Ministry to the Shepherds

by Annie Pelle

  “Yes, I only heard from the Director of the Federal Aviation Administration on that side of the family.”

  “You did not. Carly just wanted to know if the regional airport on this side of town was closer than Albuquerque International.”

  “I don’t even want to know anymore.” Martha gave up. “I think you two should have eloped.”

  “See” Ethan said happily “I love you Martha.”

  “I love you too Ethan.”

  “Ethan, you know eloping wasn’t possible. You just aren’t a member of an unknown family. This wedding stuff isn’t important to us, it is important to them. That’s why we are doing it, it still gets us to the same place. Husband and wife. And that’s what I keep remembering as the Secret Service calls me.”

  “Thank you for reminding me. I love you more than Martha.”

  “Well, I would certainly hope so.” Martha exclaimed happily.

  “I don’t know. Martha is a pretty good catch.” Rachel countered “We should fix her up.”

  “Bite your tongue. I’m too old.”

  “Uncle Jameson is single, how about I arrange it for you to be his dinner companion at the reception.” Ethan said

  “Yeah, you do that.” Martha grumbled.

  Rachel was about to respond when the doorbell rang again. “There is the rest of the crazy crew.” Ethan went to answer the door and found Tom and Robin then saw the rest of the family pulling up in their vehicles.

  As everyone kind of settled in the living room, Ethan announced why they were here for dinner. “Rachel and I need you to go through the house with us and decide if this is a house Rachel is safe in or if we need to look at selling this house and moving.”

  “I really need your eyes to point out true problems. Remember to look at the future too, being pregnant, children. We plan to hire a housekeeper/nanny but I’ll still need to think of how I’ll care for children in this environment. Are the stairs too steep? Stuff like that.”

  Ethan sent everyone off in a different direction and told them to look over every part. He and Martha continued to prepare dinner as they Hale family wandered his house.

  “You are pretty brave to have Rachel’s entire family wander through your house.” Martha stated as they worked in the kitchen.

  “For Rachel’s safety, they can put rubber on all the walls for all I care. If this house isn’t good for her, we will move.” Ethan commented as he went to start the grill in the backyard. It was still cool out so they would cook outside but eat inside.

  The tour of the house ended about the same time as dinner preparations were completed so they all sat down to eat then discuss the house. Ethan led in prayer Lord, I’m blessed to be part of the family sitting around this table. Thank you for the love they have given me and the trust they have shown in me to take care of Rachel. In Jesus Name, Amen.

  “Okay Pearl, let’s start with you.”

  “It is a great house but I think Rachel will have some problems.” Pearl went on to describe the areas she saw as problems. Jacob agreed with her and added a couple more. Robin, Jeremy and Paul agreed but didn’t add any new ones.

  “Well, then we need to go shopping for a new house then.” Ethan stated to Rachel.

  “Will you mind?”

  “Nope” he said happily “You need to be safe sweetheart.”

  After some discussion on houses, Ethan changed subjects on them. “The second reason you are here is because we have something else to tell you about.”

  “Ethan’s dream is to help underprivileged children. He is in escrow to buy a huge warehouse a few miles from here that he is turning into a youth center.”

  “Congratulations Ethan” Jacob announced

  “As we looked at the property a few weeks ago, we meet a teenager named Malcolm. He impressed me and I have hired him to work for me. He is rounding up kids to design flyers to advertise for workers on the building. He is picking kids to work with me and the architect on the design team. I’ve also hired his father to probably be the project manager and his mother is a good artist and has drawn some sketches for the inside.”

  “You hired a teenager to run this project?” Jacob asked

  “Yes. He is doing a great job so far. We talk everyday and he keeps me informed. I think his popularity has grown at school. Today he told us that kids are coming up to him to ask to help.”

  “Why this kid?” Jacob asked again.

  “That’s kind of a long story…” Ethan began as he reached for Rachel’s hand. Ethan told the story of his grandfathers’ mission for their grandkids. He told all the way through to picking Malcolm because of the questions he had asked and about his name.

  “Are you giving up preaching to run this center?” Robin asked

  “No. I’ll hire a managing director. Rachel and I will choose a board of directors as an oversight group. We covet your prayers on this project, I think it has great potential.”

  “It certainly does.” Jacob agreed impressed with the man who loved his daughter. “Rachel, what about your business?”

  “Well, along with calls from former presidents and the Secret Service, I have received several calls from ministers nationwide this week and it seems word is getting around on what ministers would like to see us offer. I’ll be praying and hopefully find a way to make those changes.”

  “Is funding an issue?” Jacob asked

  “No, Daddy, time and talent partly. With wedding plans, I’m a little busy but also, I need to hire some other people with specific talents if I pursue these requests.”

  “You’ll keep me informed.” Jacob stated

  “Dad, you help me with the bookkeeping, I think you’ll know the answer before me.”

  Jacob agreed and the rest of the dinner and the evening discussions centered around the two weddings. Martha tried to help Ethan clean up but he told her he had it covered and drafted Jeremy, Paul and Tom to help him. After the guests left, he and Rachel talked a while then he drove her home.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.” Ethan said kissing her good night.

  “I love you.”

  Chapter 15

  Six months later

  “Let’s do this thing!” Rachel announced to Robin, her mother and her father as she waited in the room off the ballroom. “I’ve been dressed for an hour and my feet already hurt.”

  “We can’t yet. You were too anxious to get dressed, the crowd isn’t through security yet. And you’ve only been dressed fifteen minutes. Robin, distract her.” Pearl instructed leaving the room

  “How am I supposed to distract you? I’m as nervous as you are, my wedding is in three weeks. Thankfully it isn’t quite this big.”

