A Baby For the Minister

by Laurel Blount

  He held up one hand in a calming gesture. “Yeah, I know, Mike. You’re always backed up, but this is an emergency. Like I said, I’m calling in that favor you owe me. Sure, tomorrow’s fine. Yes, whatever it takes. Just fix it. I’ll drop the keys off first thing in the morning.” He ended the call and smiled at Natalie, who was staring at him with her mouth open. “Give me your keys, and I’ll run them by Mike’s garage tomorrow. He’s a member of my church and the best mechanic in town. If anybody can get your car running, Mike can.”

  “I...” Natalie blinked at him. “I appreciate the thought, but you should have checked with me first. I’m on a...limited budget right now. I’d love to get an estimate, but I can’t give the go-ahead for the repairs until I’m sure I can afford them.”

  “There’s no way you can stay out here without a car. It’s not safe. Don’t worry about the cost. My church can help.” They could. But would they? Given everything that was going on right now, he wasn’t sure.

  Well, it didn’t matter. If the board wouldn’t allow the benevolence fund to cover the repairs, Jacob would pay for them himself. Somehow.

  “No!” The force of her refusal seemed to surprise her as much as it did him. She blushed and continued in a calmer voice. “It’s really kind of you to offer, Jacob, but that wouldn’t be right. I’m not even a member of your church.”

  “That’s not a problem.” It wasn’t. Well, not to Jacob. “In any case, there’s no point worrying about it until Mike gets back to us about the repairs. We don’t even know what’s wrong with your car yet. It might be an easy fix.”

  “I suppose.” Although Natalie’s expression made it clear that she doubted it.

  “So. Now that we’ve got that settled, what else can I help you with today?”

  * * *

  Natalie hesitated. She wasn’t sure what to do, and right now she didn’t like any of her options very much.

  She hated the thought of getting any more mixed up with Jacob Stone or that church he kept mentioning. But just before he’d arrived, she’d asked the Lord to help her manage until Adam came back. She couldn’t afford to turn her nose up at His answer, just because it wasn’t what she’d hoped for. And, she was stuck out here in the middle of nowhere without a vehicle and with nothing to eat but Adam’s leftover junk food. If it wasn’t for the baby, she’d make do, but...

  Once again, there was no real choice to make.

  “Do you have time to drive me to the supermarket? I can be ready to go really fast. I just need to do a quick check and see what I need.” Probably everything, but given her lack of funds, she’d make sure.

  “Sure,” Jacob agreed instantly. “Take your time. While you make your list, I’ll go put Rufus back in his pen for you and make a couple of phone calls.”

  Fifteen minutes later, they were rumbling toward town in Jacob’s old truck. As he drove past fields dotted with grazing cows or rows of seedlings, Jacob kept up a friendly conversation about their various owners. Natalie nodded, but she wasn’t really listening.

  She went over and over her grocery list in her head, trying to decide which items were absolute necessities and which she could find a way to do without. She had to stretch her tiny amount of cash as far as she could.

  In spite of her worries, she perked up when they reached the city limits sign, craning her neck as she peered through the smudged windshield. She’d fallen in love with the town of Pine Valley the minute she’d seen it.

  This place had such a peaceful, unrushed air about it. And it was so pretty, too. A rosy brick courthouse sat proudly in the middle of a grassy square, ringed by old-fashioned stores advertising various kinds of businesses: a barbershop, a hardware store and a bookstore. Most of them had Sorry, We’re Closed signs in their windows. People in Pine Valley apparently took their Sunday rest seriously.

  She expected Jacob to drive past the square, figuring there was probably a chain supermarket on the outskirts of town. Instead, he parked in front of a small storefront with bright green-and-white-striped awnings over its windows. Bailey’s was written in flowing white script across the sparkling glass of the door. Through the wide windows, Natalie saw baskets of produce, invitingly angled to show off the vegetables and fruits to potential customers.

  This was no supermarket. This was some sort of fancy food boutique that looked as if it might have a surcharge for just walking in the door. No way could she afford to shop in a place like this.

