The First Ladies Club Box Set

by J B Hawker

  It was Merrill’s firm belief that, while God didn’t cause the bad in the world, He allowed it for His purpose, and His purpose is always good.

  She was sad about the lives lost and the damage done to her church but found herself smiling to think of the people being brought to worship because of these happenings.

  When she saw Bethany Sisco come in, her smile quickly faded at the thought of the upcoming Bible study and Bethany’s self-proclaimed ‘special anointing.’

  Merrill hated to have to tell Bethany she couldn’t lead a group, but it would come to that, if the woman was providing false teachings, as Merrill feared might be the case.

  It looked like Bethany was having another try at getting Manota to join her group. She had the older woman cornered and the two were engrossed in a conversation Manota was clearly not enjoying.

  While the first hymn was being sung, Merrill was surprised to see Peter enter and take a seat in the back of the room.

  When he winked at her, she hit a wrong note.

  She could feel heat rising in her neck and face and tried to will the blush away by focusing on the music but found herself loudly singing the last verse of the hymn all by herself after the keyboard had stopped playing.

  She heard a few titters as she asked the congregation to bow their heads for the Morning Prayer.

  Merrill inwardly chastised herself for her reaction and managed to return her focus to worship for the rest of the service.

  “Lovely music this morning, Pastor. I didn’t see anything in the Order of Worship about your solo. Mustn’t hide your light under a bushel, now,” Edgar Richardson teased after church.

  Merrill had hoped her lapse would have been forgotten by the end of the service, but quite a few of the members managed to slip in a comment about it as they shook her hand and departed.

  It was all good natured, though, so perhaps this too would be used for good. Eventually.

  “Excellent sermon, Pastor,” Peter stood before her, his hand outstretched.

  “You surprised me this morning,” Merrill said, grasping his hand and quickly releasing it.

  “Don’t I look like a church-goer? I told you I’m a believer, remember?”

  “Did you enjoy the service?” Merrill asked.

  “Yes. Your message gave me some food for thought. I like to get some new information, insights or a different perspective from a sermon, and you gave me that. Thanks.”

  “So, what did you think about the offertory, Aunt Merri?” Ryan asked, before noticing the man speaking with Merrill.

  “Excuse me for interrupting, sir,” he addressed Peter.

  “Peter, this is my nephew, Ryan. Ryan, this is Peter Compton, a friend of my brother, Wolf.”

  “Pleased to meet you, sir,” Ryan said while shaking Peter’s hand.

  “You live in Bannoch, too, Ryan?” Peter asked.

  “I live with Aunt Merri, ever since my folks…” Ryan began with a catch in his voice.

  “I’m Ryan’s guardian, since his parents died,” Merrill quickly added. “We look after each other, don’t we, Ryan?”

  “Yeah, I guess so. You do a good job of taking care of me, anyway,” Ryan said with a grin.

  “So, what did you think of my playing?” he asked.

  “You played the music during the offering?” Peter asked. “That was quite an ambitious piece. Performed beautifully, I might add.”

  “Thanks,” Ryan replied. “It will sound loads better when Peri and I get a chance to play the piano and organ duet. That’s what I learned the music for. Today was sort of a test drive for me.”

  “Peri was playing the rest of the music, right?” Peter asked.

  “Yes. He’s my piano teacher. He’s really talented.”

  “From what I heard this morning I’d say he’s a good teacher…and not the only one with talent.”

  “Well, thanks again. Uh, Peri asked me to join him this afternoon, Aunt Merrill. He and his grandmother are going to a concert in Tillamook. Okay if I go?”

  “Of course. When will you be leaving?” Merrill asked.

  “Right away, if that’s okay with you. They are waiting for me, now.”

  “See you tonight, then,” Merrill gave Ryan a hug and sent him on his way.

  “So, what do you have planned for the afternoon?” Peter asked Merrill.

  Looking around, she saw everyone had left, the chairs were put away and Alden was standing by the door watching them, waiting to lock up.

  “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting, Alden,” she said, then turned to Peter. “We’d better go, too.”

