October Joy (Moments In Paradise 1) (11 page)

“You talked to him?”

“I did.”

She laughed.  “I guess I can’t back out now.”

“You could, but I hope you don’t.”

“I’m praying for you,” she said, truly meaning that.

“Thank you, Grace.”

***

“You go ahead,” Andrew said after finding a parking space at the church.  “I’ll call my daughters and then come find you.”

“Okay,” Sarah said.  “Thanks for a great day.”

Andrew smiled and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.  “It’s not over yet.  I still have to drive you back to the hotel later and take you out for coffee if you’re up for it.”

Sarah liked being with Andrew, but she got a special feeling in her heart whenever he touched her. “I think I will be,” she said.

Getting out of the car, she walked toward the front entrance.  They had just finished having dinner at the hotel restaurant and were coming to attend the evening meeting--the final one of the conference.  She couldn’t believe it was almost Thursday.

She wanted to go in alone because she wasn’t ready for people to be seeing them together.  Linda and George knew.  She had told Linda this morning when she called to let her know she wouldn’t be around today.  She didn’t want to cause unnecessary concern.  She didn’t think Linda would share her secret with anyone, but she felt a little worried if Linda had told even one other person, everyone could know by now.  She was fully expecting some of them to ask about where she’d been all day, unless they already knew.

Entering the front lobby, she saw people mingling around during the break between dinner and the meeting.  She began walking toward the auditorium but was stopped by someone she knew.  Gloria Sherman--Richard Sherman’s very proper and saccharin-coated wife.  If word had gotten around, Gloria was sure to know all about Levi Whitfield’s wife’s improper rendezvous with another man.  Scandalous for sure, in her opinion.

“Hello, Gloria,” she said.  “How are you?”

“I’m doing very well, dear.  And how are you?  I heard you were here this week, but I’ve barely seen you.”

“I’ve been here off and on,” she said.  “It’s good to see everyone, but not quite the same without Levi.”

“I’m sure,” she said.  “We couldn’t believe it when we heard the news.  He was just a youngn’ compared to Richard and I.”

“I know,” she said.  “I guess God needs him up there now.”

“Well, he was a fine man and a wonderful teacher.  He will be missed.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Gloria stepped away with a sweet nod, and Sarah didn’t think she could be aware of anything out of the ordinary.  Turning back to head toward the auditorium, she didn’t get far before she was stopped again.

“You’re back,” Linda said softly, giving her a smile and a hug.

Sarah held her in return and felt grateful for her trusted friend.  She could tell by Linda’s tone and how she had responded to her this morning that Linda didn’t disapprove.

“I’m back,” she said.  “No police escort needed today.”

“Where is he?” she whispered.

“Talking to his daughters.  He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

Some others were walking by, so their conversation ceased as another woman saw her and said something similar to what Gloria had said, only a little more specific.  “We missed you at dinner,” Patsy Wheeler said.  “You were seated at our table.”

“Oh, was I?  I’m sorry I had to miss it.  I was having dinner with a friend here in the city.”

“How are you, Sarah?  Are you doing okay?  I pray for you all the time.”

“Thank you, Patsy,” she said, giving her a hug.  Patsy was much more genuine and down-to-earth than Gloria.  “I’m all right.  Jesus is taking good care of me.”

“I know what you mean,” she said.  “I lost both of my parents this year.  Not quite as difficult as I know losing Levi has been for you, but not my best season.  I just don’t know how anyone makes it through anything without Jesus.”

“Me neither,” she said, recalling Andrew’s words on that subject and realizing she had been trying to do this without Him.  “I’m sorry to hear about your parents.  I know that was really hard on Levi when his dad died last year.”

“Are both of your parents still living?”

“Yes.  They’re in Illinois.  I’m going to see them for Thanksgiving.”

“Well, that will be nice.  Do whatever you need to help you through this, honey.  I know I will if Stanley goes before I do.”

“Thank you, Patsy.  And thanks for your prayers.  I know they’re making a difference.”

Once Patsy had stepped away, Linda took her arm like she couldn’t wait another second to hear a few more details.