  “Here we are.” Jacob pulled his keys from the ignition. “You’ll love this store. Bailey’s always has the best stuff in town.”

  Maybe, but she didn’t need the best stuff in town. She needed the cheapest stuff in town. Before she could figure out the least humiliating way to explain that, Jacob had rounded the truck and was opening the passenger side door.

  “I only need a few things,” she said quickly, “so this won’t take long.”

  “I’m in no hurry. Here now, watch that curb.” He cupped her elbow, steadying her as she stepped up onto the sidewalk.

  The touch was light and brief, but she felt it all the way to her toes. Adam would never have thought about doing anything like that. He’d always bounded ahead of her like an overexcited puppy.

  Not Jacob. Jacob made her feel...treasured. Nobody had ever made her feel like that before. That was why she’d embarrassed herself by crying on the porch yesterday, when he’d insisted on checking the boards and steadying her arm. She’d forgotten for a moment that Jacob was a minister, that he was just doing his job.

  That his kindness was nothing personal.

  As they approached the store, Natalie noticed a wooden sign propped in the window. Relieved, she halted where she was. “Look.” She pointed. “It’s closed.”

  “Don’t worry,” Jacob told her. “I called the owner while you were making out your list. She’s meeting us here.”

  “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want to be a bother.” Now she’d have to buy something.

  “Bailey doesn’t mind.”

  A brass bell clanged when Jacob pulled open the door, and warm spiced air washed across Natalie’s face. Her heart sank. This place even smelled expensive.

  The shop had the feel of an old general store, combined with a dash of quirky style. Rough plank shelves lined the walls, showcasing gleaming mason jars full of sauces and jams. Oranges and apples were tumbled into bushel baskets on a wide farmhouse table. The spicy smell wafted from a selection of bulk spices she could see in the half-opened square drawers of an old cabinet. A little glass jar of adorably tiny silver scoops stood nearby for measuring, along with a stack of small plastic bags.

  It was all very trendy and cute, but she didn’t see a price tag on anything. That was never a good sign.

  “Bailey!” Jacob called out suddenly, making Natalie jump. “Customers!”

  “Coming!” A muffled female voice answered from the back, and a slim dark-haired young woman appeared, wiping her hands with the tail of a green apron. “I was washing out some jars while I waited for you.” She smiled warmly, and her gaze lingered on Natalie, a light of friendly curiosity in her bright eyes. “Welcome to Bailey’s.”

  “Bailey Quinn, this is Natalie Davis. Like I told you, she’s new in town, and she needs to pick up a few groceries.”

  “I’m sorry to make you open up on a Sunday,” Natalie interjected quickly.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Like everybody else around here, I owe the good pastor more favors than I can count. I’m always glad for the chance to pay one back. Here.” Bailey rolled a child’s red wagon out from behind the counter. She took three roomy wicker baskets from a stack on the floor, and nestled them neatly in its bed. “We sure don’t want you carrying anything heavy, do we? Just wheel this around and gather up what you need. And take your time. I’m in no hurry at all.”

  Nobody in Pine Valley seemed to be in a hurry. “Thanks.
You’re very kind.”

  Bailey’s perfect smile widened. “Not to get personal, but I can see you’re expecting. Don’t you worry. Everything here’s as natural as can be. No preservatives and no chemicals. I make sure of it.”

  Oh dear. Natalie managed a wavering smile in return before moving off to inspect the closest shelf. This was even worse than she’d thought. She’d priced the all-natural items at her local superstore when she’d first realized she was pregnant, and she’d been shocked at the cost difference. Eating healthy wasn’t cheap.

  Jacob and Bailey chatted as Natalie moved slowly around the store. They seemed to know each other well. Were they a couple? Maybe that was the reason Bailey had been so quick to agree to open up. She looked like the type of woman who might be involved with a man like Jacob.

  Natalie squashed a twinge of envy. Jacob Stone’s personal life was none of her business, and right now she had other things to worry about. She needed to figure out how little she could actually purchase without looking ungrateful.