  When they were out on the sidewalk, Peter repeated his question.

  “What am I doing? Well, I thought I would grab a sandwich and then see if I can make a little headway in the restrooms. I’m no plumber, but I can haul broken porcelain to the dumpster and scrub walls,” Merrill replied.

  “Want some help?” Peter asked.

  “Sure, but you don’t have to. You are supposed to be on a vacation, remember?”

  “Physical labor is a vacation of sorts, considering my regular work is mostly mental. I’m happy to pitch in.”

  “Then, the least I can do is feed you first. Do you like tuna sandwiches?”

  “I do, as a matter of fact, but why don’t I run by that little deli I saw down the street and pick up a picnic lunch for us. It’s a beautiful day. You go change while I get the food. I’ll bet you know lots of great picnic spots around here,” Peter said and strode across the parking lot to his car, before Merrill could either agree or demur.

  “Well, he’s a take-charge guy. Reminds me of my brothers,” she said to herself and turned to obey his suggestion.

  They ate lunch sitting on Merrill’s old picnic blanket in the little cove across the highway.

  Merrill had to admit the thick meatloaf sandwiches with crunchy slices of dill pickle on sour dough bread slathered with tangy mustard and mayonnaise were quite an improvement over the plain tuna salad she had planned.

  Peter’s selections of a jug of raspberry tea and a bunch of seedless grapes for dessert made the meal complete.

  Popping a last grape into his mouth, Peter leaned back against a smooth boulder, looked out to sea and sighed contentedly.

  “This is the life. Beautiful weather, a glorious view, good food and great company. I could stay here all day,” he said.

  “Well, I agree it’s been lovely, but there are two thoroughly disgusting restrooms calling me away from this idyll. Still want to join me?” Merrill asked, as she gathered up the wrappings and containers.

  Peter groaned, then got to his feet and picked up the blanket.

  He walked to the shoreline and shook off the loose sand before folding the quilt and stuffing it back into Merrill’s tote bag.

  “Okay, slave driver. Put me to work. But try to be gentle. Remember, I’m not used to heavy lifting.”

  Peter took Merrill’s hand as they slogged up the loose sand toward the highway.

  The skin to skin contact sent shivers up her arm.

  When they reached the highway, Merrill tried to disengage her hand, but Peter held on, saying, “Didn’t your mother tell you to always hold hands when crossing the street?”

  “As a matter of fact, when I was little, my mother was still in her bohemian phase. My brothers and I were the original free-range kids,” Merrill replied, leaving her hand in his firm grasp.

  “Were your parents hippies?” Peter asked, eyebrows raised. “I would have never guessed. Although that does sort of explain your brothers’ names.”

  “Mom and Dad tried the flower-child lifestyle for about a decade before becoming the most ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ couple you could ever imagine,” Merrill laughed. “Dad’s gone, now, but my mother seems to be reverting to her gypsy ways. She keeps the other residents of the retirement home entertained with her wild outfits and stories of her unorthodox youth.”

  When they reached the church, Merrill stowed the picnic things in her apartment
and led the way to the supply closet for gloves and cleaning equipment.

  “The dumpster is around back behind the social hall. Some of these porcelain pieces look pretty heavy. I wonder if Alden keeps a wheelbarrow or some sort of cart around here,” she said, standing in the open doorway of the women’s restroom.

  “Give me the keys and I’ll go take a look next door,” Peter said.

  Merrill handed him the keys and began picking up smaller pieces of trash and stuffing them into a garbage bag.

  She filled two large bags before Peter returned pushing a rusty wheelbarrow and carrying a plastic bag.

  “I found this behind the social hall,” Peter said, pulling a spray paint can out of the bag.

  “That looks like the color used in here, all right,” Merrill said.

  “Should we give it to the police for fingerprints?” Peter asked.

  “I don’t think they bother with fingerprints in cases of vandalism. They didn’t even send anyone out to look at the damage when I filed my report, just signed off for the insurance claim.”

  “But this could be connected to the, uh, other events here,” Peter said.

