
Natalie sat back and blinked. No. Not Mildred. The Prayer Warrior would not say there was no place for a father’s unconditional forgiveness in this situation.
Mildred took Natalie’s hand between her own and zeroed in on her face. “But I feel exactly the same way.”
“Huh?”
“The question is, what are we going to do?”
“Uh, you mean besides pray.”
“Yes, besides pray. We must have the right response in our anger. I don’t think we should simply pretend it’s not there.”
“Mildred, I was thinking a gun.”
“Well, now, that is a little drastic. I have something else in mind.”
“Please don’t say let’s kill him with kindness.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t know if he would notice that.”
“Mmm.”
“I’m thinking a boycott.”
“Boycott?”
Mildred nodded. “Boycott. Now, let’s pray. We really need Tess on our side, and you know how devoted she is to her human boss.” She shut her eyes, squeezed Natalie’s hand, and raised her other hand toward heaven. “Father.”
As if a plug had been pulled from a tub filled with water, Natalie’s anger drained from her.
Maybe Faith Fontaine hadn’t abandoned her after all.