3
Pepper laughed at Rex’s notable greeting, and hoped the townspeople didn’t mind his braying.
“Hi, there. Foxx told me how Rex is taken with you.”
She turned to the voice and approach of an older man.
“I’m Fred Olmsted. Rescued these cuties.” He didn’t seem to be a threat. Must be an all right man if he cared for the donkeys.
“Pepper Rainwater. Your donkey pen is next to my backyard. I just moved in.”
“Hope these two don’t bother you. I think they miss the girl who used to live in your house.” He rubbed each hairy back. “They’d been neglected and were sick when I met them. Some people don’t realize they need hooves trimmed, grooming with appropriate brushes, and regular shots. Rhoda was close to pneumonia and Rex limped.”
She smoothed Rex’s ears. “I can’t imagine anyone mistreating or not wanting such wondrous creatures.”
“You said a mouthful there, girlie. All God’s creatures are wondrous. Now, you kind of look like you carry a heavy weight.”
“I’ll be all right.” Nervous about church with Foxx.
“Sure you will. You’re important to God. I speak to high school kids occasionally. Sometimes they need a one-on-one. Kids are pretty smart. I can tell you are too.”
She looked him in the eye. A lot of outdoor living showed on his face. He could be fifty or seventy-five. Dirt probably got caught in those deep facial grooves.
Rex nipped at Fred’s coat sleeve. “Guess he’s ready for his hay. You come by any time and love on these two.”
“Thank you.” She’d decide later if it had been a pleasure, based on such a weird conversation for a first meeting. “I best be off to ready myself for church.”
“Great. Where do you attend?” His smile seemed genuine enough.
Heat warmed her ears and neck. “I don’t. Foxx invited me to join him.”
“Foxx Haven? Good man. I can always rely on him to be there if I need him.”
From the little Pepper knew, she had to agree.
“He goes to that Salt Creek Community. I visited once. Spirit’s mighty alive in those people.” Fred rubbed his hand over the few bristles of steel-wool hair on the top of his head. “See you next time. Blessed Sunday to you.”
Spirit? Blessed?
She’d faced a lot of hard times, growing up with no one but Pink to love her, the way they’d scavenged at night for clothes, food, and sneaked out to play. Not to mention, having it drilled into her head that everyone was out to get them, best keep to family. The trembling inside her soul came as a surprise. There was obviously still a lot to learn about life and people.
Pepper discarded the donkey-slobbered jeans and chose an appropriate pair of navy blue ankle pants. They fit well, so unlike girlhood clothing. Paired with a salmon and turquoise printed top and black ballet flats, she was all ready for church.
Foxx pulled in next to the house as she snagged a small leather purse, and stuffed in her wallet, lip balm, along with a tissue from the top of her dresser. Why the last? No idea.
Slightly out of breath, heart still pounding a staccato beat, she answered his knock. Wow, the man looked sharp. He, too, had dressed in navy slacks, but with a black dress shirt that raised that riveting heartbeat to a vibrating drum line.
“Morning. You look terrific.” He rounded the hood and opened the passenger door. Another first.
Latching her seat belt as he backed to the street proved to be a struggle.
“Did you get it? Sometimes those things can be a challenge.” He drove south out of town. “So, why Garland, when there are so many nice apartment complexes and duplexes on our side of the city?”
“I wanted a house. The satisfaction of signing on the dotted line filled me with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. My own little hundred-year-old smallish bungalow. If I can pay it off before thirty years, I will.”
“After living in the city, I’m also drawn to our village of two hundred. Dad left the home I grew up in to me. Kitt doesn’t live in Nebraska. Neither one of us liked the isolated place when we were kids. What else do you like about it?”
“The donkeys?” She rubbed her leg. “That came out wrong. I should have said I like Fred’s donkeys. By the way, I met him this morning.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Foxx did his signature chuckle that drew a smile from her.
“He called me late last night. Told me the same. He approves of our newest resident.”
She thought a moment about what had drawn her to the area. “I can get groceries near the plant, but we’re close to Raymond, Seward, the big lake, and the vineyard. I think drinking alcohol is a waste of money, but I’ve seen the winery online. The setting makes me want to visit.”
“I don’t drink either. The winery features entertainers on the weekends. And good food choices. It’s a nice place in the spring and fall.”
They were soon on Highway 34.
“Do you have any questions about the worship service?” The way he’d kept the conversation moving he must sense her unease.
Much worse, a whole litany of dos and don’ts from forever ago had haunted her the night before.
“Dodge the cops.”
“Never look into anyone’s eyes.”
“Don’t ever smile. Keep your eyes on your feet and sneak upward glances.”
“Always know where you are.”
“If you’re ever followed, lead them on a wild goose chase.”
“Never, ever, allow anyone to see where you live.”
A warm baritone voice chased away the voices. “Pepper, did you hear me? We’re here.”
She shook her head, focused on the parking lot where cars pulled in and people milled. “Here?”
“Yes. Salt Creek Community Church. Let me get your door.”
Foxx led her inside with a hand on her wrist, reminding her of the way Rex tagged along beside.
A couple at the door greeted them with warm smiles.
The man said, “Welcome to Evangelism Sunday.”
The woman handed them folded brochures. “It’s good to see you, Foxx. And you are?”
Foxx spoke her name. Pepper ignored the woman’s response
An usher handed her a colorful blue and gray newsletter. Chatter from within created a buzz in her head. What am I doing here?
Foxx guided her with a hand on her lower back. The heat from his touch could be a branding iron.
Was she pale? Did she look scared? Could she be having a panic attack? Go away, me, me, me.
Once they were seated, he leaned over. “I know this is all new to you. Take as deep a breath as you can. Exhale through your mouth, nice and slow.”
She must look pale. And sweaty. Pepper did as he suggested until he tugged her elbow to stand, and tried to absorb the music rather than follow along with the words on the big screens.
At last, someone else took the stage. “Please take your seats. We extend a special welcome to any visitors this morning. Jason, please put up the first slide. Thank you.”
Almost too many questions to sink in as she read the bulleted points.
What is salvation?
Who needs salvation?
Why do we need salvation?
Where is salvation found?
How does God give us salvation?
The lightly lined face of the fiftyish man in tan sport coat and dress jeans lit up. “I plan to unfold the answers in the scripture references. It is my hope that every believer here knows where he or she can turn in the Bible and pass on that life-saving information to the lost.”
Who was lost?