  She ended up with a jar of spaghetti sauce, a plastic bag of wide homemade noodles, three oranges, two apples, and the smallest container of milk in the refrigerated dairy case. She looked longingly at a cellophane bag of granola, thick with dried cranberries and walnuts, all tied up with a saucy red bow. It probably cost the earth, and there was no telling what she was already spending. She put it carefully back on the shelf and walked over to the old-fashioned cash register.

  Please, God. Don’t let this be over thirty dollars.

  “All done?” Bailey lifted the half-filled basket and set it on the counter. As she began ringing up the purchase, Jacob looked at Natalie and frowned.

  “That’s all you’re getting?”

  Natalie felt her cheeks burn hot. “For now. I told you I didn’t need much.”

  “You don’t know when your car’s going to be drivable. I mean, we’re hoping for an easy fix, but we can’t be sure of it. You probably should buy enough for at least a couple of days.”

  Natalie fished for something convincing to say, but she wasn’t quite quick enough. Bailey cleared her throat gently and shot a meaningful look at Jacob. Understanding flashed across his face.

  “Natalie, I’m so sorry. Hold up with that total, Bailey, okay? I’ll be right back.”

  He grabbed the handle of the little wagon, and Natalie watched in horror as he strode around the store. Another container of milk, a loaf of bread, two quarts of homemade soup, more apples, and some jars of green beans were loaded into the empty baskets. He must have noticed her ogling the granola because he tossed three bags of that in, too.

  When he’d loaded the wagon with more food than she’d ever personally bought at one time, he returned to the register and began heaving the overfilled baskets onto the scarred counter.

  “I don’t need all that,” Natalie protested weakly.

  “Yes, you do. Ring it up, Bailey.” He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. When Natalie opened her mouth, he glanced at her and shook his head. “Nope. My treat.”

  Bailey was fighting a smile as she rang up the additional items, but Natalie had never felt so embarrassed in her life. She knew her face must be as red as the stubby fire hydrant they’d passed on their way in.

  She stood by awkwardly as the cash register’s bells chirped. When she heard the final total, her knees actually went weak.

  Jacob handed over his credit card without a blink. “Thanks, Bailey.”

  “Anytime. Glad to meet you, Natalie. Welcome to Pine Valley.” As Jacob gathered up the bags of groceries and headed toward the door, Bailey leaned forward, handing Natalie a pretty green-and-white business card.

  “This has my cell number on it. You need anything else, just give me a call. I can even deliver if you’re not feeling up to getting out. I’d like to nose around Lark Hill, anyway. Those early blueberries that grow out there are legendary around here, and they should be ready to pick soon. If you decide you want to sell any of them, let me know. I’d definitely be interested. And in the meantime, if you’re a little short on cash, I can run an account for you. I do it all the time. I heard what happened at your wedding. Buying groceries should be the least of your problems.”

  Natalie stood rooted to the varnished floor with no idea what to say. She should have listened to Cora and stayed on the farm. This had been a big mistake.

  “Thanks,” she managed finally. “That’s very nice of you, but I’m sure it won’t be necessary.” Natalie smiled, then turned and made a beeline for the door.

  Jacob had the groceries stowed by the time she reached the truck. Shame, guilt and worry were churning around in Natalie’s stomach like dirty clothes in a washing machine, and she felt faintly sick. She really hoped Jacob wouldn’t try to talk to her on the ride home. She fixed her eyes straight ahead when he climbed in the driver’s seat.

  “You ready to go? Fasten your seat belt.”

  She’d forgotten about the stupid seat belt. She managed to get the canvas strip positioned across the fullness of her pregnant tummy, but she couldn’t quite slide the metal tip into its slot. A fresh wave of embarrassment welled up within her. She was so tired of fumbling around like some kind of beached whale.

  Jacob waited a minute or two while the truck idled noisily. Then he reached over and took the end of the belt out of her hand, clicking it smoothly into place.

  “There you go,” he said cheerfully.

