In the awareness that it was time to move on, he could see God’s grace over all the years of his pastoring. He’d done his best and he’d done it with his whole heart. He knew God was proud of him, and that God’s love would sustain the church. God would take care of the people he cared about. God would provide a new pastor who would care for the island. Besides, he’d still be here. Perhaps, he’d finally get around to writing some of those island stories he had in the back of his mind, percolating around.
The relief that came over him startled him. He laughed out loud. He fell back on his bed and placed his hand over his heart. He was rested and strangely alert all at the same time.
~
Kell got out of bed and went downstairs the next morning to make coffee and make sure Jake had clothes to wear, food to eat. However, he wanted to jump onto the ferry, drive to the airport, and take the first flight out of there, anywhere but there. His dad came down the stairs and poured himself a cup of tea.“I’m going to announce my retirement tomorrow at church,” he said, stirring Splenda into his mug.“And, I think it’s time to go see Hope.”
“Are you kidding? Just like that? Why all of a sudden?”
His dad smiled and took a sip of tea. His eyes were alive,but quiet.“I had a moment of understanding.”
Chapter Twenty
Sidney’s Sanctuary
Saturday afternoon, three cars pulled up into Sidney’s driveway. Astrid Peterson wore a dark wool coat, slacks, black boots, and a cream sweater. She looked like she was about ready to go into a courtroom. Dan came out of the next car and then Danny came out of the car after that. Danny wore clean jeans, a nice button down shirt, and black shoes. He carried himself with self-assurance. Sidney couldn’t help but think he was the one going into the courtroom and Astrid Peterson was about to cross-exam him.
Matt walked over to her house just as all the people were pulling out. He wore his suit, which he normally only wore when he was going to church on a Sunday morning. He must have decided this was important, and that he needed to hold up a certain line of authority. Sidney waved at him from her porch and welcomed the others in. Betty was already in the living room, sitting in one of the wing back chairs, looking like she owned the house. Candace had spent the last few hours cleaning the rooms, changing the towels, and doing laundry.
Sidney offered everyone a cup of coffee, or tea. Matt wanted tea.
“Nothing for me,” Astrid said.
~
Danny asked for a glass of water, and Big Dan requested bourbon. Betty hit Dan on the arm and reminded him he was a diabetic and couldn’t drink. Dan shook his head.“If there was ever a time to ignore that rule, I’d say it was today.”
Betty gripped his arm“Don’t be stupid,” she told him.
Sidney took a few minutes gathering everything together and brought everybody’s selected drinks. Candace still hadn’t shown up.“Let me just go find Candace,” she set her tray down.
She climbed up the stairs and knocked on Candace’s door and told her everyone had arrived.
“Why don’t you just have the meeting without me. It’s not like anyone’s going to ask me my opinion anyways.” Candace’s tone was laced with cynicism.“This is Perez Island we’re talking about. I’m supposed to get married and live happily ever after.”
“Just come downstairs. And save the sarcasm for later.”
“I’m only doing this because it’s you,” Candace said once she’d come out of her room.“You’ve been kinder to me than anyone else I’ve ever known.”
Sidney’s heart stopped. No one had ever told her that before. She forced the tears to stay inside, took a deep breath.“Okay girl, let’s go see if we can’t shake things up a bit, huh?”
“We are here today,” Sidney said as she and Candace walked into the room,“to come to terms with the current situation. Candace is pregnant and Danny Holberg claims he’s in love with her and is the father of her baby.
Astrid spoke.“We know this. We are not children, Ms. Franklin. As soon as Danny and Candace agree to get married everything will be fine. I don’t want my granddaughter wandering around the island having everyone know she’s been compromised.”
“I wasn’t compromised, Gran. I willingly did what I did. And I don’t want to get married. And nobody says‘comprised’ anymore anyways.”
Danny interrupted.“I would love to get married, Mrs. Peterson. We could get married tomorrow if you’d like.”
