Chapter 20

Saint Gabriel's Church looked just like an old farmhouse on the outside, except for the tall steeple and bell that chimed every hour. People were crammed by the truckload inside, so there was no escape from the humidity and took all available air. Yet the congregation sang loudly and said phrases in unison. Hands were raised in praise. Some fanned themselves, while others just pulled on their collars with little relief.

Most of all, Courtney hadn't gone up in flames when she'd walked through the door. After her childhood, part of her expected that.

From her seat in between Austin and Grams, she followed suit as everyone rose again. In the thirty minutes she'd been there, she had stood up, sat down, and knelt at least three times each. She didn't understand it, but she mirrored those around her so she didn't draw attention.

The priest said, "Go in peace," and then music played again. People followed after him and gathered just outside the door.

She stayed close to Austin, no longer having the sense of contentment once outside. It was odd, the immediate comfort she had the second she'd entered the church. It had an old and unique scent, like something from another time. The place gave her the feeling that warm caring arms were wrapped tight around her, protecting her from the outside world. Though she understood none of it, she welcomed it openly.

Austin walked over to where Serena was talking to the priest. Courtney followed.

"Well, Miss Serena Edwards, it's good to see you back in Willowsby. How have you been?" Father Mike was a short man, with a thick head of short auburn curls and a robust voice that carried.

Serena glanced briefly at her brother and back to the priest. "I was wondering if I could set up a time with you next week to talk over some things?"

"Sure, sure," he responded without missing a beat. "Anything wrong?"

Courtney silently watched as Serena played over things in her head, warring with herself on an honest tactic. Jake was on her other side listening intently to every word and she hadn't told him the truth yet.

"Just want to talk."

The priest smiled politely and shook hands with an older couple as they passed by. "Sure. Friday good for you?"

"That's fine. Early afternoon?" She nodded when he agreed. "I'll see you then."

"And who is this?" Father Mike turned to Austin.

Austin smiled to reassure Courtney and drew her close to his side. "This is Courtney Morgan. She and Serena are close friends."

"Well, okay!" Enthusiasm boomed his voice. "How did you like the service?"

When she couldn't find her voice, Austin chimed in for her. "This was her first time to church. I'm afraid she was just a bit nervous."

The priest's lips twisted, skeptical. "No need to be nervous with God. Come by the rectory with Serena on Friday. We can chat and get to know each other a bit."

Courtney sensed sincerity and understanding from him, and slowly slipped out from underneath Austin's arm. Even though she liked it there and they seemed to fit like an interlocking puzzle, she wanted to stand on her own. "I will, thank you."

Jake winked at her. She fought a grin. He was anxious himself about talking with Serena again, but took the time that morning to make goofy faces at her or wink to put her more at ease.

She meandered over to him when Grams and Serena started walking to the car. "Still think I'm a ghost?"

He laughed and rubbed his hand over the top of her head to muss her hair. "And how would you know I thought that, darlin'?" His green eyes lit up and brightened at their inside joke from last night.

She shrugged her shoulders teasingly. "Maybe because you asked if you were dead."

Austin watched the two of them flirt back and forth and tried to hide his annoyance. They'd only met an hour ago and already she was smiling as if she'd known him forever.

Jealousy reared its ugly head.

No. Not jealousy. He didn't get jealous. Did he? He never had before. And Christ. This was Jake, for the love of grits. "Can anyone join this conversation?"

Courtney pulled on the hem of her knee-length daisy dress, and it took all his willpower not to stare at her shapely legs. When she bent over to adjust her sandal, he caught a glance at the top of two creamy white breasts before she stood completely upright again. He pinched his eyes closed as if he could unsee the beautiful image. The muscles in his jaw twitched.

Jake cleared his throat. "Innocent or fantasy this time?" He slid his gaze sideways to Courtney as if Austin had no idea to what he referred.

Austin shot him a lethal look. "Shut-up." Then he smiled at the joke, despite himself, and raked a hand through his hair.

"It's her," Jake whispered. "Dream woman. It's her."

Austin sucked in a breath and looked at Courtney with new purpose. Could it be? Her shape was familiar, though in his reoccurring dream, he'd only seen her from behind. The hair was definitely close, long loose strands of wheat colored tresses.

No. No, things like that were fiction, like the books lining his shelves. Woman didn't leap from dreams he'd had his whole life and into reality.

Courtney stood between them, confusion wrinkling her forehead.

Austin resisted the urge to kiss her there and shook his head. "Jake here is just being a dumbass."

"Me? Never."

The tension erased from her face and they began to tread back to the car again when Austin remembered the start of Jake and Courtney's conversation. "What were you two talking about before anyway? Ghosts and stuff?"

Courtney's amused eyes met Jake's. He grinned at her in turn and they laughed, leaving Austin out of the joke.