Free Waiting For Rachel: A Christian Romance (Those Karlsson Boys) by Kimberly Rae Jordan Page A

child, so I really had no one but my aunt to help me out. The one comfort in the whole ordeal was knowing that my parents were in heaven, and I would see them again.”
    “You’re a very strong person for one so young.”
    “My parents raised me well.”
    “They certainly did. You are a credit to them.”
    “I’m glad you think so,” Mari said. “I hope they would have thought so as well.”
    Rachel turned off the car engine, and they got out.
    Side by side, they headed towards the church. “I’m really looking forward to tonight. I’m enjoying Christmas for the first time since my parents died.”
    “This is my first Christmas without my mom. I’m trying to enjoy it, but it’s not that easy.”
    “I guess our parents are together then.”
    Rachel smiled. “That’s a nice thought.”
    They laughed together, and the emotion of the moment passed. Rachel entered the church with a lighter heart. Sharing that connection with Mari helped her realize she wasn’t alone. And maybe she could learn a thing or two from her young clerk.
    *****
    After an hour of Christmas carols and hearing the Christmas story read, Rachel felt even happier. Coming to the service had been the best decision she’d made in a while. As she and Mari joined the congregation on their way to the basement for the fellowship and refreshments, Rachel couldn’t keep herself from humming.
    Mari smiled at her. “’Joy to the World’ is one of my favorite carols.”
    “Mine too,” Rachel said. “I really listened to the words tonight and realized what a message of hope it contains.”
    Rachel spotted Damian as soon as they stepped into the large gym. White lights and greenery hung intertwined in a swag-like fashion on the walls. Christmas music played, a pleasant background that didn’t overpower the conversations going on in the gym.
    Jace fell in step beside Mari as they made their way to the tables with the food.
    “Evening, ladies,” Jace said, grinning. “May I be your escort?”
    Mari giggled. “For what?”
    “Well now, you weren’t supposed to ask that. You were just supposed to say yes.”
    “I think Mari might need an escort more than I do. Feel free to introduce her to some of the other young people closer to her age. She doesn’t need to keep hanging around an old fuddy-duddy like me.” Thirty-two really wasn’t that old, but lately Rachel had felt much older than she was.
    Mari peered at Rachel, her brow furrowed. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you by yourself.”
    Rachel smiled at her friend’s concern. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to see if Serena needs some help.” She gestured to where Serena stood dispensing coffee, tea, and juice.
    “I’m sure Damian wouldn’t be adverse to your company,” Jace mentioned, a sly look on his face.
    “I think he’s already got his fill of company,” Rachel replied and gave a nod in Damian’s direction.
    Damian stood with Annie at his side, her hand resting on his arm as she talked to him. With them were a couple of singles Rachel recognized from the choir practice the night before.
    Jace shook his head. “Ya know, Annie would probably be a really nice person if she’d just figure out that Damian isn’t interested in her.”
    Rachel wasn’t so sure she agreed with him but didn’t feel it was right to voice her negative feelings about Annie. “Anyway, I’m just going to go see Serena. We’ll leave in about a half hour or forty-five minutes, okay?”
    Mari nodded before walking off with Jace in the direction of a group of young people.
    Rachel made her way through the crowd to the table where Serena was. “Need a hand?”
    Serena glanced up from the cup of tea she was pouring and smiled. “Sure, grab a pot and pour, pour, pour.”
    Rachel took her place behind the table and smiled as someone approached the table for a cup of coffee. For the next few minutes she was busy pouring and chatting with members of the congregation.
    “Any coffee left in that pot