Dan and Betty perked up. Betty spoke first.“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this and it seems to me that they are too young to get married. Why don’t they wait to get married and see what happens after the baby is born?”
Astrid shifted around in her chair and sat up straighter, as if a wooden stick was strapped to her back.“You want to see what happens? Candace will be all alone trying to figure this out for herself while your son finishes college has the freedom to go on with his life...something you never got to do.”
Betty’s face wrinkled in anger.“That’s not true. I care about both Candace and Danny. But I’ve thought about it, and as much as I’m glad I married Big Dan at such a young age, if someone had helped me, I might have chosen a different road.”
Sidney interrupted.“You’re saying you don’t think Candace and Danny should get married?”
Betty nodded.“I’m saying I’m not going to pressure them that way.”
Pastor Matt smiled at Betty.“That’s mighty big of you.”
Danny’s face wrinkled up in confusion.“Is someone going to force us to get married, or what?”
Big Dan hit him on the back.“It doesn’t look like it, Danny.”
Astrid swung back around.“What are they going to do, then? It’s not right that only Candace should have to deal with the burden of a brand new baby. Marriage seems the most logical solution.”
Pastor Matt answered.“Sometimes the most logical solution isn’t the best one, Astrid. I’ve been praying over this predicament for months. Just a few days ago, I would have joined with you in suggesting that the couple get married, thinking it would be easier on everyone. However, I’m beginning to realize that maybe marriage isn’t the healthiest decision. Just because it’s easy on everyone right now, doesn’t mean it’ll be easy on everyone later.” He glanced at Sidney.“Maybe the better road would be to give the couple time to figure things out.”
Astrid glared at Matt.“The Presbytery will hear about this. I’m sure everyone in the church will agree with me that it’s high time you retired.”
“Astrid, I’ve decided to announce my retirement at tomorrow’s service.”
Sidney’s eyes perked up.“You are?”
Big Dan leaned forward in his chair,“That’s great, Pastor Matt, but what are Candace and Danny going to do? Share the baby?”
Candace sighed deeply.“Can I say something please?”
Sidney patted her arm.“Yes.”
“You guys can pressure me or not pressure me all you want, but I’m not getting married. I don’t want to get married when I’m eighteen. I want to have some freedom before I walk down the aisle.” She forced herself to turn toward Danny.“I really care about you a lot. I think I might even love you, but I’m eighteen. I don’t want us to regret getting married twenty years down the road.”
Danny tried to speak, but Candace held up her hand and kept talking.“I can live here at the inn for a while. Sidney said I could. I’ll be the live-in housekeeper.” She patted her stomach.“I can save a little money and eventually I’d like to go to beauty school in Anacortes and then open up a hair salon on the island. I’ll figure it out. I’m not saying I don’t want to ever get married to Danny Holberg. I’m just saying I don’t want to be forced into it. And I’ve thought long and hard about it, I want to give the baby up for adoption.”
Danny shook his head.“You can’t do this. I want to know my child. I love you. I want to marry you and take care of you. I’ll help you go to school and everything. I can work at the dairy. Dad alrea
dy said.”
Candace stiffened up.“We still have some time before we have to decide about the baby. Like I said, I want to give it up for adoption. But, I’m willing to talk about it with you. Not with the entire town, the whole church, or even with the whole family. I want it to be between us.” She looked at him with seriousness.“Besides, you want to be a teacher, remember? You don’t want to be a dairy farmer.”
Big Dan turned to Danny.“You want to be a teacher? I thought you always wanted to be veterinarian?”
Danny shook his head.“Nah, I just didn’t have the guts to tell you the truth. I want to teach high school. History.”
Candace grinned at him.
Astrid stood, adjusting her skirt.“Isn’t anyone going to talk some sense into this? This is crazy.”
Pastor Matt spoke.“No, Astrid we’re not. Candace has good sense. It’s time to trust that she can make her own decisions.”
Astrid pinched her lips together, gathered her purse tighter into her arms.“Candace, I’ve always known you’d turn out just like your mother.”
