Adam smiled. “Insulation. An aid, of sorts. That’s perfect. Salt also has another function. Anyone think about the Dead Sea yet?”
I was in awe of him as silence fell across the sanctuary.
“Everyone, I want you to listen to me when I say this. Because this might just be the most important thing I say to you during my time in this pulpit. Salt can kill. Just as it has the capacity to provide flavor and aid, and even thirst, it can also kill. And that has just as much bearing on this verse as everything salt does to help. I mean, Miss Maybel said it herself! It gives life to food. And Mr. Ralph over here showed us that it can help. It can insulate. Miss Kendall down here even mentioned that it can dissolve ice! Like, the ice around someone’s heart. But, too much salt, and it can kill.”
I was in awe of him as I sat there in that front pew, gazing up into his serious face.
“You guys? When Jesus said to be the ‘salt of the earth’, he meant every context. In the right amount, with the right mixture, salt can be a glorious thing. It can melt icy hearts and insulate hurting souls. It can transform cream and sugar into a monumental treat and it can contribute a flavor to life that you can’t get anywhere else. But, too much salt? And it kills. Too much shaking of that saltshaker, and things begin to die. Too much of that judgmental religion and passion in someone’s face at once, and it can push them away instead of bringing them closer to Christ. And that, my friends, is the minutiae of this text that so many miss. Because in Matthew 5:13, the metaphor isn’t simply addressing the good we can do. It also addresses the harm we can do if we pour too much salt into the earth at once.”
He drew in a deep breath before he stepped away from the pulpit.
“My friends, this is my first Sunday in the pulpit since my father passed away. And as I stand here before you, preaching on one of his most favorite verses, I’m hit with a memory I can’t shake. It might seem like a small memory to some. But, to me? It’s the epitome of who my father was when he was alive.”
I sat on the edge of my seat as Adam smiled.
“My father once told me, ‘Adam, there’s going to come a day when I can’t stop you. Someday you’ll be making all your own choices and forging your own path, and I won’t be able to stop you if I feel you’re making a mistake. So, if you ever feel like you’re traveling the wrong path, read Matthew 5. And if you can’t find the answer there, then call me, because I’ll always be here to help’. That’s why my first sermon series is on this passage. Not only was it my father’s favorite, but it holds so many answers to so many of life’s uncertainties that even we don’t realize until we take a deeper look. But, for now, I’ll leave you with this.”
I blinked back tears as his eyes fluttered over every person filling the small sanctuary this morning.
“Be the salt of the earth. Defrost those icy hearts. Take something miniscule and turn it into something everyone will want to partake in. Let that salt make you thirsty for Him. Let that salt flavor your life in His honor. But, don’t let that same salt kill your passion for Christ. And don’t let it overpour so much that it kills the passion for Christ in others around you. Amen.”
I expected everyone else to say ‘Amen’. I expected them to join in with Adam’s closing of the sermon. But, instead, I heard someone clapping behind me. A slow, resounding clap that ricocheted off the walls and sounded against my ears. First, it was only one. And then, it grew to two. Then, three. And four.
Then, the entire congregation started clapping as people stood to their feet.
I watched shock roll over Adam’s face. His smile grew so big it closed his eyes. I turned around, watching as the entire town stood to their feet. Watching as the people who lined the walls of the sanctuary—who stood for the entire service—clapped and whistled and cheered Adam on.
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.
I turned to face the man I had fallen in love with and watched him wipe at his eyes. The outpouring of love this entire town showed him reminded me of why I loved this place so much. Why Rankin, Nevada had such a deep-rooted place in my life. Whistles rose above the calamity and Adam let out a breathless moment of laughter before he held out his arms. Calming down the roaring sea of support.
And when his eyes met my own, I couldn’t help but be filled with love.
“Receive this benediction as we go and fellowship with family and friends: salt the earth around you for good, not bad. Salt your life with flavor, and not hate. Christ loves you. I love you. And I can’t wait to lead you through the coming days as your pastor. Go in peace. And may you create thirst instead of death.”
