"Jake. Get around for church." Sunday had came once again and Jake's mother called up the stairs of their old farm house located just a short walk away from the store.

"Yeah, I'm ready to hear the sermon today." Bess, Jake's younger sister, said with a smile that made Jake nearly roll his eyes.

"Ma, ain't I old enough to stay outside with the rest of my friends." Jake protested as be sat down at the breakfast table.

"You may be the same age, but I don't like the idea of the rough housing those boys get into." Ma shook her wisk at him. "I won't tell you again, Jake Miller. God wants you there. So does your sister, me, and especially your papa. He's been studying all week for this sermon."

It was settled, church was inevitable. Jake would just have to deal with it.

When they reached church in their slightly used car, the family piled out. They all took the positions they did every Sunday. Ma sat with her mother, mother-in-law and sister. Bess joined the choir, and Jake sat in the front row by himself, except for his grandfather next to him.

"Mind if we sit here," a man with a wide smile on his face asked from beside him.

"Sure. Go right ahead." Jake nodded, smiling politely.

"You are the new folks in town, right?" Grandpa Miller questioned around his grandson's shoulder, as more people joined the man at the edge of the pew.

Jake's head shot up. The folks from the store earlier in the week. The girl. Lillian. That was her name. Something he hadn't got out of his head, no matter how fiercely he tried. She shyly sat down beside her mother, glancing at Jake out of the corner of her eye. "Nice to see you again." She said nearly quieter than a little church mouse.

"Um... nice to see you too." Jake grinned. Maybe. Just maybe church wouldn't be so bad after all. Lillian ended up going up into the choir to sing along with the others, instantly clicking with Bess. Jake wouldn't admit it, but the fact of the fast friendship between Lillian and Bess made him happy beyond words, maybe through his sister he could get to know her better.