Tumbleweed Weddings Read Online Free PDF Page A

school—even a jail! Fort Lob is way bigger than it looks.”
    Lane grinned. “Don’t get your dander up, Callie. I was just teasing.”
    “Oh.” She adjusted her glasses. “Well, anyway, our church service starts at eleven o’clock. Of course, if you want to come to Sunday school at ten, you’re more than welcome. My brother teaches the singles’ class. We have fifteen members right now—every single adult in the congregation.”
    Overwhelmed, Lane shook his head. “I’ll just go to church maybe. Thanks for the info.”
    “Hope you can make it. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
    “Yeah. See you.” Lane walked to the cash register.
Church?
He didn’t want to go to church, and he wasn’t about to go just because Callie invited him. He set down the frozen dinners at the checkout.
    “Is this it?” Jim ran the first box over the scanner. “We do have a great church. You should come and meet some of the town folks. You’ll enjoy it.”
    Lane sighed. He should have known that Jim, with the booming voice, would have good hearing, too. And of course, ironically, he would attend the same church as Callie in this little town.
    Jim packed the dinners in a grocery sack. “That’ll be nine dollars and forty-two cents.”
    Lane pulled his wallet from his back pocket and handed over a ten-dollar bill.
    “We have a great preacher.” Jim took the money and opened the cash drawer. “Every Sunday he feeds us with the Word. I’ve learned more under Pastor Reilly’s teaching than any other man of God. A Christian can really grow in our church.” He handed Lane his change. “Hope to see you tomorrow.”
    Lane nodded. “Yeah, thanks.” He took the bag, and the bell jingled as he left the store.
    Crossing Main Street, he mused over Jim’s words. They awakened memories Lane hadn’t thought of in seven years. A sudden longing came over him—a longing to hear a good sermon. A longing to get back in fellowship with God.
    I think I’ll go tomorrow
. He could sneak in just as the service was starting and sit in the back. No one would even know he was there.

    Callie paced in front of the church building, looking down the road. Where was he? She had spent a half hour in prayer last night, specifically praying that Lane would come to church today.
Oh, Lord, please make him come. Push him, Lord!
    The strains of the organ floated outside, playing the introduction to “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” The congregation started singing.
    A warm summer breeze blew a strand of hair across her glasses. She brushed it away then smoothed her skirt down with both hands, hoping the wind wouldn’t pick it up.
    A motorcycle rumbled down the street toward her.
    Callie shrank against the building. She didn’t like motorcyclists and didn’t want this one to see her. She had known a few boys in college who roared through the streets of Laramie on their cycles. They seemed to have a penchant for black leather jackets and earrings.
    The motorcycle slowed. The driver wasn’t wearing a helmet.
    Callie’s mouth dropped open.
Lane?
    He pulled into the parking lot across from the church. He wasn’t wearing a black leather jacket and earrings; he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and tie.
    He looked
good
.
    The congregation was on the third verse as Lane approached the church. He ascended the stairs and stopped short when he saw Callie.
    She stepped forward. “Good morning, Lane.”
    “Callie.” He hesitated, a question in his brown eyes. “I didn’t think anyone would be out here. Thought I’d just sneak in the back.”
    “I was waiting for you, and I’m glad you came.” She looked down, suddenly feeling like a love-struck girl in junior high. But it was too late to backtrack. “Would you like to sit with me?”
    He shrugged. “Sure. Lead the way.”
    She opened the door. The congregation was standing, sustaining the last note. She led Lane down the side aisle.
    Halfway down, the song leader seated the congregation. The