Page 16

There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.

–Vicki Baum

PALM SUNDAY ROLLED around and Hensley’s ears perked up when Reverend Jameson landed squarely on the subject of the importance of forgiveness.

She was expecting him to continue talking about how Jesus had entered Jerusalem on a donkey to the praise of a people who would then crucify Him the next week.

Somewhere along the way, he’d wandered onto the topic that weighed most on her heart.

Forgiving folks when they trespassed against us.

Which reminded her she should forgive Blake for all the weeks of despair he’d caused her.

Hadn’t Blake settled the matter on Friday night?

Maybe it ran deeper than that. Maybe she’d been struggling with abandonment issues because of Jake and Michael as well.

Could it be that God was gently putting His finger on her heart, making sure she didn’t carry the weight of unforgiveness any longer?

After all, a soldier did not entangle himself with the affairs of this life.

Getting tangled up over things in the past would distract her from serving the Lord and bring conflict into future relationships.

It was time to release everything once and for all.

With Blake seated beside her, his hand covering hers, Hensley did her best not to squirm or shift in her seat.

The pastor was saying we could not expect to receive forgiveness from the Lord if we didn’t forgive those who trespassed against us.

She’d heard it many times before, but okay.

Lord, I forgive Blake for his words, and I also forgive Jake and Michael for abandoning me.

Phew, that was better. Her heart did seem a whole lot lighter.

She stole a glance at Blake. Was he also impacted by the topic? Maybe he could release whatever hurt his past held for him as well. In time, he would tell her more. For now, she was content to sit beside him on a Sunday morning surrounded by friends and family who gave them curious looks.

Not so long ago, impatience might have taken hold of her.

At her age of twenty-five, she cherished the excitement of their new romance unfold naturally, without forcing uncomfortable discussions about painful memories.

Not that her interest in his past wasn’t piqued, but something about his aloof manner and quiet ways were at work, setting an unrushed pace between them.

Since Bing sat in the same row, Hensley had motioned for Jen to sit beside Bing in anticipation of next Friday’s double date.

She didn’t have much time to explain everything to Jen that morning, but when the rest of the household was running around getting ready for church, Hensley waved Jen inside her room when her sister knocked, fully dressed—minus a belt.

Closing the door, she’d had about five minutes to bring her sister up to speed and loan her the perfect leather belt.

Jen’s eyes had widened as she took in the latest news about the progression in Hensley’s relationship with Blake and their plans for a double date.

Saturday had been busier than usual and she hadn’t been able to mention it to Jen prior to then.

Her sister finished putting the belt on and turned toward her with a smile.

“Yes, I’ll go along as Bing’s date on Friday.

I’m glad you and Blake are going out on a real date.

I was beginning to think you two wouldn’t get around to it, but I’m thrilled! ”

Hensley opened the door for them to head downstairs into the chaos below while they were still talking, but Lula’s voice echoed from below, somewhere on the second floor.

Something about her insisting that MaryAnne lend her a pair of slingback heels.

They both knew MaryAnne had no intention of parting with those shoes.

Kit was calling Ruffles, attempting to get him inside the house.

Moments later, Father’s voice had bellowed up the staircase from the foyer that it was time to go.

The household seemed to burst apart at the seams as one by one, the Fitzwilliam daughters, parents, and their grandmother filed out of the front door.

They had piled into various vehicles and made the short drive to Dogwood Creek’s Community Church.

Sipping hot coffee and keeping her eyes on the wet spring roads drenched by an early morning rain on the way to church prevented Hensley from much of any further discussion with Jen.

But after the service, Hensley introduced Blake and Bing to her parents and Grandmother while her family congregated in the aisle near their pew. “Mom, Dad, Grandmother, I’d like you to meet Blake Sterling and his friend, Charles Eaton. Everyone calls him Bing.”

Jen stood beside Bing, a sheepish grin on her face.

Hensley glanced at Blake and his friend.

