Arizona Pastor

by Jennifer Collins Johnson

  “She’s lovely, isn’t she?” said Leah.

  On impulse, Kristy gave Leah a hug. “You have done such a good job making this day special.”

  Kristy took Mel’s hand and lifted it until her daughter stood up. She took her back to the full-length mirror. “Your dad’s right. The most beautiful bride ever.”

  Lights flashed several times beside them. “Those are gonna be great. You’re stunning.” And Kristy felt stunning in her new dress. The photographer gave them a thumbs-up. “But I’ve been sent in here to tell you it’s time to line up.”

  “Mom, I’m feeling sick.”

  “Like puke sick or nervous sick?”

  “Nervous.”

  “Everything’s gonna be fine. Joel is a wonderful young man, and you’re putting God at the center of your marriage.”

  Mel fanned her face with a tissue. “Mom, I really think I need to cool down.”

  Looking around the room, Kristy spied a fan in the corner. She dragged a metal chair over to it, then sat Mel down. Turning on the fan, she held it in front of Mel’s face as she took deep breaths in and out. “Getting better?”

  Mel’s hands shook, but she nodded. “Don’t stop for a minute, okay?”

  “I won’t. Moms are always ready to help their babies when they’re sick.”

  “Or nervous.” Mel blew out another breath.

  “That’s right.”

  “You’re a good mom.” Tears brimmed in Mel’s eyes, and her chin quivered. “I hope I can be a good mom, too.”

  “You’ll be even better than me.” Kristy grabbed a tissue from the box on the windowsill. She dabbed at Mel’s eyes. “Now stop that, or Leah’s gonna get both of us.”

  Mel chuckled. “I think I’m almost ready.”

  Kristy held Mel’s hand as they walked to the back of the church. Before letting go, she squeezed and whispered, “I’m really proud of you.”

  Taking the usher’s elbow, within moments, the doors opened and Kristy walked down the aisle to take a seat on the front row. She locked gazes with Wade. He looked handsome in a black suit and purple silk tie. She loved him so much more than she’d ever thought possible.

  She took her seat beside her mom and dad. Dad held a sleeping Noah to his chest. Carrie would walk down the aisle as one of the bridesmaids in a matter of moments. She looked at Joel, who seemed unable to stop fidgeting. He and Mel were so young. She could only pray they allowed God to guide them.

  The music started, and one bridesmaid after another walked down the aisle and took their places on the steps of the stage. The ushers closed the doors, and the music changed to the “Bridal Chorus.” With the guests, Kristy stood, and the doors opened again.

  She glanced at Joel and saw that he’d stopped fidgeting. A full smile wrapped his face, and he wiped his eyes. Looking back at her daughter, she feared her heart would burst with excitement for all God had planned for her. God’s plans. Not Kristy’s.

  Tim and Mel stopped at the end of the aisle long enough for Tim to declare that he and Kristy were giving her away. Joel took Mel’s hands in his, and Kristy studied her child’s expressions as she pledged her life to Joel. The vow was sealed with a kiss, and Wade proclaimed them husband and wife. The whole thing seemed surreal as the usher came back, took her arm and guided her back up the aisle.

  She stood to the side as the photographer captured pictures of Mel and Joel making silly and serious faces with the wedding party and some of the guests. Her heart pounded, and she fought back the urge to burst into tears because her baby had really just got married.

  “She looks happy,” Wade’s low voice sounded beside her.

  “She does.”

  The camera flashed as Mel made a duck face while Joel kissed her cheek.

  “You’re gonna be okay. Eventually.”

  Kristy grabbed Wade’s hand. Though he’d never married or had a child, he seemed to understand her feelings perfectly. With him by her side, she would be okay.

  * * *

  Wade watched Kristy as she watched Mel and Joel get into his truck. The groomsmen had written on each of the windows with pink-and-purple window paint. Pink-and-purple balloons and empty water bottles were tied to the bed of the truck. Wade wrapped his arm around Kristy’s shoulders when Mel leaned out the window and waved as Joel drove away.

  They walked back into the reception area and sat down at the table. Her parents stood together beside the punch bowl. Her mom held Noah up while her dad made faces at him.

  “You all right?” Wade asked.

  “I’m better than I thought I’d be.” She picked a pink flower out of the arrangement at the center of the table and smelled it. “I suppose that’s because you’re with me.”

  Wade looked around the room. He’d hoped more of the guests would have left when Mel and Joel had, but many had gone back for more cake or stayed to slow dance at the front of the room. “Wonder when we’ll start cleaning up.”

  Kristy pointed to Leah, who appeared to be in deep, intimate conversation with Tim. “Whenever the boss says, and she doesn’t appear to be ready.”

  “She drove you crazy, huh?”

  “Actually, not too bad.” She stuck the flower back in the vase, and then took a sip of her drink. “Mel felt a little overwhelmed at times.” She placed her cup back on the tablecloth. “Tim said he and Leah might come to church sometime.”

