The Pastor's Woman

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Pearl was totally entranced by his compelling personage. Too bad he’s not my type.

  “I have to admit that I’m very surprised to see you here,” she confessed. “Are you a friend of the bride or the groom?”

  “The bride,” Wade responded. “Cassie Green’s family and I go way back. Her father is actually the reason I applied to Lakeview Baptist in the first place. He told me the church needed a pastor.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Switching topics, she asked, “Have you ever been here before? To Mackinac Island?”

  Shaking his head, Wade responded, “This is my first time.”

  “So did you enjoy taking the ferry over?” No cars were allowed on the island, so guests were delivered to the church via horse-drawn carriages.

  He nodded. “I couldn’t imagine an island without cars, but it’s nice and scenic over here.”

  After the bride and groom danced the first time as husband and wife, it was time for the other guests to join them on the dance floor. Pearl and Wade found themselves alone at their table.

  “This is probably a silly question,” she asked, “but do you dance?”

  “I love dancing. I just haven’t done it in a long time.”

  She eyed him in amazement.

  “What?”

  “I guess I expected you to say that you didn’t know how,” she confessed, pushing back a strand of hair. “I’m shocked, but then again, I haven’t seen you dance. I’m not sure you have any rhythm.”

  Wade laughed. “Why? Because you think I’m such a stuffed shirt?”

  Grinning, Pearl responded, “Something like that.”

  “Sister Pearl, I’ve never claimed to be a saint. I’m far from it.”

  She gave him a sidelong glance. “So do you want to give it a try? Would you like to dance with me?”

  “Sure.”

  Pearl stood up, waiting for Wade to escort her to the dance floor. She walked slowly, her body swaying to the music. “I love this song.”

  Wade took her to the middle of the dance floor and began moving to the music.

  She was impressed. He was a really good dancer.

  The song ended and another began while they were still on the dance floor. Wade didn’t guide Pearl back to their table until a slow song came on.

  “I have to confess I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  Stroking his chin, Wade responded, “Miss Lockhart, believe it or not, I actually know how to have a good time.”

  “What constitutes a good time to you?” she questioned. “What is it that you do for fun?”

  “I read.”

  “Something other than the Bible?”

  Wade chuckled. “I happen to enjoy mystery thrillers and I read a lot of science fiction, too.”

  The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “Interesting. Who’s your favorite author?”

  “James Patterson. I’m reading his latest novel at the moment. Tell me, what do you do for fun?”

  “I love the water so I spend a lot of time at the beach during the summer,” she responded. “I’m a history buff so I’m always taking tours and doing research. And, of course, I love music.”

  “I love history myself. In fact, I’ve been reading some books on the history of Detroit.”

  “Have you ever been to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History?”

  “I plan on going. I’ve heard the exhibits are fantastic.”

  Pearl agreed. “My favorite is the one where you travel through time. You start your journey in prehistoric Africa. Then you watch the evolution of ancient civilizations. I got really emotional crossing the Atlantic Ocean—”

  “The middle passage,” Wade interjected.

  She nodded. “That part of our history is painful but it’s also an inspiration to me when I think of our ancestors fighting to end the horrors of bondage and striving to build a legacy of freedom for future generations. You definitely have to see it, Pastor.”

  “I’d like to experience that journey.” Wade held her gaze. “Is there anything else I should see?”

  “I’m sure you’ve been to the Motown Museum, right?” Pearl glanced over at his well-defined profile. Wade was a good-looking man, she couldn’t deny that.

  “I have,” he confirmed. “I’ve also been to the original Dunbar Memorial Hospital.”

  “When the hospitals denied care to African-Americans, several doctors formed the Allied Medical Society, who then acquired the Charles W. Warren House and converted it into a hospital in 1917. Dunbar Hospital didn’t just provide care, they also sponsored nurses’ training classes and internships for graduate students. Did you know that?”

  “You really are into your history, aren’t you?”

  She broke into a grin. “I told you. I love history.”

  Their conversation drew to a halt when Harold and Ivy Green walked over to where they were dancing. Wade hugged Ivy and shook hands with Harold.

  He then introduced Pearl.

  Aunt Ivy complimented her. “You were absolutely wonderful. Your singing moved me to tears.”

  “Thank you,” Pearl murmured in response. “The ceremony was very inspiring. Your daughter is a beautiful bride.” As she spoke to Ivy, she was ever conscious of Wade beside her, his good looks, his virile appeal. And it bothered Pearl. An attraction to Wade would be perilous.

  “Wade,” Uncle Harold began, “I want to introduce you to a good friend of mine who’s here. Bob Whitfield used to work with me and your father. He left six months before your dad passed.”

  Turning to Pearl, Wade said, “I’ll be right back.”

  She was thankful to have some time alone to gather herself.

  Girl, you need to get a hold of yourself, she silently chided. Stop acting like you’re in heat.

  Wade returned to the table ten minutes later. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t come across many people who knew my father much.”

  “I understand totally.”

  The band began playing a familiar song, which Pearl sang along to. Her eyes traveled over to Wade. Giving him a sheepish grin, she said, “I love that one, too.”

  Wade gave her a smile that sent her pulse racing.

