stopped at the edge of the concrete slab, but the man—short, heavyset, with gray-streaked hair and a huge grin—ambled down the steps and came toward Jase, his hand extended.
Jase met him in front of the U-Haul. The man’s handshake, strong yet not crushing, sent a message of welcome. Jase felt his lips curve into a smile. “Hello. I’m Jase Edgar. You must be Reverend Kraft.”
“I am. But call me Brother Kraft. Everyone around here does.” The man beamed at Jase, his blue eyes narrowing to merry slits. “I’m sure glad to meet you. And you’re right on time for lunch. We were sitting down when Leah heard your truck. She said it had to be our new youth minister.” He chuckled and leaned forward slightly, like a child sharing a secret. “She made extra in the hopes you’d be here in time to eat with us.”
Jase glanced at the woman. She waited with her hands tucked in the pockets of a yellow-flowered bib apron, her gaze seemingly glued to him. He gave a nod, and she bobbed her head. He turned to Brother Kraft again. “That’s awfully nice of her.”
“Well, Leah loves to cook. Doesn’t need much of an excuse to fix plenty, either. So come in, come in.”
Brother Kraft slung his arm up and across Jase’s shoulders and herded him along the paved sidewalk to the house. The warmth of the man’s arm felt good. Although Jase wouldn’t call the temperature in this part of Kansas cold, it was definitely too cool for the T-shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals he’d put on that morning. The weather here was at least ten degrees lower than a typical April day in San Antonio.
Mrs. Kraft, equal in height to her husband but half his girth, pulled her hands out of her pockets and grabbed Jase in a tight hug the moment he stepped up onto the porch. It reminded him of the hugs given by some of the older ladies at the church back home, and he automatically returned it with matching oomph. She patted his back several times, then let go and grinned at him. “Jase Edgar, welcome to Bradleyville. My brother-in-law spoke so highly of you, I know you’ll be a blessing in these parts. But instead of standing out here talking, let’s get sat down at the table before the meatloaf and mashed potatoes are cold. I hope you’re hungry.”
Jase’s mouth watered. “I am, and that sounds good, ma’am.”
“Call me Sister Kraft.” The preacher’s wife slipped her hand through the bend of Jase’s elbow and gave him a little nudge into the house. “We’ll get good and acquainted while we’re eating, and then we’ll help you settle in to your new home.”
New home. A boulder seemed to drop into Jase’s stomach. They were kind words. Welcoming words. Shouldn’t they inspire something other than panic?
Merlin Kraft
Merlin forked another slice of meatloaf onto his plate. What had Leah added to the ground beef this time? Yesterday’s leftover mixed vegetables? Some of their breakfast oatmeal? Maybe a dab of spaghetti and slices of garlic bread from Monday’s supper? All of the above? If it fit through the grinder, it was a potential ingredient. He often teased her that her meatloaf was more loaf than meat, and she never denied the claim. The recipe differed every time, but he could always count on it tasting good. Their guest must’ve agreed because he also took a second serving. Or was it his third? One thing was certain. There’d be no leftover-meatloaf sandwiches for supper.
Leah picked up the bowl of potatoes and held it to Jase. “More?”
The young man smiled and plopped a spoonful onto his plate. “Thank you, ma’am. Everything’s real good.”
“Why, thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Leah set the potatoes on the table and offered Jase the green beans. “Help yourself. The youngest of our brood—twins, Stella and Staci—moved out more than fourteen years ago, but I still cook enough to feed the six of us who used to sit around this table.”
Jase’s eyebrows rose. “Six?”
Pride glowed in Leah’s pale blue eyes, which Merlin had come to expect whenever she spoke of their children. She said, “Merlin and me, Stella and Staci, and then our boys, Todd and Matt. They’re all on their own now and scattered all over the United States.”
Jase jabbed a forkful of green beans and carried it to his mouth. He chewed and swallowed, then grinned at Leah. “They must miss these home-cooked meals.”