Arizona Pastor (16 page)

Dressed and ready to go, she stepped out of the bathroom, and Wade waved a paper in the air. “Your license is taken care of. Let's go.”

Kristy plastered a smile to her face. This was just the kind of date she'd always dreamed of: stabbing an innocent worm with a hook and then yanking up a slimy, smelly fish a few minutes later. But then she had to admit she kind of owed him. Their first date had been a fashion show of Kristy, so she supposed she could survive an afternoon of fishing.

At the park, she asked Wade what she could do to help him set up their lunch, but he refused any assistance. While he placed a vinyl tablecloth on the picnic table, she picked at her fingernails. Watching him take a bucket of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and coleslaw from a large container, she decided right then that she would get a kiss from Wade today. Even if she had to do it herself.

He pulled a small container of sweet tea as well as individually wrapped strawberry cheesecakes from a cooler. “Okay, I think we're ready. It's all from a fast-food restaurant, but it's still one of my favorite meals.”

“Looks good to me.” She pressed her palm against her stomach. “I haven't eaten in hours.”

Wade motioned for her to have a seat on one side of the picnic table, then he sat down across from her. He took her hands in his and said a blessing over their meal. When he looked up, he sucked in a big breath and then exhaled. Standing, he walked back over to her and took her hand, lifting it until she stood.

“I've gotta do this before I lose my nerve.”

Before she could figure out his meaning, Wade leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. He started to lift
his head after a quick peck, but Kristy wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Eagerly, he claimed her lips again and then deepened the kiss.

Fireworks seemed to explode in her chest, in her mind, all over her. She hadn't kissed a man in decades, and Wade's soft yet urgent lips made her head spin.

He pulled away from her. His blue eyes smoldered with a fire she hoped one day to ignite into a full flame. “Wow,” he whispered.

She touched his cheek with her palm, loving the feel of his coarse stubbles. “It's about time.”

* * *

The week had been one of the best Wade could recall. Every time he opened God's word, some truth or encouragement jumped off the page and into his heart. He was on fire to preach and teach the Bible.

And he'd found reasons to see and kiss Kristy every day. One night, they'd watched a movie together at her house. Another, they'd taken Bo to the dog park. After Wednesday-night church service, they'd gotten ice cream. On Thursday, they'd shared coffee. Another evening, they'd had an official date, another nice restaurant. They'd even exercised in the gym together one afternoon.

He made his way into the music minister's office before the Sunday-morning service. Chad was tuning his guitar, his expression one of concern.

“Worried about the songs this morning?” asked Wade.

Chad huffed. “That's an understatement.”

“I picked them out. You can blame me.”

Chad grinned as he scratched his beard. “Oh, I will. Don't you worry.”

Wade laughed, and Chad pointed to the bulletin. “Seriously, this is a good worship lineup for now. Start with a contemporary version of an older hymn, segue to a faster
contemporary praise song and then sing a hymn before you preach.”

“I'm hoping it will be a good compromise.” Wade studied his new friend. “You're worried about the guitar, aren't you?”

Chad placed his palm against the guitar's belly. “I mean, I know it's not like we're adding drums, but they're so used to only having the piano.”

“Becca's playing the piano as well, right?”

“Yeah.”

“The best thing to ease our fears is to pray about it. We'll pray the Holy Spirit will lead the music and that the church will be receptive to Him. Worship is about Him, not us.”

After a quick prayer, Chad seemed more confident, and Wade felt a covering of peace. They made their way to the sanctuary and started the service. God's presence filled the church. The faces of both young and old members shone with praise. Wade preached the scriptures God had shown him earlier in the week. As he shook hands with the congregation at the end of the service, many expressed pleasure with the music.

Feeling good about their committee meeting later that afternoon but exhausted from a busy week, he went home and took a short nap before heading back to church. He walked into their meeting room and was surprised to see Greg and Freddy sitting beside each other, talking about Freddy's teenage grandson. Becca and Kristy sat together. He wasn't sure what they were discussing, but Kristy's face flushed when she smiled at him. He sat down in an open chair. “Has anyone seen Eustace?”