  Wade nodded. “You’re okay with that?”

  “I am. I’m not jealous of what they have anymore.”

  He rubbed sweaty palms against his pants, and then grabbed her hand. “Come on.”

  She stumbled to her feet. “Wait a minute. I took my heels off.”

  She started to bend down, and he tugged her hand. “You don’t need them.”

  “Wade,” she complained. He continued down the hall and out the side door. “Where are we going?”

  The sun had just set over the horizon. Yellow and gold hues still mingled in the distance with pinks and blues, painting a beautiful picture just above them. She stepped on a rock and let out a low grunt. He wished he’d been patient enough to let her put her shoes back on. There was nothing he could do about that now.

  Slowing down, he continued to guide her to a small bench overlooking the bass pond. The White Tank Mountains stood majestically in the distance. He sat and tugged her down beside him. Some of her brown waves had fallen out of the clip at the side of her head. He brushed the wayward strands behind her ear.

  “Am I starting to look a little scary?” She scrunched her nose and smiled. He devoured each freckle that dotted her cheeks. Her lips taunted him.

  “No,” he whispered. “Just the opposite.”

  His heart pounded in his chest. He moved his leg and felt the sharp corner of the box in his pocket. A thousand times, he’d gone over all he wanted to say to her, but looking at her now, he couldn’t remember a single thing.

  She frowned and touched his jaw with her soft palm. “What’s wrong? You look worried.”

  She had no idea. He feared she’d laugh in his face. They hadn’t known each other long. Had barely dated officially. And yet he knew she was the one for him. He didn’t want to wait another year or two. He wanted her to be his wife. Soon.

  He slid down to one knee and wrapped both her hands in his. Her eyes widened. Words escaped him. His throat felt parched as he tried to remember something he’d planned to say. His fingers shook as he pulled the box from his front pocket. “I love you, Kristy.”

  She pulled her hands away and covered her mouth. He touched the top of the small container. “I had…all these things… Plans… What I wanted to say. My mind…” His words jumbled together, and he shook his head.

  Kristy nodded with tears filling her eyes.

  “It’s not been long…but I know…in my heart.” Exasperated, he opened the box, and Kristy let out a muffled squeal.

  “Will you marry me?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, then sat up and offered her ring finger. “I tho
ught you’d never ask.”

  Wade slid the square-cut solitaire on her finger and then brushed his lips against hers. “Thought I’d never get past the stuttering, huh?”

  She draped her arms over his shoulders. “That, and I knew you asked my dad.”

  “What? He wasn’t supposed to tell you.”

  “He didn’t. I figured it out when the two of you were setting up chairs last night.”

  “Well, when did you think I’d ask?”

  “Then.”

  “When?”

  “Last night.”

  “I wanted you to enjoy Mel’s day first.”

  She pressed a full kiss against his lips. “Which is only one of the many reasons I love you.”

  “There was another thing I queried your dad about.”

  “Queried?”

  “Gotta keep you on your toes with the vocabulary.” She laughed. “What’s that?”

  “I asked if they could extend their stay in the United States an extra week.”

  “What did they say?”

  “He made a few phone calls and found out they could.”

  “Great.”

  “You wanna know why I want them to stay?”

  “Why?”

  “I’d like to get married.”

  Kristy dropped her arms. “When?”

  “As soon as Mel and Joel get back from their honeymoon. What do you think?”

  Uncertainty trailed through his body again as she stared at him and blinked for a few moments. Her expression softened, and she molded herself into his arms. “I think that sounds great.”

  Epilogue

  One year later

  After the church service ended, Kristy made her way to the nursery. Eustace smiled and waved her inside the room. Kristy traced her finger across her son’s soft forehead. “How’d he do for his first time in here?”

  Eustace lifted him higher, and Kristy took her son in her arms. “Took his bottle. Got his diaper changed. Then fell asleep.”

  “He only woke up once last night.” Kristy kissed his cheek. “And he might have gone back to sleep on his own if Bo hadn’t whined and nudged Wade until he finally went and picked him up.”

  “No fair.” Carrie grabbed for Noah, who cackled and ran away from her. “He’s almost fifteen months and still doesn’t sleep through the night.”

  Kristy looked around the room. “Where’s my other big guy?”

  Eustace pointed to the adjoining room. “Ida’s got him in there. She’s got a sweet spot for that one.”

  “I’ve got him now,” said Mel as she scooped up Benjamin’s diaper bag off the shelf.

  With her free hand, Kristy tickled her grandson’s belly. “What are you doing? Were you a good boy for Miss Ida?”

  Benjamin kicked his legs and waved his arms up and down. Mel raked her fingers through his unruly curls. “The kid’s six months and desperately needs a haircut.”

  “Don’t you dare cut off those beautiful blond curls.”