Adam didn’t even get his arms to his side before people leapt out of the pews. They rushed toward the front of the church, hugging his neck and boasting of the wonderful service he had led. I stood up and walked over toward the corner of the sanctuary. I watched as everyone had their time with him, talking and laughing and kissing his cheeks. It was a sight to behold. A wondrous sight I knew I’d never forget.
But, once the crowd finally dissipated, his gaze met my stare.
And our souls pulled us together once more.
“Seems like the snow’s finally melting,” he said.
I cupped his cheek. “I’m so very proud of you, Adam.”
He nuzzled against my palm. “That means a great deal coming from you. Thank you.”
I turned around, peering through the stained glass. “I hear the water droplets outside.”
He slid his arm around me. “Why don’t we see if we can travel up the mountain? You know, make some lunch at your place?”
“Whatever you want to do, Pastor Adam.”
I felt his lips press against my cheek and it warmed my gut. The heat spread throughout my limbs, pulling me closer to him as his arm tightened around my waist. I heard people trickling out the sanctuary doors and into the warm afternoon. I felt them staring at us as we stole our own little sliver of privacy off in the corner after Adam was done saying goodbye to everyone. But, when I felt his gaze on the top of my head, I looked up into his eyes.
And the words tumbled effortlessly from my lips.
“I love you, Adam.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
I smiled softly. “I love you.”
He faced me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course, I mean it. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.”
“Good. Because I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
I grinned. “No, you didn’t.”
“What?”
I giggled. “When you first laid eyes on me, you thought I was some crazy chick in the snow banging on your window a month ago.”
“Well, maybe not quite love at first sight. But, it wasn’t too long after that.”
I paused. “Really?”
He nodded. “Really.”
His arms draped around me as I drew in a steady breath.
“You want to know when I first knew I was in love with you?”
“I’d love to know, yes.”
He snickered. “When I saw you out back with that bear hovering over you.”
I groaned. “Don’t remind me. That was petrifying.”
“It was. And there was a brief moment where I thought I didn’t have control of the situation. When I popped that first shot off and the bear hesitated, I thought I’d made it angry. I thought, for sure, you’d get hurt. Or worse.”
“You knew you loved me, then?”
“I don’t think it registered as love. I think I was too worried about your safety to process much else. But, looking back on the moment, yes. I was in love with you then. I was just so bogged down with so many other emotions that it fell to the wayside quickly.”
I sighed. “Oh, Adam.”
I stood to my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his. The comfort of his soft pout blanketed me, healing the little parts of my soul his sermon had cracked open. I slid my arms around his neck, feeling him wrap me up
to pull me close. And as we stood there in the corner of the empty sanctuary, I felt our hearts become one.
I felt myself molding to him as our lives finally collided.
“Hey, don’t be kissin’ on my sister in church. This is the Lord’s place. Have some couth.”
Adam’s eyes flew open before my head fell back in laughter. I snorted as my brother’s voice boomed across the empty expanse and Mara’s giggling rose above the disturbance. I blushed furiously as Adam kissed my cheek before my brother approached us with a bright smile and a welcoming presence.
As well as a cheeky smile.
The two men embraced, clapping one another on the back. Greeting one another like they seemed to do. And as I hugged Mara’s neck, I felt the rest of my world settle into place.
“Good to see you again,” Adam said.
Phil cupped the back of his head. “Heck of a sermon you preached this morning.”
I furrowed my brow. “You two were here for it?”
Mara smiled. “We were standing in back. I had a hard time rolling Phil out of bed this morning.”
Phil pointed at Adam. “But, seriously. No kissing my sister in the sanctuary.”
I snickered. “Says the man sleeping in a bed with a woman that isn’t his wife yet.”
Phil playfully glared at me. “Hey, now. Hey. We’re engaged.”
Adam reached for my hand. “Actually, the Lord created love to be shared between two--.”
Phil stepped away, holding up his hands. “I don’t need to know anymore, Pastor Adam. I’m good.”
My head fell back with laughter as Mara giggled with delight.
“But, I do need to know one thing,” Phil said.
