Ministry to the Shepherds

by Annie Pelle

  Chapter 9

  Rachel walked into the kitchen on Sunday morning after their trip to Colorado. “How do I look?” she asked Robin. “Is my cast real noticeable?”

  “You look fine. Ethan will still love you even if your cast shows. You always look perfect.”

  “What’s wrong Robin?”

  “Nothing” she answered abruptly

  “UhHuh and that’s why you are snapping at me. Let’s try again, what is wrong?”

  “You will think I am silly.”

  “No I won’t, tell me. Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, it’s me. I want Tom to like my outfit and I’m nervous about sitting with him in church and I’m nervous that he won’t want me to sit with him at church and how his parents will like me when I meet them eventually and will our brothers tease us unmercifully when they find out and …”

  “Stop” Rachel interrupted “You are worrying over nothing. What is the underlying reason for all of this?”

  “I’m nervous. This Sunday is the first time Tom and I will be at church together as a couple. I didn’t go last week so today is the first time and I’m nervous.”

  “Okay, now I’m nervous too. You had to remind me of being with Ethan the first time as his girlfriend.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sit down and let’s pray about this and then you are going to call Tom.” Rachel said listening for Robin to sit down. Dear Heavenly Father, please calm our nerves about church today. We go to worship you and help us to not let the reactions of others take away from worship. In Jesus Name, Amen. Rachel ended her prayer and then spoke to Robin “Call Tom”

  “Why?”

  “Because maybe he is feeling the same way.”

  “Are you going to call Ethan?”

  “Yes, I believe I will.”

  “Okay, here is the phone to call Ethan. I’ll use my cell phone to call Tom.”

  Rachel dialed Ethan’s telephone number and waited for him to answer

  “Ethan Hayes” he answered

  “Hi”

  “Hi sweetheart. Is anything wrong?”

  “No, Robin and I are here stressing ourselves out about church today.”

  “Why?”

  “It is kind of a girl thing, we are nervous about being with you and Tom as couples today.”

  “That isn’t a girl thing. I’m a little anxious also. We didn’t clarify how much we wanted others to know. Do you want to sit by me before I preach or do you want me to just walk you to your car or do you want to be seen leaving with me as I take you to lunch?”

  “I need a little help to answer that, what do you want?”

  “First of all, will you go to lunch with me?”

  “Yes, I’d love too.”

  “Wonderful, then that answers part of the question. I would like it if you sat by me before I preach but that might really start the questions.”

  “I think I’d rather wait on that, I sit in the back so I don’t have to walk through as many people to exit. Let me not do it today, and then after I find out if Robin is going to sit near Tom, then she can still walk me out.”

  “Okay. But if I take you to lunch, I’ll be walking you out, won’t I?”

  “How about if Jeremy walks me to your office as the crowd thins out of the sanctuary?”

  “Great idea.”

  “I’ll talk to you at church then.”

  “Bye sweetheart.”

  Robin came back into the kitchen as Rachel hung up the phone. “How did your talk go?” Rachel asked Robin

  “He was nervous too. What about Ethan?”

  “He was anxious too.”

  “So what did you decide?” Robin asked

  “I’m going to sit in the back today and have Jeremy walk me to Ethan’s office after the service. Then Ethan is taking me to lunch. And what did you and Tom decide?”

  “After the choir leaves the loft, I’ll sit in the second pew and he’ll sit beside me. And after church, I’ll drive home and he will come get me and take me to lunch.”

  Rachel laughed gently. “Let’s start over. Good morning my wonderful sister, how are you today?”

  “I’m great. How are you?”

  “I’m great too. We are completely nuts.”

  “Yes we are.” Robin agreed going to the coffee pot. “I just had too much time to think and I didn’t ask enough questions about what he was thinking. I’m sorry I made you nervous too.”

  “That’s okay. I have one more logistical question. Where are you sitting in relation to where Ethan sits before he preaches?”

  “I would sit in the row behind where he sits. Why do you ask?”

  “He wants me to sit with him before he preaches but I needed to ask you first if it was going to be anywhere near where you were going to sit.”

  “I have an idea. Let’s not think about it anymore today. And this week, you and I will venture down to the church and take our guys to lunch. And at the same time, talk about logistics like that and how to make this all work for everyone’s comfort. Let’s see how today goes and how many questions we generate.”

  “I’m wearing off on you, that is a great plan.” Rachel smirked

  Robin laughed “Being housemates and sisters for twenty-five years is bound to have an effect. But you know what sister dear?”

  “What?”

  “I think those days of us being housemates are numbered. Who knows how high a number it may be but they are still numbered.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. That will take some getting used to, won’t it?” Rachel said

  “Yes, it will. Are you ready to go to church?”

  Rachel agreed and they headed out to the car after retrieving their coats. As they arrived at church they were met by their parents. “Hi Mom and Dad” Robin said as she opened her door. “How are you?”

  “We are good.” answered Jacob Hale “How was your trip?”

  “Wonderful, we had a great time.”

  “How is your leg, Rachel?” Jacob asked as he helped her from the car.

  “It is itching all the time, but other than that it is fine.”

