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cheeks.
    Connie gave him an envious stare. “Are you sleeping with that one?” she’d whisper to him after each churchgoer embraced him in a warm hug.
    “Would you stop?”
    He was an old hand at fending off his sister’s sweeping moods and inappropriate quips. But in this case, he actually relished the challenge. He glanced at a woman standing next to Dennis.
    Connie perked up, pushing her glasses to the farthest point on her nose. “Who is that?”
    The woman wore a figure fitting, attractive, black dress. Italian-made sunglasses shaded her eyes from the bright sun, and her dark curly, brown hair slightly touched her bare shoulders. She spoke in an eloquent, soft voice to Dennis. She didn’t look more than thirty-five years old.
    “My, oh my,” Connie said “Is that the local slut?”
    “Watch your mouth. Not that it’s any of your business, she’s just a friend.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    Michael wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
    His sister devoured the bait. She smacked him on the shoulder. “No way.”
    “Keep it down. Only you know about this. The pastor doesn’t even know.”
    She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “What about Elizabeth?”
    “No, not even her.”
    “You’re not lying to me, are you?”
    He shrugged. “I’m taking the fifth from here on in.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me? Is she the Leah from Jerusalem? Can I meet her?”
    He grabbed her arm in alarm as Connie headed toward the woman. “Her name is Linda. Please don’t bother her.”
    “You’re so sensitive. What happened between you two?”
    “Nothing I should discuss with you. For once, can you please respect my feelings? Anyway, she’s busy with Dennis.”
    “Dennis?”
    “The pastor.”
    “My, we’re on a first name basis with the holy honcho.”
    His mood switched to one of fake friendliness as he spotted a fellow church-goer. “Hey, Mrs. Fullerton, nice to see you.”
    “Good morning, Michael,” the elderly woman said, pulling his head down to give him a kiss. She gestured to his sister. “Who’s your friend?”
    “Not a friend. This is only my sister. Connie, meet Mrs. Fullerton.”
    “Yes, Mrs. Fullerton, I’m only his sister,” Connie said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
    Michael grabbed his sister, spun her around and gave her a big bear hug. “She’s going to help us with the food and clothing drive today.”
    Connie backed out of his embrace, as if she’d been stung by a disturbed nest of bees. “Oh, please.”
    Mrs. Fullerton smiled. “You’ve got such a wonderful brother. See you both inside.” She staggered slightly as she turned toward the steps.
    Michael reached out to steady Mrs. Fullerton as she clung tightly to the railing with one hand and held a cane with the other. She climbed the stairs slowly, taking measured breaths. “I’ve got it, Michael, thank you.”
    Connie gave a low whistle under her breath. “My little brother is quite the Don Juan now, isn’t he?”
    He flashed a confident smile. “That I am.”
    “Look, I’m going inside,” she said. “It’s too cold out here.”
    It was a brisk November afternoon, with Thanksgiving only a few days away. This used to be Michael’s favorite time of the year. The town had an early holiday feeling. His gray sweatshirt felt good in the sharp breeze blowing off the nearby harbor. Michael noticed Linda’s cheeks were rosy from the frigid air.
    Linda turned and caught him staring at her. She smiled and waved. “Hi, Michael.” She walked over and gave him a big hug. He enjoyed it, but pulled away from the embrace.
    “Hey, Linda, great to see you again.” He flipped his hand toward the church door as he ran up the stairs.
    Dennis greeted him at the door with a friendly slap on the back. “Hey, buddy, thank you for coming by to help. I’m glad you’re here.”
    “Happy to help. Where do you want me to start?”
    “Since you know the basic layout of this church better than most, I need you to bring some of the old