  “I don’t see how…Wait, you aren’t suggesting all of this is directed at the church, are you? Just because that poor woman chose our bell tower to end her life, her coworker had a tragic accident and we’ve been vandalized, doesn’t mean the church is being targeted…unless you are talking about some sort of demonic, spiritual attack.”

  “I guess you’re right. It’s pretty far out. And, as you said, the police aren’t suspicious, and that’s their job,” Peter said. “Just like seeing conspiracies everywhere is mine,” he added with a smile.

  They were still working when Ryan returned from the concert.

  “Aunt Merri! Are you here?” he called from the apartment’s connecting doorway.

  “In here, Ryan,” she responded, sticking her head out of the men’s room.

  “Wow. You are a mess,” Ryan said, as he came down the hallway toward his aunt.

  “But this room looks lots better,” he added when peering inside. “Have you been working on this all afternoon, all by yourself?”

  “Not quite,” Peter called from within the restroom’s handicapped stall. “Come give me a hand with this, can you?”

  Ryan donned a pair of gloves and helped Peter wrestle the cracked stool onto the wheelbarrow.

  “Thanks. After we chuck this into the dumpster, you can help me convince Merrill to quit for the day. She’s worn me out,” Peter teased, while maneuvering the wheelbarrow around her and out the door.

  “Yeah, she never knows when to quit, I know,” Ryan said with a grin at his aunt before following Peter and the broken fixture.

  Chapter 17

  Peter lingered in Bannoch for more than a week, taking Merrill to lunch, helping with the restroom repairs, and visiting with various members of the community.

  After helping Sage work on the restrooms during the following weekend, he joined Merrill, her brother and Ryan for Sunday supper in Merrill’s apartment.

  “Pass the taco salad, please, Ryan,” Peter said.

  “Here you go, can you pass me the corn bread?” Ryan responded.

  “Anyone want this last slice of cantaloupe?” Merrill asked, holding out the almost empty plate.

  “Sure,” Sage stabbed the melon with his fork and immediately took a bite.

  “I’ve got lemon chiffon pie for dessert. Anyone ready?” Merrill asked, pushing back her chair.

  The three men were busily chewing, but when Ryan raised his hand, the others followed suit.

  “So, we’re back at school, now, are we?” Merrill teased, carrying the pie and dessert plates to the table.

  “Sorry, Merrill, but it’s your fault for feeding us so well,” Peter said.

  “I wish I’d gone grocery shopping yesterday. I’m afraid you got what our mom always called a pantry meal. I just threw together everything I had.”

  “It was great, Sis. Thanks,” Sage said.

  “You three earned your dinner by working so hard this weekend on the restrooms. After another coat of paint, we should be back in business,” Merrill said.

  “The sinks in the men’s room still need to have new faucets, but that won’t take long,” Sage said. “I’m sorry I can’t stay and finish it, but I’ve got to get back to my project near Portland. We’re on a deadline there.”

  “I won’t be able to help with it, either, I’m afraid,” Peter said. “I know how eager you are for your congregation to move back into the sanctuary, Merrill, but I have to leave early tomorrow morning.”

  “Why?” Merrill blurted out. She was surprised to feel such dismay.

  “Are you going to come back this way on your return trip?” Ryan asked, helping himself to a large slice of pie.

  “Oh, I’ll be back. I’ve just got some research to do up in Portland for a story I’m working on.”

  “I thought you were on vacation,” Sage said.

  “This is a bit of a busman’s holiday, sort of like what you’ve been doing this weekend,” Peter grinned.

  “When do you think you will return?” Merrill asked, attempting a neutral tone.

  “I should be back before next weekend. I don’t want to miss the bonfire beach picnic on Saturday, but it depends on what I turn up in Portland.”

  “Anyone want another piece of pie?” Merrill asked, distractedly beginning to clear the table.

  “Hey! I do, Aunt Merri,” Ryan cried. “I’d like more pie, please.”

  “Oh, sorry. Of course, here you go,” she put the pie plate back on the table and picked up a couple of empty serving bowls, instead.

  Sage pushed his chair back and gave his sister a peck on the cheek before grabbing his gear and heading for the door.