Danny jumped up, anger in his eyes, and reached for Astrid with his mouth gaping wide open. Matt stood in between them and pushed Danny back.“That’s not fair, Astrid,” Matt said.“Candace is responsible and she is trying to make the wisest decision she can in her own set of circumstances. This is not her mother’s life.”
Astrid’s face turned red.“That’s fine, if you want to help Candace make a mess of her life, that’s your choice, but excuse me if I don’t want to sit by and watch it.”
Betty, who had been sitting quietly until then, leaped over to Candace.“She’s not making a mess of her life, Astrid. She’s living it. I’m proud of Candace. She’s refused to listen to family pressure and Danny’s pressure, and even church pressure. She’s a courageous young woman. I wish I had shown as much courage when I was in a similar circumstance.”
Big Dan spoke to Danny and Candace.“We’re going to be praying for you two as you make these very important life decisions.” He put his arm around Danny.“We’re here for you.”
Astrid moved toward the door.“This is ludicrous. I’m done trying to reason with all of you.” She glared at Sidney and pointed at her.“Every since that woman got here, everything’s changed.” And she walked out the door.
Candace hung her head. Betty and Sidney came right over to her and gathered her up as if she were a little chick.“It’s going to be okay, dear,” Betty said.“You’re not alone. We love you.”
Candace squeezed both of the women.“I know. Thanks everybody for your support.”
Everyone reached for Candace in different ways and brought her into their embrace. Sidney’s eyes filled with tears. Even if Astrid had chosen to stay outside of the community, Candace was no longer alone. And she knew it.
Candace dabbed at her eyes.“I have an idea, Sidney. You know how you’ve been trying to come up with a name for your bed and breakfast?”
“Yes?” she said, with surprise in her voice.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about what a great gift you’ve been to me and to Betty and how everyone except my grandmother totally loves you. I think you should call the bed and breakfast‘Sidney’s Sanctuary’”
Pastor Matt clapped his hands together in utter delight.“That’s a perfect name.”
Betty and Dan liked the name too.
“I think it’s perfect,” Sidney said. She squeezed Candace.“I want everyone who comes to this bed and breakfast to feel like they can rest, find quiet. I would love for my inn to be a sanctuary for people.”
“Then it’s settled,” Betty said.“Sidney’s Sanctuary it is.”
A few minutes later, Matt prayed over everyone in the room and Sidney noticed her anxious heart calmed down. After he said Amen, Dan Holberg spoke.“Well, Pastor, since you’re not going to be performing my son’s wedding. I’m wondering if you’d be willing to perform mine?”
Betty put her hands on her hips.“Just who are you planning to marry?”
“You, you silly woman. I’d like to renew our vows. What do you say we do it on New Year’s Eve?”
She hit him on the shoulder, her face aghast with shock.“Why Dan Holberg! Where did all this romance come from?”
“Some innkeeper talked to me about it.”
Pastor Matt reached out and laid one hand on Betty and the other on Dan. His face was awash with emotion and his eyes were brimming with tears.“I’d love to do a vow renewal for the two of you. I’m so thankful to hear you’ll be staying married.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Church Tidings
The Sunday morning after Thanksgiving, Sidney’s wrist woke her up. It’s constant dull aching throb was its own alarm clock. Betty arrived early to make the breakfast for a couple of guests who’d arrived the night before. Candace joined them and they worked together in silent companionship. Candace hadn’t said much since the day before, but her face had more serenity than ever and there was a sense of hope about her.
While they were making breakfast and setting the table, Betty paused for a moment and looked at both the women.“I was wondering two things.”
Sidney and Candace asked her what the two things were.
“First, I was hoping you both would be my bridesmaids at the wedding on New Year’s. It won’t be a long service, but I want to have the two women who were there for it all stand beside me when I renew my vows.”
Candace crinkled her face.“I’m not wearing some ugly dress and looking like a beached whale.”