  Joel stepped inside the door, and Benjamin squealed and reached for his dad. “Don’t you worry, Kristy. I won’t let her cut ’em.”

  Joel hefted Benjamin high in the air, then blew bubbles on his belly. The baby squealed with delight as he grasped at Joel’s hair.

  Mel lifted her arms and opened her hands. “Can I hold my little brother?”

  “May you?”

  Mel huffed. “Come on, Mom. I’ve passed all my English classes. You can’t still correct my grammar.”

  “Actually, I can, meaning I am physically able.”

  Mel narrowed her gaze as she snatched Micah from Kristy’s arms. Micah opened his eyes and puckered his lips. Mel tapped his nose. “How’s my little brother doing?”

  Carrie reached for Noah, who managed to escape her grasp once again. “Are we still having some girl time today? I need a break.”

  “You sure are.” Wade walked into the nursery and snatched Micah from Mel’s arms.

  “Hey!” Kristy feigned anger.

  “My turn.” Wade kissed their baby’s head, then pecked Kristy on the lips. “We’re having some male bonding time today, aren’t we, bud?”

  “What kind of male bonding time are you planning?” asked Kristy.

  “Thought we’d take Bo for a walk.”

  “Without me?”

  “I think I can handle it.” Wade leaned over toward Mel and mumbled, “Your mother is ridiculously protective of your brother.”

  Joel pointed to Mel. “Now I know where she gets it.”

  Wade took the burp cloth from Kristy, placed it on his shirt and rearranged Micah so that he rested on Wade’s shoulder. “If you don’t trust me, then trust Bo. That dog isn’t going to let anything happen to his baby.”

  Kristy grinned when she thought of the last time they’d gone for a walk. Micah had started to fuss, and Bo had plopped down in a sitting position and refused to move. He’d even stuck his nose in the stroller to assist her in getting the pacifier back in Micah’s mouth.

  “I can’t help it that I’m overly protective. It’s a maternal thing,” Kristy said.

  Carrie raced by them until she caught Noah and scooped him up. He shrieked and straightened his back, trying to get her to let him down. “I’m maternal, but I’m all right with Michael watching Noah today.”

  Michael grimaced. “I can’t wait.”

  Carrie punched his gut, and Michael lifted his hands. “I’m kidding. The kid’s a spitfire ’cause he takes after his old dad.”

  Wade turned around. “Eustace, you were in the nursery today?”

  “Sure was.”

  “The boy was in good hands, then.”

  She grinned. “He was, at that.”

  “When are you going back to Maryland?”

  She sat up straighter and puffed out her chest. “Labor Day weekend. Can’t get here any quicker.”

  Kristy and Wade had encouraged her to try to find her son. They contacted the hospital and then the adoption agency. Within a month, they’d learned her son had been looking for her for years. She had four grandchildren, two boys and two girls, and six great-grandchildren.

  A couple who’d been visiting the church a few weeks walked in to pick up their child. Wade spoke with them a few minutes while Kristy gathered Micah’s things.

  “Bye, Mom. See you in a little bit,” Mel said as she and Joel walked out the door.

  Wade followed behind them. Kristy realized she’d left her Bible and Sunday-school material in the adjoining room. She was walking to the other side when she heard the woman’s voice. “Was that baby the pastor’s son?”

  “Sure was,” Eustace responded.

  “Was that woman with the older baby his daughter?”

  “Stepdaughter.”

  “So the bigger baby is the littler baby’s nephew?”

  “You’ve figured it out, and it’s the neatest story how that all came to be.”

  Kristy walked out of the nursery before Eustace began the tale. She thought she’d never recover from the title of being a teenage-pregnancy statistic. Now she’d become a thirtysomething grandma and mom-again statistic. Though she didn’t recommend the route she’d taken in the beginning, she wouldn’t change the blessings and teaching God had given her along the way.

  She walked outside and slipped into the car beside Wade. Peeking in the back, she saw Micah sleeping contentedly in his car seat. Wade rubbed his thumb against the top of her hand. “You seem contemplative.”

  Kristy smiled. He still hadn’t found a word that she didn’t know the meaning of. “You’re right. I am thinking.”

  “Good things?”

  She thought of how far God had brought her in her walk with Him, in such a short time. She thought of Joel and Mel. They weren’t living without trials, but they loved each other and they took good care of Benjamin. And Mel was even in school, as Kristy had wanted. She thought of Wade and Micah and how never in her wildest dreams would she have thought God would bless her with them. She turned to Wade. �
��Very good things.”

  He shuffled his brows and offered a mischievous smile. “Do the good things have to do with me?”

  Kristy leaned toward him and cupped his jaw with both hands. “Let me answer that for you.” Then she claimed his lips with hers. She’d never tire of his kiss.

  * * * * *

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  ISBN-13: 9781460379097

  Arizona Pastor

  Copyright © 2015 by Jennifer Johnson

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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