  “Good and how is Ethan?” he whispered

  “He is fine too. Ask Robin how Tom is.”

  “Your mother is.”

  “Are you okay with this Daddy?” Rachel asked suddenly unsure

  “I’m fine with it. I will do my fatherly duty and have a nice chat with both of them though.”

  “Dad!” she exclaimed “We are not teenagers.”

  “No, you are my grown girls but I’m still going to talk to them.”

  “Okay. When? So we can warn them?”

  “I’m not telling you and they don’t need to be warned either. I’m sure they are expecting it from either me or your brothers, so who would you prefer?”

  “Definitely you.”

  “I thought so. See you later sweetie.”

  “Bye Dad.” Rachel said turning to go to the Bible study she attended

  “Hey you.” Ethan called as he walked up on her

  “Hi!” Rachel answered recognizing his voice. “What are you doing over here?”

  “Just looking for someone interesting to talk to.” He joked as he took hold of her hand to help her into her class. “Thanks for calling me this morning by the way. It was a great way to start the day.”

  “Yes it was.”

  “Hello Ethan” Robin said as she sat down next to Rachel

  “Hi. How are you today?”

  “I think you already know the answer to that question.”

  “I probably do. I’ll see you two later.” He said exiting their class room.

  “Well, that should start the questions flowing.” Robin whispered to Rachel

  “Why?”

  “Has he ever walked you into class before? And the look on his face was very easy to read.”

  “Don’t make me nervous again. What was the look on his face?”

/>   “He looked like he was talking to the most important person in the world to him.”

  “Okay, now you are going to make me cry.”

  “Rachel?” a voice asked “What is going on with you?”

  “Hi Beth. What do you mean?”

  “You have been gone for weeks and now all of a sudden Ethan is walking you to Bible study class.”

  “Yes and?”

  “Are you and Ethan seeing each other?”

  “Well, he sees me but I don’t see him.” Rachel stalled

  “Oh, that was bad.” Robin laughed “Very bad”

  “It was awful. Okay friend, spill the details.” Beth grumbled

  “Later. But the answer to your question is yes.”

  “That is fabulous!” Beth said hugging Rachel “I want details later.” She said moving back to her seat

  “One down, four hundred to go” Robin whispered as the teacher stood to begin the class. Rachel smiled her answer back to Robin.

  After Bible study class, Robin began to walk Rachel to her normal seat in the sanctuary but was stopped by everyone welcoming Rachel back. Ethan saw them and decided to rescue Robin. “I got this, Robin. Go to choir.”

  “Thanks Ethan”

  “Hi again” Rachel said as they walked along “Thanks for rescuing Robin.”

  “Not a problem. You wouldn’t happen to know why was I enthusiastically hugged by Beth Cameron a moment ago as she said she was so happy for me?” Ethan asked as he helped her to find her seat.

  “I’ll tell you later. Go do whatever it is you do before the service starts.” She said smiling and shooing him off

  “Yes ma’am” he laughed “I’ll see you in my office after the service. Hang on to these keys so you can get in.” he said placing his keys in her hand and giving her hand a gentle squeeze “Bye”

  “Hi Ethan” Jeremy said walking up to them “We need to have a nice long talk.”

  “No you don’t Jeremy. Go away Ethan, I’ll handle this.”

  “Anytime Jeremy. Anytime.” Ethan laughed walking away

  “Stay away from him Jer” Rachel said as her big brother sat down next to her “It isn’t any of your business.”

  “I’m the big brother, it certainly is my business. I just have to make sure he knows a few things.”

  “Jeremy” she growled

  “Oh, I won’t torture him too bad.” Jeremy said hugging her “Actually, I’m very happy for you two. Same for Tom and Robin.”

  “Thanks Jer. Will you walk me to Ethan’s office after church?”

  “Sure”

  After the service ended, Jeremy began to escort Rachel to Ethan’s office but they were stopped by a half dozen people asking where Rachel had been and how her leg was healing. Jeremy tried to keep them moving but wasn’t very successful. Eventually Ethan came to rescue Jeremy. “I’ll take over Jeremy. Call me about that talk.”

  “I will.” Jeremy laughed as he kissed his sister goodbye and headed out the door.

  “Hi again.” Rachel said as they walked along. “How many times have you rescued me today?”

  “Who cares” he laughed “You have my keys?” he asked as they reached his office. Rachel handed him the keys and he opened the door and walked her in and helped her into the chair. “This office is a mess so don’t venture around much. Someone has been too busy to make my new shelves.”

  “Hi Robin.” Rachel said suspecting Robin was nearby.

  “Hi. I wanted to make sure you got here okay. Jeremy sometimes leads you in circles just for the fun of it. And your shelves will be ready next week, is that soon enough for you?”

  “Yes, thank you.” He smirked “Are you ready to go sweetheart?” he asked Rachel

  “I’m starved.” She answered

  “See you at home later. Have a nice afternoon.” Robin said turning to leave. “I have my cell phone if you need me.”

  “And I have mine if you need us.” Ethan returned as he took hold of Rachel’s hand and led her from the office. As he walked her to his car, he noticed several people noticing them. “Well, there are about ten cars full of people watching us walk along. I think our relationship is out in the open now.”

