Dare to Dream Again

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Gloria had only set foot in Valley Tabernacle twice, once for a wedding and once for a funeral, both times for individuals she’d hardly known. It was silly, but she felt the smallest wave of superstition sweep over her. Of course, the fine folks who attended Valley Tabernacle were just as much Christians as she was, but there were certain issues of both doctrine and practice that would make her more than a little uncomfortable to attend a service here.

It wasn’t just the music, either. It was the entire style of worship. The loud, flamboyant amens and hallelujahs shouted out randomly from the congregation. The disorderliness of it all … It was probably just prejudice on her part, but she was glad that her daughter and Ricky Fields had agreed to help out with snacks. Glad that she’d have volunteers she knew.

Of course, with her younger daughter Kitty having the health issues that she did, it was hard for both Gloria and Susannah to be gone from the house at the same time. That’s why she was so thankful Ricky’s mom agreed to spend the mornings with Kitty, who had required round-the-clock care her entire life. Yet another reason Gloria hoped Susannah and Ricky would get along well this week. Susannah had her heart set on becoming a missionary, but Ricky grew up here and was already being primed to take over his dad’s courier business when he retired. A boy like Ricky could offer Susannah a nice, comfortable home right here in Orchard Grove.

Did you hear that, God? she joked as she found her way to the Valley Tabernacle kitchen. Just give Ricky and Susannah one good week together. Please. That’s all I ask.

“Good morning, Mrs. Peters. How are you doing today?”

Gloria smiled at the young boy she’d watched grow up since the first day he’d come to church all swaddled up like a baby burrito. Ricky’s mom and Gloria had shared their first pregnancies together. Ricky was born exactly two weeks — almost to the hour — before Susannah. For years, the women had joked about their children growing up and falling in love. Now, Gloria hoped that God might remember their teasing and bring his good plans about for her daughter. If only Susannah would stop talking so much about wanting to run off to do mission work on foreign soil.

“Hello, Ricky.” She wiped her hands on an apron she’d borrowed from the Valley Tabernacle closet. Reaching out to give him a small hug, she added, “I’m so glad you’re willing to help out this week.”

He cleared his throat. This summer he’d shot up at least half a foot, a second or late adolescence of sorts. Had Susannah noticed?

“How can I help?” Ricky asked.

Gloria peered over his shoulder, which was quite a bit broader than it had been just a year ago when he and Susannah graduated high school. “Oh, there’s plenty to do,” she answered, “but where’s Susannah? Didn’t she come with you?”

The schedule for the week worked out perfectly, at least in theory. Gloria would come to church early to get the kitchen set up. Ricky would drive over to the house to pick up Susannah and drop off his mom who had volunteered to sit with Kitty during the mornings, a huge blessing since she was one of the few people outside of family who could be trusted to take care of Kitty. It was a lot to ask of her, but Gloria wondered if she agreed so readily to play nurse all week because it would get Ricky and Susannah together in the same room for three and a half hours a day.

She eyed Ricky Fields, recalling how awkward and gangly he’d been just a few years earlier. No wonder Susannah had hardly paid him any attention. But now … Sure, he was still a little shy, but hopefully this week her daughter would realize how much her childhood friend had matured. Ricky was a fine young man.

Someone who would be good to her, provide for her, and never, ever take her away from Orchard Grove.