8. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
On the drive back to Kaysville, I tried to make sense of Aunt Lu’s request—and her behavior. Why did she want me to stay through the holidays? And more importantly, why wasn’t she at all upset that Brady Jackson was pursuing me again?
Maybe she really was losing her mind. I hated the thought. But something didn’t add up. And I intended to find out what that was.
The church parking lot was packed, as usual.
It looked just as it had nine and a half years ago—same white siding, same picket fence wrapping around the property. The cars were newer, sure, but the church hadn’t aged a day.
I’d always loved this little church, especially in spring when the trees bloomed and flowers framed the perimeter like something out of a storybook.
Once upon a time, I imagined walking down its center aisle to Brady. He used to talk about getting married right after high school. But we both knew that would’ve set our parents off. So, we planned for after college instead.
We were so naive.
Ugh. I needed to stop thinking about him.
It was bad enough I’d be seeing him inside those church doors. Worse that I’d agreed to stay in Kaysville through the holiday season.
I was nervous walking in. Coming back felt like opening a sealed box labeled Do Not Disturb.
I wished Aunt Lu were beside me.
I kept repeating: I’m an Eaton. I’m a successful author. I only have to survive this town for one month. And—why not?— I have more money than the Queen of England.
Not that it mattered. But I was grasping at any advantage.
Church was about to start, so I slipped through the back—on the right side, of course. Still, it was as if everyone had anticipated my arrival.
Heads turned as soon as I stepped inside. The right side, thankfully, was friendlier. I focused on them. Until I heard my name called out in a flurry of syllables and enthusiasm.
“Miss Ellie!”
I turned to see Caroline waving with both hands like she’d just spotted a real-life princess.
I smiled and waved. Her mom gently hushed her, ushering her back to the pew.
Then I saw the full Jackson clan. Brady. His parents. Benjamin and his family.
Brady waved.
Benjamin and his wife smiled.
His parents? Their icy glares could’ve frozen water. Not unexpected. But still—ouch.
I straightened my spine, summoned Aunt Lu’s spirit, smiled, and held my head high. Found a seat on the back pew. Sat. Breathed.
A few people smiled at me—including my old Sunday School teacher. It helped ease the nerves some.
The pastor stepped down from the pulpit and greeted me kindly. “Ms. Eaton, we’ve all heard about your aunt. How is she?”
I thought of Aunt Lu and smiled. Yes, she was sick. But feisty as ever.
“She’s doing as well as can be expected,” I said. “She’s scheduled for angioplasty tomorrow.” At least she better be. “Her doctor expects a full recovery.”
He patted my arm. “Excellent news. Please let us know if we can help in any way.” He turned and returned to the black walnut pulpit, his shoes echoing quietly down the aisle.
A few moments later, Caroline tiptoed over. “My mommy says I can sit with you, if that’s okay,” she whispered. “I didn’t want you to be by yourself.”
A Jackson on the Eaton side. Unheard of.
I glanced at her parents. Both smiled warmly.
My chest tightened. This sweet little girl had no idea what this meant to me. “Yes, of course you can.”
She scooted in close, and I wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. Her grandma didn’t look thrilled judging by her pinched expression. I didn’t care.
Brady kept turning around to smile. The fool.
I focused on the pastor as he asked for prayers for Aunt Lu, announcing her surgery to the entire congregation. I winced. Pretty sure that wasn’t meant for public consumption.
Still, knowing this town . . . by tomorrow, I’d probably have fifteen casseroles stacked on the porch. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about feeding myself.
The sermon was solid. It would’ve been better if I didn’t feel like I was on display in a museum— Kaysville’s Most Talked About Rule-Breaker , now open for viewing.
I couldn’t imagine why I was still so interesting to these people.
Yes, I broke the rules once. In a very public way. Brady and I hadn’t exactly been subtle. And sure, I rattled some cages with my prom stunt. But I’d never broken the law. I was valedictorian. I’d even built a good life for myself. Lonely, but good.
