ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Ahem.”

  He turned to see Helen Fenwick in the doorway, holding a casserole dish with both hands.

  “You didn’t have to do this.” A whiff of lasagna made his mouth water. “But I’m glad you did.” He took the pan and set it on a hot pad on the counter.

  “I heard Grace mention she had a wedding and a birthday today, so I knew she wouldn’t have time to feed you and Dayne.”

  Her smile seemed forced.

  “That’s so thoughtful of you.” Grace returned to her pastry decorating. He pulled out a chair for Helen. “Sit down.”

  “I didn’t come to stay. You eat your lunch while it’s still hot.”

  “Only if you’ll share it with me.”

  “Very well then.” She sat. “Where’s Dayne?”

  “In the back with his dog.” Grayson unwrapped the foil pouch on top of the lasagna dish to reveal garlic and butter steaming from the thick toast fresh from the oven.

  “Okay, I’m done.” Grace balanced several flat boxes on her hip. “Since you were so good at not stealing anything, I left you a few treats. Be back later.”

  “Bye, dear.” Helen’s eyelids looked puffy.

  Grayson waited until they were alone. “Is everything all right, Helen?”

  Moisture pooled in her blue eyes. “You have enough of your own problems.”

  “I’m your pastor.” He handed her a tissue. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

  “It’s Wade.” She dabbed her eyes. “He’s back in town.”

  “Is he drinking?” Helen had often asked for prayers on her alcoholic son’s behalf.

  “Yes. Off and on since his broken engagement a couple of years back.”

  “Why haven’t you told me this?”

  “I didn’t want to burden you with anything else.” Her hand trembled. “I shouldn’t have told you now.”

  I have to pull myself together. The congregation—my congregation needs me.

  “I was headed for the church after lunch. I’ll wrap up a few things there and we can go talk with him, if you like.”

  She shook her head. “One of the deacons can help me with Wade.”

  “I’ve wanted to meet him anyway. Is he staying with you?”

  “No. He’s at some horrible motel-turned-apartments in Searcy, a good forty-five-minute drive.”

  An ominous chill crept down Grayson’s spine. “I know where that is.” Basically, a drug house.

  Adrea climbed the staircase two steps at a time, glad to be home after a long week at work. She loved the greenhouse with its private entry and her garden there. Yet, she longed for a real home instead of an old house with all its character slashed into four tiny apartments. A real yard, instead of a lot shared by all the tenants…A real place of her own.

  She stepped around Mark’s shoes in the middle of the floor. The apartment definitely felt more like a home with him there, even if he couldn’t manage to pick up after himself.

  “I’m home.” No response. She checked the oven and announced louder, “I’m home.”

  “Yo, Adrea. It’s about time.” Mark’s voice came from his room. “I’m starving.”

  His running joke, ever since they’d rented the first Rocky movie, always made her smile. “Is food all you ever think about?”

  “When I’m hungry, it is.”

  Minutes later, Mark stepped up behind her in the kitchen. Adrea turned to tousle his hair.

  “So did you hear anything from any churches?”

  “Not yet.” Mark plopped on the couch. “So you’d met Grayson Sterling before?”

  Just the sound of his name made her pulse flutter.

  “At the shop a few weeks ago and then we sort of ran into each other at the park.” Adrea chose her favorite paring knife and sliced a tomato. The sharp blade cut clean lines through the soft pulp. “He’s had a standing order for his wife for six years.”

  Until a hit-and-run driver carved his heart apart, just like the tender fruit in her hands.

  “He still buys the flowers even though she died?”

  A knot formed in her throat. “He takes them to the cemetery.”

  “Sad.” Mark looked at the floor.

  “He always comes to sign the card personally.” She arranged the slices on a saucer. “The salesclerks call him Prince Sterling, and his four annual appearances are the highlights of every year.”

  “So, with all those visits to the shop, you never met him until a few weeks ago?”

  Adrea shrugged. “I never work out front. So, what did you think of him?”

  “Knowledgeable, compassionate…I could work with him.”

