Whereas it was the first Sunday of Advent, the service at the small, non-denominational church Shay attended fairly regularly had started the transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Shay had talked to Hannah, and all of the Brooklyn people had decided that it was high time they begin going to Church, too. Shay knew a lot of people did that at Christmas.
Emma had mentioned that all of the time-shifting had thrown her off and she’d meant to find a church, but just hadn’t. She told Shay it was something she and Merritt needed to do as the thought about their future together.
Walking with Shay that day was Cole Hastings. Eric Marsten, the head of the guard detail had acquiesced to Shay’s wish that the guards feel comfortable; that they could relax around her and interact in a friendly way.
Cole took advantage of that allowance. “The service today was nice.”
“It was.”
Cole then said, “Why couldn’t Liza go?”
“Well, she’s got to go back to work tomorrow and doesn’t have her clothes or anything… We should have worked all that out yesterday.”
“Eric said you’ve asked her to move in with you?”
Shay nodded. “It would be nice for me and make her getting to work a lot easier. I don’t even go on the third floor. She could have the second room on the floor with my bedroom. We could visit in that little sitting area by the stairs. I believe she’s going to do it.”
“It’s sensible, if you ask me.”
Shay didn’t say anything for a few steps, then replied. “You know I value all of your opinions. Your few years of experience more than I have are valuable.”
“Well, thank you. You can always ask…”
“I appreciate that.”
They walked a little more, then Cole said, “I guess you can tell Lucas is enjoying getting to know Liza…”
Shay smiled. “Same for her… She’s never had a boyfriend. So…”
Cole nodded. “I understand. He had a girl in high school. A few dates in college…”
“She went to a homecoming dance and her senior prom. So, really… you know… No dating to speak of…”
Cole nodded again. “I understand.”
They walked along and then Cole spoke up again. “Ma’am if you don’t mind me asking, have you had boyfriends?”
Shay smiled. “None that I liked. I had two in high school. Sort of a ‘thing to do’ experience… sort of fixed up… One was a son of one of my mom’s friends. We both sort of felt weird, but he took me to prom.”
“How about college?”
Shay shrugged. “I graduated high school early and fast-tracked a business degree at University of Chicago, then hit the road. I couldn’t deal with the society scene… Then I got here and you know the rest.”
“Yes ma’am… Well, you’re still young.”
“How about you?” Shay asked.
“Well… I’m 26. Marine Corp right out of high school… But now… Well, our work schedule being varied, sort of works out… I met a nurse…”
“That’s nice.”
“Yeah…” Cole didn’t say anything until they had made it through a crosswalk. “Well, now that you’re settled down and have a steady schedule—apart from the time-travel confusion—maybe you’ll have time to find someone.”
Shay nodded. “Maybe so…”
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