Emma breathed a small sigh. “I understand, Janet. Everybody in Bethlehem knows that your sewing circle makes the most beautiful garments of anybody in town. You’ll have the material. Just try to be patient for a few more days.”
Janet arched an eyebrow. “Okay. We’ll give you a few more days.”
Gordon Brown stood up when Janet sat down. “I have a question, Pastor Mike.”
“What is it, Gordon?”
“It’s about the actors. I’m in charge of that, and I was wondering who’s going to play the wise men. I haven’t been told yet.”
Mike glanced at Emma, and she swallowed. “We’re working on that, Gordon. I just need a few more days to finalize it.”
Gordon nodded. “Just asking, Pastor Mike. Let me know when you find out something.”
Janet jumped back up. “And we need to fit their costumes to them. That is, if we ever have any material to make their costumes with.”
“And what about the animals?” Chester asked. “Are we going to be able to get them?”
“As you know, Dr. Norwood, our local vet, takes care of the animals. Our contract is with a provider out of Portland, and as you can imagine, it’s expensive to ship exotic animals this far and then care for them once they get here. We’re still trying to find the money to pay for that.”
Chester shook his head. “And now we have to add a generator to the list. Without the funds from the town council, we may not be able to come up with the money.”
The committee members frowned at each other. Several muttered comments under their breaths that Mike couldn’t hear. From the looks on everyone’s faces, the meeting seemed to quickly be headed toward something akin to a mutiny.
He raised his voice above the din. “Don’t worry, folks, I know things look bad now, but it’s going to work out.”
Emma held up her hands for silence. “Please don’t give up. We’ve come this far. We have to keep going. We just need to have faith. The Bible tells us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. I think all of you are mountain movers, so let’s put all of this in God’s hands and let Him show us what He can do.”
“I agree with that,” Mike added as he glanced at his watch. “It’s getting close to time for lunch to be served in the fellowship hall. Why don’t we all go get something to eat and think about how great this year’s nativity is going to be.”
Chester and Dwight stood up, and Dwight shook his head. “We won’t stay to eat. We’re gonna get on back home and do some work cleaning up around our place. We’ll see you Sunday.”
Janet and her sewing circle ladies along with John Roland got to their feet and followed them out of the room. Mike heard them start chattering the minute they reached the hallway. He glanced at Emma and smiled. “Are your ears burning?”
Gordon Brown was the last to leave. He stepped up to Emma and smiled. “I heard some talk around town that you wanted the selectmen to be the three wise men. How’s that coming along?”
“Not too well, I’m afraid.”
He chuckled and put his hat on. “Don’t worry about them, Emma. They’ll come around.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Do you really think so?”
He winked at her and nodded. “I’ve been knowing you since you were a little girl. I never had a better friend than your father, and he always said when you set your mind to something, it happens. Besides, I’ve been praying they’ll give in and join us.”
Tears welled up in Emma’s eyes, and she grasped Gordon’s hand. “Thank you, Gordon. I appreciate that.”
He glanced at Mike. “See you Sunday, Pastor Mike.”
Gordon stuck his hat on his head and walked from the room. When he’d left, Mike turned to Emma. Tears still sparkled in her eyes, and he smiled. “It’s going to be all right, Emma. God will get us through this.”
“Three weeks, Mike. If we don’t get the green cleaned up by then, we won’t have enough time to get ready for the nativity.”
“I know.”
She took a deep breath and smiled. “But God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Just think what He can do in Bethlehem if He has three weeks to work with.”
Mike threw back his head and laughed. “Emma, you are delightful.”
She tilted her head. “And hungry. Ready to eat?”
For a moment he was frozen in place as he watched her move toward the door. Then he hurried forward and caught up with her as she headed to the fellowship hall. When he’d come to Bethlehem, he thought God had brought him to his first pastorate in a small congregation to give him experience in dealing with people, but now he was beginning to think God had something even better in mind for him. And her name was Emma Townsend.
Chapter 6
Emma propped her hands on her hips and stepped back to survey the table of refreshments that awaited the film crew scheduled to arrive at the church any minute. Sarah Davis had outdone herself by baking the most mouthwatering chocolate cake Emma thought she’d ever seen. But Sarah hadn’t stopped there. She’d also made some open-faced sandwiches and added a plate of her famous peanut butter cookies.
Emma was just about to check the coffeepot and make sure it had finished brewing when Mike pulled the door open and stepped back for several people to enter the room. Kate Walters walked in, followed by a young woman Emma had seen on the nightly news for the last two years and a man with a camera in his hand.
Kate smiled when she saw Emma and headed toward her. “Emma, I’d like for you to meet our visitors from Augusta.” She stopped beside Emma and turned toward the young woman. “This is Kelsey Warren and Tanner Hodges. They’re doing a story on how the East Coast is cleaning up after Hurricane Eleanor, and they stopped by to check out how things are progressing in Bethlehem. They’re in a hurry to get on to the next town, but I persuaded them to take a detour here for some cake and coffee before they leave.”
Kelsey Warren looked at her watch and frowned. “But I’m afraid we’re going to have to skip the cake. It’s getting late, and I want to get this story on tonight’s news segment.”