Betty laughed.“Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”
Sidney hugged Betty.“I’d love to stand beside you and be a support.” She paused.“What’s the second thing?”
Betty tipped her head to the side and raised one eyebrow.“Could we have the reception here? I’d like to order one of those big tents and have lights and dancing and everything. Dan says to do whatever I want.” Betty eyed Sidney hesitantly.“I promise it’ll be fun.”
“Of course you can haveyour reception here. I’d love that. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. I think it’s a great idea.”
“Oh,thank you!”
They set the food out on the table for the guests. Betty had made an egg quiche, bacon, sausage, blueberry waffles, and fresh fruit. Sidney’s mouth salivated.“Make sure you leave enough for the staff. I’m starving.”
“I noticed in all your coming and goings, you’ve hardly eaten.”
“I’ve been nervous.”
“Jeff’s gone, isn’t he?”
Sidney’s eyes welled up with tears.“Yes. I decided that if he was so serious about getting back together, he should move here. He said no. I wanted to know if he was willing to risk anything for me. And he wasn’t.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Betty set the waffles on the table.“It’ll work out, I promise.”
“Despite how hard it was to make the decision, I have a deep sense of peace.”
Candace set the sausage on the table and glanced at Sidney.“Maybe you should hurt your other wrist. Sounds like Dr. Kellen took care of things pretty well with the last one.”
Sidney frowned.“That’s not funny. I can’t believe he kissed me.”
Betty turned to Sidney.“Do you want to come to church with me this morning? He’ll be there.”
Sidney’s eyes lit up and she bit her lip,thinking about it.“That’s not a bad idea.”
“We leave at ten-thirty.”
~
Pastor Matt felt more encouraged this morning than he had in years. He was beginning to come to terms with the sum of his lifework. The next five messages would be his last as the pastor of Faith Presbyterian. He wanted them to count. He wanted to tell his people how much he loved them, how proud he was to have been their pastor, how much it meant. His life had been simple and quiet, but more meaningful than he’d ever dreamed. Should he have been more courageous, more assertive? Yes, at times. But, in truth, he’d been exactly who he’d known himself to be and he was at
peace. He was ready to finish up his work, and to trust God to take care of his people.
~
Kell didn’t want to go to church that morning. He decided to take Jake fishing instead. He put on a pair of old jeans and a sweatshirt and almost called downstairs to his son when he remembered these were his dad’s last weeks of preaching. Matt would never forgive him if he missed the sermon announcing his retirement. Kell swore under his breath and then changed his clothes and went downstairs. His only solace was Betty Holberg. They always sat together, and he was under no doubt that she’d tell him what a fool he’d made of himself at the Christmas tree lighting. She’d also tell him if Sidney had decided to go back to Jeff.
He sat next to Jake in their normal pew. A few minutes later, Betty sat down next to him and to his utter and complete surprise, so did Sidney Franklin. What was she doing in church? Betty smiled at him and started to laugh.“What’s wrong, Kell? Cat got your tongue?”
He whispered.“No. I’m fine.” He glanced at Sidney.“Good morning.”
“Hi, Kell,” she said, her voice warm and kind.
He didn’t say anything in response. He didn’t have time. The organist came out and started playing the call to worship, and the service began.
~
Pastor Matt stared out at the congregation, his heart and mind filled with emotion. He read the passage of scripture in Matthew about Joseph and his dreams, and then he prayed. He spoke of many things that morning and let his mind fill with memories. Out of everything he said, these were some of the words he hoped people would remember.
“This morning, I want to talk about courage and the importance of listening to the still small voice of God. Based on the customs and traditions of his time, Joseph should have divorced Mary, but he didn’t. He didn’t do what society expected him to do, what tradition mandated he do, what his family told him to do, because Joseph heard another voice tell him there was another option. It was a voice he’d come to trust and believe in.
An Ordinary Love (A Christian Contemporary Romance) (Sidney's Sanctuary Book 1) Page 26