Kate’s odd behavior of late all made sense now. She’d been tired and irritable. She’d cried when he talked about taking the trip next year…and she’d been talking about how blessed Mike and Tina were to be having another child. She wasn’t upset about Keith going away to college. She’d been afraid to tell him they were going to have another child.
Was this how Joseph felt when Mary broke the news to him about the baby Jesus? Had he felt the same betrayal, the same anger and resentment? He’d surely had plans of his own that didn’t include a baby to raise that wasn’t his, but he’d been able to let go of his bitterness and accept God’s plan in his life. Could David do the same? In his heart, he knew God’s plans were good…but at the moment, that didn’t help him feel any better about the situation.
Chapter 8
Kate was heating up a cup of tea when she heard the garage door open and close. She held her breath, wondering if David had changed his mind about going to Portland. Had the news of the baby changed his decision to purchase the boat? A part of her had been surprised to see him jump into his truck after the nativity ended and head off. She had hoped they could talk now that he knew the truth.
Instead of David, the boys sauntered into the house. From the expressions on their faces and the way they stared at her, Kate suspected they had heard her news.
Keith confronted her. “Is it true? Are you having a baby?”
She stared at both her boys, so young, so confused about this new chapter in their lives. How she wished she had handled this differently and told them herself. She nodded. “Yes, it’s true. I am pregnant.”
She could see Keith struggling to wrap his mind around the idea. “That’s so…”
“Weird,” John finished for him, leaning against the back of a chair.
Keith nodded. “Weird.”
“I know it’s a shock, boys. It was for me, too. But this baby is a blessing. Everything will be fine.”
“I overheard Mrs. Mitchell say women your age have a greater chance of having a baby with a birth defect. Is that true, Mom?”
Kate was shocked that Irene Mitchell would bring up such a subject with her boys around. But she sighed, realizing she shouldn’t have been surprised they were being gossiped about. Everyone in the church had to have overheard her and David’s conversation.
But when she saw the worry in Keith’s face, she knew she had to address this topic. “It is a possibility, but not a certainty.” She reached for Keith, gave him a reassuring hug, then looked at John. “Regardless, whatever difficulties this pregnancy may bring, we’ll face them as a family.”
John nodded. “You’re right. Everything will be great.”
Keith nodded his agreement as well, although he didn’t seem quite convinced.
“Where’s Dad? I want to congratulate him, too.”
“Your father has gone to Portland to look at a boat. He’ll get back late—it’d probably be best if you talk to him tomorrow.”
The boys said their goodnights then headed to their rooms. Once the house was quiet again, Kate carried her tea to the table and opened her Bible. If she’d ever needed the reassurance that God had plans for her life, she needed it now. Tomorrow she would face the townspeople with their probing eyes and questions, but she would also face her husband and his doubts. Could he overcome them and be happy about this baby? She prayed he could. She wanted more for her family than a reluctant husband and father.
The next morning, Kate responded to a summons from the selectmen wanting to meet her at her office as soon as possible. She dreaded what the meeting could be about, but she quickly dressed and headed downtown.
Lisa was already there. “They’re waiting inside your office.”
“Why are they here?”
“I’m afraid the word is out that you’re pregnant.”
“Even Mr. Samuels heard it already?”
“The scene between you and David at the church is all over town. This news is spreading like wildfire, and Mr. Samuels was not happy when he heard it.”
“What business is it of his?”
“Oh you know him, Kate. He thinks everything is his business.”
She nodded and thanked Lisa for the heads up. It was time to face this. She put on her best professional manner and walked into her office. “Good morning, gentlemen. What can I do for you?”
Murray Samuels was seated on her sofa. He motioned for Alex Littlejohn to do the talking.
“We have some concerns about how you’ve been handling the nativity. It seems you’ve been delegating a lot of responsibility to Myles Sandford lately. We were under the impression that you were heading up this project. After all, it was your idea. You sold the idea to the town. Now it seems you’ve handed over the reins to Myles.”
“Myles is perfectly capable of—”
“We didn’t appoint Myles town manager,” Mr. Samuels interrupted. “We gave that appointment to you.”
“I realize that, but part of my job is to delegate, and that’s what I’ve been doing. Part of being a good manager is to hire competent people and give them the opportunity to do their jobs.”
Mr. Littlejohn nodded. “We understand some delegation is necessary, however it’s our responsibility to make certain the town’s best interests are being represented.”
Kate was tired of tiptoeing around the truth and decided to confront them about the real issue. “This isn’t really about my delegating duties, is it? You’ve learned that I’m expecting another child and you’re concerned I can’t handle the responsibilities of the office.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Mr. Patterson said. “Our concern is that—”
“Can you?” Mr. Samuels stood.
She faced him. “I absolutely can. I’ve already raised two children.”
“Your job performance over the past few weeks would seem to indicate differently. I’ve had calls about this issue. People are concerned, Mrs. Walters. They’re concerned about their town.”
