Harley grinned. “Now if you’ll open your hymnals to page 148, we’ll sing ‘Standing on the Promises of God.’ First and second verses, then stand for the fourth.” With that he lifted his hand and began.
By the end of the third song, perspiration beaded Livvy’s brow and, with relief, she went to sit beside her mother, while her father stepped to the podium.
“The scripture for today’s sermon is Ephesians 4:32.”
With a sharp nod of her head, Livvy pressed her lips into a tight smile. This verse was about kindness. Hopefully, Mr. Charles Waverly would listen carefully and take it to heart.
“It says, ‘And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’”
Livvy’s head jerked up and shock surged through her. She’d forgotten the part about forgiveness. Was that God speaking to her? But Charles had been thoughtless. He’d gotten her hopes up and then dashed them to the ground.
But had he really? He didn’t know how Livvy felt about him. He looked on her as a good friend, nothing more. But, God, even a friend deserves to be treated kindly.
Livvy groaned. Charles had never been intentionally unkind to her. She was the one who misunderstood. Sure, he wanted to talk her out of the riding classes, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t wanted to spend time with her, as well. She swallowed and took a deep breath. But she wasn’t ready to spend any time in conversation with him. She wouldn’t be rude, but she would make her excuses and go home. It still hurt too much. She couldn’t even apologize for her actions the day before, because he’d want to know why.
Her thoughts continued to wander until a gentle nudge from her mother’s elbow brought Livvy back from her daydreams. Mama gestured with her head and Livvy met her father’s frown. Oh, dear. The message was over and she hadn’t heard a word of the sermon after the Bible verse. She jumped up and headed for the piano.
After her father gave the invitation, then prayed, Livvy went around the sanctuary, gathering up hymnbooks and placing them in their racks. Maybe she could avoid seeing Charles at all today. When the last book was placed neatly away, she grabbed a dusting cloth from the back room and started wiping down the pews.
“Livvy, what on earth are you doing?” Mama stood with her hands on her hips, a worried look in her eyes.
“Just cleaning up a little before we leave.”
“You know very well we clean the building thoroughly on Thursday and Monday. Now come along and help me get dinner on the table. Will you be inviting Charles?”
“Not today, Mama. I want to rest after dinner. Maybe read for a while.”
“Oh—well, then.” Mama reached out a hand and touched Livvy’s forehead. “I hope you aren’t coming down with something. You aren’t acting like yourself at all.”
“I’m fine, Mama. I assure you.”
Resigned to probably seeing Charles, after all, she followed her mother out the front door. As she’d feared, he waited by the steps.
His eyes brightened when he saw her and he stepped forward. “Livvy, I thought I’d missed you.”
She smiled. “Hello, Charles. It’s nice to see you.”
Confusion clouded his eyes. “Are you upset with me about the riding lessons?”
“Not at all.” She might as well get it over with. “Actually, I’d like to apologize for my behavior yesterday.”
“Well, all right. I guess I shouldn’t have asked you to drop the class after P.H. approved it. But did I do something else to offend you?”
His brown eyes crinkled with concern and her heart did a flip inside her chest.
“You didn’t do anything, Charles. I must have been having a bad day.” She smiled. After all, he hadn’t knowingly done anything. “Now I need to help Mama with dinner. Have a nice day.”
She hurried away, but when she reached the parsonage, she glanced back to see him still gazing after her. She swallowed. She should probably go back and invite him to dinner. They could go for a drive or a walk. After all, they’d always been friends. But that wasn’t enough anymore. It was time to draw away from him before her heart was completely shattered.
Chapter 7
Clad in her new deep red riding habit, Livvy leaned against the corral rail next to Abigail and watched the pretty bay mare nudge Trent’s vest. When he held out a piece of apple, she nibbled it daintily.
“She’s so pretty.” Livvy sighed and pushed down the nervousness already settling in her stomach.
“Yes, and all ready for you, sidesaddle and all.”
“I do appreciate you and Trent going to all this trouble for me.”