more crowded than usual. She took her Nanaâs arm to help her down the aisle.
âThere will probably be a fair passel of folks here today to see the baptism,â Nana said, obviously noting the extra numbers in church as they worked their way down the aisle to their regular seats. âTanner and Delia Cross have a lot of friends in Gatlinburg.â
Zola slid into the family pew after her grandparents. The Devon family always sat on the sixth row back on the right underneath the big stained-glass window dedicated to the Devonsâlongtime pillars in the Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church. As the Devon family had grown, they had spread back into the seventh pew, as well.
Aunt Becky Rae, her husband Gene, their son Jim, and Jimâs girls Doreen and Jenny sat in the sixth pew with Zola and her grandparents. Uncle Rayâs family filled the seventh pew behind them, with Ray; his wife, Augusta; their daughter, Stacy; their son, Wayne; his wife, Patricia; and Wayne and Pattyâs children, Hilda and Ronnie.
âWe make a right fine crowd when weâre all here together.â Nana looked around her in satisfaction. Zola also knew she was checking to see that everyone looked as they shouldâgirls in nice dresses, boys in neat suits, everyoneâs hair properly brushed.
Zolaâs cousin, Stacy, had the hardest time with Nana Ettaâs dress code rules. She sat on Zolaâs left now, cross to be wearing a skirt and blouse.
âAm I mistaken, Stacy,â Zola teased. âOr are you wearing makeup this morning?â
âHush your mouth, Zola.â Stacy nudged her with a scowl. âI donât see why we need to dress up or why we canât wear pant suits to church. Look around at all the women who wear pants to church now. Youâd think Nana would bend a little on that. I hate skirts.â Stacy was an outdoorsy type of woman, and she thoroughly disliked getting dressed up.
Zola grinned. âItâs only once a week, cousin. And itâs easier going along with Nana than trying to rock the boat.â
âYouâve got that right,â she grumbled, as the church music started and the choir and the minister began to file in.
Zola had no time to look for Spencer again until the greeting time in the service. She spotted him as the congregation shook hands and visited, standing near the back of the church. He was making an effort to socialize, but she could tell he wasnât a highly extroverted individual. It seemed an effort for him to make nice. Zola smiled to herself as she sat back down.
When the service ended later, Zola saw Spencer linger as the congregation filed out. Then he made his way down to congratulate Tanner and Delia. The couple had remained at the front of the church with baby Thomas to greet friends and family who came for the christening.
Nana, moving up beside Delia in the line now, patted the babyâs cheek. âLittle Thomas surely looks pleased with all this attention.â
As if on cue, the baby gave her a cute grin and grasped her finger.
Delia smiled. âHe was really good today except for trying to push Reverend Madisonâs hand away when he put the baptismal water on his head.â
Delia looked up to see Spencer arrive. âSpencer! Iâm so pleased you came. It was good of you.â She reached out her free arm, which wasnât wrapped around Thomas, to give him a small hug.
Spencer greeted Tanner Cross, also, and then Nana redirected his attention. âArenât you the one who bought Ravenâs Den?â She pushed her glasses up to study his face thoughtfully. âThe one who didnât take down Zolaâs hut?â
He nodded, and his eyes turned toward Zolaâs with a question.
Zola felt a blush steal up her face. âThis is Spencer Jackson, Nana.â She turned to Spencer then. âSpencer, this is my grandmother, Etta Garnett Devon.â
âAnd this here is my husband,
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