Mr. Littlejohn strode toward the door. “We’ve called a town meeting for tonight to discuss this. We’ll make our determination afterwards.”
Lisa rushed in as the three men left. Her face was stricken with worry. “Kate, I’m so sorry. Should we call an attorney? This isn’t the nineteenth century. They can’t just boot you out because you’re an expectant mother.”
She could contact a lawyer and fight this in court, but dragging her town through a lengthy legal battle was not what she wanted.
She sat on the sofa and dropped her head in her hands. She was now in danger of losing her job.
This was not in her plans.
But her plans no longer mattered. Was this God’s way of telling her that it was time to step down as town manager? She’d allowed this job to become so important to her—too important. She’d placed her duties here above her husband to the point that he no longer felt like he mattered in her life. That had never been her intention.
David’s plans had to change because of this pregnancy. Wasn’t it only sensible that hers had to change as well?
David turned the boat toward the bay and headed out into open waters. He was still reeling from his conversation with Kate. Not that he had any real thoughts of taking off and leaving her to raise this child alone. He only needed to get away to clear his head and deal with the emotions that sat lodged in his gut. So much for his plans. So much for sailing away together. So much for time alone with Kate.
He drifted, enjoying the sway of the boat and the silence on the open water to sort through his emotions. Another child would alter their lives in ways he couldn’t even imagine. He wasn’t sure he had the strength to go through it all again. He wasn’t sure he could shoulder the responsibility.
He thought of John and Keith. John had proven he was still in need of guidance with the shoplifting issue. And Keith was right behind him, waiting to go off to college. Who knew what choices he would make? David needed to be there to watch over them. He knew that. It wasn’t as if he were planning to abandon them.
He only wanted some time alone with his wife. Was that so wrong? He was tired of making plans only to have them changed or complicated by others’ needs. He wasn’t certain he could do it for another twenty to thirty years with a third child.
But what choice did he have? He was going to be a father again.
A thick fog rolled in, pulling David’s attention squarely back to where he was. He turned on the onboard lights, but visibility was low. Then he switched on the electronic navigation, only to find it going haywire. He’d been too distracted by Kate’s news to make certain all the systems worked before he’d launched.
Time had gotten away from him, and he had no idea how long he’d been gone or how far out he’d gotten. He searched the distance for any evidence of harbor lights, but between the fog and the darkness of night settling in, he couldn’t even tell which way the shore was. He pulled out his phone and checked for a signal. Nothing. He was on his own, in a dire situation. If he drifted the wrong way, he could float out to sea. He needed to find that shoreline.
Suddenly, all the things he would be leaving behind flowed through his mind at the thought that something might happen to him. Who would watch out for John and Keith during their college years? Who would make certain they grew into the godly men he knew they could be? And what about Kate? Left to raise a baby on her own? How would she handle being a single mom?
He didn’t want her to have to try.
He should have been thinking about his family instead of pouting like a child and storming off. He’d been thinking only of his own selfish plans, made a reckless choice, and placed himself in danger.
Lord, please help me find my way back to my family.
In the distance, he spotted a flicker of light. He aimed the boat toward it. As the fog moved, he didn’t panic but kept moving forward in the direction he’d seen the light. He had no idea whether he was moving toward shore or away from it. Perhaps he’d only seen the light of a ship on the open water, but he had to take that chance. He had to try to reach shore. His family needed him…and he needed them.
As the clouds moved again, the light of the moon helped him to see the shoreline. He was headed in the right direction! He was going to make it home.
As he looked toward the shore, he saw a light high in the night sky. He aimed the boat toward it. The closer he got, the thinner the fog got, and he could see the lights of the shore.
He finally docked safely and tied up the boat. He ran to his car, driving in the direction of the light, until it led him to Bethlehem Green. Then he realized which light he had been following—the glow of the nativity star, the star high in the night sky that led him toward…Jesus…and home.
What had Mike said to him that day in his office? Our plans aren’t God’s plans, but God’s plans are always good.
David parked and ran to the manger, staring up at the star, his breath nearly gone and his heart racing, and his hands freezing from the cold. In the nativity story, God had used a star to lead the wise men to Jesus…and He’d used this star to lead David here, to the manger, to Jesus, to the baby, to the gift of God’s love.
“Thank You, Lord.”
Bill Mitchell appeared from behind the set and greeted him. “David, what are you doing out here?”
“I was looking at the star. Does it seem brighter to you?”
Bill looked up then shook his head. “It looks the same to me, although I did just replace the bulb.”
With his breath finally beginning to return, David noticed how empty the street was. “Where is everyone?”
“Didn’t you hear? The selectmen called an emergency town meeting. They’re voting on whether or not to let Kate keep her position as town manager.”
“What? Why?”
“Murray Samuels doesn’t believe she can do her job if she’s going to have a baby.”
David shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. If anyone can do it, my wife can.”
“Well, they’re meeting right now.”
David turned and took off toward the courthouse.