“I'm sure she'll be here. She and Dortha were yakking on the phone just a little bit ago,” boomed Freddy.

Wade clasped his hands and rested them on the table.
“I received a lot of positive feedback from the congregation about the music. What did you all think?”

“I loved it,” said Becca.

“Definitely,” added Greg. “I, personally, enjoy more contemporary, but I thought it was a terrific balance for our church.”

Freddy patted Greg's back. “I'd have to agree with Greg. My grandson even said he'd come back tonight for youth.”

Wade looked at Kristy, and she shifted in her seat. “You know I liked it.”

“Well, I hated it.”

All heads turned at the sound of Eustace's voice. She glowered as she entered the room and plopped down in the chair beside Kristy. “I hated it,” she said again.

“Okay. What did you hate?” asked Wade.

“The only good part was the hymn.” She pointed her finger at Becca. “Her husband shouldn't be bringing a guitar into the Sunday-morning worship service. It ain't right.”

Becca sat up straighter and lifted her chin. “And who decided ‘it ain't right'? You? Where in the Bible did God say not to have a guitar in worship?”

“It's a slippery slope,” Eustace spat out.

Wade touched each woman's forearm to keep his two congregants from waging a full-blown war. He studied the older woman. She seemed especially tired and worn. He recognized the look, because though he was decades younger than her, he'd seen the same signs on his own face. She was battling something. Not a cold or a physical ailment. She had a spiritual war raging inside her. “Eustace, you have a right to your opinion. Tell us what else you didn't like.”

“We shouldn't have fast music in worship. It ain't right.” She waved her hand. “These young people come in and just want to change everything, when we've worshipped
God just fine for years with the old songs.” She motioned to Freddy. “Even Dortha said she didn't like the music.”

Freddy puffed out his chest. “Now, wait a minute, Eustace. I know that's not true. The woman even made me listen to some contemporary-Christian music station on the way home.” He looked around the table. “I suppose it wasn't all bad.”

Eustace huffed. The committee continued to talk, and Wade made a list of things they liked and didn't like about the program. Eustace seemed determined to challenge every positive remark. Even with her objection, the members agreed to try the same format again the next week. When Wade closed in prayer, he followed Eustace out of the room.

“Is everything all right?”

“What?” she snapped. “Just because I disagree with you that means something is wrong?”

“You just seem upset.”

She waved her hand. “Of course I'm upset. I'm being forced to listen to awful music during my worship service.”

Before he could comment, she hustled away from him. More than just music was bothering Eustace. He'd make it a point to pray for her, pray that God would give her peace and joy that could come from only Him.

K
risty glanced at the two hundred mini succulent plants in small white pots that stretched across most of the deck in her backyard. She wrinkled her nose and turned to Carrie. “How did I get stuck with this job?”

“You're the mom.”

Kristy huffed. “I've had a say in very few things for this wedding.” She pointed to her chest. “I said party favors for the guests was a bit extravagant.”

Carrie rocked Noah side to side and patted his bottom as he fought taking a nap. “But Leah felt they were necessary.”

Kristy nodded in exaggerated motions. “Exactly. And as such, don't you think she should fix these things?”

“I don't think it works that way.” Carrie pointed to the only completed plant. “This is what it's supposed to look like?”

“Yep. She made sure I had an example, since I'm not overly crafty.”

Carrie snorted. “You have the worst crafting abilities I've ever seen.”

“Hey!”

“Let's face it. You can barely get the tape off the dispenser.”

Kristy held up a pile of cellophane pieces. “That might be why she went ahead and cut these out.”

“The paper is already cut?”

“Ribbon, too.”

“What are you complaining about? Just wrap up the plants and be done with it.”

“Fine.”

Kristy picked up a plant and set it in the center of one of the cellophane pieces.

“I think she used two,” said Carrie.

Kristy glared at her. “You just rock my nephew and leave the decorating to me.”