  It was time then for the bride to throw the bouquet.

  “Shouldn’t you be up there with the rest of the single women?”

  Pearl wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I’m not about to make a fool of myself over some flowers, no matter how beautiful they are.”

  “You’re not superstitious, are you?”

  “Naaah.” Pearl pushed away from the table. “What I need is to get some air. It’s stuffy in here.” As an afterthought, she added, “Care to join me?”

  Wade rose to his feet. “Sure.”

  He followed her as she navigated through the sea of people in the ballroom. She was just a few yards from the door when a flash of vivid color floated across the room.

  Pearl gasped in surprise as the bouquet fell into her hands. Wade threw back his head, cracking up with laughter.

  Before she could utter a word, cameras were flashing all around her. She glanced over at Wade, who was still laughing. “What’s so funny?”

  “I wish you could see the expression on your face.”

  Grinning, Pearl responded, “With all these cameras I’m sure I will.” Loving the attention, she posed for a series of pictures before escaping through the nearest door with Wade.

  She was still clutching the bridal bouquet when she stepped outside in her coat. “It’s cold but it feels better out here than inside.” Truth be told, she didn’t know whether she was having hot flashes or if just being around Wade was making her overheated.

  “It’s nice out here.”

  She gave Wade a sidelong glance. “I heard Mr. Green say that your father passed away. How long ago did it happen?”

  “When I was fourteen. My dad was a policeman. He was killed on the job.”

  “We have something in common, then. My father died when I was eigh
t years old. He was a policeman, too, and killed in the line of duty.” She glanced up at him. “Were you and your father close?”

  “He was my best friend. What about you?”

  “I loved my daddy like crazy. I keep a picture of him by my bed. Losing him was hard but when my mother died five years ago, I thought I’d lose my mind.”

  “How did she die?”

  “She had pancreatic cancer. Mama died three months after the diagnosis. We didn’t even have a chance to get used to the fact that she had cancer.” After a brief pause, Pearl said, “Okay, enough of this kind of talk. We’re at a wedding reception.”

  “The celebration is winding down.” Wade checked his watch. “I guess I’ll head back to the ferry in a few minutes.”

  “Hey, do you want to go on a tour?” Pearl blurted, surprising herself. “If you’d like, I can rent a carriage and drive you around.”

  His eyebrows rose in astonishment. “You can handle a horse and buggy?”

  “Yeah. I love horses and I’ve been riding since I was ten.”

  “But have you ever driven a carriage?”

  “Not really,” Pearl confessed with a grin. “But it can’t be that hard.”

  “Why don’t we just hire a driver to take us around?” Wade suggested.

  Folding her arms across her chest, Pearl inquired, “You don’t trust my skills, Pastor?”

  “It’s not that. I just thought we could enjoy the tour together.”

  Pearl broke into a short laugh. “Careful, Pastor. You’re dangerously close to fibbing.”

  Wade chuckled. “I think we’ve been around each other long enough for you to call me by my given name.”

  “Only if you call me by mine.”

  “Agreed.”

  Pearl ventured off to make the arrangements for their tour of the island. She returned a few minutes later saying, “It’s all set. We’re taking a carriage ride.”

  They made small talk as they waited for the horse and buggy to arrive.

  Wade assisted Pearl into the carriage. He followed, sitting beside her.

  She reached for the blanket and covered up. “It’s beautiful out here but cold. You’re going to have to come back in the summer for one of the lighthouse cruises.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  As the carriage took them around the island, Pearl pointed out the sights, adding interesting details and amusing anecdotes.

  When the carriage came to a stop, Wade turned to her. “I’m enjoying the ride and the company. Thank you for doing this, Pearl.”

  Their eyes locked, sending her heart hammering against her ribs. She struggled to rein in her emotions.

  A man sits beside me and I’m about to fall apart. I know it’s been six months since my last date but this is crazy.

  “Pearl,” Wade prompted.

  “Huh?” She came out of her reverie.

  “I think you were going to tell me something about the lighthouse. You told the driver to stop here.”

  “Oh, yeah,” she mumbled, her heart hammering foolishly. “The lighthouse.”

  “Thanks for the tour,” Wade said when they were seated on the ferry back to the mainland. “You know a lot about this place.”

  “You’re quite welcome, Wade.” She flashed him another of those million-dollar smiles that had mesmerized him on the carriage ride. His gaze slid downward, moving over her body slowly, enjoying the view. He gave himself a mental shake.

  “I’m sure you’re as knowledgeable about Chicago,” Pearl said.

  Wade nodded. “I am. Born and raised there until I was eighteen.”

  Where did you move to after that?”

  “Gary, Indiana.”

  “So you didn’t move too far from Chicago?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Do you like living in Detroit?”

  “I do,” he answered, then posed a question of his own. “So how did you end up singing at Cassie’s wedding?”

  “I know Roger Hamilton’s family. They’re friends with Luther Biggens, who’s like a brother to me. I think you met him at the family reunion. But I actually get invited to sing at a lot of weddings and other events.”

  “I’m not surprised. You have a lovely voice.” He smiled at her. “I remember meeting Luther. He’s the one who owns the car dealerships.”