It was time to take a stand…and he would proudly stand with his wife.
Chapter 9
Kate glared at Mr. Samuels. Why did he always have to make things so difficult for everyone? She couldn’t win with him. Either delegating was a good idea or it wasn’t—he couldn’t have it both ways. Now she was on trial for doing her job and doing it well.
Was it God’s will for her to give up her job? Was that why she’d been given this child? She still had no clear direction about what she should do. She knew how David felt—he’d made his resentment about her divided attention crystal clear. Should she fight for her job or quietly step down? God, I need Your intervention here!
She turned in her chair and saw John and Keith heading toward her. John took a seat beside her and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He was always so supportive.
“You’ve been a terrific town manager,” he said. “They’d be crazy to dismiss you.” Keith took her other hand. “Whatever they decide, Mom, we’re here for you.”
She was thankful for the support of her children, but what she’d really hoped for was the support of their father. She stared back at the door, praying he would walk through it, take her into his arms, and reassure her that everything would be fine. She hadn’t seen or heard from him all day, and she’d worried more about that than about this mock trial.
What if he’d decided he couldn’t handle the pressure and had sailed away without her? As ridiculous as she knew that fear to be, she couldn’t stop thinking of the possibility and wondering how she could raise this child without him.
Mr. Littlejohn called the meeting to order and spoke for the selectmen. “Our one and only piece of business is to discuss our current town manager, Kate Walters. Would you come up here please, Mrs. Walters?”
Kate got up and stood in front of them. Her life, her future, her career, was in God’s hands.
“We’ve looked over the preliminary numbers for the live nativity, and I don’t believe anyone in this room could argue that it was anything but a success, even though we won’t have official numbers for several weeks. This project was your idea, and we gave you complete authority over it. However, there has been some concern on the board”—he glanced toward Mr. Samuels—“and among the townspeople about your ability to continue to perform at this level, given your current condition.”
Kate straightened to her full height. “I won’t lie. I share some of those doubts, but I’ve loved watching this community come together to put on this nativity. It is one of the single greatest achievements of my life.”
Mr. Samuels eyed her. “But how can you possibly give this town the attention it needs and raise a child?”
John leaped from his chair. “She won’t be alone. She’ll have me.”
Keith stood. “And me.”
Kate marveled at her sons’ dedication, and she appreciated their standing up for her.
“And she’ll have me.”
Kate’s breath caught at the voice that echoed around the room.
David!
She turned to see her husband walking down the aisle of the courtroom. She couldn’t stop the smile that broke out as he approached her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
He nodded. “Me too. This is where I belong.” He glanced over at the boys then touched her stomach. “With my family.” He pulled her into his arms. “Kate, there is no place I would rather be than in Bethlehem, with you. You were right. We belong here. And I won’t see Murray Samuels run you out of a job you love.”
He turned and addressed the council.
“You all know that I’ve grown a business in this town. Well, I didn’t do it on my own. Along with my business partner, Mike Purvis, I had Kate helping me. She devoted her life to caring for our family while I pursued my plans, my dreams. And she did an amazing job raising our children. Now, it’s my turn to do the same for her. She’s devoted her blood, sweat, and tears to managing this town because she loves it. This i
s our home, the place where we’ve raised a family, built a life. No one knows better than I do the sacrifices Kate is willing to make for this town. Now, if you’re unhappy with her work, with this live nativity and all the exposure and tourist money it’s brought to our little town, that’s one thing, but don’t penalize her for something she hasn’t done. She’s the best town manager Bethlehem has seen in a long while.”
Cheers and applause rang out. Kate knew she should be paying attention to the selectmen, to their responses, but all she cared about at the moment was David’s presence. He’d come for her and stood up for her. Her David, so strong and loyal.
God had truly made His plans known.
Meet me on the boat.
The note David had left her that morning had Kate worried. Had he changed his mind and decided to buy the boat after all? He’d saved her job, and she’d believed everything was fine between them…then she’d awakened to find him gone and this cryptic note.
She walked toward the pier and found the boat. David helped her aboard. “It’s a very nice boat,” she told him, feeling like she should say something positive.
“It is a nice boat, but it’s not mine. I didn’t buy it, Kate.”
“You didn’t?”
“No.”
“But your dream…”
“My dream wasn’t about sailing away. It was about sailing away with you. You’re my dream, Kate. You’ve always been my dream. I suppose I’m selfish. I want you all to myself, but I can’t have that, so I’ll take you any way I can get you.
“I won’t lie. I do feel an obligation to you and to the boys and to this baby. I would never abandon you. But more importantly, Kate, I don’t want to abandon you. I’ve been worried that another baby meant going down the same road we’ve already traveled. But God is leading us down a new path, and I’m excited about it. It won’t be like it was, because we’re not like we were. Our situation is different. This child is different. I want to be there for this baby in a way I was never there for John and Keith.”
Christmas Comes to Bethlehem - Maine Page 6