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By Root 973 0

much skin, even though her skirt swirled around her calves in some clingy, flowery material. She couldn’t believe the elders had even allowed her inside the doors. Her pale hair had dark roots, not natural and beautiful like Megan’s. The change of hair color was why she hadn’t instantly recognized her. But her clothes had given her away even though her tattoo was covered. No, she had another one low on one leg. Katy blushed at viewing such a shocking, worldly display. Her face burned to think that Jake had been attracted to this type of woman. It seemed he still was, the way he was responding to her bright smiling lips and seductive eyes. Katy longed to turn away from the display, and at the same time felt riveted to watch it play out.

She should be happy she was rid of Jake, yet she felt like ripping Jessie’s hair out at its fake roots. Her eyes narrowed as she envisioned doing just that.

Then she felt Megan’s touch at her elbow. “It’s Erin!”

“And Jessie,” Katy ground out.

Megan’s face paled as she took in the significance of the scene. “Oh. And they’re blocking the door.”

In case her friend didn’t get the whole of it, Katy said between gritted teeth. “Get me out of here.” Before I make a scene.

But before that happened, Jake turned his gaze in her direction. He was in the middle of a sentence and stopped speaking. He closed his mouth and tightened his jaw. When he did so, Erin and Jessie turned, too, following his gaze. All three stared at Katy, and Katy stared back, feeling nothing but hatred for the three of them.

Megan’s arm shot around Katy’s shoulder, and she was propelled around, probably heading back through the sanctuary and out a side door, but she wasn’t sure because her surroundings blurred into a swirling green that swallowed her vision. Green movements, green people, a green cross, and green shrubbery. She felt her feet moving, but all she saw was Jake and that despicable girl.

Like a drowning person, her mind struggled. Had he run straight from her back into Jessie’s arms? Slowly, Katy realized that was exactly what she’d told him to do. In fact, it was her parting jab. Maybe Jessie will take you back.

Incoherent thoughts shot through her mind. Spring? Darkness. Did God cause this? Or was this His warning against testing Him? Jake loved Jessie all along. Just Jessie. Steamy, starry nights with Jessie. Maybe they’d marry, and he’d leave. Please let him leave. God’s not listening. Help me, God.

Then she saw they were standing on the passenger side of Megan’s car. She looked up at her with confusion.

“You’re not driving like this. Get in. I’m taking you home.”

CHAPTER 34

By the time they’d reached the doddy house, Katy had tearfully told Megan all about the breakup and had recovered somewhat from the initial shock of seeing Jake with Jessie. Her thoughts still skittered chaotically, but she was able to divert some of her frustrated energy into setting the table. Aware of Megan’s sympathetic glances, Katy set the plates on the vinyl tablecloth. “So much for spring,” she said sarcastically.

“It will come.”

Pressing a firm crease into a paper napkin, Katy remembered Megan’s earlier excitement over her upcoming mission trip. “I’m sorry I’ve ruined your news. You were so happy before—” She fumbled with the napkin.

“Don’t even—”

The door burst open, and they both turned to watch Lil enter. She plunked her purse and Bible on the counter. Then she placed both palms flat on the counter, looked at them, and burst into tears.

Katy’s mouth gaped, and the napkin she had been holding floated to the floor.

Megan rushed forward. “What on earth?”

“It’s Mom,” Lil gasped.

Katy went rigid, thinking the worst.

Lil waved a hand in front of her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was going to do that. It’s just…she won’t get out of bed. My dad doesn’t know what to do with her. I’ve never seen him so worried. So stressed.”

Relief flooded over Katy that Mrs. Landis wasn’t injured or worse. She’d never had to deal with anyone plagued with depression. “Has she been to the doctor?”

“No. She won’t go.” Lil swiped