To that point, the preacher’s message and Micah’s method of worship seemed compatible. But when Pastor Jensen continued, Micah conceded that he may have missed the essence of true worship.

“When people asked Jesus to show them the way to God, He had replied, ‘I and the Father are one. He who has seen me has seen the Father.’ At a later time, Jesus had said, ‘No man cometh to the Father except by me.’”

Pastor Jensen concluded his message by quoting another Scripture, “‘He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.’ Until people accept Jesus, the Son of God, into their hearts, there can be no worship.”

As the congregation rose for the benediction, Micah realized that if the preacher’s words were true, his methods of worship had not pleased God.

Micah had his hand wrung by most of the congregation at the end of the service, and he had many invitations to become a part of their fellowship while he was in the community. While Laurel and Debbie visited with their friends, he circled the building looking with interest at the architecture. If he accepted a position at Walden College, he might research historic churches of the South for an article or a TV feature. Bethel Church could be included.

“Where are we going for lunch?” he asked as he opened the car doors. Again, Laurel took the back seat, leaving the front for Debbie.

“You call it, Mom. Where do you want to go?”

“How about that nice Sunday buffet at the restaurant on the road to Knoxville? They have a good choice of food.”

“Give me directions, Debbie,” Micah said.

As he started the engine, she said, “Oh, wait. Here comes our cousin, Kevin. He must want to meet you.”

But the man approached the passenger side of the car. He opened the rear door and handed an envelope to Laurel.

“I was worried I’d miss you today. This letter came to my office last week. I’ve intended to drop by Oaklawn and give it to you, but I’ve been busy.”

Laurel took the envelope and glanced at the typed address. “Mrs. Jason Cooper, c/o Kevin Cooper, Attorney at Law.” She hadn’t had a letter addressed to Mrs. Jason Cooper for a long time. Her hands stiffened and her eyes blurred. Could this have anything to do with her mysterious phone call?

She was thankful for a moment to compose herself when Debbie said, “Cousin Kevin, did you meet our tenant? Kevin Cooper, Micah Davidson,” she said.

Kevin Cooper extended a hand across the front seat and gave Micah a hearty handshake. Kevin was the only man other than the minister who’d been wearing a suit. He was a tall, portly man with a mane of shoulder-length gray hair and a full gray beard. His appearance reminded Micah of an antebellum Southern planter.

“Going to stay long at Oaklawn?” Kevin said.

“Two or three months,” Micah answered.

“Everything going all right, Laurel?” Kevin asked affably.

“Yes, the wedding plans are moving along quite well,” she said with an effort.

“Glad to hear it,” her cousin-in-law said. “I’ll try to stop by this week. Glad to meet you, Mr. Davidson. It relieves my mind that you’ll be around Oaklawn this summer. When the apartments are empty, I worry about my cousins living in such an isolated place.”

Kevin closed the door and Micah drove out of the church parking lot.

“Cousin Kevin is a nice guy,” Debbie said. “He was my daddy’s second cousin, and he’s been very good to Mom and me after my grandparents died. If he’s worried about the two of us living alone at Oaklawn, I don’t know what he’ll think when Mom is there by herself.”

Laurel remained silent.

Following Debbie’s instructions, Micah left the narrow county road and accessed the highway. Micah had been prepared to dislike Debbie, because he’d gotten the impression that she imposed on her mother. Or at least he’d gathered that Laurel carried the whole burden of family decisions. After chatting with her about college life and her upcoming marriage, he decided she wasn’t a spoiled brat, but an intelligent, compassionate young lady.

Suddenly it occurred to Micah that Laurel hadn’t said a word since they’d left the churchyard, and he glanced quickly over his shoulder. Her eyes were closed, her face was the color of ashes, and her hand crushed the letter Kevin Cooper had given her.

“Hey, Mom,” Debbie said, not looking at her mother, but indicating a turn that Micah should take. “Who was your letter from?”

Micah heard Laurel open and close her purse. As he made the sharp left-hand turn, he had a slight glimpse of Laurel’s hands. The letter wasn’t in sight.

“Oh, just a piece of junk mail.”

“Seems strange anyone would send your mail to Cousin Kevin’s office.”

Laurel didn’t answer.

“Probably one of your admirers sneaking a letter to you so I wouldn’t see it,” Debbie teased.