He’d just move with her.
Parking behind the florist shop, he stepped out of his car and stared at the wrought iron stair case. He climbed it and knocked, but got no answer. He finally found her out front setting a pot of tulips on a display table. He stood on the sidewalk admiring her in her flowery dress and sparkly white heels.
“Audrey.”
Her head snapped up like a deer stumbling upon people. “What are you doing here?”
He shook his head. Had she not figured it out yet? “You’re here. And I don’t want to be anywhere you aren’t.”
Her hand hovered and shook above the red and yellow tulips. “I can’t believe you did that. Why? They need you, Gabe. This town needs you.”
He inhaled, flowery scents mixing with the aroma of restaurants cooking up Sunday Easter lunches. “I need you. I choose you. It’s not a contest.”
Chin quivering, she glanced around like she might be getting punked. “I don’t want you to quit being a pastor so you can be my…mine.”
He stepped toward her, slowly. “I am yours, and if I should be a pastor, then God will make a way for me to do that. And you’ll be right there with me. Audrey, I don’t care about all the things you think you should do to be a pastor’s girlfriend, or fiancée…or wife. I don’t want you to change you. I love you…God loves you…just the way you are.”
She clutched her chest, blinked, and broke into a mile-wide grin. And then, in those glimmery heels, she sprinted into his arms. Exactly where she belonged. He lifted her tiny self off the ground and gazed into her eyes. “You’re all I want. Forever.”
“I love you. I do.”
“Wait a minute, I want you to say that last sentence again. But let me set it up better. Audrey Gilbraith, will you do me the greatest honor and make me the happiest man on the planet by becoming my wife?”
“I do.” She giggled until he cut it off by pressing his lips against hers. He possessed them with excruciating tenderness, allowing himself the pleasure of slowly savoring this moment. This defining moment in their lives. A moment of change that came with anticipation, and hope, and future together. No matter where. No matter what. They had each other.
Her hands curled into his hair and a longing, a passionate ache, spread like the sun peeking over a midnight sky. Glowing until nothing was left but white hot light and a desire so strong it nearly put him to the ground. He broke away ragged.
Audrey grinned and scraped her teeth across her bottom lip. “I’m gonna make your boutonnière. And it’s going to be the best boutonnière any groom has ever worn.”
He laughed at this wonderful, ridiculous woman. “I will wear it proudly. As long as it’s not in the shape of Darth Vader or has fruit attached to it.”
“I really do love you.” She pecked his lips. “I’m going to stop comparing myself with others and be more intentional about using my gifts. It’s just taken me a minute or two to figure out that God can use them.”
“Like with said boutonnière,” he teased.
“Exactly.” She laid her forehead against his. “I’m going to make you proud.”
“Audrey, my love, you already make me proud.” He inched in for another kiss when a car…no three cars pulled to the curb and out stepped most of the board members, along with Knox and Eden and Cassie…and Sierra Bradley. Still holding Audrey off the ground, Gabe noticed many cars started lining the street.
Knox motioned with his head to Leonard and Betsy. Was he scaring everyone into coming by?
“What’s going on?” Gabe asked and put Audrey on her feet. She straightened her dress and linked her fingers with Gabe’s, a united front.
Betsy marched forward in her pink suit, lipstick to match. “We’ve made a mistake. A grave mistake, Pastor Gabe and Audrey.” Betsy’s eyes turned misty. “I realized it…we realized it as you preached the message, about giving what you had. When you said change was hard.”
Leonard put his arm around Betsy. “We’re old, Gabe. Set in our ways. We thought the only instrument that should be played was the organ.” He snorted. “Nathan fixed that, and now we’re used to a lot of music. I guess we were afraid that if you didn’t have the right person by your side, you might buckle under the pressure and responsibilities and leave us. Or have a marital crisis.”
“Turns out, we’re the pressure causing you to buckle. We love you. We love you, too, Audrey. You know I changed your diapers in the nursery back in the day. Mercy, you were fat.”
“Could do without that reminder, Betsy,” Audrey muttered as her cheeks flushed. Gabe squeezed her hand and smirked. They’d make the fattest, cutest babies ever.