Realizing her sister was right, Kristy picked up a second piece and put it on top of the first. She lifted each side around the pot, but when she tried to wrap the ribbon around it, a corner of the cellophane popped out. Pursing her lips, she tried placing the paper in her hand, then putting the pot in the center of her palm. She tried to shimmy the ribbon from the bottom, but she needed both hands to make the cellophane even on both sides of the plant.

“Oh, for crying out loud, take the baby.” Carrie sighed. She rolled her eyes as she shoved Noah into Kristy's arms.

Kristy cuddled her nephew to her chest, then wrapped his light receiving blanket around his body. She jostled him gently and rubbed his back until he'd fallen asleep in her arms. She kissed the top of his downy head and whispered, “I'd rather be good at cuddling babies than crafting anyway.”

She looked back at her sister. Carrie had already fin
ished wrapping five plants in purple cellophane tied with hot pink bows. “I can't believe you've done those so fast.”

“It's really not that hard, sis.”

She scrunched up her face and mocked her sister. “I've made it this long without making crafts, I suppose I'll make it a little longer.”

“You just keep holding my little monster.”

“Is he still not sleeping well?”

“Six weeks old and still wakes up every few hours at night.”

Kristy grazed her finger across his soft forehead. “He's a little guy. He'll get there.”

“I hope so. I'm exhausted, and I'm worried he'll keep Mom and Dad awake when they get here next week.”

“Are you kidding? You're probably going to get two weeks of a full night's sleep. They'll probably scoop him up out of his crib before you have a chance to realize he's peeped.”

Carrie threw back her head. “Sounds wonderful.”

Mel stepped onto the deck. “Mom, the bridal shop just called. My dress is ready.” She waved at Carrie. “Oh, hi, Aunt Carrie.” She chuckled. “Mom recruited you to do the party favors?”

“Your mother is the baby whisperer. I am the craft...” She tilted her head and furrowed her brows.

“Putter-togetherer,” said Kristy.

Carrie clicked her tongue. “And to think you're the English professor.”

“I'm going to take a shower, but I wanna go pick up the dress tonight. You gotta go with me.”

“Okay,” said Kristy. “Let me know when you're ready.”

Carrie continued to decorate the succulent plants. “No more scares, huh?”

“No.” Kristy sighed. “Thank the Lord. She scared me
to death that night. Eustace made a few snide innuendos at our meeting last week, though.”

“What do you think is up with that? I mean, she's always been a gossip, but she's never been so mean about everything. She even got up and walked out during Becca's solo at church.”

Kristy looked out past her backyard at the setting sun. A thick yellow ring surrounded the almost-white sphere. An orange hue spread out away from the sun, as far as she could see. “I don't know what's wrong. I've been trying to pray for her.”

“That whole ‘being kind to your enemies to heap lumps of coal on them'?”

“No.” Kristy chuckled. “When did you get so vicious?”

“I'm the baby of the family. I've always been mean.”

“No. I genuinely want to pray for her peace.” Noah stirred and threw out his arm. She tucked it back close to her. He made small sucking faces and then drifted back to sleep. “It's just hard to feel what I'm praying sometimes.”

“Guess that's why we can't trust our hearts.”

Mel opened the back door again. “Mom, I'm ready.”

Carrie motioned to the playpen. “Lay him down, and I'll finish up these wedding favors.”

“You sure?”

“What? You're gonna finish them?”

“If I didn't have this baby in my arms, I'd flick you in the head.”

“Then I'd have to pull out the big guns.” Carrie lifted her arms and kissed her biceps.

Mel shook her head. “You two are crazy.”

Once she'd laid down Noah, Kristy nudged Mel to the door. “Come on. We better hurry. I haven't checked my email today to see what other things Leah has planned for me.”

* * *

Wade folded the corner of the purple napkin over the bottom of the knife, fork and spoon. Next, he folded one corner around the front to the back and then did the same for the other side. Taking a piece of thick pink ribbon with purple polka dots, he wrapped it around the center of the silverware and then tied a bow in the front.