Faithful by Kim Cash Tate

approached him. Dr. Lyles said he would have it no other way.
    Cyd watched as he reached Stephanie, spoke into her ear, gave her a hug, and unfolded a gorgeous silver stole, draping it around her shoulders. He headed back to the front.
    Cyd and Claudia made a beeline for her. “What happened?” Claudia asked.
    Stephanie looked as if she was still trying to understand it. “Pastor said after I walked in, he called Sister Gloria to see if she had anything for me to cover up with. He said he’d known me all my life and loved me like a daughter, and I was too precious to God to wear something like this.” Stephanie fingered the ends of the stole, which fell well below her chest.
    Gloria, Pastor Lyles’s wife, had the perfect answer.
    â€œWhen Sister Gloria heard what color I was wearing, she said God must have meant for me to have this. She said I could keep it.”
    Claudia sneaked a glance at Cyd, and Cyd knew they were thinking the same thing. She and her mother had often emphasized Stephanie’s worth to God when discussing her choices, but never with this effect. Stephanie was visibly overcome.
    â€œThis is beautiful.” Claudia’s hand skimmed the material. “Wait till I see Gloria. She’s always blessing somebody.”
    â€œMrs. Sanders,” Cassandra called, “we need you at the front of the line.”
    Claudia scurried away, and Cyd moved down the line, hugging seven bridesmaids—two cousins, two college friends of Stephanie’s, two high school buddies, and—
    â€œHi—you must be Kelli. I’m Stephanie’s sister, Cyd.” Cyd smiled and reached for a hug.
    Lindell’s younger sister, a grad student at the University of Texas at Austin, had flown in just today. Tall enough to claim the last bridesmaid’s spot before Cyd and attractive, she had at least two groomsmen vying for her attention.
    Kelli returned the hug and greeting, and Cyd turned to find her place in line—when a body bear-hugged her from behind, causing her to stumble. She pivoted and looked down at a semi-toothless grin.
    â€œHi, Aunt Cyd!”
    â€œHi, Mark!”
    Mackenzie was with him, grinning just as big, and Cyd gave them both a big hug. Mackenzie wore a pretty floral-patterned dress, and Mark had on dress pants and a long-sleeved collared shirt.
    â€œYou two look so cute!”
    Mark made a face. “ Cute ?”
    â€œOh.” Cyd tried not to laugh. “ Handsome to you, sir.”
    â€œHe’s not a sir.” Mackenzie nudged him. “And Mom told you to stop being so touchy about people calling you cute.”
    â€œAll right, all right.” Cyd settled them in their places directly behind her just as her father made his way toward her. Just seeing him stabilized her heart somewhat. He always had that effect on her—a strong, calming, everything-will-be-okay effect.
    â€œHi, Daddy,” she said, hugging him close.
    â€œHey, sweetheart.” Tall and trim, Bruce Sanders fixed her with a stare. “I heard something about an emergency. What happened?”
    â€œOh, nothing you need to worry about,” Cyd answered in a sing-songy voice. And she knew he would worry. He loved Scott and Dana.
    Bruce looked skeptical, but Cyd eased to her place in line before he could ask more questions.
    Cyd noticed Cassandra speaking with a guy up front, who began walking toward the back using a side aisle. Had to be Lindell’s brother. She’d never met him, and her eyes kept skittering in his direction because she’d had no idea how utterly good-looking he was. Lindell was handsome enough, if you caught him at the right angle—hair thinning already at the top, maybe taller than Stephanie in bare feet, and chubby. But his brother had to be at least six foot two with a strong, athletic physique, obvious even in his blue pinstripe tailored suit.
    He walked right up to Cyd. “I don’t believe we’ve