“What Betsy and all of us are saying is we acted in haste based on our stubbornness and unwillingness to change. Some change is good, and who you choose to love isn’t our business,” Leonard said.
“Unless it’s a dime store hooker,” Knox added, “then you got to go.” He grinned over the peppermint stick between his lips. Some things didn’t change—like his occasional off-color remark or his support of Gabe and Audrey from the get-go.
Betsy frowned and ignored his comment. “Please, don’t leave us. We need you. I need you. I needed that word today.”
It was pretty big of the board to track him down and repent. To admit they were wrong. That’s the kind of flock he could guide. Not to say there wouldn’t always be a few goats bucking... “Where’s the Dilworths and the Penningtons?”
“Probably just joined First Christian.” Leonard chuckled and took an elbow to the side from Betsy, but she smirked and nodded.
“So if my future wife—as we are now engaged, minus the ring—doesn’t want to sit in the front row, or lead the women’s group, or passes on bringing dinner to new moms and sick members, there won’t be a stink?”
“We kind of hope she won’t bring food.” Sierra Bradley winked and Audrey grinned as a knowing look passed between them. He’d have to ask her about that later.
“It’s really not up to us to say who would make a proper wife for you or not. Please, don’t resign,” Betsy begged.
Eden hugged Audrey.
The crowd that had formed held a mix of hopeful expressions, tears, and grins.
He looked down at his fiancée. “We’ll need to talk about it.” This meant she wouldn’t get to go to Chicago and be a florist.
Audrey shook her head. “No, we don’t. I love this town. I love this church, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be, but when a florist job opens up I’m taking it. Just so ya know.”
He gave her a good, sloppy smack on the lips. “I love you.” He turned back to the crowd. “We’re staying.”
Gabe’s seemingly dead dreams—of losing Audrey and the church—had been brought back to life. And on the day they celebrated Christ’s resurrection no less. Just proved, once again, that Jesus had not lost His power and still pulled hope from the ashes to create tangible beauty in the lives of His people.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Six months later
Audrey sat on the stone bench watching the waterfall empty into the pond, the lulling melody drawing her eyes closed. April showers had turned to May flowers, at least in her heart. Hope had bloomed and she’d given her insecurities over to God, though on occasion, she had a relapse; but it didn’t last long. Not when she reminded herself of who she belonged to and how He was enough to cover all her weaknesses and failures.
Dotty and Sharon had been traveling since they retired the shop to Jax Woodall, who opened up a custom-made furniture store. It was actually quite cozy. He was nice enough. Quiet. It was still weird not having the Harris sisters there or around much, but one thing they didn’t miss was Audrey and Gabe’s wedding.
Right here in the prayer garden. With fresh flowers and hundreds of multi-colored gerber daisies. They’d finally finished it in July, and in August, Audrey had said, “I do.” They’d been married two months and a day. The best two months and a day of her life.
Cassie had helped her paint and decora
te inside the parsonage. At first, Audrey thought living in Eden’s old house might be weird, but after Cassie was done, it was like a brand new place. Girl had talent. She’d even had Jax Woodall build them a custom farm table and chairs and a few accent tables. Although, Audrey wasn’t sure why she used Jax’s services at all. Every time Cassie left the place, she seemed miffed. Which was odd since the guy barely spoke.
But Audrey was glad. Because this was now home.
She hadn’t found a job yet, but she and Gabe had discussed her opening her own shop. A little place across from the Bean Emporium was up for lease. It was smaller than The Petal Pusher, but Audrey didn’t mind. They’d also discussed a landscaping business in the future.
“I wondered where you were.” Gabe had kept the beard. It was sexy. Yes, indeed, her sexy pastor man. “Knox called and wondered if we might want to watch baby Rachel. They wanted to take Eli out just by himself.” Only a little over six weeks, the dark haired Knox juniorette, only prettier and without a peppermint stick, had stolen Audrey’s heart.
“What’d you tell them?”
