Chapter Twenty

On Sunday morning, Kate didn’t want to get up. Normally she would have been percolating by at least six, wide awake and excited for a new day. This morning, after such a disappointing Saturday, she felt worn down.

Paul kissed her and smoothed her hair. “Tired?”

“Hmm.” She sighed. “More disappointed than tired. I’m almost afraid to think what might happen next.”

“I understand. People can be disappointing, but if you truly believe God is in control, you can deal with the setbacks.”

Kate sighed again. “I guess what hurts the most is that some of our own parishioners are against helping the homeless.”

“I know, but we can’t let a few naysayers destroy our passion. If God is telling you to move forward, then he’ll make a way.”

Kate hugged him. “Thanks for the reminder.”

Paul kissed her forehead and tossed aside the covers. “Much as I’d love to lie here and commiserate with you, I need to get ready for church.”

Kate watched him head for the bathroom, and when she heard the shower going, she climbed out of bed and wrapped herself in her favorite snuggly bathrobe. Maybe some coffee would perk her up and lift her spirits.

Kate headed for the kitchen. She ground the coffee beans and filled the dispenser with water. While the water dripped through the freshly ground beans, sending out a delectable smell, Kate mixed up pancake batter with a blue tint. Blue pancakes were a favorite with her grandchildren. She set the batter in the fridge for later.

Coffee done, Kate poured a mug and snuggled down in her favorite rocking chair to read her Bible and the morning’s devotional. The Scripture was one she’d read many times: Matthew 25:35–40.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

The meditation for the day reminded Kate that the Lord is compassionate and stresses time and again that his followers should have compassion as well.

Kate set her books aside and drained her mug, more convinced than ever that she should forge ahead with her plans to help the people camped out at Ash Grove.

Paul came out of the bedroom dressed in his preaching clothes, a dark gray suit with a white dress shirt and tie. Pouring himself a travel mug full of coffee, he smiled at Kate. Glancing at the still sleeping boys, he kept his voice low. “You look like you’re feeling better.”

“I am. The Word confirmed to me that we should continue the Faith Freezer Program to feed the homeless, even if the entire town disapproves.” She shared her Scripture readings with him.

He crossed the living room and kissed her. “Good for you, Katie. You know I’m behind you 100 percent. So are Danny and Livvy.”

Kate nodded. “Lars and Marie too, and I’m sure there are others.” Pushing herself out of the chair, she said, “I’d better get some breakfast going.”

After a brief hug, he gathered up his briefcase and coffee mug and headed for his pickup. He liked getting to church early on Sunday mornings, and today was no exception.

Aleeda came out seconds later to wake the boys. “Àndale mis hijos.” When they were up, Aleeda came into the kitchen to help get breakfast on the table.

Scott and Nate loved the pancakes, smoked turkey sausages, and scrambled eggs.

After breakfast, Kate showered and dressed while Aleeda washed the dishes and got the boys ready for Sunday school.

Once at church, Kate settled into her routine pastor’s-wife role, practicing the anthem of the day with the choir and greeting people before the service as they came in. Lars brought Marie and her little girl, Sophie.

“How are you this morning?” Kate asked.

“Wonderful.” Marie glowed, and judging from the smile on Lars’ face, Kate suspected that their relationship might be getting serious. Bringing them to church was a big step. Though she didn’t comment, Kate wondered if she and Paul would be doing some premarital counseling before long.

Or not. An earlier thought nuzzled its way into her mind. Kate frowned at the thought. Hadn’t Marie said something about a husband? Yes, out at the campground when they first met. Among the questions she’d asked was, “Can you bring back my husband?”

Did that mean he was dead, or away from home looking for work? Maybe she was divorced...or married to Troy?

Maybe you should mind your own business, Kate Hanlon. Besides, it’s not as if you don’t have enough to think about.

One of those “thoughts” involved Joe Brainerd, the man from the previous night’s town hall meeting. Kate was having second thoughts about visiting him today. Seeing him again was about as appealing as walking into a hornet’s nest. Still, she felt she should try to make peace.

Kate caught up with Livvy after church and told her about her plan to visit the Brainerds. “As much as I’d like to avoid the man, I’m thinking maybe I could talk to him and meet his wife. Do you think she feels the same way about helping the homeless?”

Livvy shrugged. “I don’t know, Kate. I’d be surprised if she did.”

“Would you like to come with me?”

“Um”—Livvy waved at her husband—“I’ll ask Danny if he minds.”

“Good idea. I should check with Paul too.”

AFTER LUNCH KATE PLACED a gift basket of nicely wrapped cookies and banana bread in the backseat of the Honda and drove down Smoky Mountain Road, turned right on Ashland, past St. Lucy’s, and on to Livvy’s house on the corner of Ashland and Sweetwater.

Livvy had promised to print out a map, since the Brainerds lived on a farm between Pine Ridge and Copper Mill. She climbed into the car, map in hand.

From Sweetwater Street, they made a left onto Pine Ridge Road, and after two miles, Livvy directed her to take a hard left onto Moss Creek Road. The gravel road had a lot of ruts, and Kate worried about her Honda being damaged. Trees and shrubs on either side of the road were bathed in dust. Kate could see a bath for the Honda before the end of the day.

“How much farther?” Kate asked.

“I think I see a mailbox up ahead.”

Kate slowed and realized she was following a barbed-wire fence. “Do they raise animals? I’m not seeing any pasture.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t been out here before. I always meet Cat in town.”

The oversized mailbox had been painted with a cascade of morning glories and bore the name Brainerd. At a Y in the road, Kate turned right into a narrow driveway that opened into several acres of pastureland, where cows, llamas, horses, and sheep grazed together.

A full-sized pickup that needed washing sat in the driveway. The older two-story house looked welcoming. The peaceful scene certainly didn’t fit the man she’d seen the night before. A couple of hounds rose from their lazing spots on the porch and barked halfheartedly.

The women stepped out of the car. Kate reached in the backseat for the basket. The dogs wagged their tails from the top of the steps.

The door to the house opened, and there the peacefulness ended. Joe Brainerd stepped out onto the porch with a rifle in his hands.

His hard gaze shifted to Kate and then to Livvy, then back to Kate again. “What are you two doin’ out here?”

Kate lifted the basket. “We brought some goodies. Is your wife home?”

He raised the rifle and got them in his sights.