Emma smiled and held out her hand. “I’m sorry you have to leave so quickly, but I’m very glad to meet you, Ms. Warren. I watch you on the news every night. It’s an honor to have you in our town.”
The petite young woman’s eyes sparkled as she grasped Emma’s hand. “Please, call me Kelsey. This is my first time to visit Bethlehem, but I’m impressed with how your town has responded to this emergency.”
“Are you sure you don’t have time to drink a cup of coffee at least?”
Tanner Hodges shook his head. “I’m afraid not. We’ve just spent time with Mr. Samuels, and he told us everything we needed to know for the story. But Kate insisted we come by the church to check out the shelter you’ve opened here.”
Emma pointed to Mike. “The credit for that goes to Pastor Mike. He’s worked around the clock since the storm to make sure every family has a place to stay and good food to eat. He’s been so busy taking care of everybody else, he hasn’t had time to do anything about his house that was damaged during the storm. He’s been sleeping on a couch in his office.”
Kelsey’s eyes grew wide. “Really, Pastor Mike? How many people have you housed here since the storm?”
Mike’s face flushed, and he glanced at Emma before directing his attention back to Kelsey. “I’m not sure of the total number at this point, because we’ve had so many come and go. Right now we have about a hundred people staying here.”
“And Pastor Mike sees that the needs of every one of them are met. The volunteers do, too.” Emma pointed to the chocolate cake on the table. “One of the church ladies has spent every day baking. The children love her peanut butter cookies, and she always has a huge supply of them. But Pastor Mike is always there to give encouragement when someone needs it. And believe me, we’ve all needed it at times. We’re fortunate to have a caring pastor.”
Mike shook his head. “Emma’s making me sound lik
e some kind of hero, but I’m not the only one who’s worked hard. She’s been helping here at the shelter every day. She’s even opened her home to a family who lost theirs in the storm. And on top of that, she’s working to make sure we have the live nativity this year.”
Kelsey and Tanner exchanged glances. “What live nativity?” Kelsey asked.
“Bethlehem has a live nativity every year,” Emma said. “It’s a big production, and the whole town gets involved in it. We don’t want to skip this year. In fact, we need it this year more than ever.”
Kelsey frowned. “Why more than ever this year?”
Emma thought for a moment before she answered. “We wanted to find a way to let the people of Bethlehem know that God hasn’t forgotten about us. Even though there may be moments that it seems like He has, He’s still watching out for us and caring what happens. We decided that we need to be strong and not give up the way Bethlehem celebrates the birth of Christ. It’s something we need to do together to heal from the storm.”
Kelsey stared at Emma. “But how are you going to have a nativity with Bethlehem in such a shambles?”
Emma laughed. “We’re not sure how it’s going to end up. All we know is that we’ve turned it over to God, and we’re letting Him work it out.”
Kelsey didn’t say anything for a moment before she pulled her cell phone from her purse. “Emma, I think I’ll take a piece of that chocolate cake and a cup of coffee after all. I’m going to call my producer and tell him we may be a bit late getting back to the station today. I want to hear more about this nativity.”
Tanner frowned and shook his head. “Kelsey, we need…”
“To get the real story in Bethlehem,” she finished for him. “So, sit down and have some cake while I make this call. Then we’ll talk with Emma and Pastor Mike some more.”
Tanner nodded and glanced at Emma. “It looks like we’re staying. And I must say that cake looks good.”
Emma laughed as she sliced a piece and put it on a plate for him. “You won’t be disappointed. Sarah Davis has won a lot prizes for her baking.”
“And help yourself to the sandwiches and coffee,” Mike added.
Later, after the cake was eaten and the coffee cups drained, Kelsey stared down at the notebook where she’d been writing comments while they ate and talked. She shook her head and directed a smile at Emma. “I have to say, you’re quite brave to attempt doing the nativity this year. Where do you plan to have it?”
“We’ve had it downtown in Bethlehem Green in the past, but I don’t know if that’s going to work this year.”
“Why not?” Kelsey asked.
“Because the Green is littered with fallen trees, and there are fishing boats that washed inland sitting underneath a lot of them. I hope the cleanup crews can get to them in the next week, but it’s beginning to look like they might not be able to get to it in time.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Kelsey murmured. She glanced down at her notes again. “It looks like you need a lot of help just to stage the nativity. The green needs to be cleaned up, it’s beginning to look like the material for the costumes was lost in the mail, and all your props were destroyed in the hurricane. On top of that you need actors, a generator, and money to rent the live animals. Does that about cover it?”
Kate winced at the list of problems Kelsey rattled off. “Those are the ones we’ve identified. We don’t know what else we may encounter.”
Kelsey’s eyes grew wide, and she leaned forward. “Then how do you possibly think you can pull this off?”
Emma glanced at Mike, and his gaze didn’t waver as he smiled at her. She relaxed and turned back to Kelsey. “I can’t.”
Kelsey frowned. “Then how…”
Emma held up her hand to stop Kelsey. “I can’t, but God can. I don’t know how He’s going to make everything come together, but I have faith that He’s going to.”
