Free The Healing Place by Leigh Bale Page B

Nesbitt waddled down the hall wearing a Hawaiian skirt with large orange flowers. She wasn’t married and Angie could tell she liked Dad. A lot.
    When Hannah saw him, her face lit up and she pushed her way over to greet him.
    “Good morning.” She shook Dad’s hand hard and smiled big.
    “Hello, Miss Nesbitt. How are you today?” Dad asked.
    The odor of foot cream settled over Angie and she crinkled her nose. Dad sometimes used it when he had athlete’s foot, but Angie could tell the smell came from Hannah.
    “Oh, I’m fine,” Hannah squeaked in her nasal voice.
    Dad stepped back and cleared his throat, but Hannah didn’t let go of his hand. His face flushed a deep red and Angie could tell he felt uncomfortable.
    “Well, almost time to go in.” He dragged his hand free and directed Angie into the chapel.
    Angie breathed with relief. Hannah was nice, but somehow Angie knew Dad wouldn’t want to marry her. Angie didn’t want her for a mommy, either. She didn’t seem the right type to bake cookies, take her to the park or read her stories.
    Organ music sifted over the air, a soft hymn that made Angie feel warm inside. She could see Mrs. Hampton sitting up at the organ, her eyes focused on the keys as she played the music. It’d be nice to have a mom who could teach her piano, but Mrs. Hampton had a husband.
    Mrs. Johnson stood beside the door to the chapel and she smiled as she handed Dad a program. Then she bent over and pinched Angie’s cheek. “Well, hello, Angie. How are you feeling, dear?”
    Ouch! Angie hated it when Mrs. Johnson did that. Angie rubbed her stinging cheek and sidled closer to Dad. He put his hand on her shoulder, both in sympathy and as a warning not to be rude. “Fine, thanks.”
    Mrs. Johnson’s husband died last year. She had to be at least forty five. Way too old for Dad.
    Dr. Shields came to mind. Dad laughed a lot when he was around her. Angie could tell from the way he leaned close to Dr. Shields that he liked her lots. She needed a family, too. If only he would fall in love with Dr. Shields. Dad would be happy again and Angie would have a new mom and possibly a baby brother. Everyone would win.
    When Dad led Angie up the aisle, she tugged on his hand. “No, let’s sit back here today, Dad.”
    He hesitated. “In the back row? Why?”
    “‘Cause I want to see everyone.”
    He frowned as she pulled him over to the back pew and plopped down on the cushioned seat.
    “Why do you want to see everyone?” he asked.
    “Oh, just ‘cause.”
    Good thing he didn’t ask more questions. Carla told her not to be too obvious when she picked out a mommy, but it was kind of hard.
    He settled back against the bench and opened his suit coat to let her cuddle in against his side and wrap the coat around her. Angie loved the warmth and she could check his pocket for candy or gum. He never minded, unless she rattled the wrapper too loudly.
    People milled around as they looked for a place to sit. Three boys older than Angie laid out hymnals and some moms took their kids to the restroom or for a last drink of water before the service began. The low hum of music and chatter filtered around as Angie surveyed the room.
    A pretty woman with dark hair appeared at the doorway. Angie didn’t remember her name because she didn’t come to church often. She sat up straighter when the woman walked past wearing one of those frilly white silk blouses Mom liked, except Angie could see the lady’s black bra underneath. Angie glanced at Dad to catch his expression. His eyes widened and his ears reddened before he looked away.
    Angie sighed and sat back, disappointed.
    Several more women filed by. Those who had a man with them, Angie ignored. One wore a dress with a neckline so low that Angie saw lots of skin.
    Dad’s ears got redder.
    Another lady walked past and Angie coughed at her heavy perfume smell. Dad didn’t like it, either. He blinked his eyes as if they stung. When Angie waved a hand in front of