  “Maybe you will.” It’s so nice to have him home, Lord. In the few months since he’d graduated, he’d become so ensconced in her routine, it almost felt like he’d never left. Please keep him close. “God will work it out and put you exactly where He wants you.”

  “I forgot until I put this shirt on today.” He pulled a small jewelry box from his shirt pocket. “I bought you something before I left Memphis.”

  “You didn’t have to do that. How sweet.” Finished with her task, she washed her hands and sat down beside him. She opened the gift to find a tiny ring with a pale yellow stone. “Oh, how pretty.”

  “It’s a toe ring.”

  “I’ve never had one.” Adrea stooped to her bare foot and slipped the ring on. “Is that the right place to wear it?”

  “Beats me. Rachel will probably know. I got her and Haylee matching bracelets, but this made me think of you. Those toes need all the help they can get.”

  “Thank you. I love it, despite your tasteless remark.” She threw the empty box at him.

  He ducked. The phone rang and Mark grabbed it.

  “Hello? Yes. It’s good to hear from you. Really? When do you need an answer? Yes, I’ll get back with you; and thank you.”

  “A church?”

  “Palisade.”

  Her breath caught. Grayson’s church. “Well, of course they want you. Why wouldn’t they?” Palisade would keep him in Romance. She should be thrilled.

  “It’s a trial period. Interim type thing.”

  “When do you have to answer?”

  “Couple of days. I better go do some praying.”

  She hugged him. “I’m so proud of you. First interview and you ace it.”

  Adrea turned into her parents’ drive. Sam and Theo Welch sat in the porch swing, swaying slowly in the March breeze, both still trim and athletic. Mom’s dark auburn hair remained without a trace of gray, with no help from her hairdresser. Daddy’s thick mane had long ago turned silver; his rich brown eyes surrounded by laugh lines.

  “Mark hasn’t shown up for his own celebration dinner?” Adrea rolled her eyes.

  “No and dinner’s ready.” Mom propped a hand on one hip.

  A three-legged calico cat sat on the step.

  “Hey, Tripod.” At the sound of his name, he curled around Adrea’s ankles. “Hey, boy, I missed you, too.”

  She picked Tripod up to scratch his special place along the side of his throat. He purred his appreciation. The long-ago abandoned cat had been her last rescued stray before she left home.

  Only a kitten then, it seemed he was so grateful, he’d never put on “cattitude” airs. When Adrea called, he came, just like a dog. Now around seven years old, she longed to take him with her each time she left, but her landlord didn’t allow pets.

  Mark turned in and parked next to her car. She set Tripod down.

  “Yo, Adrea. I’m starving.”

  “Imagine that.” Mom swatted at him, then followed with a warm embrace. “Dinner’s ready. Just waiting for you. The others are inside.”

  Adrea lagged behind to walk in with him. “You look tired.”

  “I’ve prayed over this decision more than I’ve slept lately.”

  “So since you have a job, do you think we could get a house one of these days?”

  “A house, huh?” Mark laughed. “Palisade can’t pay an ass
ociate that much. I’ll probably have to do some counseling on the side. And besides, it’s just an interim.”

  “Yes, but they’ll love you.”

  “You always have such faith in me. Someday, you’ll have a husband to buy a house with. All in God’s timing.”

  A sigh escaped. “I’m fine, but not fine enough to go there.”

  Mark stopped on the porch and gently gripped her forearms. “I just want you to know, you’re young, beautiful, and precious. Just because you fell for a jerk in disguise, your life isn’t over. I know how much you want a family and I’m praying for your future.”

  She blinked away the sting of tears.

  He kissed her forehead.

  Rachel, her husband, Curt, and Haylee joined the procession to the kitchen.

  The aroma of pork loin permeated the air. A dish Adrea hadn’t mastered. While Mom’s turned out moist and fork-tender, Adrea’s attempts came out dry and the consistency of cardboard.

  “Will you ask the blessing, Curt?” Daddy asked.

  As the family bowed their heads, a symphony began to play on Adrea’s cell phone. She grabbed it. An unfamiliar number appeared and she turned it off. All eyes were upon her.

