Page 89 of Where I Found You


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That was the least he could do after all Mama D had done for him, but he had a feeling if he got mushy, she might smack him.

He caught Elisa’s eye and gestured toward the podium. “By the way, I had a thought during the service about the next clue.”

Delia sat up straighter. “You two still doing the treasure hunt?”

“Oh, don’t pretend you didn’t hear about the cops coming to the courthouse Friday night.” Elisa pointed at Delia. “I know the sheriff didn’t leave that out when he called you.”

“Well of course I knew about that. But wasn’t sure if you were still working on the hunt…or working on something else.” She eyed them both beneath her lashes.

Elisa’s eyes widened. “Mama D!”

Noah snorted.

“I’m just saying.” She held up both wrinkled hands in defense. “Now, be a dear and turn me toward the stage. I see someone I need to speak with.”

Elisa huffed and obliged, wheeling Delia around in the right direction as Mama D muttered something about save the date cards and getting on with it already.

“I would apologize for her, but…” Elisa shook her head as she took a seat on the row in front of Noah.

He watched Delia wheel herself purposefully toward the front of the church. “No one is changing Mama D. And no one should.”

Elisa’s eyes flickered to meet his. “I guess we really gave the town something to talk about.”

“We did, indeed.” He took a deep breath. “Look, I’ll be honest—I’ve been worried about my family name. This feud, the rumors. My dad…”

“I know it’s a lot.”

“What I’m trying to say is…it’s me.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Are you really giving me theit’s not you, it’s mespeech?”

“No. Well, sort of.” He scooted back on the pew. “What I’msayingis that I’m grateful we reconnected. I always hated how things were left between us. But today, during the hymn…” His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “I think maybe God is working on me, after all.”

“That’s great, Noah. Really.” Elisa squeezed his hand.

The lump in his throat eased a bit. “And…I think I have an idea where to search for clue number four.”

Her blue gaze held his. He could have easily drowned in their depths. Would she let him off the hook that easily? She deserved more explanation—assuming he could find the words to give it to her. He didn’t have it all figured out himself yet, but he’d found something on the pew this morning that had nothing to do with the treasure hunt.

But he would try to give her more, if she asked.

But she only shook back her hair and offered a mildly flirtatious smile. “So where is this next clue, Watson?”

Noah pointed to the baptistry, trying to decide if he was relieved or disappointed. “The song today—love lifted me. Made me think of the wording my childhood pastor used to say when he’d do baptisms.”

She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Raised to walk in newness of life?”

Noah nodded. “He’d say that, and add the scripture about lifting me from the slimy pit and onto a rock.”

“Yep. I think that’s in Psalm 40.”

“The baptistry has stairs, and the clue mentions ‘wooden stairs with stealthy tread.’” He shrugged. “It’s a thought. Grandpa attended this congregation years ago when he did go, so the odds of it being this particular locationaregood—if the clue really is talking about a church.”

Elisa stood, brushing the slight wrinkles from her dress. “To the baptistry, then. It’s as good a place as any to start.”

Noah grabbed his Bible from the bench and stood with her. “Just like that, huh?” He grinned. “You’re not going to argue this time about why my theory is probably way off?”

“I didn’t say it wasn’t.” Elisa winked. “But I’ll humor you.”