The man in front of him glanced casually at him as they stepped forward, then frowned, glancing forward again.
When the line moved again, the man turned around once more. “Dustin, sorry, it took me a second to recognize you.”
Dustin took the hand that was held out to him. “Charles, it took me a couple of seconds, too. Long time, no see. What’ve you been up to?”
Charles Wells smiled as his eyes flicked to Jessie. “Still running Dad’s restaurant in Lexington. How about you?”
As the uppity asshole looked back toward him, Dustin missed the condescending way he asked what he had been doing.
“I own my own accounting firm.”
“You always were good with numbers.”
“Still am.”
Dustin didn’t introduce Jessie, hoping his former classmate would put it up to bad manners.
“How long are you here for?” Dustin asked conversationally as the line moved closer to the door.
“Until Wednesday. I came to pay my respects to Jackson and to go to Miranda’s funeral. Jackson and I were best friends in high school.”
“I remember.”
Charles shot Jessie another glance.
“The line’s moving.” Dustin nodded toward the doorway.
“Oh … sorry.”
“No problem. We should have lunch together before you leave. Miranda’s funeral is tomorrow, so how about Tuesday?”
“I’d like to, but I thought I’d spend what time I have left with Jackson. When I come back for Christmas, I’ll give you a call.”
“Do that. I’ll be at the funeral tomorrow, so if you change your mind, let me know.”
“You’re going to the funeral?”
“Yes, I’ll be escorting Jessie.” Dustin tilted his head to the side, indicating the woman next to him.
“She’s …? You’re the woman who was kidnapped when Miranda was killed?”
Jessie, who had stood by his side listening, gave a short nod.
“Jessie, this is Charles Wells. Charles, this is Jessie Hayes.”
When Charles would have held his hand to Jessie, Dustin motioned to Charles. “The line’s moving.”
Three more people were in front of them, but Dustin wanted to jerk her out of line and away from Charles.
“Sorry,” Charles apologized, moving forward.
He stayed facing forward until the older woman in front of him stepped up to talk to the pastor. Charles moved forward. Then, as he waited for his turn, he tuned back to Jessie.
“I was really sorry when I heard what happened.”
Dustin had to grit his teeth to keep his fake smile plastered on his face.
“If you need anything, please let me know.” Charles reached into his suit jacket and took out a card, giving it to Jessie.
Jessie took it, slipping it into her purse. “Thank you. I will.”
Charles held his hand out to Dustin again. “It was good seeing you again, Dustin. You take good care of her.”
Turning his head, he nodded politely to Jessie. “It was nice meeting you. God bless.”
Jessie nodded politely back. “God bless you, too.”
Dustin watched as Charles took his opportunity to talk to Pastor Dean.
“He seemed nice,” Jessie whispered at his side.
“He was when I went to school with him,” he said noncommittedly, staying in step with Jessie as she moved forward to speak with the pastor.
“I was happy to see you here this morning, Jessie. Though, I admit to being disappointed I won’t be giving two sermons this morning.”
“I truly appreciated it, Pastor, but I decided that asking Willa to sit through three services was too much to ask from any wife.”
Willa reached out to give her a hug. “I would have done it gladly for you.”
With the line so long behind them, they quickly moved ahead, so the other parishioners would have the chance to greet the pastor.
Dustin proudly stood next to Jessie as they waited for Logan and Holly to say their goodbyes.
It was a sunny, beautiful day as he watched Logan step up to shake the pastor’s hand with pride. He had done a few things right in his life. Logan was one of them. He had a loving, pure heart, and he was going to grow into a fine man.
“What are you thinking about?” Jessie’s soft voice had him turning toward her.
“That Logan will be the first Porter male whom Heaven’s gates are going to be already opened for.”
Jessie gave him a sharp glance. “God will open the gate for you, too.”
“The only gate that I’ll be walking through is Hell’s.”
“Don’t even joke about that.”
He gave Jessie a wry glance before his gaze swung toward the man getting into his car.
“You’re right.” Giving her a light squeeze, he lowered his lashes to hide the determination in his eyes. “I was just teasing.”
Dustin threw a piece of popcorn into his mouth as he watched a movie that he paid an exorbitant price to watch while time passed until he could go to Jessie’s. Crossing his sock-covered feet on the coffee table, he took another swig of his beer before reaching for another piece of popcorn.
Hearing the key in the front door, he turned to look over his shoulder, seeing Tate coming in. He watched as he went into the kitchen and came into the living room to sit down next to him on the couch.