“Get in line behind me.”
The doorbell rang.
“Expecting someone?” Evangeline asked.
“No,” Hannah said, hurrying to the front door. After peeking through the peephole, she turned back to Evangeline. “Charlene and Joey.”
“Here comes the shit storm.” Evangeline braced herself as Hannah opened the door and the two sailed in.
She and Charlene locked eyes and Charlene’s lip curled. “You little whore, you.”
“Save it, Charlene.”
Hannah stood beside Evangeline. “No name calling. Evangeline didn’t do it.”
Again, Hannah’s actions surprised Evangeline. She had never pushed back with Charlene.
Charlene crossed her arms and glared at both women. “I understand that you put Evangeline on a pedestal, but—”
“If you can’t be civil, please leave,” Hannah said.
Staring at Evangeline, Charlene narrowed her eyes. “You will pay for ruining my marriage.” Then, she addressed Hannah. “Joey and I brought dinner. We thought we’d keep you company, but I’m not sticking around unless you ask her to leave.”
“Forgiveness is a powerful tool,” Joey said.
“I’ll never forgive her,” Charlene said. On a huff, she strutted out and slammed the door.
“I’m sorry about that,” Joey said as he set the large bag of food on the coffee table. “She’s upset, but I’m sure she’ll forgive you once the good Lord enters her heart.”
“I didn’t know she had one,” Evangeline murmured.
Hannah cleared her throat. “This is a nice surprise.”
Joey had been staring at Evangeline. “Could I give you a hug?”
She held up her hands. “I’m okay, thanks.”
“Would you like me to pray over you?”
Hannah smiled sweetly. “That’s so nice.”
“I should go,” Evangeline answered.
“We brought food for three, plus desserts. Please stay.”
“I insist,” Hannah said as she picked up the bag and headed toward the kitchen. “Smells yummy.”
“Come on.” Joey extended his hand.
Evangeline didn’t want to stay, but she didn’t want to leave Hannah alone with him, either. She didn’t like how he had inserted himself into her sister’s life. “I’ll stay,” she said, crossing her arms as they walked into the kitchen.
As soon as plates had been filled, Joey dug in.
“Shouldn’t we say grace?” Hannah asked.
Joey stilled, his mouth full of chicken. He chewed, swallowed, and blurted out, “Thank you, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for our meal. Amen.”
The two women exchanged glances.
What the hell was that?
One of Evangeline’s strongest childhood memories was of her mom saying a prayer of thanks before dinner. Even after her mom married Birdie, the tradition continued. When Hannah was little, she wanted to say it, so their mom passed the torch to her. In all the years they’d said grace, she’d never heard a mealtime prayer that included Mary and Joseph.
The food came from a high-end restaurant and, despite her anxious stomach, Evangeline ate. Joey chatted about his mega church and how he loved helping people. Hannah seemed enthralled with his storytelling abilities.
Evangeline, not so much.
As Joey droned on and on, her thoughts wandered to Sin. He’d handled the press with poise and power. So much power. His words floated back to her. I know the way you move, the sounds you make. I know what you like, what turns you on.
A tiny sigh escaped her, and Joey stopped talking.
“It is amazing, isn’t it?” Joey beamed at her. “He was so grateful for my guidance, but it wasn’t me.” Joey pointed upward. “I give Him all the credit.”
“The neighbor upstairs?” Evangeline quipped.
Hannah burst out laughing, but Joey just frowned. “No, the Lord Almighty. This is a townhouse. No one lives upstairs.” He rose. “Speaking of the Lord, I brought you something, Hannah. Be right back.”
“He’s so sweet,” Hannah whispered when Joey left the room.
Joey returned before Evangeline could even open her mouth to object.
“I wanted you to have this.” He set a brochure next to Hannah. “It’s about adoption.”
The hair on the back of Evangeline’s neck prickled. “For Hannah?”
“I thought she might be interested in knowing a little more about the benefits of giving a child a traditional, two-parent upbringing.”
Evangeline wanted to rip that brochure from Hannah’s fingers and tear it into a million fucking pieces. “She’s quite competent and capable of raising her son.”
“Your sister expressed concerns about doing it alone.”
“I’m guessing that’s pretty common amongst first-time moms.” Evangeline stacked the dirty plates and carried them to the sink. She turned around and bumped into Joey. What the…
“Hey, I’m sorry,” Joey crooned as she stepped around him. “I offer counsel to those in need. Didn’t mean to overstep.”
“You’re fine,” Hannah interjected. “I’ll give this a look-through.”
“I love to work out,” Joey continued as if he hadn’t just offended the hell out of Evangeline. “Hannah mentioned you’re new in town, too. I’m looking for a racquetball partner. Do you play?”
“Evangeline’s very athletic,” Hannah piped in.
“You look like you work out,” Joey said. “Let me know if you want to play sometime.”
“Sure,” Evangeline replied, relieved he hadn’t pushed for a date.
After another nauseating hour of listening to Joey tout his many career accomplishments while saving sinners, Evangeline rose from the table. “I’ve got to head out.”
Joey popped up. “I’m sure Hannah is tired. I’ll walk you out.”
“Let’s talk tomorrow about Christmas with Mom,” Evangeline said to Hannah.
“Is there room at her holiday table for one more?” Joey asked.
“I think Charlene is going to need your pastoral counsel this year,” Evangeline said, “and your company during this difficult time.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.”
Hoping to beat Joey out, she shouldered her bag and left, but his long stride had him sidling next to her in seconds.
“I’m sorry if it seems like I’m being pushy,” Joey began. “I just want to be of service to your sister. She’s struggling.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And I’m here for you, too, you know, if you need guidance and comfort. Or maybe for a drink sometime.”
Is he asking me on a date? She stopped in front of her car.
“I’ve gotta tell you,” he said, stepping closer, “you kinda blew my mind with that video.”
Her skin crawled. Fuck off. She yanked out her car keys and faced him. “Don’t discuss that video with me again.” She wanted to tell him to stay the hell away from her sister, too. Instead, she jumped into her car and drove away.
Dammit. I’m off my game. I should have gotten his last name.
She called Hannah.