Arizona Pastor (5 page)

“Humph.” Eustace picked up several tablecloths and headed toward the other side of the fellowship hall. Her friends joined her, and then they spread them on the tables.

Wade focused on getting chairs out of the storage closet and setting them up around the tables. Just like any family, every church had people who thrived on stirring discord.
God, show me how to be a leader. How to lead by example. Right now, I don't feel love for Eustace. I feel a need to show her the sin of gossip in Your word, to show her how You loved the unlovable.

As the prayer slipped through his mind, he looked over at the women. They cackled as they pressed the creases with their hands. Eustace saw Kristy and Mel and Joel as unlovable. He saw Eustace as the unlovable one. If he was going to lead by example, he'd have to purposefully choose to love Eustace.

I
n no time at all, Kristy stood outside Tim and Leah's home once again. She glanced back at the driveway. Joel's truck was here, as was his parents' car. The new pastor parked his truck in front of the house. Then he and an oversize dalmatian hopped out of the front seat. A leash kept the excited canine from barreling toward her. Wade waved with his free hand. “Thought I was gonna be late.”

“You're talking about wedding plans with us?”

He shrugged. “I guess so. They wanted me to come with my calendars, the church's and my own.” He leaned toward her, and she caught a quick whiff of musky cologne. “Though my personal calendar is pretty much the same as the church's.”

A wave of relief washed over Kristy that she wouldn't be alone for the meeting. Not that Wade was
with
her. He just kind of evened the playing field of married people and single people. Not that there was a playing field to begin with. She had no reason to compare herself to Tim's perfect homemaker of a wife or to Joel's parents, Chuck and Mary, who'd been happily married for more than a quarter of a century. She swallowed back a sigh, hating the inferiority complex that always wrapped around her when she was near Tim and Leah.

Kristy glanced down at Wade's dog. The big guy shook his bottom from side to side and bobbed his nose in an attempt to get her attention. She offered her hand for the canine to sniff, then petted the top of his head. “What's his name?”

“Knew he was a boy, did you?”

She smiled. “You just don't look like a girl-dog kind of guy.”

Wade laughed, and Kristy couldn't help but giggle at the boisterous sound. “His name is Bo.” He scratched behind the dog's ears. “Tim said he could come over and run around the backyard and keep the boys occupied while we talk.”

Kristy nodded and straightened to her full height. “Guess we should go ahead and get in there.”

“Have you knocked or rang the doorbell?”

She scrunched her nose and shook her head.

“I'll do it, then.”

He pushed the bell, and within a moment, Leah answered, looking perfect and flashing a bright white smile. Wade placed his hand in the small of Kristy's back and guided her inside. Kristy held her breath at his touch. She'd lived independently and alone for so long, she couldn't remember when someone had led her anywhere. Part of her kind of liked the feeling.

“You can head to the dining room, Kristy.” Leah pointed to her left. “I took the liberty of purchasing a few bridal magazines. Mel and Mary are already perusing them while the guys talk baseball.” She laughed, a light tinkling sound that grated on Kristy's nerves.

“The boys are in the back,” she addressed Wade. “They can't wait to meet your dog. What did you say his name was again?” Leah's words drifted off as she and Wade walked to the back of the house.

Once in the dining room, Kristy's heart twisted at the vision of Mel and Mary scouring bridal magazines. Dark curly locks fell past Mel's shoulders. With no makeup to cover them, freckles splattered her cheeks and nose. If Kristy had a couple of ponytail holders, she could put Mel's hair in pigtails and her child would look just as she had in elementary school.

The guys sat at the other end of the table, oblivious to Mel and Mary's discussion. Her future son-in-law's blond hair swept down in waves almost to his eyebrows and past his ears. He didn't look much older than a middle-school boy in need of a haircut.

Lord, they have no idea what they're getting into. I wanted so much more for Mel.

As if sensing her prayer, Mel glanced up and offered a tentative smile. She motioned Kristy to a place beside her. Trying to maintain a positive demeanor, Kristy sat down and looked at the long, straight dress she and Mary had found. “I'd like to find something like this.”

