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the napkins and worked one out from under the glass casserole lid that prevented the stack from blowing to New Mexico. “I’m sure you’re proud of your daughter, Mrs. Sanders.”
    â€œShe’ll make a fine wife.” The woman hit a serving spoon firmly against a dish to release a blob of macaroni and cheese. “She’ll be graduating this year. Been thinking of going on to college, but she’d rather just settle down with a strong Christian man and birth a houseful of little ones.”
    Dodd’s paper plate wobbled. “I’ll be working at the high school, Mrs. Sanders. I don’t think it’s appropriate—”
    â€œExcellent sermon this morning, Brother Cunningham.” She grinned knowingly as she sailed away from him.
    Dodd reached for a plastic fork and stabbed it into his lasagna. Trapp, Texas, with all its quirks, was going to take some getting used to, but he was determined to make the best of it. He chuckled, thinking he’d be more at home on Mars, but people were the same no matter what planet they called home, so he didn’t doubt he could do the Lord’s work. He lifted his chin and walked confidently toward Charlie Mendoza and Neil Blaylock.
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    â€œI’m expected to use the King James Version,” Dodd said as he backed his mother’s SUV out of the parking space. “I don’t mind, of course.” He scratched his head. “Apparently the NIV isn’t allowed.”
    â€œNeither are slacks,” his mother said.
    â€œWranglers and boots,” added Grady from the backseat. “We may need to go shopping.”
    She clucked her tongue. “I’d hate to commit a social blunder so soon.”
    Grady thrust his head over the front seat. “Like preaching from the NIV in your first sermon? Talk about a bad impression.”
    Milla thumped him, but Grady stayed where he was, resting his elbows on the back of her seat.
    â€œMom, did you hear? Dodd’s dating Emily Sanders.”
    Dodd groaned. His brother’s words were meant to tease, but anxiety washed across him in waves.
    â€œGrady, leave your brother alone. He has enough on his mind without worrying about an immature girl.” Milla snapped her sun visor down and found him in the mirror. “By the way, aren’t you glad you’ll know a few people on the first day at your new school?”
    â€œIt will help.” The leather of the seat cushion made a shushing sound as Grady slouched back.
    Dodd welcomed the change in topic. “We met a football player at the grocery store the other night. Luis is in ninth grade, so he won’t be in Grady’s classes, but at least he’ll be another familiar face.”
    â€œThe girl’s the one I want in my classes,” Grady said, “but she’s out of school. What was her name?”
    Ruthie. The woman had scrubbed that cash register as though it were infested with anthrax. And as she worked, her dark hair swung just above her waist. Dodd cleared his throat. “Ruth, I think.”
    â€œThat’s not right,” Grady said. “I remember thinking it wasn’t quite biblical.” He snapped his fingers. “Ruthie. Almost biblical, but not quite.” He quieted as they made a right turn at the town’s lone traffic light. “She seemed a little prickly.”
    Prickly might not be the best word to describe Ruthie, but as Dodd parked the SUV in front of the little pink house, he entertained more appropriate adjectives. Like captivating . He grabbed his Bible from the console and slammed the door, realizing the best word to describe her was gorgeous , in an unaware, small-town way.
    His mother and Grady went in the house, but Dodd sat on the stoop and rested his Bible on the cool cement next to him. He needed to sort things out. His mother and Grady? Top priorities. The church? Equally important. His new job? Paramount. But women? He’d been so