The Color of Hope Read Online Free Page A

“Dottie in the kitchen?”
    “I’m sure,” Charley said. “When I came down for breakfast, she was baking up a storm for the nursing home.”
    Her grandfather led the way, pushing the swinging door that opened into the kitchen. Morning wouldn’t be morning if he didn’t cross the street from his house to theirs to talk news of the day and solve the world’s problems, all in the space of a cup of coffee. He’d been a constant in Charley’s and her brother’s lives, even more so after their dad died six years ago.
    Charley’s mom removed a delicious-smelling tray from the oven and set it next to two others.
    “Let me guess.” Skip paused, inhaling. “Apple turnovers, dash of nutmeg, extra shot of cinnamon.”
    Dottie laughed. “You should know. This was one of Nancy’s favorite recipes.”
    Charley grabbed a banana to go. “I’m headed to school, Mom,” she said.
    “Charley, wait a sec.” Grandpa Skip poured a cup of coffee. “I want you to hear this too.”
    Charley turned, waiting.
    “We had an elders’ meeting last night,” he said. “Decided to call a boycott of the joint service this Sunday.”
    “What?” Dottie pulled off her oven mitts. “You can’t be serious.”
    “Dottie, you’re not in favor of combining services any more than I am.”
    Charley leaned against the counter next to her mom. She’d been hearing rumblings about this all summer, mostly from her grandpa, but only with half an interest. She’d mentally checked out of Hope Springs weeks ago.
    “I said I wasn’t in favor of the timing of it,” Dottie said. “Todd Dillon was only here a few months when he started this. We needed time to heal from his dad’s sudden death, time to get to know Todd as our new pastor. But a boycott? I just don’t see it.”
    “A boycott is how we end this thing.” Skip took a seat at the table, blowing steam from his coffee. “The elders didn’t attend last month, hoping we’d send a signal. But it got drowned out by all the people who showed up from outside of Hope Springs.” He took a sip. “Now we’re telling Calvary people outright, don’t go.”
    “And what will Todd think?” Dottie said. “Won’t this seem like a conspiracy behind his back?”
    “How is it behind his back?” Skip said. “We told him up front we were opposed, and he went full-steam ahead. This Sunday will be the fourth one. It’s got to stop.”
    Charley could feel her brows bunching into a frown. “But why? I don’t think I’ve ever heard your problem with it.”
    “It’s simple, Charley.” Her grandfather sat back. “Calvary Church has existed for more than one hundred years as a bedrock of this town. Between your great-grandfather and me, there’s been a Calvary elder in this family for more than half a century, and we’ve worked hard to maintain the church’s integrity and position as a pillar in this community.” He leaned forward, clearly agitated. “Todd’s family has a long history with Calvary as well, and I can only presume he means well. But we didn’t bring him on board as pastor to take us down this road—and we won’t sit back and watch him do it.”
    “But . . . you say that like it’s the wrong road.” Charley rarely challenged her grandfather, but she had to say it. “The goal is to bring the two churches together, to foster unity, right? And it’s only one Sunday a month. What could be wrong with that?”
    “Charley, you’re naïve,” Skip said. “Pastor Todd and Pastor Travis grew up best friends in Hope Springs. They’ve been away for years, and now they’re trying to import their big-city ideas into our town. It’s clear to me the real goal is to somehow merge the two churches.”
    Charley almost asked what could be wrong with that , but she heard her brother calling from upstairs.
    “Hey, Charley, don’t leave without me!”
    She looked at her mother. “Something wrong with Ben’s car?”
    “Probably on empty,” Dottie said. “I told him I’m not