  “Sorry about that.” Adrea turned the ringer off.

  The doorbell rang.

  “Who could that be?” Mom frowned.

  “Y’all go ahead. I’ll get it.” Adrea jumped up, intent on ridding her family of interruptions.

  As she swung the heavy oak door open, every nerve ending reverberated.

  How could he have the nerve to come here, especially with Mark around? By the looks of him, Wade really didn’t know what he was doing.

  Chapter 3

  Stepping outside, Adrea quietly closed the door behind her. “Why are you here?”

  “We really didn’t get to talk the other day.”

  “No, I mean here.” She pointed to the house.

  “I wanted to see you. Mark said Mom—I mean.” He shook his head, as if to clear it. “Mom said Mark was celebrating something, so I figured you’d be here.”

  He’d gotten his hair cut into his usual casually layered style, but dark, sunken circles still shadowed his ice-blue eyes. She’d once dreamed of their children with those eyes.

  Without the bloodshot effect.

  “Look.” Her voice shook. “We’re over. We have been for a long time.”

  The door opened and a glaring Mark stepped out. The veins in his neck looked ready to erupt. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need to speak with Adrea.” Wade’s watery eyes pleaded with her.

  “Well, she doesn’t want to see you. Ever again. Do you understand?” Mark barked a derisive laugh. “I doubt it, you’re so drunk you can’t even slur straight.”

  “This doesn’t concern you.” With effort, Wade enunciated each word slowly and clearly. “This is between her and me.”

  Mark launched a fist.

  “Mark! No!” Adrea grabbed for her brother’s arm—too late.

  Wade stumbled back, cupping his mouth. Blood dripped from between his fingers.

  “Just go. Please.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “We don’t have anything left to say.”

  “What’s going on?” Daddy stood in the doorway. “Wade?”

  “Hello, sir.” Wade tried to sound sober but failed. His voice wobbled and so did his stance. “I’d just like to talk to Adrea. Alone.”

  “You want more?” Mark raised his clenched fist again, white knuckled.

  Daddy stepped between the younger men. “It’s time for you to leave, Wade. Now.”

  Wade wiped his bleeding lower lip with the back of his hand. With one more pleading look at Adrea, he slunk to his black Escalade.

  She could see another man in the driver’s seat. Thankfully, Wade wasn’t driving.

  Mark flexed his blood-speckled knuckles.

  Adrea couldn’t tell if it was his or Wade’s.

  “Go clean up, without alerting your mother.” Daddy pointed at Mark, using his best shame-on-you tone. “We’ll talk about that temper of yours later. You could lose the interim job we’re supposed to be celebrating over a stunt like that.”

  Her brother hung his head and went inside.

  “Listen, Daddy, I know you’re worried.” Adrea hugged herself. “But I’m not stupid.”

  “Sweetheart, we don’t think you’re stupid.” He put his arm around her, and they settled on the porch swing. “But, you’re very sweet and softhearted. I just don’t want you to get reeled into his web again.”

  “And I won’t. I can’t help Wade. The only one who can help him is God.”

  The door opened and Mom stuck her head out. “Hey, what’s going on out here? The food’s getting cold and I can’t even seem to interest Mark in eating.”

  Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful, but Adrea’s stomach flipped and flopped.

  Mark drove past their church, in the middle of Romance, with its plain white block facade. Not known for its splendor, with out-of-date gold carpet and pews with no cushions, the church’s charm dwelled in the warmth of its congregation.

  From the time she could remember, her family had attended the small church of fifty or so faithful. When Pastor Frank retired, fiery young Curt came to town and promptly married their sister.

  “Look, you really like Mountain Grove.” Mark covered her hand with his. “Since I’ve been away, I got out of the habit of going to church with the folks. But you haven’t. You don’t have to do this.”

  “I want to. You know Mom and Dad would come, too, if they didn’t teach classes.” Adrea flipped down the mirror on the back of the visor and dabbed on mauve lipstick.