“That would look beautiful on your slim figure,” said Mary.

“Won't be slim for long,” Kristy muttered, then wished she could take back the words when she saw hurt in Mel's eyes.

“I shouldn't be showing much by the end of July. Lots of women are still small at sixteen weeks.”

“July?” Kristy interrupted. Her voice raised an octave. “Have you lost your mind?”

The room fell silent as the guys turned and stared at her. Tim seemed to hold his breath. Joel leaned closer to his dad, who looked down at his hands.

“No, Mom,” Mel whipped out. “We're not crazy.”

Leah and Wade walked into the room. They seemed to sense the tension as they looked at each of them. Leah sat beside Tim, which meant Wade had no choice but to sit beside Kristy. Ignoring the thrill that shot through her at his nearness, Kristy fired back, “Where do you plan to live?”

Leah took Tim's hand and crossed her long, toned and tanned legs. “My parents own some rental property. It just so happens they have a small two-bedroom house that will be available the first of July. Of course they're going to give their only granddaughter reduced rent until she and Joel get on their feet.”

Their only granddaughter.
The words sliced through Kristy like a knife through soft butter. “Even reduced rent costs.” She looked from Mel to Joel. “Just how do you intend to pay your bills?”

Chuck cleared his throat. “Joel's gonna be working for me full-time, starting this week. He's already registered for his training. Always planned to take over my business one day.”

“And I've got a couple of kids signed up to take piano lessons,” said Mel as she lifted her hand. “And before you say anything, they're going to come here, to Dad's house, until we get a piano set up in our place.” She glanced at Joel with a look full of love and adoration.

Kristy didn't want to be the bad guy, but they needed to understand this whole situation would be much more challenging than they expected. Things wouldn't simply fall into place for eighteen-year-old, barely-out-of-high-school parents. She opened her mouth, but Tim spoke first.

“Before you say it, Mel and the baby will be able to be on my insurance until Joel is able to take some out for the family. I've already checked.”

She pinched her lips together. They'd all thought of just everything. What about the fact that they were too young, that Mel had the brains, the potential to take any career path she wanted? She glanced from Mel to Joel again, imploring them to see reason. “A month and a half is so fast. Don't you two want to take a little time? Make sure this is the right choice.”

“I don't want to be showing when I walk down the aisle,” Mel huffed, and crossed her arms.

Well, that just proved her maturity. Kristy had heard the same tone and witnessed the same motion every time her daughter threw a tantrum as a child. And given how frazzled her daughter had been with Noah the week before, she definitely needed practice with babies.

Joel cleared his throat, but his voice still squeaked when he spoke. “We don't want to upset you, Ms. Phillips, but Mel and I want to go ahead and get married.”

Mel curled her lip. “Besides, I'm almost eighteen, and I can do—”

Joel placed his hand on Mel's arm. “We want you to be part of this with us.”

Kristy pursed her lips. She had to give the boy credit for his effort in keeping peace between her and Mel.

He offered a quick nod. “Pastor Wade,” Joel said, “we're hoping for July 27. Does that date work for you?”

“What?” Kristy slapped her palms on the table and implored her child. “What about Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Kaitlyn? They won't be able to see you get married.”

“Maybe they can work something out,” Mel said. “It's the date Joel and I want to have, and the wedding is about us.”

A wave of nausea swept through Kristy. What had happened to the daughter she was so proud of? She sounded like a spoiled brat and not the way Kristy had raised her. She was still waiting to awaken from this nightmare or for someone to jump out from behind a wall and shout that the whole thing was some kind of prank.

“That date should be fine,” responded Wade.

Guess not,
Kristy inwardly retorted. For years, Mel had been her whole world. Now Kristy watched as her life was about to crash and burn before her eyes.

* * *

Wade opened the day on his smartphone's calendar. “What time were you thinking?”

“It'll be super hot,” said Mel, “so I'm thinking in the evening.”

“We have to do it on the half hour so the time is going up when you say your vows,” said Leah.