“How was your day?”

Sarah answered honestly.  “It was really nice.”

“You spent the whole day with him?”

“Yes.”  She smiled.  “He’s a really good man, Linda.  I can’t believe this is happening.”

“What’s happening?” she asked, seeming to hope for something specific.

“I’m not sure exactly, but we’re planning to see each other more.  I think he’s why God wanted me here.”

Linda smiled.  “I think it’s wonderful, Sarah.  Andrew
is
a good man.  Don’t be ashamed of what you feel for him.”

***

When Andrew finished talking with his daughters, he got out of the car with a smile on his face and a lightness in his step.  Not only had his day with Sarah been absolutely perfect, but he’d heard the news from Gracie herself about her and James, and she sounded pretty excited about it--as excited as Gracie got about anything.  He had been praying about that for a long time.  Not necessarily for Gracie and James to get together, but that Grace would find someone to share her life with.  He was grateful for all she had done to help him and her younger siblings go on without Annika, but she had sacrificed so much and seemed to have lost the dreams of having her own life.

If it had happened at any other time, he might not feel as optimistic as he did, but there was something very Jesus-led about this week with him being here and meeting Sarah, and Gracie being there when tragedy had shaken James’ week.  If he would have been there, he would have been the one to go to the hospital, not Gracie.

One of the things Andrew had learned during the last five years was there were always two sides to every tragedy or difficult circumstance.  There was the pain and the grief and the unanswered questions, and there was the hope and the joy and the purpose and the peace that could come when it didn’t feel like they belonged.

Going into the auditorium, he spotted Sarah near the same area they had been sitting with Linda and George on Monday night, and he didn’t hesitate to go meet them, but he did sit beside George rather than Sarah.  It was a good two hours of worship and listening to a lot of pastors sharing about what God had been doing in their midst over the last year.  Five years ago Andrew would have been envious about hearing so many success stories when he felt so ordinary and fruitless in comparison, but he didn’t feel that way now, and it had nothing to do with his own positive numbers or successful programs.

It was about joy.  He had it like never before.  He loved being a pastor.  He loved his work.  He loved his God.  He had learned to delight in Him and enjoy Him like never before, and if he had five people there on Sunday mornings or five hundred, no matter.  Jesus was doing His thing, and he was happy to be a part of it.

Andrew gained some good perspective from those who spoke, and he was glad they had come tonight.  Sarah had been worried others would catch on something was going on between them, but he didn’t see how that could be the case.  Others would be understanding of Sarah not being at all the meetings, and he hadn’t been here for five years, so his absence last night and today had likely gone unnoticed.

He knew they had nothing to be ashamed of, but he also knew Sarah had a sensitive heart and she was concerned with what others thought of her.  He didn’t quite understand it yet, but he hoped to help her in that.  He’d met a lot of pastor’s wives over the years, and in his opinion she was one of the sweetest and most respectable ones he’d ever met, and that wasn’t because he was falling for her--that’s why he was falling for her.

He told Sarah he would meet her at the car afterwards, and they each did their own mingling as they left the auditorium and headed for the outside doors.  He saw Colton and Rachel, the youth pastor and his wife who had been at their table on the first two days, and he talked with them for a few minutes.  Andrew encouraged the young pastor to keep pressing on through some difficulties in ministry he was currently facing, saying he’d been there and had seen God work in some of the most amazing and unpredictable ways during those times.  And he gave him some final words he hoped Colton would take to heart.

“Enjoy your God, my friend.  If you do that, everything will be just fine.”

***

Annika opened the door of her cottage and saw Monique.  She invited her inside, and they exchanged a warm embrace.  It had been more than a year since Monique had first come to Paradise, and it had been one of those Arrivals that left Annika wondering why she had been invited.

Monique had been a member of Andrew’s congregation, she had learned later when she had a chance to meet with her earlier this month, and her daughter and Tabby were friends too.  After a two-year battle with cancer, Monique had turned to the only source of hope she had left: Joshua.  She had been running from Him for a long time, ignoring the opportunities He gave her to come back to Him, but she finally came to the end of herself, knowing death was imminent and she would be leaving behind her beloved husband and children.