He wrapped his arm around her and drew her close. Safe. Secure. “I told them we’d do it. I’m hoping it puts you in the mood for one of our own.”
“I don’t need to babysit to be in the mood.” She giggled and he kissed her forehead. “I heard Foster Hillingsworth got married.”
“I know.” A wicked grin spread across his face and his eyes twinkled. “I sent him a thank you card.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I am not. I thanked him for the breathing room. He did me a great big favor.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“What does that mean?” Breathing room? She laughed through the confusion.
He traced the lines furrowing her brow with his finger. “It means I thanked him for not marrying you.”
God had a better plan for Audrey. A place where she fit, even if she thought for awhile she might not. All her mistakes really had been used for good in the end. Not that she wouldn’t change them if she could go back, but she couldn’t go back. Couldn’t undo what was done. But instead of staying painted in shame, she’d embraced the precious gift of grace and let God give her an amazing and abundant life.
“Hey Gabe. You really are kidding, right?”
“What do you think?” His playful eyes revealed the truth.
As he pressed his lips to hers, she smiled. “I hope you signed my name, too.”
____________________
If you enjoyed this novella by Jessica, please sign up for her newsletter, Patched In, and receive notifications when new books release. Occasionally, Jessica writes novellas and gives them exclusively to her subscribers FREE for a limited time! Don’t miss out! Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
_______________________________
Books by Jessica R. Patch
Hope Under Mistletoe: Book 1 in the Seasons of Hope series.
Her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense will release in early 2016.
A Note From the Author
I hope through this story that God has shown you how special and wonderful you are. Many times, like Audrey, we don’t see that the things we’re good at and love to do can be used to bring God glory. We spend time comparing ourselves to others. But God has made us unique. He’s got a good plan mapped out just for you! Grow in Christ and embrace the way He designed you. Use your unique talents to be a blessing and know that He loves you…just the way you are.
I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at: [email protected] or visit my FACEBOOK page, my BLOG, and join me (@jessicarpatch) on TWITTER. And don’t forget about the Just the Way You Are Pinterest page! Come by and see who I cast for Gabe and Audrey, as well as take a peek at some of the fun scenes from the book.
Warmly,
Jessica
About the Author
Jessica R. Patch lives in the mid-south where she pens inspirational contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. When she’s not hunched over her laptop or going on adventurous trips in the name of research with willing friends, you can find her sneaking off to movies with her husband, watching way too much Netflix with her daughter, dominating her son at board games, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she'll probably never cook. Her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense will release in early 2016. She is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
Acknowledgments
There are so many people in my life to thank.
My family. You are supportive of everything I do and I don’t take it for granted. I love you.
My agent, Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management. You are a constant encouragement and godly adviser. Thank you for choosing me. I’m always grateful to you and for you.
Susan Tuttle. You are the best sound board ever. Thank you for never tiring of my “what if” texts, our endless phone chats, and for giving my stories their first rough draft read-through. My critique partners probably should thank you, too. You make their lives easier as well.
Jill Kemerer. Thank you for not only supporting my writing but taking it under your wing as if it were your very own and pouring everything you have into making it a better a story. You are a brilliant author and critique partner.
Michelle Massaro. Thank you for always making yourself available to put those stellar editor eyes on my manuscript. You always push me to be better.
Melanie Williamson. Thank you for setting aside chunks of time to proofread. You rock! Any errors found are solely mine.
Dorothy “Dotty” Harris, Kathy Martin, Corey Phillips, and Celeste Robinson. Thank you so much for participating in my call-out for help in naming the florist shop and Audrey’s two cats, and to Celeste for the funny phrase, “We sell it, you smell it.” I hope ya’ll got a real kick out of seeing your names as characters.
Table of Contents
Just the Way You Are
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter ONE
Chapter TWO
Chapter THREE
Chapter FOUR
Chapter FIVE
Chapter SIX
Chapter SEVEN
Chapter EIGHT
Chapter NINE
Chapter TEN
Chapter ELEVEN
A note from the author
About the author
Acknowledgments
Just the Way You Are (Seasons of Hope Book 2) Page 10