“We don’t know if the clue is even at a church, much less this particular one.” Noah frowned, adding to the stress lines already crinkling his forehead. He pulled the Bible he held tighter against his chest. “But I guess we have to start somewhere.”
“Exactly. Time is ticking.” She held up her wrist, then gave it a double take as her smartwatch alerted her to a high heart rate. Looked like Noah wasn’t the only nervous one.
Or maybe he was making her nervous.
After their conversation with Pastor Dubois yesterday in the diner, Elisa had gone back to the kitchen to prep for the lunch rush while Noah had headed to the Blue Pirogue. They’d exchanged a few texts, brainstorming ideas for the next clue, but had come up with no real leads.
And had never finished the interrupted conversation in the kitchen. Though she’d pretty much been done, hadn’t she? Not much else to say after they both declared any further relationship a mistake. The best thing to do was move forward with the hunt, and try to guard her heart as much as possible before he moved away.
Again.
She cleared her throat. “We should find a seat.” Get away from the stares, and this train of thought that wasn’t beneficial to a Sunday morning.
Elisa rose on tiptoe and searched the crowded pews for Zoey or Mama D, hoping they could squeeze in with either of them. She spied Farmer Branson, who had claimed his usual spot on the far side, wearing his best overalls. And there was Sadie in her brightly patterned sundress and denim jacket, sitting on the same row with Miley from Chug a Mug, who’d sprung for ripped jeans and a black choker necklace today. They looked like two mismatched book ends for the pew.
But there was no sign of Zoey or Mama D amidst the throng of floral-print dresses, diaper bags, and giggling children playing tag around their parents. Zoey might have had nursery duty today.
“Dude! You made it.” Cade appeared at Noah’s side, wearing a fitted navy sports coat and a hot pink tie that would have looked silly on anyone else. On Cade, though, it only made his “straight off the pages of a men’s magazine” vibe even stronger.
Noah shook his hand. “Yeah, you might not want to get too close. Lightning strikes, and all that.”
“I’m good at ducking.” Cade grinned and clamped one hand on Noah’s shoulder. “Seriously, though, I’m glad you’re here. I’d offer to sit with you two, but I don’t want to get in trouble with the cops again.”
Noah snorted as his eyes darted around the church. “That’s fair.” His tone held steady, but his smile wobbled, betraying his nerves.
“Icantell you the nursery has the best snacks, though.” Cade leaned in like he had a secret. “Animal crackers and apple juice.”
Elisa grinned. “I’ve always wondered where you run off to halfway through the sermon.”
“Hey, it pays to know the PK. I get the insider info.” Cade glanced over his shoulder toward the front row. “Speaking of Owen, I need to catch him before the service starts.”
Elisa glanced up at Noah. Was it her imagination, or had Noah stiffened at the mention of Owen?
Cade pointed at them as he walked backwards a few steps. “We’ve got a community softball game tomorrow night. I locked down a donor for concessions, so all the snack sales go to the hurricane recovery fund. Pastor is supposed to announce it from the pulpit today…you guys in?”
Noah winced, shifting his Bible to his other hand. “I haven’t played in years.”
“Perfect.” Cade switched his pointing finger to a thumbs-up. “I’ll put you on the opposite team from me. Elisa?”
“If I’m in, she’s in,” Noah answered before Elisa could open her mouth.
“You any good?” Cade raised his eyebrows at her.
Elisa rolled in her lower lip. “Define good…”
“Sweet, so that’s two for theotherteam. Got it.” Cade winked. “See you guys after the service.” He was gone before Elisa could remind him she’d fielded in high school.
“Well, you can tell he’s a politician’s son.” Noah rubbed his hand down his face. “Sorry I roped you into that without asking.”
“It’ll be fun.” She shot him a look. “I’m more surprised you agreed.”
“It’s hard to tell Cade no, especially for a good cause. Though he should have remembered that softball in particular is difficult because—never mind.” Noah’s gaze flicked across the room again as soft piano music began to play. “Did we decide where to sit?”
She wanted to ask what he was going to say, but those still milling around began moving to their seats. Elisa nudged Noah toward the back row on the left. “This will work.”
“So what’s the plan?” Noah asked as the music picked up in tempo. “After church, we nose around? See if anything jumps out at us?”
“Works for me.” Elisa set her purse on the floor by her feet. “I’m sort of hoping God gives me a better idea during the service, but so far, that’s all I’ve got.” Then she spotted her father down on the third row, and she sank a little lower in the pew. Hopefully he wouldn’t turn around.