Alex joined them at church half way through the sermon, looking handsome and sophisticated in a light gray suit. He quietly slid into the seat next to her. Natalie and Matthew were in the nursery and Jonathan and Destiny were still in Sunday school classes.
After the sermon, they all stood to sing. Alex shared the hymn book with her, his deep rich voice strong and confident. He couldn't carry a tune if she stapled it in a paper bag for him, but he was blissfully unaware of that fact. Each Sunday it was a reminder that there were some things at which he wasn't accomplished.
After church they all met at Katie and Bill's house for lunch. The morning storm had left a fresh beautiful day and the children were playing in the back yard. Alex, Bill and Jonathan were examining a lawn mower that wouldn't start while Carmen and Katie were preparing the food. Carmen was telling Katie about the new customers and mentioned that the morning storm had interrupted their plans to scout out a trail.
Katie placed a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table and paused, hands on her hips as she gave Carmen an exasperated look.
"Excuse me, but isn't that your land and don't you know every inch of it? You've spent your entire life there. What makes him think he needs to scout a trail for you?"
Warmth crawled up Carmen's neck. "Yes, I know the land, but it will ease his mind to know where I'll be."
Katie rolled her eyes. "This is your business - literally. Tell him to butt out. Honestly, Carmen, if you don't take a stand, he's going to control you all your life."
Carmen shrugged and smiled. "You're the only one who seems to be concerned about that."
Katie sighed and threw her hands in the air as she turned away. As she opened the refrigerator door, her voice sounded despaired.
"Just about time I think you're progressing, you back slide. Don't you have any desire to be your own person?"
"Of course I do," Carmen answered crisply as she slid the platter of sliced meatloaf on the table. "He doesn't question the way I run the house or argue with me about my animals …"
Katie pulled her head out of the refrigerator, her sharp gaze falling on Carmen. "Your animals, your chores - that's right. As long as you stick to the things he has assigned to you, he has no reason to argue." She pulled the margarine out of the refrigerator and shut the door. "I'll make you a bet. Let him select a route for you and then suggest an alternate route. I'll bet you he gets mad."