Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Essie stood in front of the bedroom mirror, tying the sash of her pale-blue dress. She’d add her gold hoop earrings, her new diamond bracelet, and tan wedge sandals, but she’d carry her white cardigan. Sometimes the sanctuary got a bit chilly.
Sundays were always such a good day. Happy, hopeful, grounding her for the week ahead. Church had that effect on her. And on Frank.
Afterwards, they’d go out to eat. Sometimes with another couple from church, sometimes by themselves. She wasn’t sure what today’s plan was.
Behind her, Frank finished buttoning his dress shirt and tucking it into his khaki pants. He maybe wasn’t as trim as he’d once been, but he looked as sharp as ever to her.
She caught his eye in the reflection and smiled. “You look very handsome.”
“Flatterer.” He stepped closer to see his own reflection and put his hands on her shoulders. “And you look beautiful. As always.”
Essie leaned into him for a second, breathing in the familiar scent of his aftershave, clean and warm, like cedar. And, for her, a sense of safety.
They finished getting ready and were halfway to the front door when Frank stopped, keys in hand.
“Did you forget something?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Essie,” he said quietly. “Before we go…I want to talk about something.”
She faced him, pulse ticking up. He only used that tone when it was something serious. Had there been news about Sophie overnight? She braced herself.
“I think we should speak with Pastor John today,” he said. “About Sophie. And the lawsuit. Before he hears anything secondhand.”
Essie’s stomach tightened. She loved Pastor Timmons. The idea of sharing this with him made her stomach knot. He would be kind and understanding, as he always was, but it was still not a great feeling. “That’s probably a good idea.”
Frank reached for her hand. “I know it’s uncomfortable. I know you’d rather keep this private. So would I. But the pastor is bound to hear something eventually. Especially with how quickly rumors travel.” His thumb brushed her knuckles. “Better that he hears the truth from us, don’t you think?”
“Of course.” Essie looked down at their joined hands, at the gold band that never left her finger.
She wanted to shield Frank from every ounce of stress.
She wanted the church to remain a place untouched by Sophie’s petty nonsense and the ugliness of lawyers and accusations. A sanctuary. Her sanctuary.
“I just…” Essie swallowed. “Church is the one place I didn’t want this following us.”
“I know,” he said gently. “I didn’t either. But we can’t pretend nothing is happening. And we shouldn’t make our pastor feel shut out. He cares about us.”
Essie lifted her gaze, meeting Frank’s soft brown eyes. There was no fear in them. Only love and that reassuring Holt steadiness she’d fallen for.
She nodded. “You’re right. It’s better to tell him ourselves. Not easier, but better.”
Frank’s shoulders relaxed, relief visible in his smile. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “We’ll do it together,” he promised. “Right before service so we can get it out of the way.”
Essie squeezed his hand once more, drawing strength from it.
Frank opened the door, sunlight spilling into the entryway. Essie took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped out with him. As they walked to the car, she said a little prayer that this whole thing with Sophie would be quickly and easily resolved.
The parking lot of Gulfside Baptist Church hummed with Sunday morning cheer; families unloading minivans, children in clean shirts and twirly dresses, and retirees catching up with warm hugs and the latest news. It was such a happy place. She smiled despite her trepidation.
Essie stepped out of the car, adjusting her purse strap, her pulse skipping faster than usual.
She did not want to be the subject of gossip, which shouldn’t exist at any church, but anyone who thought it didn’t was lying to themselves.
This church didn’t have that kind of problem, at least not that she was aware of, but it was human nature to share news.
Frank came around to take her hand before she could pretend she didn’t need the comfort. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She gave him a quick smile as they headed in.
Inside, the lobby hummed with chatter and the scent of coffee drifted from the fellowship area.
A few members greeted them, though Essie couldn’t help wondering which smiles were genuine and which ones might already be hiding whispers.
Did anyone know? If they’d seen Sophie on TikTok, it was possible they did.
It was no secret that Sophie hadn’t come to their wedding and no secret that she was trying to be big on social media.
Frank was right. They needed to get ahead of this.
Essie spotted Pastor John near the sanctuary doors, shaking hands and offering his usual kind smile and quick laugh. He was in his mid-50s, trim, his tie and suit always a little outdated but no one minded. The man cared more about his flock than his appearance.
Essie felt Frank squeeze her fingers. She knew they were going to talk to him now.
“Pastor John,” Frank called gently as they approached.
The pastor’s face brightened. “Frank! Essie! Good to see you both this morning.” He reached to shake Frank’s hand.
“Good to see you, too,” Essie said, her voice soft. “Do you have a moment for us before service begins?”
The pastor immediately checked his surroundings, then motioned them toward a quiet corner of the vestibule. “Of course. What’s on your heart?”
Frank cleared his throat, shifting into a more serious posture. “Pastor, I’m sure you’ll hear bits and pieces soon, if you haven’t already. We wanted you to have the truth from us. Sophie has—” He took a breath.
Essie’s throat tightened. She willed herself to stay calm. Pastor John would understand.
“She’s filed lawsuits,” Frank continued. “Against both of us. Claims of undue influence and breach of trust. She was badmouthing Essie on social media, and I told her that had to stop or I’d cut off all support. I thought it worked, but obviously, it didn’t. Now she’s retaliated.”
Pastor John took a slow, steady breath. No surprise, no judgment. He just listened. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you,” he said, voice filled with sincerity. “Family wounds cut the deepest.”
Essie blinked hard, grateful for his kindness. She nodded, unable to speak because of the emotions welling up in her.
“They do. And we’re handling it,” Frank said. “We just wanted you to know before… Well, before gossip does what it does.”
The pastor nodded. “If I hear anything like that, I will shut it down immediately. I appreciate you coming to me. I’ll be praying for both of you and this situation.” He looked at Essie, his expression gentle. “How are you holding up?”
Essie managed a shaky smile. “Trying to remember that God sees the full picture even when we don’t.”
Pastor John smiled with his whole face, instantly comforting her. “He does. And I try to do the same. It isn’t always easy to have that kind of faith, but I also know that the love in this marriage runs deeper than any falsehood thrown at it.”
Something inside Essie relaxed. Like a knot loosening ever so slightly. She nodded. He was right about that.
“If there’s anything the church can do,” he added. “Prayer, counsel, even just a hot meal on nights you can’t think about cooking—you let me or Gina know. My wife and I will be there for you.”
Frank nodded. “Thank you, Pastor. We appreciate you both.”
Essie nodded. His wife, Gina, was a wonderful woman who headed up the children’s ministry.
Ushers opened the sanctuary doors wider, and the first notes on the piano called the congregation toward their seats.
Pastor John laid a hand lightly on Essie’s shoulder. “Let’s go in, shall we? And remember, you’re not walking this valley alone.”
Essie breathed in the scents of the sanctuary, wood and the perfume of the fresh flowers on the altar table and followed Frank to their usual pew.
For the first time since Sophie’s threats began…she felt calmer. She lifted her chin, happy to be in this place of worship and safety. They’d get through this. It would be stressful, it would be hard, but God was with them.
And with the support of their faith and their friends, they’d manage.