  “Let the questions begin then.” Rachel said confidently as she buckled her seat belt.

  “And that reminds me… Beth Cameron?”

  Rachel laughed and told him about her conversation with Beth in Bible study class. He groaned at her joke too. “I thought it was funny.” She laughed “And she opened the door for it so I took it.”

  “It was still bad.” He laughed again. “So what details are you going to tell her?”

  “None whatsoever. Our relationship details are just between us.”

  “That is my opinion too. As preacher, most people think my life is open to the public but it isn’t. We will have to be careful about that.”

  “Most definitely.” Rachel agreed

  Ethan was quiet as they drove along. “Ethan?” Rachel asked a moment later.

  “Yeah?”

  “Could you see Robin as she sat with Tom? Did she look really nervous?”

  “I didn’t really notice too much. When I’m preaching, I can’t focus on one person or they might think I am preaching directly at them and accusing them of some sin. I have trained myself to look but not look if you know what I mean.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. I guess I have lots to learn about your profession and how to be a preacher’s wife.”

  “Don’t start on that again.” He grumbled

  “I wasn’t really. I need to learn how best to help you and not ask you silly questions. Like how nervous did my sister look?”

  “I apologize for jumping to conclusions. First of all you can ask me anything and second of all, I can’t look at you or any of your family members when I am preaching.”

  “Why not?”

  “I get too distracted and forget what I am preaching on. That first Sunday you were gone, every time I looked at your mother she gave me a sympathetic smile and made me feel worse, so I practiced skipping right over them. And looking at you might give away all my feeling for you.”

  “Uh, now that you mention that…Robin said it to me this morning.”

  “Said what?” he asked as he parked at the restaurant

  “When you left me in Bible study class she mentioned that the look on your face was going to start the flow of questions about us.”

  “The look on my face? What was my look?”

  “Are you sure you want the answer?”

  “Yes, absolutely.”

  “She said you looked like you were talking to the most important person in the world to you.”

  “Well, that is true but I hadn’t realized I showed it that much. Did anyone else notice it?”

  “Ethan that would be a little hard for me to know.” She joked with him “And other than Beth, no one said anything. And Beth just mentioned you walking me into class.”

  “I guess I did ask a dumb question.” Ethan laughed as he exited the car. He walked around and helped Rachel out of the car and into the restaurant. As they were seated and decided on what to order, Ethan noticed a table full of church member’s sitting over about five tables. “I’ll be right back.” He said leaving the table. He went and joked and laughed with them and then returned to Rachel.

  “Who is here?”

  “Your parents for one and about three other couples. If we wanted to be outed, we picked the correct restaurant. I hope your parents know what to say.”

  “My father will and my mother will let him do the talking.”

  “He cornered me today and wants to meet with me, should I be scared?”

  “Maybe.” Rachel laughed “No, he said it was his fatherly duty to talk to you and to Tom also.”

  “That’s okay then.” Ethan responded happily

  “But Jeremy is another matter, you don’t need him giving you a hard time.”

  �
�It’s okay. It is payback time actually, I picked on my sister’s boyfriends and husbands so it is my time to receive the same treatment. I can handle it.”

  “Just tell him no.”

  “I don’t think that will work sweetheart. Jeremy is a great guy and seems to be a fabulous big brother, I can take whatever he dishes out.”

  “Ethan, I’m sorry.”

  “Will you relax? I can’t give you a nuggie here in the restaurant but I would if I could. There is nothing to apologize for.”

  “Okay, I take it back.” She said laughing at him

  “So, how are you today? How are you feeling?” he asked taking hold of her hand.

  “I feel great. My leg is starting to itch all the time now but other than that everything is good. Those headaches finally went away too.”

  “What headaches?”

  “My head has hurt every day since the accident until the day before yesterday.”

  “I didn’t know that. Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t even think about it. I’m just glad they are gone now.”

  “I’m sorry if I did something to make you think you couldn’t tell me.”

  “You didn’t do anything and there is no need for you to apologize. I just didn’t tell you, I just really didn’t even think about it. I knew they were there but it wasn’t bad enough to make it worth mentioning.”

  “Okay but tell me in the future.”

  “Ethan, I always have some type of headache. I’m not going to tell you every time.”

  “Why do you have headaches so much?”

  “From my injury ten years ago. You never have asked me about that.”

  Ethan cleared his throat “Well, I sort of looked you up on the internet and read the newspaper articles on it and while you were gone, your mother told me the rest of the details.”

  “You looked me up on the internet? What does it say about me?”

  “It says, beautiful but hard headed next to your picture.” He joked

  “You are nuts.” She laughed “What does it really say?”

  “The newspaper article just gave the facts of you accident. But like I said, you mother filled me in on the details.”

  “Did you ask her or did she just tell you?”

  “On New Year’s Eve your mom and I were talking about you and the topic came around to you and she ended up telling me the details.”

  “You spent New Year’s Eve with my mother?”

  “Yes and Thanksgiving and Christmas. I kept hoping you would show up to be with your family, then I could kidnap you and we could have a long talk.”