Guarding the Treasure by J. K. Zimmer Page B

watched Colleen and this new dark-haired woman interact. Their friendship was deep—it was obvious by the way they greeted one another. The woman raised her head, and Anya gasped quietly. She had a beauty that she had never seen before. Her skin was a soft olive color, and her eyes—they were as black as a moonless night, with long dark lashes that curled, adding a loveliness that gave pleasure to all the senses. Her lips were small with a tint of natural pink that deepened as an indescribable smile emerged, warm and unassuming. But there was more about the young woman that kept Anya’s eyes and mind glued to her. She possessed something else. Something that wasn’t natural, something not of herself, she thought. It was a spirit not displayed by her outward beauty. Anya tensed, yet smiled, as the two filed through the fabrics to where she was standing.
    “Miss O’Connell,” Colleen said, with strength in her voice. “I would like to introduce you to my friend, Miss Olivia Neely. She lives in the area near me.”
    Olivia turned, looking directly at Anya. “Nice to meet you, Miss O’Connell,” she said, her tone pleasant and inviting. “Colleen says many nice things about you. Seems she is very fortunate to have a position working for your family.”
    Anya was struck by the shining sincerity in Olivia’s voice, by the flow of her words and by something else, but what?
    “Thank you, Miss Neely, for your kind words. But it is my family and I who are the lucky ones to have Colleen in our home.” She smiled at Colleen, meaning every word as a compliment. “So you and Colleen are close neighbors?”
    “No, not close as the crow flies, but we do attend some of the same meetings in the evenings,” Olivia said.
    Anya watched Olivia glance at Colleen, whose smile seemed to flatten out.
    Colleen could feel her cheeks start to burn, knowing color had set in. She glanced at the floor, then back at the two staring back at her. Clearing her throat, she said, “Unfortunately, as of late, I have worked past the hour of meeting, so we don’t see each other as much as before.”
    The three stood silent for a moment.
    “What are your meetings about?” Anya asked, looking at both women as she touched Colleen’s arm in reassurance.
    “We meet to read the words of scripture and pray, Miss O’Connell,” Olivia said softly. You could call it church, but it is more than meeting in a building. It is true concern and communion among each one that attends.” She gave a smile to her friend. “Colleen has asked for much prayer for you and your family, Miss O’Connell, but especially for you.”
    Anya’s cheeks felt warm as she briefly looked away and then back at the women. No one had offered prayers on her behalf before. She felt humbled and somewhat small in the presence of the two standing with her.
    “Miss,” Colleen said nervously. “I have been quite concerned about you these past months, which is the only reason I have asked Olivia and those who meet to think of you.”
    Anya heard the shakiness in her servant’s voice and her eyes filled with tears. “Colleen, I had no idea you were religious, and it is good you have had others pray for me,” she said gently, trying to alleviate the discomfort she saw in the servant’s face. Anya turned to engage the attention of Olivia. “I do not know religion the way you and Colleen know of it.” Anya weaved her fingers together and rested them on the front of her dress. “My mother would go to the church on occasion and carry her string of beads. But that is all I know about religion.”
    With each word from Anya’s lips, Colleen’s body became increasingly tense. Heat began working its way up her neck, and she became more and more uncomfortable with the uncertainty that was creeping into the conversation. She had not talked so openly about such things with Miss O’Connell, not knowing how she would react later. “Miss, it is time we make our way back to Goregoo if I am