Still, the stares came from both sides of the church.
Caroline fidgeted beside me. I didn’t blame her. I was half tempted to scoop her up and escape to the playground behind the building. We could’ve swung on the swings and giggled about nothing.
But that would’ve locked in my title as a perpetual rebel—and probably sent the Jacksons into cardiac arrest.
Not that I cared what they thought. I wasn’t dating their son. Not anymore.
But I looked down at Caroline and really looked.
Here she was, a Jackson sitting with an Eaton on the Eaton side.
The phrase, “And a little child shall lead them,” came to mind.
It gave me some hope that maybe things wouldn’t always be so divided in this town.
Maybe the next generation would do it better.
I remembered all the grand plans Brady and I had made to change Kaysville, but that’s all they would ever be—plans.
During the closing hymn, Caroline sang with all her might—off-key and proud. Just happy to be doing something. I smiled and let myself wish. Wish for one of my own.
After the prayer, I gave her a tight hug. “Thanks for sitting with me. You better scoot off to Sunday School.”
She nodded, grinned, and skipped toward her parents—completely unaware she’d just healed a little piece of me.
I had a line of people waiting to speak to me. I was embarrassed to admit—I didn’t remember most of their names.
Still, they were kind. Each asked about Aunt Lu, offering help with anything I might need.
I told them we were covered. We had Doris, and honestly, I wasn’t high maintenance.
But then came David Mayfield. Him, I remembered.
One of Brady’s oldest friends. One of the first to welcome me into their circle when Brady and I went public—and the rare few who stayed kind after the breakup.
“Wow, Ellie Eaton,” he said, with that familiar grin, “you look terrific.”
I smiled. “Thank you. It’s just Elle now.”
He looked pretty terrific himself. Tall—about six foot—with dark hair, rich brown eyes, and warm olive skin.
“Well, Elle,” he teased, nudging me, “we haven’t seen you in forever. I guess now that you’re a famous author, you’re too good for us.”
“Oh, Dave,” I replied, just as playfully. “You know I always thought that.” Honestly, I really wasn’t that famous. And I didn’t think I was too good for this town. In many ways, it was the opposite. A part of me always felt guilty for breaking the rules. Breaking this town.
Dave chuckled. “So, does Brady know you’re back in town?”
I opened my mouth to answer—but Brady beat me to it, stepping up behind Dave like he owned the church.
He clapped him on the back, eyes locked on mine. “Of course I knew. We’ve already been out twice.”
I refused to roll my eyes. Barely.
Dave glanced between us, eyebrows raised. “So . . . you’re back together?”
“No,” I said—louder than I meant to.
“We’re working on it,” Brady added at the exact same time.
Dave looked confused.
Brady looked like he was enjoying the whole thing.
Well, he was going to love this next part.
“Dave,” I said sweetly, “would you mind escorting me to Sunday School?”
Dave blinked, surprised—but clearly flattered. He offered his arm like a proper Southern gentleman. I took it and threw a smirk in Brady’s direction.
Brady answered with that dang smile. And—of course—followed us down the hall.
“So, Elle,” Dave asked casually, “how long will you be in town?”
Was it a sin to lie in church?
I didn’t want word getting out about my new holiday plans.
“That’s a good question,” I replied, letting the ambiguity hang.
Brady’s steps slowed behind us.
Both men waited—expectantly. I didn’t elaborate.
Instead, I smiled, closed-lipped. “So, Dave, what are you still doing around here?”
“I work at the arsenal as an electrical engineer.”
“That’s quite a commute.”
“It beats living in the city.”
I wouldn’t call Huntsville the city , but I guess for a country boy, it might feel that way.
I ended up between Brady and Dave—right in the thick of the Roll Tide fan club. Like I needed more attention.
Sunday School wasn’t as split down the middle as the chapel. The room layout just didn’t allow it. We ended up behind Brady’s brother and his wife. Looked like the elder Jacksons had already gone home—thank goodness.
