Page 9 of His Elder

I looked back at my drawing, a smirk tugging at the cornerof my mouth.Careful, Elder. You stare too hard, you might see something you like.

"That's really good."

A young woman stood a few feet away, head tilted, studying my sketch. Dark hair pulled back in a messy bun. Oversized cardigan over a band t-shirt. Canvas messenger bag covered in pins and patches.

"Thanks."

"Do you mind?" She gestured to the bench.

"Go ahead."

She sat, leaving a respectful amount of space between us. Up close, I could see paint stains on her fingers. "You're one of the Mormon missionaries."

Not a question.

"That obvious?"

"The name tag's a hint." She smiled. "Also, you're the only person in Barcelona wearing a tie in this heat. I'm Maria."

"Eli—Elder Vance."

"Which one? Eli or Elder?"

"Technically Elder. But Eli's fine."

She pulled a sketchbook from her bag—smaller than mine, spiral-bound, covered in stickers. "I saw you drawing and had to investigate. You don't see many missionaries who sketch."

"There's probably a rule against it somewhere."

"Is there?"

"There's a rule against everything."

She laughed. The sound was easy, unguarded. "What program are you using?"

"Program?"

"For art. Are you studying it? Or just—"

"Just. I mean, I was going to. Before..." I gestured vaguely at my name tag.

"Ah." She flipped open her sketchbook. Inkdrawings, mostly—street scenes, faces, architectural details. Loose and confident. "ELISAVA. Graphic design, but I take fine arts courses when I can. You're good, though. Really good. Your line work especially."

"You too. These are—yeah. Really nice."

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both looking at our respective sketches. Across the park, Elder Price stood alone on a path, watching a group of teenagers play football. His shoulders were set in that rigid way that meant he was praying for courage.

"So," Maria said. "Do you have to do the whole missionary thing now? Try to convert me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Not particularly."

"Then no."

She raised an eyebrow. "That easy?"

"I'm not very good at it anyway."