  Palisade was in Rose Bud, eight miles farther from the apartment and quite large. Helen said the congregation numbered 150. Approximately, 148 strangers. And one all-too-familiar pastor.

  With Mark at Palisade, she’d be more deeply drawn into the lives of the equally irresistible pastor and his son. Maybe Mark won’t get the position permanently. She mentally kicked herself. Palisade will keep Mark close. And keep me from being so lonely.

  As he pulled into the lot, the redbrick exterior looked big and imposing.

  “It means a lot that you’re willing to support me.”

  She managed a brave smile. “Let’s go.”

  They entered the church. Adrea surveyed the high wood ceiling. Deep burgundy carpet cushioned each footstep. The pews shone, freshly polished, with padded seats in an exact shade to match the plush floor. Every window boasted stained glass.

  Just as pretty as she remembered from the last wedding she’d done there. Prettier than Mountain Grove.

  Until recently, she’d never thought of where Mark’s calling might lead—or realized she’d feel compelled to support him. And on top of everything else, there was her attraction to Grayson Sterling.

  At the back of the sanctuary, Mark introduced Adrea to several people, with an impressive grasp of names and positions. With his powerful sermons and charming, boyish personality the congregation would love him.

  As she met several welcoming members, Adrea began to feel comfortable. Until she saw Grayson and Dayne. Her breath hitched.

  With them, she saw a fresh-faced woman who looked as if she could go horseback riding at a moment’s notice. Strong resemblance. Must be Grayson’s sister.

  Dayne ran to greet them. The adults followed.

  “Hi, Adrea, I’m so glad you came to church.” The boy grabbed her hand.

  “Me, too. I hoped to see you this morning.”

  “Are you gonna come here all the time?”

  “We’ll just have to see.”

  A deacon pulled Mark aside as the adults caught up with the excited child.

  Grayson began making introductions. “This is Grace, my twin. This is Adrea, the florist over in Romance.”

  “I’ve seen your lovely work at numerous weddings.”

  “You have?”

  “I’m a caterer. Delectable Entrees. Is thi
s your first visit to Palisade?”

  “It is. I’ve always attended Mountain Grove, but as long as Mark is here, so am I.”

  As Mark rejoined the group, Grace turned to him. “Ah, the prospective associate pastor. My brother works entirely too hard. I hope you’ll permanently take the position, along with some of his load.” She extended her elegant hand.

  “We’ll have to see what everyone else thinks of me and how well I fit in.”

  “My sister, Grace,” Grayson said. “This is Mark Welch, Adrea’s husband.”

  At Adrea’s sharp intake of breath, Mark tried to cover his laughter with a cough.

  Grayson cleared his throat.

  “Well, I assumed you’re married, since the two of you live together.” He knew of other churches lowering their standards to go along with the ways of the world, but not his church. He didn’t know what else to say.

  Surely, he hadn’t contacted a young seminary graduate living with a woman out of wedlock. Surely, Dr. Cummings wouldn’t have recommended such a candidate as a potential assistant pastor.

  “Mark is my brother.” Adrea blushed a pretty shade of pink.

  “I apologize.” A sigh escaped Grayson. At least, I wasn’t attracted to another man’s wife. “That day at the apartment, I just assumed…Who is Haylee?”

  “Our niece.”

  “Well, I had a whole little family set up.”

  “What class do you plan to attend?”

  Grace to the rescue. She tucked her hand in his elbow.

  “What are the choices?” Mark asked.

  “We have an adult, men only, women only, and a new singles class. I go to the adult. We’re studying the writings of the apostle Paul.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Mark grinned, looking ready to follow Grace anywhere.

  “What about you, Adrea?” Don’t sound so anxious.

  “The adult is fine.”

  Her words made his heart beat faster. Though he tried not to look at her, she was even prettier in her yellow dress with high-heeled sandals and a matching ring just above the knuckle of the second toe of her left foot. Her nails were peach today.

  The harpist began to trill a hymn.

  Ready to flee Adrea’s suddenly available presence, Grayson turned toward the stage. “I better get up there.”