Read The Blue Door for Free Online Page B

from Dinge.
    The central figure rubbed small circles against his temple with the tips of graceful fingers. “Which Messenger?”
    “Harken.”
    Their lord stilled. “Oh?”
    “Yes, lord.”
    “That definitely changes things,” he mused aloud.
    The first Sunday of every month, First Baptist Church hosted a potluck dinner following the morning service. Prissie’s mother and grandmother were firm believers in bringing enough to feed your own family with some to spare, and since there were
ten
Pomeroys to account for, the procession from the parking lot to the church’s basement kitchen was always a long one.
    Mr. Pomeroy and his three teenage boys were weighed down with piping hot pans wrapped in towels, and Zeke and Jude brought up the rear, swinging bags of Loafing Around’s famous dinner rolls. Grandma Nell took possession of the pie carrier, and Mrs. Pomeroy precariously balanced a platter of brownies on top of her Bible and notebook, though it was rescued by an usher and passed along to one of the efficient kitchen ladies as she walked through the door.
    Milo was one of the greeters this Sunday, and he stepped forward with open hands and a warm smile. “Good morning, Miss Priscilla. Can I help?”
    Prissie sailed right past him holding her nose and her rice pudding high. “I’ve got it, thanks,” she replied crisply.
    The mailman let his hands fall to his sides as he bleakly watched her march toward the stairs leading down to the fellowship hall. Jayce, who’d been relieved of his burden by another kitchen lady, shook his head at his daughter’s stiff back, then strode over and casually addressed Milo. “Care to tell me what happened?”
    “Sir?”
    “I thought maybe the dinner at our place was a fluke, but my Prissie seems to have had a change of heart where you’re concerned.”
    Milo winced and rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose I’ve disappointed your daughter,” he offered.
    “In what way?” her father inquired. His tone was reasonable, but he looked every inch a man prepared to defend and protect his daughter.
    “I believe she’s finally seen, well, sir, the age difference alone,” Milo offered uncomfortably.
    “Sure, sure … I get it.” With a heavy sigh, Jayce dropped ahand on the young man’s shoulder. “It was kinda cute when she was little, the way she took a shine to you. Puppy love or whatever.”
    The mailman shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “I’m sorry, sir.”
    “Have you done anything you
should
be sorry for?” Jayce inquired, an edge back in his tone.
    Milo quickly straightened and earnestly met the man’s gaze. “No, sir! Absolutely not.”
    “Then stop looking so guilty,” Jayce urged. “Girls are just … girls. Naomi says it’s part of growing up.”
    “I asked Harken for advice, and he believes everything will work for the good.”
    “He’s a wise man,” Mr. Pomeroy mused. “The two of you kind of look out for each other, don’t you?”
    “I rent a room over his shop, so we’re neighbors.”
    “Love thy neighbor, and all that?” Jayce asked with a chuckle.
    “And all that,” Milo agreed. “Sir, should I stay away from your family for a while?”
    Prissie’s father absently tugged at his tie, his expression serious. “You’ve been a good friend ever since you moved to town, and I hate to see this kind of rift develop.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “No, I don’t want you to suddenly disappear from our lives,” Jayce said decidedly. He glanced in the direction his daughter had disappeared. “Prissie’s a lot like my father; she’s not one to let go of a grudge quickly. If there’s any way to make up with her
before
her mind is set, I’d do it quickly.”
    The strains of organ and piano drifted from the sanctuary,signaling the nearing of service time, and Milo smiled as he took a step back. “I will, sir. And thank you.”
    “For what?”
    “Your trust,” he replied, excusing himself with a polite nod.
    In the kitchen, Prissie and