Makin' Miracles by Lin Stepp

more crowded than usual. She took her Nana’s arm to help her down the aisle.
    â€œThere will probably be a fair passel of folks here today to see the baptism,” Nana said, obviously noting the extra numbers in church as they worked their way down the aisle to their regular seats. “Tanner and Delia Cross have a lot of friends in Gatlinburg.”
    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 Devons—longtime 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 Jim’s girls Doreen and Jenny sat in the sixth pew with Zola and her grandparents. Uncle Ray’s family filled the seventh pew behind them, with Ray; his wife, Augusta; their daughter, Stacy; their son, Wayne; his wife, Patricia; and Wayne and Patty’s children, Hilda and Ronnie.
    â€œWe make a right fine crowd when we’re all here together.” Nana looked around her in satisfaction. Zola also knew she was checking to see that everyone looked as they should—girls in nice dresses, boys in neat suits, everyone’s hair properly brushed.
    Zola’s cousin, Stacy, had the hardest time with Nana Etta’s dress code rules. She sat on Zola’s left now, cross to be wearing a skirt and blouse.
    â€œAm I mistaken, Stacy,” Zola teased. “Or are you wearing makeup this morning?”
    â€œHush your mouth, Zola.” Stacy nudged her with a scowl. “I don’t see why we need to dress up or why we can’t wear pant suits to church. Look around at all the women who wear pants to church now. You’d think Nana would bend a little on that. I hate skirts.” Stacy was an outdoorsy type of woman, and she thoroughly disliked getting dressed up.
    Zola grinned. “It’s only once a week, cousin. And it’s easier going along with Nana than trying to rock the boat.”
    â€œYou’ve got that right,” 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 wasn’t 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 baby’s cheek. “Little Thomas surely looks pleased with all this attention.”
    As if on cue, the baby gave her a cute grin and grasped her finger.
    Delia smiled. “He was really good today except for trying to push Reverend Madison’s hand away when he put the baptismal water on his head.”
    Delia looked up to see Spencer arrive. “Spencer! I’m so pleased you came. It was good of you.” She reached out her free arm, which wasn’t wrapped around Thomas, to give him a small hug.
    Spencer greeted Tanner Cross, also, and then Nana redirected his attention. “Aren’t you the one who bought Raven’s Den?” She pushed her glasses up to study his face thoughtfully. “The one who didn’t take down Zola’s hut?”
    He nodded, and his eyes turned toward Zola’s with a question.
    Zola felt a blush steal up her face. “This is Spencer Jackson, Nana.” She turned to Spencer then. “Spencer, this is my grandmother, Etta Garnett Devon.”
    â€œAnd this here is my husband,