Chapter 54
I peeked around the corner of the house and found mud, too. Meet my spinach patch planted next to the west wall of my house where it's warmed by the sun. Look, the snow is melting and it's starting to grow! Next month (that's February) I'll be harvesting. Okay, me and the deer will be harvesting. I'll try to get there first, but when I arrive I'll find big chomps out of most of the leaves. I'll grab what I can and snip off the bite marks to serve salad. For the next few weeks the deer and I will be playing tag to see who gets there first. A few weeks later it won't matter--the patch will provide more than all of us can consume. I'm so excited for spring!
Hidden Secrets
Leona Palmer Haag
Chapter 54
Alexa Trent was Mormon, just like Matt Jensen. She was
like all the caring, concerned mothers who dropped their kids off at Daisy's
Day Care Center. She came in and talked with the teachers for a minute or two
each day when she picked them up. She praised her kid's art projects,
complimented them on learning something new, and thanked the staff and
teachers. The only thing different about her were her clothes. Jenn had noticed
it immediately. She was a little more…
Jenn yanked her closet door open. She had always
dressed modestly. Moderately. As tastefully as her budget allowed. Like Alexa.
Now she scanned her clothes. Her new pink sundress was perfect. Strappy top.
Shorter than she'd normally wear. Slightly clingy. She'd bought it to wear
around the pool, but not in public. Never! Until today.
Jenn slid into the dress and pulled it down an inch or
two. It rebounded up her thigh when she let go. That was good for the neckline,
but bad for the hemline. From every angle in the floor length tri-fold mirror
she examined herself. She frowned. The dress had been hanging in the closet for
ten days on purpose. Jenn didn't have the guts to wear it. Even to the pool. When
only Katie was around. And Kevin's snoopy camera. It had been a waste of
Kevin's precious money. Something she planned to return. Not anymore. Jenn put
on a pair of heeled sandals with thin cream ties lacing up the ankles. A
perfectly sizzling combination.
Make-up and hair were next. By ten-thirty Jenn was
ready. She had tossed clothes for Katie out the bedroom door, so when she
stepped into the loft, she found Matt and Katie both ready. Matt whistled.
"Wow, Mrs. Morgan, you look… nice."
Jenn turned and showed her outfit off, knowing it was
knocking his eyes out and making him seriously doubt his decision to take her
to church.
"The building will be air conditioned, so you
might want a sweater," he said.
"I'll be fine," Jenn said, interpreting his
suggestion as, "cover up". She headed toward the stairs.
Jenn saw Kristina gasp the moment she entered the
church holding Matt's arm. She wasn't sure if it was from her outfit or seeing
her there. Her friend made her way down the aisle and said, "Dia, it's so
good to see you!"
Matt took Kristina's hand and said, "It's nice
seeing you again, Kristina. I'm glad you told my wife what time the meetings
begin."
Kristina nodded, looking Jenn and Matt up and down.
Jenn knew a hundred questions were running through her mind. She'd eventually
have to answer half of them. Maybe she'd have a little fun with her neighbor
when the interrogation began. Or maybe she'd just hide in the castle's dungeon
and stop answering her cell phone to avoid it. Jenn smiled as best she could and
swallowed back the stupidity and discomfort of her clothing choice.
The building was chilly and Jenn wished she'd been
humble enough to grab a sweater. Or blanket. Or wear her long skirt. Matt led
her to a seat, and when the music started he sang ever song. He whispered a few
instructions to her at different points during the service, and kept Katie
happy on his knee during sermons. Jenn pretended her shoulders weren't bare,
her thighs weren't exposed, and her make-up wasn't too strong.
When the meeting ended Matt said, "Honey, let's
take Katie to her class and then we'll find ours."
"Can we go home now?" Jenn begged.
Matt grinned and shook his head. He proceeded to pump
Katie up about going to a fun nursery. He grabbed her hand and led her along.
It was horrible. When they finally entered the adult class a few minutes late,
she felt like she was leading a parade as everyone stared as they made their
way to two empty seats near the front.
The man up front said, "We have visitors. Would
you like to stand and introduce yourselves?"
Matt jumped up from his seat on the front row and
pulled Jenn to her feet. They faced the group and he said, "I'm Samuel
Morgan and this is my wife Dia. We've recently moved into the home across the
street from Joe and Kristina Walker. We have a two-year old daughter, Katie.
We've recently arrived from Louisiana, but I'm originally from Florida and Dia
is from Houston. Dia arrived first and has been here for almost a month. Dia
loves it here and we appreciate the warm welcome we've received."
Jenn sank into her seat and dug her fingernails into Matt's
hand as punishment for putting her on display. He unclenched her fingers and
put his arm around her shoulder. She could tell he was laughing at her. She'd
get him back. Somehow. Someway. Very soon. And wickedly.
Terror struck an hour later when the class ended and Matt
abandoned her, promising to pick up Katie first and find her after the next
class. The moment he was gone Kristina sat beside her and said, "I had no
clue you were Mormon."
"M…my husband is, but I'm not," Jenn
admitted through clenched teeth. "As you can guess, he dragged me here
today. He thinks it will do me some good. For years now he's been trying to get
me to come, but this is his first and last success."
Kristina laughed. "It hasn't been that bad, has
it?"
Jenn shrugged her bare shoulder. "It looks like
he finally came home, and a few days later landed himself in the
doghouse."
Kristina laughed as if she understood. "Well,
hopefully you'll forgive him soon." She looked around. "You know
Heather and Josie from Katie's play group. You'll probably want to sit by them.
I'd sit by you, but I have to sit up front."
Jenn dutifully moved and sat with the two familiar
faces and exchanged a polite greeting, then Kristina stood up and began
speaking, announcing the meeting. Apparently she was in charge.
"Hey, you survived," Matt said when he
showed up at the women's meeting room door.
Kristina was right there. "I think she enjoyed
it, Samuel. Bring her back soon if she'll let you, but I think you might be in
trouble."
Matt grinned. "I know, but it was a risk I took.
Dia has grown accustomed to adjusting to new situations. She's a sweet person
with a good head on her shoulders. This move is probably the most challenging
thing she's ever faced, so a support group will do her good. I thought this
might be an excellent place to find one. I travel a lot and can't help her
settle in. I'm leaving again this afternoon."
Kristina looked surprised. "We'll watch out for
you Dia," she said, clasping her hand and giving it a squeeze.
Jenn smiled sweetly and thanked her in return.
"Matt, exactly what were you doing back
there?" Jenn demanded when they were in the SUV heading home.
"Helping you make friends," he truthfully
said.
Jenn gave him a sarcastic look. "And you were
making sure I had another babysitter? Isn't Kevin and ten security cameras
enough?"
Matt faced her for a moment, then faced forward to
drive. "It should be, but we're talking about JennaLynn Langsford
Washington here. Maybe Kevin ought to temporarily relocate. You haven't
promised to stay put yet. He could set up shop in a basement bedroom."
"All this church stuff happened because I didn't
make a promise before eleven o'clock?" Jenn asked in disbelief.
"No. I went to renew my covenants with God and
clear my mind. I took you in hopes you'd loosen up."
"Keep God to yourself," she muttered.
"What's your decision?"
Jenn bit her lip. "I'll follow my gut," she
finally said as they pulled into the garage.
End Chapter 54
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