  She didn’t answer. They rode all the way back to the farmhouse in complete silence. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Jacob darting concerned glances her way, but he held his tongue.

  She was being rude, and she knew it. She ought to spend this ride thanking Jacob for his generosity, not sulking like some ungrateful toddler.

  Natalie had received plenty of charity in her life, and she knew exactly how she was supposed to act. She’d stood way too many times next to chiming cash registers while people she barely knew paid for her school supplies, clothes or even embarrassingly personal items like underwear.

  People expected to be thanked.

  And she was truly thankful for every person who’d helped her; she really was. But the whole point of marrying Adam and coming to Pine Valley was so that her baby would never have to grit his teeth behind a grateful smile the way Natalie had done all her childhood.

  Things were supposed to be different here.

  When they pulled to a stop in the yard, she immediately released the seat belt and reached for the door handle. She needed to get inside before her stupid pregnancy hormones took over and she either lost her temper or bawled like a baby.

  “Wait, Natalie. Please.”

  Something in his voice made her stop. She froze, the door lever halfway pressed, then faced him for the first time since they’d left Bailey’s.

  His brows were drawn together in a troubled line, and his greenish-blue eyes searched hers. “I upset you back at the store, and I’m really sorry about that. Sometimes I jump in without thinking things through.” He offered her a hopeful smile, a dimple flickering boyishly in his cheek. “I get in trouble for that a lot, actually. Please forgive me if I embarrassed you.”

  Natalie’s irritation was washed away by a wave of pure exhaustion. He had embarrassed her, but she couldn’t see any good that could come from pointing that out now. Anyway, she’d learned her lesson.

  She wouldn’t be opening the door to Jacob Stone again.

  “That’s okay. Buying all that...it was kind of you. It really was. I’m just...tired. I think I’m going to go in and lie down.”

  “I understand.” He nodded slowly, that glimmer of a boyish twinkle gone. “At least let me carry the groceries in for you and help you put them away before I go.”

  “Thanks, but I can do it myself.”

  “Natalie, these bags are heavy. Let me—”

  “
I’ll manage,” she broke in firmly. “I’d really like to be alone. Could you just set the groceries on the porch, please? I’ll bring them in myself.”

  She got out of the truck and walked as fast as she could toward the house. This time, Jacob didn’t try to stop her. Once inside, she leaned against the closed door and waited until she heard his old truck crunch down the driveway.

  When she peeked out, she saw that Jacob had done exactly what she’d asked. There on the porch, neatly lined up, were the brown paper bags from Bailey’s. On one of them was written in a black masculine script “Really sorry.”

  “Bleaaah!” She glanced over to see Rufus trotting from the direction of the barn, and she felt a flutter of alarm. That goat ate everything; she’d even caught him chewing on the handle of an old hammer. He’d make short work of these expensive groceries.

  She quickly dragged the bags into the living room, slamming the door in Rufus’s curious face in the nick of time. She took a second to catch her breath, then began the task of carrying the food into the kitchen. The bags were even heavier than she’d expected, but she managed.

  She was setting the last sack on the table when the first real pain struck.

  Chapter Five

  Jacob slammed his shoulder against the warped side door of the church. In spite of the sign he’d posted on the inside, somebody leaving the Sunday night prayer service had left this way. Now the door wouldn’t close.

  Nothing had gone right today.

  He honestly hadn’t meant to embarrass Natalie at the grocery store. He’d just gotten so frustrated, watching her at Bailey’s, carefully examining cans and bags before putting them right back on the shelves. Like that fancy granola. She obviously wanted it, and after all Natalie had been through in the past couple of days, all the challenges she still faced, she shouldn’t have to deny herself a little treat. His self-control had snapped its leash, and he’d barged in and bought the cereal, along with everything else he could think of.

  He’d mishandled the whole shopping trip. The truth had dawned on him a split second after he’d asked Natalie why she’d brought so little up to the register. She didn’t have enough money to buy the things she needed, not at a place like Bailey’s.