“What’s up?” Adam asked.
“Y’all starving like I am? Because I could eat right now. A lot.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re always hungry, Phil. Since when has that change?”
Mara held out her hand. “See!? Thank you.”
Phil rolled his eyes. “Great. I won’t hear the end of it now.”
Mara hissed. “I swear, this man could kill a cow all by himself.”
I playfully whispered. “Buffets are your friend with him. And your wallet.”
Phil cradled Mara in his grasp. “Look, a man’s gotta eat. Manna for the soul, and all that.”
Adam nodded. “Amen, that’ll preach.”
I shook my head as the two of them chuckled with one another. And it comforted me that the two had become fast friends.
“Well, since you’ve brought up food, Adam and I were thinking about heading to my place. You know, seeing if we can actually get up the mountain,” I said.
Phil quirked an eyebrow. “Where in the world you been stayin’ all this time?”
I blinked. “In separate bedrooms at Adam’s place.”
Phil slowly looked over at Adam. “Uh huh.”
He held up his free hand. “Scout’s Honor.”
Mara shook her head. “Why does everyone say that if they weren’t a scout?”
Adam placed his hand over his heart. “Why, Mara. Whatever do you mean? Who in the world told you I wasn’t a scout?”
I nudged him. “You weren’t a scout.”
“Hey, you don’t know about my life.”
I smiled up at him. “I’d like to, though.”
Phil gagged. “All right, all right. Save it for another time. I’m starving, which means we need to get out of here.”
I looked over at Mara. “What do you say? Ready to go see another cabin on a mountain that isn’t yours?”
Mara paused. “You live on Newtham Slopes, right?”
I nodded with pride. “Yep! I sure do.”
“Is it nice up there? I always love looking out towards the snow-capped part of it in the mornings. It’s my favorite part when it comes to watching the sun rise. You know, seeing the sunlight glint off all that snow.”
“It’s breathtaking. It’s always a bit colder than the rest of the mountains because it’s the highest one up there. And it’s awesome. I can’t stand summer. It’s too hot, and you can only get so--.”
Phil interjected. “Me, man. Me, need meat. We talk while drive.”
Adam snickered. “I’m with caveman over here.”
Mara sighed. “Come on, you impatient lugs. Phil and I will pick up some dessert at the grocery store before we head up. You know where you’re going, Phil?”
My brother nodded. “Yep. Meet you guys at my sister’s place in a few?”
Adam threaded his arm back around me. “We’ll see you there.”
As my brother and future sister-in-law made their way out of the sanctuary, I stared up at Adam. The man that had stolen my heart from me, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. He smiled down at me before he kissed the top of my head, and I rested my cheek against his arm. I felt my heart skip a beat. I felt my soul finally settle. And as the man I loved started making his way for his office, I followed in stride. Moving wherever he moved, the two of us in tandem, like I knew we would be for the rest of our lives.
“I love you, Kendall.”
I smiled. “I love you too, Adam.”
Not only did it take a pastor’s son to heal my spirit, it took a pastor’s son to heal my heart. It took the loving grace of God through this grieving man to reach into the black pit I had dug for myself. And as I watched Adam slide his robe off while he reached for his suit coat, I got the sneaking suspicion I was gazing upon the man who would help me create the rest of my life.
“All right,” he said as he slipped his suit coat over his arms, “ready to go?”
“For the rest of my life, Adam, yes. I’m ready to go wherever you do.”
He grinned. “Can’t ask for a better answer than that.”
~*~
If you enjoyed Adam and Kendall’s story, then you’re going to love where our new characters go next. There’s more love and shenanigans in store for Rankin, Nevada and its residents. So, click the link below to continue the journey!
The Maker’s Mark
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I hope you enjoyed this novel as much as I enjoyed authoring it for you. The Mountaingirl Tales is my debut series based in the fictional mountain town of Rankin, Nevada, and it has quickly become near and dear to my heart. The next book, entitled The Maker’s Mark, is already up for preorder. So, if you missed the link above, click here to pre-order the next book in the series!
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