This time she smiled back.
9
Reva climbed from her Cadillac Escalade, taking care not to let the heels of her Gianvito Rossi pumps dig into the dirt in the church parking lot. Some would say wearing stilettos anywhere but on a paved sidewalk was asking for trouble, and they’d be right. They’d also be right to claim her elaborate wide-brimmed straw hat was out of place in the wilds of Wyoming.
Her extended family was from the South. She’d spent a lot of time with them while growing up, and especially during the time she attended Tulane. In the words of her dearly departed Memaw, “No respectable black woman spends time in Jesus’ house with her head uncovered.”
Capri exited her car and waved. “Hey, Reva. Morning!” She opened the back passenger door and helped her mom and stepdad from the back seat. “Save us a seat.”
Reva nodded and joined the small crowd making their way up the steps and into the tiny log church. Moose Chapel was constructed in 1925, which predated the establishment of Grand Teton National Park. Located fifteen miles south of town, the tiny log building with the rustic cross on top was a beacon to everyone, but not only on Sundays. The doors were always open to anyone needing to pray and have time for reflection.
It was not uncommon for Pastor Pete to stand behind the pulpit on Sunday mornings, counseling that the congregants were the true ambassadors of the Lord. He backed up his claim by quoting his favorite scripture, “You are a living epistle, written not of ink but of the spirit of God.” While no one counted, Pete had wooed more souls at the Rustic Pine than in this church building.
Reva made her way down the wood-slatted aisle to her spot on a pew next to Charlie Grace, Lila, and their families. Capri and her parents followed close behind.
Reva looked around. “Some folks are missing this morning.”
Capri took her seat nearby and pulled a hymnal from the rack on the pew in front of her. She leaned and answered with a low voice. “I heard a new Baptist church opened in Jackson. Nicola was overheard telling a group in the post office that she was gathering some folks to check it out.”
Reva felt her eyebrows raise. “Is that so?” While she applauded a new church, she couldn’t imagine worshipping anywhere but Moose Chapel.
She waved to Annie perched at the piano with her fingers poised on the keys. The congregation stood and sang several of Reva’s personal favorites, ending with “In the Garden,” a hymn she’d sung as a child.
Annie closed the wooden lid on the piano keys, signaling they should take their seats and turn their attention to the sermon.
Pastor Pete brought his A-game this Sunday and preached a powerful message that left the attendees filing out of the church with wide smiles. “I don’t know how that guy does it, but he always leaves me feeling the need to be better…to do better,” Charlie Grace commented as she took her daughter’s hand and led her down the front steps.
Capri pulled her phone from her bag and turned the volume back on. “Careful, if you get any more benevolent, we’ll be calling you Saint Charlie Grace.”
Charlie Grace waved off her comment. “Whatever!”
Lila smoothed some wrinkles from her dress. “You guys have time to catch lunch?”
“Not today,” Charlie Grace answered. “I’ve got to get back to the ranch. Our first guests arrive tomorrow!”
They all shared in her enthusiasm by hugging her. “It’s a dream come true.”
“I don’t know about that. If this new endeavor pays the bills, I’ll be good.”
Capri turned to the other two. “What about you guys? You up for some lunch in town?”
Lila shook her head. “I can’t. I’m studying this afternoon.”
Reva begged off as well. “I have a meeting in a few minutes. Why don’t you take your mom? I’ll give Dick a ride home after the meeting.”
Capri slowly nodded. “Okay, then. Thanks.” They hugged briefly.
Reva turned to Capri’s stepdad. “You ready?”
He nodded, and she linked arms and led him back inside.
The basement was lined with folding chairs. Against the back wall stood a long table covered with a disposable paper tablecloth topped with a large box filled with donuts and maple bars on one end. On the other end, paper coffee cups and a basket filled with packets of sugar and creamer were neatly arranged next to a stainless-steel coffee urn.
Dick immediately scanned the donut box and lifted a chocolate-covered one onto a napkin. He turned. “Can I get you a maple bar, Reva?”
She smiled back at him. “No thanks, Dick.” She pointed to her hips. “Watching my figure.”
That brought a smile to his face. “Me, too.” He followed up the statement with a big bite of the donut.