Had she introduced them properly? Their smiles and handshakes told her she had.

She gestured toward her parents and Grandmother one at a time.

“This is my mother, Emma Fitzwilliam; my father, Reverend Aaron Fitzwilliam; and my grandmother, Virginia Lonsdale. Everyone calls her Ginny.”

With that out of the way, she prayed they didn’t invite him to lunch.

They shouldn’t rush things. An Easter dinner invite would be okay though.

Would they be satisfied with an introduction for now?

They’d seen him coming and going from the house, but they’d always been in other parts of the house.

It was time, especially since he was no longer just someone she was working with on a project for the church.

Nor was he pretending to date her to protect her from Jake, whom she’d caught staring at her during the service several times. No, they had a real date lined up now.

Her mother’s brows arched and Grandmother’s eyes widened. Her father turned his head, leaning an ear toward the young men, particularly Blake .

“Nice to meet you, Reverend and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Lonsdale ...” Blake stepped aside when he finished shaking their hands so Bing could do the same. He echoed Blake’s sentiments.

“My father still holds his license to preach, but he’s technically retired from preaching since we moved here from Kentucky.

Now he does freelance writing for The Gazette .

” Hensley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as the handshaking wrapped up.

She’d been tempted not to introduce her father as a reverend, but it was probably best that she did since he conducted weddings once a month in Gatlinburg.

“I believe I’ve already met this nice young man a few times.” Grandmother winked at him, and he smiled in return. “It’s delightful to meet you too, Bing .”

“Yes, I believe we have met before.” Blake gave her a nod. “Wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Lonsdale.”

Phew! It seemed as if he’d hit a homerun with Grandmother, judging by the way she sparkled as she spoke to Blake.

Despite her formal and old-fashioned ways, she had a way of breaking the ice.

She’d always favored Hensley, lavishing her with special attention, and even leaving her boutique as an inheritance to her.

She’d known her eldest granddaughter, Jen, didn’t seek that kind of responsibility.

And Hensley was the second eldest, after all.

Their other sisters hovered nearby, but Hensley didn’t introduce all of them since they’d met Blake before and currently seemed distracted by something else. Plus, they’d seen Bing around at church. Instead, she nodded toward them. “I’m sure you’ve seen my sisters around.”

Blake nodded, loosening his tie. “Yes, we’ve met.”

Bing added, “You have a beautiful family, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”

Her mom and Grandmother smiled, and Father said, “Thank you.”

Emma Fitzwilliam, Hensley’s mom, formerly a Lonsdale, now offered them a welcoming smile. “Do you boys have anywhere to go for Easter dinner? If not, I hope you’ll consider joining us after church. ”

That was nice of her mother to do instead of asking them twenty questions like she sometimes did when meeting one of her new boyfriends.

Blake turned toward Bing, who nodded and then turned a pleasant smile in Jen’s direction. Blake put his arm around Hensley’s shoulders and turned back to her mom. “We’d be delighted to join you. Bing’s sister may be with us though.”

“Bring her along too,” Grandmother said as Mother nodded.

“Plenty of food for one more. You’re in for a treat.” Hensley’s father grinned, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned toward the men. “There will be a big spread. Save room for lots of ham, dressed eggs, and pie. Lots of pie.”

“Looking forward to it, sir.” Blake nodded to her father who then said something polite about getting Grandmother to the car.

Blake took the opportunity to pull Hensley aside as her parents began herding her sisters and Grandmother toward the main doors.

Jen and Bing chatted quietly. Ahead of her parents, what were Lula and Kit giggling and carrying on about?

Blake glanced at them when their laughter echoed off the ceiling.

Hensley’s brows furrowed and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment at their unladylike manners, but thankfully, he was searching for someone else.

Hensley followed his gaze, discovering it was Jake on whom his gaze rested, likely to ensure her ex was leaving. She couldn’t help but smile shyly at the way Blake safeguarded her. Jake tossed Blake a glare from near the main entrance before following his parents outside.