She had only attended the church for a short time but met with Andrew on several occasions as she sorted through her past mistakes, pain, and the reality of facing her death.  By the time that day came, she had peace about it, and her time with Joshua now couldn’t be more sweet.  She had allowed Him to heal her wounded heart and had truly discovered the reality of His never-ending, all-consuming, unconditional love.

Annika wasn’t sure why she was coming to visit her today, but she had known about it since receiving her morning mail.  Leading Monique onto the back  patio where she had already set out some fresh lemonade, scones, and Joshua’s latest fruit everyone was raving about, Annika didn’t have to wait long to find out why Monique was here and why she had met her earlier this month.

“My son is here,” Monique said.  “Hunter.  He arrived yesterday.  Joshua said you were at his Homecoming.”

“Yes,” Annika said.  “He’s fourteen, right?”

“Yes, and he attended Andrew’s church too.”

“Where is he now?”

“Exploring.  He wanted Joshua to give him the full tour.”

Annika smiled.  She had been the same way when she first got here.  “How’s your family?”

“Sierra’s okay.  Tabby is being a perfect friend right now.  You should be very proud of her.”

“And Jess?”

“Not so good.  But Joshua is going to be changing that, I’m sure.  He promised me.”

“I know He will.  Did you want to meet with me today, or was this Joshua’s idea?”

“I did.  I said I needed to talk to someone who had left her husband behind but had seen Him be so faithful.  He gave me your name.”

“He has been, Monique.  To my husband and my children.  Keep believing Joshua will reach Jess’ heart and help both him and Sierra to thrive, because He will.  He never gives up on anyone, least of all those we love.  I’m sure the reasons for Hunter being here are endless.”

Chapter Eleven

It didn’t take Sarah a long time to get outside.  Most of the people who had expressed their sympathy for her loss on the first couple of days, now seemed content to give her a smile and a nod, and she was fine with that.  If she hadn’t had such a wonderful day with Andrew, it would have crushed her to the point of a million tears on her pillow tonight, but right now all she could think about was seeing him again, which carried her through the long walk amongst the crowd to the outside doors.

Linda and George were staying for the quartet that was singing and some other things going on in the dining room, so she had parted from them and said they should be seeing her tomorrow.  A brunch was scheduled for ten o’clock, followed by a closing time of praise and worship before the conference officially ended, and she and Andrew had already talked about attending both of those elements.

Stepping outside, she felt anxious to see Andrew but walked right into a small crowd of people who were heading back to the hotel, and Gloria and Richard Sherman were among them.  She had only seen Gloria right before the meeting earlier, and she hadn’t talked to Richard at all, so he was happy to finally see her and say what most people said.

“Levi was a good man.  It’s a shame he had to go.  I’m sure your church must be beside themselves to know what to do without him.”

“Yes,” she said.  “They’ve just started looking for someone to replace him this month.”

“Oh, you can’t replace a man like Levi.  They’ll try, I’m sure.  But it can’t be done.  I feel sorry for the poor fella’ already,” he said with a chuckle.  “But our prayers will be with you all up there.”

“Thank you.”
  I think.
  “It was good seeing you both.  I hope you have a nice trip home tomorrow.”

“Are you going to the hotel?” Gloria asked.  “You can walk with us.”

“No, I’m staying somewhere else.  I have a car this way,” she said, starting to back away toward the parking area.

“Land sake’s, Sarah!” Gloria exclaimed with a laugh.  “Why would you do a thing like that?  You and Levi always stayed at the Holiday.”

“Yes, I know,” she said, giving her a smile even though she felt like bursting into tears.  “I um, I just decided to stay somewhere else this time, and then it was a little farther from the church than I realized, so I--I had to have a car to get around in.”

“Oh, Sarah,” Gloria laughed, making her feel an inch high.  “I was shocked to even see you here without Levi.  That Linda sure is an arm-twister, isn’t she?  Don’t let her talk you into it next time, dear.  We would all understand if you just stayed home since Levi isn’t here anymore.”