Tuesday's Child Read Online Free Page A

would soon have a spate of weddings.
    Glancing down the order of service, her attention was diverted by a hand on her arm. She looked up into a pair of bright eyes and beaming smile under a wooly hat. This time the dappy hat was florescent yellow. “Hey, Vianne.”
    “Can we come and sit with you?”
    “Sure. Mind you don’t trip over Ben.”
    “I won’t.”
    Adeline swung her legs to the side so Vianne and Nate could move past her. She got a delicious aroma of musk and spearmint as Nate brushed past—the small touch of his legs on her knees sending a blast of heat through her. Really, in church, too she scolded herself.
    He smiled as he sat and her insides followed her heart in a storm of butterflies and thudding.
    Anyone would think I was twelve. She smiled back. “How are you, Vianne?”
    “I’m OK,” Vianne replied making sure to look at her. “How do you say that in sign?”
    Adeline showed her. “This is ‘how are you?’ This is ‘I’m well’ or ‘I’m sick’.” She smiled as Vianne copied the signs flawlessly. “Very good,” she said, signing as she spoke.
    Vianne tilted her head slightly. “So, how does this work? When you can’t hear what’s happening?”
    “I read the lips of whoever is speaking in the pulpit, and I can feel the music.”
    “Feel the music?” she repeated, her eyes widening.
    “Yes. The sound the organ makes sends vibrations though the air. And if I watch Pastor Jack, I can see when he’s singing, so I know when to start if it’s one I know.”
    “That’s clever. Does Ben tell you, too?”
    “He puts his paw on my foot when it’s time to stand and sing, but as everyone else stands then, it’s easy to figure out.”
    Nate tapped Vianne’s arm. “Shh, now.”
    Adeline turned her attention to the front, following Pastor Jack’s words relatively easily. It was a standing joke between them that even if the PA system failed, he’d have to carry on preaching as she’d be able to tell what he was saying even if no one else could hear him.
    After Vianne left for Sunday School, Nate slid up the pew next to her, and she found herself overwhelmed by his clean scent and aftershave.
    Lord, help me here. I am meant to be worshipping You, not acting like some teenager with a crush because some man…a very handsome man…is sitting next to me. I can feel my cheeks burning. Maybe I should have worn something else. I look like mutton dressed as lamb. What must he think? Just listen to me going on like this.
    Ben knocked his paw against her foot, and she stood with everyone else for the hymn.
    Keep my mind focused, Lord, and if it does wander again, then I’ll pray for him. She stood with the others, reciting the words of the hymn in her head, aware of Nate’s hand inches from hers. For a moment she wondered what it would be like to have a man hold her hand in church, the way Matt had just grabbed Chrissie’s, or to have someone look at her with love.
    So many of her friends and people around her had found their soul mate now, that she couldn’t help but wonder if there was someone out there for her. Someone like Nate, who wasn’t just outwardly handsome, although he was undeniably good looking, he shone with an inner beauty that came from loving the Lord. If she ever found love, it had to be with someone who shared her faith.
    Adeline managed to keep her mind focused on the sermon, which she knew was entirely thanks to the Lord and nothing to do with her. She was far too easily distracted when left to her own devices. Keeping her eyes on Pastor Jack until the benediction finished, she sat down and closed her eyes, a heavy burden coming over her again.
    Why did she feel so led to pray for Nate? Surely it wasn’t simply the fact that he was sitting next to her? Or was it? His presence filled her senses, but as she prayed, the burden she felt eased and the peace of the Lord descended like a dove.
    Lifting her head, she found Ben curled in her lap, concern in his eyes. Had