Kristy rolled her eyes, and Wade cleared his throat. “So six-thirty or seven-thirty?”

“Seven-thirty is probably better.” Mel looked at Joel. “I know we'll need to get up early the next morning for the cruise—”

Kristy lifted her hand. “Wait a minute. What? You're already going on a cruise?”

“Yes.” Mel clapped her hands.

“That's why we were hoping the twenty-seventh worked for Pastor Wade,” added Joel.

Mel glanced over at her future in-laws with adoration gleaming in her eyes. “Chuck and Mary surprised us last night. Said they wanted to be sure we had a honeymoon.”

Chuck put his arm around Mary. “We married pretty young. Never had a chance to get away.”

Mary shrugged. “We figured since we have the means, we ought to make sure the kids get some time together before the baby comes.”

Kristy's face paled as her gaze went from one couple to the other. Wade knew she felt like an outsider, with Joel and Mel, Chuck and Mary and Tim and Leah all holding hands or leaning into each other. He felt a bit awkward himself.

Kristy grinned, but the tightness in her jaw belied the effort. “That's terrific.”

To change the subject, Wade said, “We'll need to set up the four marriage-counseling sessions.” His gut twisted at the idea.

“Let's set up one a week, starting this week. That will leave the last couple weeks open for wedding errands,” said Joel.

Mel leaned over and kissed his cheek. “My fiancé is so sensitive. You're going to be the best husband ever.”

Kristy stiffened. As a reflex, Wade patted her arm. She looked at him, her gaze imploring him to see her side. He did understand, and at that moment, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and comfort her.

They settled on the dates for the counseling sessions. Then Leah showed a picture of a dish in one of the magazines. “This potato casserole looks delicious. Maybe we could serve it at the reception.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of finger foods,” said Kristy. “Or maybe even just cake and punch.”

“Cake and punch? Mom, really?” Mel grunted. “Nobody does that anymore.”

Kristy's face blazed red. “I'm just thinking we should be economical about this. We don't have much time, and—”

“Don't worry about money at all,” Leah chimed in as she squeezed her husband's arm. “Tim and I are going to pay for the wedding.”

Kristy shook her head. “No.”

“We insist. We already discussed it last night. She's our only girl…”

Kristy's body went ramrod straight, and Wade watched her suck in her breath and ball her fists. This planning session needed to end, and fast.

She slammed her palms on the table. “Sounds as though you all have everything planned. I wonder why you bothered to invite me.”

Leah placed her palm on her chest. “Well, of course Mel wants her mother to be here.” She glanced at Tim, her expression full of innocence.

Before Kristy could say anything more, Wade grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She jerked toward him. Her eyes flashed, and for a moment, he feared she'd unleash a flurry of angry words at him. He held tight to her hand as he said, “I have a few questions about the church's monthly newsletter.” He looked around at expressions that seemed to fear her fury as much as he did.

Looking back into Kristy's glare, he willed back his confidence. Deep blue eyes screamed embarrassment and pain. “I hate to tear you away, but could I get your help for a half hour or so? I need to have it completed by tomorrow.”

Kristy's shoulders fell. “Sure.”

Wade addressed Leah and Tim. “This shouldn't take long. Would you mind if Bo stayed until I bring Kristy back?”

Leah waved her hand. “Absolutely. The boys are enjoying their new playmate. We might have to borrow him from time to time.”

Trying to quickly get her out of the house, Wade nodded as he stood. “We'll figure something out.”

Kristy took a step toward the door, then turned and wrapped her arms around Mel. She didn't say a word, just hugged her child, then headed outside. Wade prayed for guidance as he followed the beguiling woman to the truck. He also had to think about what exactly he should ask her.

W
ade tapped the top of the steering wheel and tried to focus on the contemporary Christian music filling the cab of his truck. Years had passed since he'd felt jittery driving with a lovely woman in the passenger seat. He wrinkled his nose. In truth, he hadn't chauffeured any women for a very long time. Unless he counted his mom. Or his sister. But jitters never accompanied him when he rode with them. Unless they were driving.