Kelsey stared at her for a moment before she smiled. “And what are the dates of the nativity?”
“This year we’re going to do three nights, with the last one on Christmas Eve. Next year we’ll return to our regular schedule.”
Kelsey wrote in her notebook for a few minutes before she closed it and smiled. “I think I have everything I need for my story. We’re going to film some shots around the church then we’ll come back inside and get some of you two before we leave.”
Kate, who’d remained silent during the meeting, rose to her feet. “I’ll show you around outside.”
Emma watched them go before she stood, picked up the plates Kate had stacked after they finished eating, and walked toward the kitchen. She’d just placed the plates in the sink when Mike came up beside her and set some cups down.
“I was impressed by the things you told Kelsey.”
She shrugged. “I hope I didn’t come off as some holier-than-thou person. I just want people to understand how important it is to put their trust in God.”
He reached down, grasped her hand, and smiled. “You did great. I was very proud of you.”
They stood like that for a moment before Emma pulled free and reached toward the faucet. “I’d better get these dishes washed. The ladies will be here any minute to start dinner, and I don’t want to leave a mess for them.”
“Need any help?”
“You can dry if you’d like. The dishtowels are in that drawer over there.”
Fifteen minutes later Emma handed Mike the last cup, and he was drying it when a voice from the doorway startled them. “That’s perfect. Just what we needed.”
They turned to see Kelsey at the door, along with Tanner, his camera aimed toward them. Emma reached for the dishtowel Mike still held to dry her hands. “We didn’t hear you come in.”
Kelsey chuckled. “We didn’t expect to catch you washing dishes. The two of you seemed very intent on what you were doing, and we didn’t want to interrupt. But I think we have all we need now, so we’re heading out. Kate’s already left to go back to her office.” She walked toward them and held out her hand. “It was good to meet you, and I wish you the best of luck with the nativity.”
“Thanks,” Mike said. “We appreciate your coming to Bethlehem. Is there anything else we can help you with?”
“Yes, there is one more thing. Kate said cell phone service has been restored, so I’d like your number in case I need another quote from you for the story.”
“Sure.” Mike rattled off his number, and Kelsey entered it in her phone.
When she’d finished, she smiled once more and glanced from Mike to Emma. “It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you’re able to pull off the nativity.”
“We do, too,” Emma said. “And thanks again for coming to Bethlehem.”
“No need to thank us. We were just doing our job, and you’ve helped us with a lot today. Maybe we’ll get back this way soon to see how the cleanup’s going.”
“We’d like that,” Mike said.
Kelsey turned to Tanner, who stood at the door. “I guess we’d better get back,” she said as she strode from the room. Tanner gave a small wave before he followed Kelsey.
After they left, Emma realized she and Mike were alone again. He appeared to be studying her intensely. What was he thinking? They’d been talking minutes ago when they were washing dishes, but suddenly she felt shy and couldn’t think of anything to say. She turned back to the sink, folded the dishtowel Mike had handed her, and laid it on the counter.
“I guess I’d better be getting home,” she said. Her voice trembled, and she wondered if he noticed.
Mike leaned against the counter next to the sink and crossed his arms. “Have dinner again tonight with me?”
Her face warmed, and she stared up at him. “T-tonight?”
A small frown wrinkled his forehead. “Yes, tonight. Is there something wrong, Emma?”
“N-no, but we have been spending a lot of time together.”
“Haven’t you enjoyed our time together?”
“Of course I ha
ve.”
“Then what is it?”
She bit her lip before she directed her gaze toward him. “I was just wondering what the congregation might think.”
He reached for her hand and held it in both of his. “I have to admit I’ve wondered the same thing, but I’ve come to believe that they want me to be happy. And you make me happy.”
For a moment Emma thought her heart might burst open in her chest. No one had ever said anything to her that thrilled her as much as Mike’s words did. She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. “You make me happy, too.”
“Then you’ll have dinner with me?”
“Yes.”
He straightened and smiled. “Good. I’ll see you at six o’clock.”
“I’ll be here.”
Mike squeezed her hand once more before he released her. “Then I think I’ll go work on Sunday’s sermon. I’ll see you later.”
When he’d left, Emma sank down in a chair and raised a shaking hand to her forehead. She could hardly believe it when he said she made him happy. She made Michael Benson, pastor of Bethlehem Community Church, happy?
Her heart beat like a bass drum in her chest. She clasped her hands together in her lap and leaned forward until her head touched them. If she made Mike happy, then maybe there were even better things to come. She was going to enjoy discovering each and every one of them.
Chapter 7
A week later Mike sat at the desk in his church office that had become his home since Eleanor had blown in from the sea. He stared out the window at the afternoon sun sinking slowly in the west. He tapped his pencil on the desktop and wondered how much progress was made today in the downtown cleanup that a volunteer group from New York had worked on.
His overhead lights flickered, and he glanced up at the small fixture above his desk. At least they now had electricity, thanks to the teams of electricians from all over New England who had poured into town after the storm. Cell phone service had been restored, but it was going to take a bit longer for the telephone company to get their landlines back in service.
Christmas Comes to Bethlehem - Maine Page 10