Kendra Jackson turned around. And up close, she surprised me.
She wasn’t a bombshell like Benjamin’s first wife—more like a freshly unwrapped Hallmark ornament, just absolutely lovely. Strawberry-blonde pixie cut. Bright green eyes, like Caroline’s. And young. Much younger than Benjamin.
“Hi, I’m Kendra Jackson, Caroline’s mom.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” I smiled, genuinely.
Benjamin turned around, too.
I’d never officially met him. I was the enemy—the Eaton girl. He’d been summoned, back then, to help talk Brady out of loving me. I’d always assumed he was there that Christmas when it all fell apart.
Maybe that was why he looked nervous.
But then he held out his hand. “Ellie, I’m Benjamin. I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced. It’s very nice to meet you.”
I glanced at Brady—not sure why. Maybe to see if this was a setup, a joke. But Brady just smiled, as if to say, It’s okay.
I looked back at Benjamin. He seemed sincere. The room felt suddenly quiet, like it was holding its breath.
I reached for his hand cautiously. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
He exhaled—almost visibly. Relieved.
How odd.
Brady leaned in, voice low. “I told you things have changed.”
I couldn’t help myself—I leaned in, too. “I saw your parents’ faces this morning. Doesn’t look like much has changed.”
Before I could pull back, he turned toward me. We were inches apart. And heaven help me, he looked good .
I straightened fast. He tugged playfully at my hair and flashed that smile I used to fall for like it was gravity.
Class started just in time—before I did something I’d spend the next decade regretting.
The man smelled, looked, and acted too good for my own good.
When the class ended, Kendra turned to me with a smile. “We’d love to have you over for dinner.”
I hesitated. Not out of dislike—but self-preservation. Dinner with the Jacksons—even just a subset—felt like inviting ghosts and trouble to supper.
She must’ve caught my hesitation. Caught the reason for it, too.
Her smile didn’t falter. “Just us,” she said. “Benjamin, Caroline, and me. No surprises.”
That helped. A little.
“Um . . . okay.”
She and Benjamin both gave me warm smiles. Brady looked mildly offended that he hadn’t been invited. Dave feigned his own disappointment.
Kendra gave them both the look —and wow, was she good at it. Tiny as she was, I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. I had the distinct feeling she could take down a full-sized man with one well-aimed glare.
“We’ll see you at six,” she said, handing me a slip of paper with their address.
Brady and Dave offered to escort me to my car. I didn’t answer.
They came anyway.
Dave walked a little too close. “Just so you know,” he said, voice low, “I wanted to ask you to prom. But bonehead over there told me he’d kill me if I did.”
Bonehead ? Who even used that word anymore?
I glanced at Brady, curious. “Oh, really? And why was that, Brady Jackson?”
Brady just grinned. The kind of grin that could unravel a decade of resolve.
“I voted for you for prom queen,” Dave said.
Weird.
“How nice,” I replied. “But that was a long time ago.”
“It wasn’t that long ago,” they both said, in perfect sync.
Bizarre.
Thankfully, we reached my car before things could get any weirder.
“Sweet ride,” Dave said, eyeing the sleek lines of the gift I’d recently given myself.
“Thanks.”
Brady wasn’t interested in the car. Not surprisingly—trucks were more his language. He ignored Dave entirely, walked up to me, and kissed my cheek like it was the most natural thing to do. It used to be.
Instinctively, I reached up and touched it. The warmth his lips always brought lingered there.
He noticed—and smiled like he knew exactly what he was doing and exactly how he made me feel. “By the way,” he said, “I voted for you for prom queen, too. I’ll see you later, Ellie.”
I was too stunned to respond. Brady voted for me for prom queen? What about Amber?
He walked away as if he’d just won something.
Dave watched him retreat, then turned to me, eyes full of curiosity. “Are you sure you two aren’t together?”
I dropped my hand from my cheek, trying to slow my pulse. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Pretty sure.