Free Hearts in Harmony by Gail Sattler Page B

there for, and that the congregation is there for the same reason, which is to worship God.”
    She nodded. “Yes, of course. I’ll remember that.”
    Randy checked his watch. “If you don’t mind, I’m goingto go home. Tomorrow is my regular weekly meeting. First we’re doing breakfast, and then it’s my turn to say a few words. We’ve got a couple of newcomers, so that’s really important. Then we have an early tee time.”
    Celeste turned the piano off. “Tee time? I wish my boss included tee time in our meetings.”
    Randy shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not that kind of meeting. This is something I never miss. Maybe I’ll tell you about it someday.”
    Adrian nodded. “I know the right words will come to you. See you Sunday morning.”
    Instead of going through the living room, Randy detoured through the kitchen before Adrian heard the front door open and close.
    Bob began to pack up the drums. Paul helped tuck the cymbals into their totes. “I’ve got to go soon, too,” said Bob. “Bart is taking the day off tomorrow, so I’ve got to get up early to go open up.” He turned to Celeste. “A 7:00 a.m. opening makes for a very short Friday night.”
    Paul lifted one of the toms from the drum stand. “Then go. I’ll finish this.”
    â€œGreat. I appreciate it. See you Sunday.”
    Bob also left, but he went straight through the living room on his path to the front door.
    Adrian’s heart raced. With both Randy and Bob gone, he secretly willed Paul to leave also, even though he knew he wasn’t being very gracious.
    Paul smiled. “Then I guess it’s just the three of us left to finish off the donuts. Depending on how many Randy already ate.”
    Adrian tried to control his disappointment that Paul wasstaying. Not that he really cared about the donuts. He’d only been hoping for some time alone with Celeste. He wanted to get to know her better, and that meant talking to her without Paul being there. He’d already seen that it was hard for Celeste to open up, especially in a group setting. Then, when she did, she focused on exactly what she’d been asked, and nothing more.
    Adrian could understand that Celeste didn’t like to talk about herself. Despite his recent tendency to talk too much, he usually didn’t talk about himself, either. But Celeste’s almost deliberate omissions when someone asked her a question only served to make him more curious than ever.
    He glanced toward the kitchen as he thought of how he could discourage Paul from staying. “I don’t know how much coffee is left. I think Randy finished it off along with the donuts.”
    Celeste moved from the piano and began to help Paul disassemble the drums. “Let me help, and it will go faster,” she said as she lifted the snare and released the tension clip for the coil underneath. It tweaked Adrian’s interest that she knew to do that.
    â€œI should probably be going, too, soon as I’m done here,” she said as she began taking the high-hat cymbal apart, without the need for instruction.
    Adrian folded down the guitar stands and music stands, and stacked them at the side of the room. “I’d love for you to stay and have a cup of tea.” He lowered his voice just a bit. “When I was out buying the donuts, I also picked up some of the same herbal tea I saw in your grocery cart the other day.”
    Both eyebrows raised and she said, “Really? You did that for me?”
    He didn’t understand her surprise. It was just a box of tea. All he could do was nod.
    â€œIn that case, I’d love to stay for a while. As long I won’t be keeping you from anything.”
    Adrian checked his watch. “It’s already ten o’clock, so it’s a little late to be starting something. Unless you have to get up early in the morning, too?”
    â€œNo.