Read Online Back in the Habit by Alice Loweecey - Free Book Online Page A

water font. She dipped her fingers and crossed herself before walking up to Giulia.
    â€œThe buffer’s in the closet off the back hall,” she said directly into Giulia’s ear.
    Giulia nodded. The tuning cacophony made normal speech impossible. They passed through the center opening of the Communion rail—so old it was “historical” rather than “outdated”—up three shallow steps, genuflected before the tabernacle, and went through the left-hand door into the vestry.
    Another left turn brought them into the hallway that circled behind the sanctuary and on to the Superior General’s rooms. Sister Bartholomew opened the door of a large closet that stored the buffer, an upright vacuum, furniture polish paraphernalia, and floral supplies. Giulia wrestled out the buffer while Sister Bartholomew took the vacuum.
    â€œO Sanctissima” saturated the chapel’s air when they returned. Sister Bartholomew’s vacuum dented the sound by a quarter-decibel. Giulia plugged in the buffer, hit On , and promptly crashed it into the wainscoting.
    â€œOops.”
    Her muscle memory returned after a few square feet, and shiny overlapping circles covered the left-hand aisle in her wake. When she turned off the buffer to switch the plug to a closer outlet, the other Novice was there, holding the plug out to her.
    â€œThanks, Sister…”
    â€œVivian.” Her high, soft voice was difficult to hear even over a quieter violin solo.
    The vacuum stopped. Giulia and Sister Vivian looked up to the sanctuary. The priest who’d said Mass had enveloped Sister Bartholomew in a bear hug. Just as Giulia thought, That’s a little too touchy-feely between a priest and a Sister , the priest released her and came toward them.
    Sister Vivian’s smile maintained an insincere “pose for the camera” look as he chucked her under the chin.
    â€œYou’re doing a beautiful job, Sisters. The chapel glows.” He held out his hand to Giulia. “I don’t think you’re a new Novice.”
    She returned his infectious smile. “Not for a long time. I’m Sister Regina Coelis, just helping out.”
    He shook her hand. “Father Raymond Price, but everyone calls me Father Ray. You’re an angel for assisting these hardworking Novices.”
    â€œYou’re quite the charmer, Father Ray.”
    He winked. “There are too many gloomy faces in the world, Sister. One happy Catholic could start a trend.”
    Giulia laughed. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all week.”
    Sister Fabian strode up the center aisle, several manila folders in her hands.
    â€œFather Ray, if I might borrow you for a few minutes?”
    Giulia recognized Sister Fabian’s upper-level smile, used when she anticipated agreement from an equal.
    â€œOf course, Sister. Let’s go into the vestry.” Father Ray’s charm shone on all within range before he led Sister Fabian up the sanctuary steps.
    Sister Bartholomew’s vacuuming had taken her to the opposite side of the altar. Sister Vivian turned her back on everyone and continued to polish the backs of the pews.
    Giulia plugged in the buffer. Charm isn’t everything, I suppose. Unless Vivian can’t deal with that blemish on his forehead. She started the buffer to cover a grin. Or unless she prefers Daniel Craig as Bond.

Ten
    â€œSister Regina Coelis, would you mind putting the buffer away?” Sister Bartholomew didn’t exactly beg, but she’d nailed “plaintive waif.” “We have choir practice in about thirty seconds.”
    â€œOf course. Go ahead.” Giulia restarted the machine and finished the last few squares in front of the Saint Joseph niche. The choir began warm-up exercises. As she wound up the bright orange heavy-duty cord, her cell phone vibrated. She checked her automatic reach for it. Instead, she lugged the buffer up the steps and wheeled it