Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46130 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Epilogue
Molly held Faust’s hand as they walked into the church. She could feel how tense he was. She squeezed his fingers as a couple came up to greet her.
“Molly! I’m so glad to hear you’re okay. Minister Steve gave us a quick wrap-up of what happened. You’re so brave to have stood up for that woman and her children,” the older woman told her.
“Oh, I just called the police.” Molly tried to deflect the attention away from her.
“That’s not how we heard it. Who’s this strapping man with you?” her husband asked, looking up at Faust.
“This is Faust. He’s my… boyfriend,” Molly explained.
“Uh-huh. That pause means she likes you a lot more than that,” the man said, smiling up at Faust. “You treat her well. We all love Molly.”
“I will.”
“Let me ask you a question. I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo. What do you think of…”
Molly struggled to control the laughter that gathered inside her at the shocked look on Faust’s face. Another couple joined them. And the man asked Faust a question about motorcycles. The congregation was all trying to make him feel welcome. Her heart grew about three sizes bigger with love for all of them.
“He’s cute. He looks stern, but I bet he’s a softie inside,” one of their wives said to Molly with a nudge.
“I heard he threw himself in harm’s way to make sure you were safe when that man broke in.”
“He likes me,” Molly admitted. “I think I’ll keep him.”
“How did you get him to church?”
“Minister Steve invited him,” Molly shared.
Ahs and knowing nods followed. Minister Steve was known for getting people to do the right thing. He had a talent for saying just the right thing.
A chime signaled everyone they needed to take their seats. Molly and Faust settled next to the aisle in the back where the crowd was sparser. She felt him relax a bit. Sliding her hand back into his, Molly squeezed his hand before pulling the hymnal from the rack in front of them. She grinned up at him when he helped her turn it to the correct page.
She looked up at him when he joined in the singing and loved his deep voice. He was going to have to sing with her during the next karaoke night at the compound. He shook his head as if he could read her thoughts.
The sermon was light and uplifting. Minister Steve dealt with tough topics when he needed to but preferred to inspire instead of preaching brimstone and fire. Molly leaned back against the pew and enjoyed the fellowship that swirled around them.
A strangled sound came from the front. Lester stood from his chair near the pulpit and grabbed his chest. As he fell, everyone gasped and rose to their feet.
“Someone call 911. Is there a doctor here?” Minister Steve requested as he moved to kneel next to his assistant minister.
No one moved. Faust stepped into the aisle and called back to Molly. “Call for an ambulance.” He ran to the man who’d collapsed and started CPR.
“Thank you, Faust,” Minister Steve said after the emergency vehicles left.
The church leader gestured for Faust and Molly to follow him over to a more private spot before adding, “Lester came in early to talk to me. I knew he was struggling after the troubling events. He searched his heart and knew he needed to make amends to Molly. And to you. He planned to visit your shop to apologize for misjudging you and being…”
“An ass?” Faust suggested when the minister struggled to find the right word to describe his unpleasant assistant.
“Perhaps. Lester plans to find another church where he can get a fresh start. That will be delayed as he recovers.”
“He doesn’t have to leave,” Molly said quickly.
“He does. It will be best for everyone,” Minister Steve told her before turning to Faust, “I hope you’ll come again.”
Faust shrugged noncommittally.
Molly patted his arm and assured him, “It’s not always so exciting.”
“Thank goodness you brought your friend,” a churchgoer interrupted their conversation before reaching out to shake Faust’s hand. “Come back next Sunday. We like to have new blood in the church. It keeps us alive.”
Molly knew Faust needed to escape all that attention. “I think I’d like to go home now, Faust.”
He nodded and steered her out of the crowd.
When they got to her car, Molly stayed quiet as he wedged himself into her compact and drove from the parking lot. “Thank you for saving him. I heard the paramedics tell you he wouldn’t have survived until they got there if you hadn’t kept his heart beating.”
“Don’t tell the Guardians,” he growled.
“You might be in the paper tomorrow,” she suggested. “That last man that shook your hand owns The Daily Star.”
“Fuck!” Faust cursed.
Molly stayed quiet for a few seconds before snickering. “They took a picture, too, while you were working on him. An action shot…” Laughter burst from her lips as he turned to stare at her with a look of horror on his face.