  “Thanks for the food, Sis. Have a good trip to Portland tomorrow, Pete.”

  “You have a safe drive tonight. Watch out for sleep-deprived drivers,” Peter replied.

  “Bye, Uncle Sage,” Ryan said, liking the sound of it. “You don’t mind if I call you ‘uncle’, do you?”

  “I’m honored, kid. Keep practicing your jump shot. See you next time.”

  After the door closed, Ryan swallowed his last bite of pie and hopped up to help finish clearing the dishes.

  “Thank you, Ryan. You’ve worked hard today; you can take a break. I’ll handle this tonight,” Merrill said.

  “Then, is it okay if I go out? I’d like to meet some of the guys at the arcade in the mall and hang out for a while.”

  “Sure. Just don’t stay out too late; this is a school night. Is your homework all done?”

  “I finished it last night. Thanks!”

  Ryan grabbed a jacket from his room and went out to walk the half-dozen blocks to the seaside mall.

  “I suppose I’d better be going, too. Unless I can pitch in with the clean up?” Peter asked.

  “Thanks, but I’ll take care of it. You’ve helped so much this past week. I, uh, that is, we all appreciate it.”

  “Well, then, I guess I’ll see you in a week or so.”

  “I guess so. Have a good trip,” Merrill said.

  Peter opened the door and started to step out, then turned around.

  “Come here, a minute. You’ve got to see this,” he said to Merrill, holding out his hand.

  She hesitated before grasping it and following him out.

  “Look! Have you ever seen such a beautiful sunset?” he said, pointing out over the sea, now painted in shades of pink, purple, orange and gold.

  “Lovely,” Merrill agreed.

  Still holding her hand, Peter turned to Merrill and nodded in agreement, then lifted her chin with his free hand and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

  “See you next week,” he repeated and walked swiftly to his car.

  Merrill stood on trembling legs, silently watching in the fading light until Peter’s car turned a corner and the tail lights winked out. She slowly returned to her apartment and dro
pped onto the nearest chair.

  “Imagine that,” she said aloud. “Just imagine that.”

  *

  Peter was uneasy as he drove away.

  He was pleased with himself for finally kissing Merrill, as he’d wanted to do for days, but he was also concerned about the shift in their relationship. It could get complicated, since Merrill was his friend’s sister, and a widowed minister raising a teenager, to boot.

  He hadn’t wanted to leave without kissing her but didn’t think it through before acting impulsively.

  As he pulled into his motel for the night, Peter decided to concentrate on the trip to Portland and what awaited him there. He would think about their relationship later.

  *

  Ryan and his friend, DeRay, were finishing a game on the vintage pinball machine in the arcade when Astilbe and Paisley arrived.

  “Hey, Tilly! You and Patsy have any quarters?” Ryan called to the girls.

  “Hi, Reuben! Mom wouldn’t give us any cash today. Sorry,” Astilbe replied.

  “Who’s Reuben?” DeRay asked, looking around.

  “Oh, that’s just what we call Ryan,” Paisley replied. “He likes our nicknames, so we decided to give him one.”

  “Rye was the obvious choice…” Astilbe began.

  “Then I remembered my favorite sandwich comes on rye bread,” Paisley finished.

  “So, he’s ‘Reuben’ forevermore,” the sisters laughed together.

  “Whatever,” DeRay shrugged, shaking his head at the girls’ foolishness.

  “So, Reuben, when are you going to play your duet in church, anyway?” Astilbe asked.

  “We’ve been waiting, like forever,” Paisley added.

  “We can’t use the sanctuary until the restrooms are repaired. My aunt’s brother, Sage, and her other brother’s friend, Peter, have been doing most of the repairs, but they both had to take off. So, now we will have to get a plumber to finish the work. I’m not sure the church can afford it.”

  “Is that Peter guy your aunt’s boyfriend?” DeRay asked.

  “Aunt Merri with a boyfriend? Not likely,” Ryan hooted.

  “She was married to my dad’s brother for about a million years before he died, and now that she’s a preacher, she isn’t interested in stuff like that.”