Winnie Griggs by The Bride Next Door Page B

a raised brow. “Shall we?”
    The feel of his hand on her elbow startled her. He likely only meant to offer support as they climbed the stairs.
    Once inside the church, he released her and moved toward a pew halfway down the aisle. She thought for a moment he was planning to join Adam and what was undoubtedly the rest of the Barr household, but he stopped one pew shy of them.
    Daisy was uncertain whether to join him or if that would be considered presumptuous. But before she could even complete that thought, Everett was stepping aside to let her precede him into the pew.
    There were already two men seated there, and they slid down to accommodate her and Everett. The gentleman to her left, an intimidatingly large man, gave her a friendly smile. “Good day, ma’am. I’m Mitchell Parker. And this—” he indicated the boyish looking gentleman to his left “—is Chance Dawson.”
    “So good to meet you. My name is Daisy Johnson.”
    There was no time for further pleasantries, since Reverend Harper was already stepping up to the pulpit.
    When the choir led the congregation in an opening hymn a few moments later, Daisy was surprised by Everett’s strong, deep voice. It seemed to set off echoing vibrations deep inside her, vibrations synchronized to the rhythms of her heartbeat and breathing.
    She shook off the fanciful notion when Reverend Harper stepped up to the podium. His sermon dealt with finding joy in whatever your circumstances. Daisy almost felt as if God Himself were blessing her self-appointed mission to help Everett with this very thing. She wondered how well Everett was listening.
    After the service, Adam and his obviously expecting wife stood and turned to greet them. Mrs. Barr focused her attention on Daisy first. “You must be Miss Johnson.”
    Daisy was immediately put at ease by the woman’s warm and genuine smile. “Please, call me Daisy.”
    “And I’m Reggie.” She waved a hand to include the three other men in Daisy’s pew. “These gents have a standing invitation to have Sunday luncheon with us. I hope you’ll join us, as well.”
    Daisy was caught off guard by the invitation. “I don’t...”
    Reggie patted her hand. “Please, you can’t say no. The invitation is entirely selfish on my part. It would be so wonderful to have another female at my table.” Then she tilted her head apologetically. “Unless you already have other plans.”
    “No. I mean, of course I’d be happy to accept your invitation.”
    “Good. It’ll be great to have some female company to help me hold my own against all of these men.”
    Adam tucked his wife’s arm on his elbow. “I have never known you to have problems holding your own, my dear,” he said affectionately.
    Daisy felt a little stab of jealousy at the obvious love between these two. Was that something she’d ever find for herself?
    She pushed that thought away. “Before I join you, I need to check on Kip—he’s my dog.”
    “Of course. In fact, bring him along if you like.” Reggie placed a hand on her son’s shoulder. “We have a dog of our own, and Jack will be glad to keep an eye on him for you. Won’t you, Jack?”
    The boy nodded vigorously.
    Reggie turned to Everett. “You’ll show her where we live.” It didn’t sound like a question.
    But Daisy was aghast at the suggestion that Mr. Fulton should act as her escort. “Oh, no, that’s not necessary. If you’ll just tell me where your home is, I’m sure I can find my way on my own.”
    Reggie waved her objection aside. “Nonsense. If Everett doesn’t want to—”
    “I will be happy to provide Miss Johnson with an escort.” Everett’s dry tone indicated he was humoring the ladies.
    But it would be churlish to refuse now, so she simply nodded, and thanked him.
    As they walked down the sidewalk together, she clasped her hands in front of her. “I apologize for taking you away from your friends.”
    “Where Reggie is concerned, it’s best just to go along.”
    So he