  Pearl nodded. “Did you enjoy yourself at the family reunion?”

  “I had a real good time.”

  “Until our debate, huh?”

  He laughed.

  “You really don’t have a problem sharing your opinions, do you?”

  “Why should I? Besides, the way I see it, you and I have that in common. I couldn’t believe how you called me out on the length of my skirt like that.” She laughed. “I wanted to strangle you, Wade.”

  “I see you have a violent streak, as well,” he responded. “We’re going to have to take that to the altar.” Wade couldn’t resist teasing her.

  Pearl laughed. “I can’t believe you said that to me. Especially sitting right beside me. You’re a brave man.”

  He liked the sound of his name on her lips. “I’ve got the Lord on my side. Seriously though, I just didn’t want you distracting our boys, but some things are just beyond my control.”

  The amused look suddenly left her eyes. “Explain yourself.”

  “Pearl, you’re a very beautiful young woman. You attract a lot of attention.”

  “I’m not trying to do that.”

  Wade raised his brows inquiringly. “You love attention. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “Okay. I’ll admit that I do enjoy it. But to be a singer you have to love a fair amount of attention.”

  “It’s not a criticism, by any means.”

  “You draw a certain amount of attention yourself, you know?”

  “That’s because I’m in the pulpit. I—”

  Pearl cut him off. “Hardly. Wade, you’re a handsome man. That’s a draw—even for a man in ministry.”

  “And all this time I was thinking it was my soul-stirring sermons that had the pews filled every Sunday.”

  “You can preach, but most of the honeys crowding the first three rows are there to check you out. Trust me.”

  He laughed.

  “I don’t mean any disrespect, but I’m telling the truth. Hey, whatever it takes to get ’em in the church—that’s what I say. Work it, Pastor.”

  “What am I going to do with you?” Wade had never seen this side of Pearl, but he liked it. She was a chameleon, which was probably why the youth at church loved her. She was skilled in her ability to relate to both the adults and the teens.

  He believed Pearl definitely had a wild side to her, but seemed to keep her life in balance. Wade admired that about her.

  “We should head toward the exit,” she said. “The ferry’s about to dock.”

  He nodded in agreement. Deep down, Wade felt a thread of disappointment that their time together was coming to an end.

  Pearl’s mind was still on Wade Kendrick when she arrived home. A quiver surged through her body as she recalled how much she had enjoyed his company. The fact that they hadn’t disagreed once only added to her pleasure. Maybe she’d made the wrong assumption about him.

  “We had a nice time,” Pearl whispered to her empty bedroom. “The pastor and I. He’s not as bad as I thought.”

  Paige wasn’t home, so she changed into something more casual and strolled into the library, where her keyboard was set up in one corner of the room. Pearl sat down and began playing.

  She gave up after only an hour because her mind just wasn’t on her music. She was still thinking about Wade and their carriage ride after the reception. Pearl hoped that she hadn’t been too forward with him.

  But it’s true. Wade is fine.

  Restless, with Wade still dominating her thoughts, Pearl walked over to the treadmill sitting by the window in her bedroom, trying to ignore the strange aching in her limbs. She turned it on and began a steady
, slow pace.

  Maybe this will work this man out of my system, Pearl thought to herself.

  “Wade, you’re driving me crazy,” she whispered. “I need you to stop it. Just stop it.”

  She didn’t stop jogging until she reached her personal goal of three miles. Pearl could barely walk but she managed to drag herself to the shower.

  Even the exercise didn’t tire her mind and her racy thoughts of Wade. It was after midnight but she still struggled with falling asleep.

  Pearl began singing the lullaby her mother used to sing. Her eyes grew wet.

  “Mama, I miss you so much. Why did you have to leave when I need you so much?”

  Chapter 5

  Pearl was looking forward to service this morning, although she kept telling herself that it had nothing to do with Wade.

  She’d enjoyed showing him around Mackinac Island but Pearl refused to make more out of it. It was nothing more than a simple carriage tour. She would’ve done that for anybody, she rationalized.

  When Paige was ready, they left for church. Pearl had to be there early because the youth choir was singing this morning.

  “You never did tell me how the wedding was,” Paige said. “I bet it was beautiful. The Hamiltons know how to make any celebration the event of the year. I don’t know anything about the bride’s family.”

  “They’re the reason Wade…uh, Pastor Kendrick is here in Detroit. They’re close friends of his family.”

  “I guess he was at the wedding, then?”

  Pearl nodded as they walked down to the parking garage. “Yeah. I gave him a tour of Mackinac Island.”

  “Wade, huh?” Paige murmured. “So you two are on a first-name basis? And you two took a horse-and-buggy ride around the island? How very romantic.”

  Ignoring Paige, she unlocked the doors to her SUV. “Get in the car.”

  “You and Pastor must’ve had some conversation yesterday at the wedding.”

  Her accusing tone grated Pearl’s nerves. “Drop it already. There is nothing going on between us.”

  “Then why are you acting so defensive?”

  “I’m not,” Pearl replied a little too quickly. “I was only trying to be sociable. The man is the pastor of the church I attend.”

  “Uh-huh. If you say so.”