  “Maybe because I’m blind and can’t see them, I am not worried about the crowd.”

  “You’ll notice them in the receiving line though, sweets” Robin reminded her. But between the wedding and the start of the receiving line, she was changing shoes and wouldn’t be in heels.

  “Okay” Pearl spoke coming through the door “the crowd is seated and the music has begun. I have one minute to tell you that I love you and you look beautiful.”

  “Thank you for everything Mom. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “My pleasure darling.” She said gently hugging her daughter then rushing from the room. The wedding coordinator knocked a moment later and Robin, Rachel and their father left the room.

  It had been a whirlwind six months. Ethan’s house had to be sold and they found a new one pretty quick. The warehouse property had closed and Malcolm’s involvement had become greater but he was thriving with the responsibility. The neighborhood had welcomed the start of the youth center. The architect’s plans had been approved by the city and now the bids were being solicited for the work. Mark was advising Ethan when Ethan had questions.

  “Okay sister, are you ready?”

  “Yes, can you see Ethan?”

  “Yes
, he looks a little anxious but very handsome.”

  “Okay, Robin” the coordinator queued her to start walking the aisle then the door was shut to the ballroom. Jacob and Rachel took their place. “I love you Rachel and I’m very happy for you and Ethan.”

  “Thank you Dad.”

  The ballroom door opened and Rachel and Jacob began their walk and Ethan got the first look at his bride. He got a few tears in his eyes as he saw how happy she looked. Her gown was a strapless gown with embroidered bodice that elongated her frame. She looked stunning.

  Jacob stopped at the spot he was told and the ceremony began. A short few minutes later, Jameson Hayes stepped up to sing. He had a great voice and the words made Rachel cry and Ethan squeezed her hands in empathy. As the song ended, the minister, Ethan’s former teacher, pronounced them husband and wife. Ethan gave Rachel the most loving kiss and hugged her tight then turned to greet the crowd.

  “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Hayes” the minister announced as Ethan and Rachel walked back down the aisle. Ethan and Rachel escaped into the room for a couple of minutes of privacy before the receiving line.

  “I love you Mrs. Hayes. You look gorgeous.”

  “I love you Mr. Hayes.” She said as he kissed her deeply.

  Epilogue

  Four years later

  Ethan watched from the sliding glass door, Rachel play football with their sons. “Tillie, what is she doing?”

  Tillie was the housekeeper/nanny they had hired several years ago. “She is playing football with James and Nathan.”

  “I see that. How and why?”

  “They were really restless this afternoon and into everything. And with Malcolm here, she took them outside to play football. She throws, the boys chase the ball, try to throw it to Malcolm then he hands it to her.”

  “She’s completely crazy.”

  “They are having a great time.” She said opening the door and shoving him out.

  “Daddy’s home” Rachel announced and James and Nathan took off running to Ethan. James and Nathan were their two year old twin boys. Ethan bent down and caught them up in his arms. He kissed them and then they wanted down to go play with Malcolm again.

  “How did you know it was me?” he asked kissing Rachel

  “I told you a long time ago, my heart knows when you are around.”

  “Hey Malcolm” Ethan greeted after he kissed Rachel again. “Did I forget a meeting?”

  “No, I have something to tell you.”

  “Okay, it is bad.” The youth center had been operating for three years now and it was full to capacity every day, every class. Malcolm still held a position as advisor to the senior who had taken his place last year when he started community college.

  “I got a scholarship to the University of Texas for next fall. I’ll be moving away.”

  “I’m thrilled for you Malcolm.” Ethan said hugging the teenager. Malcolm had done a fabulous job with his assignments and Ethan had been so glad he had given him a shot at the position. Now he could use his experiences for his future.

  “Thank you for believing in my all those years ago and giving me this chance at a different future for me and my family.” Malcolm’s mom was coordinator of the center’s Learning Life Lessons and she taught them basic skills for life. Malcolm’s dad was the managing director of the center.

  “You are so welcome. You impressed me that first day and I’ve never been sorry I chose you or your parents to do their jobs.”

  Nathan and James mobbed Malcolm as he stood talking to their father. Ethan grabbed up James while Malcolm grabbed up Nathan and they are walked into the house to find Rachel. “I’ll miss these little guys.” Malcolm said solemnly “And you and Rachel. Will you email me sometimes?”

  “Absolutely” Rachel answered “They’ll miss you too. I’m not very good at football without your help. And I’ll miss you very much.” She said going to hug Malcolm. Malcolm announced he had to leave shortly thereafter. Ethan and Rachel took the twins to the family room to play with them.

  “How was your day?” Rachel asked Ethan. He was still pastoring the same church. Rachel had stepped into the role of pastor’s wife like it was made for her. Her concerns about not being able to help him were so far away from reality that it never was even mentioned anymore. “My day was good but now being home with you, my day is great!” he said pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply. “I’m so glad you married me.”

  “The first time you called my business was the best phone call I ever got. Now I have you, the love of my life and the twins. I have been given so much by our Heavenly Father.”

  “Amen” Ethan echoed as he watched his wife and sons “I’m so blessed.”

  ###

  Thank you for reading my first ebook. I began writing about five years ago in my mid-forties to capture the stories in my head on paper and thereby removing them from the continuous loop replay in my dreams. I have read romance novels for nearly thirty years and my writing space in my home contains hundreds of books in boxes and bookshelves and stacks on top of boxes and bookshelves. I always have one or two books going at one time. I started writing to please myself and my husband kept up the pressure until I found a way to publish what I had written.

  Please send your comments to me at mailto:anniepelle53@gmail.com

  Coming Soon

  Stage West

  Dalton

  Lindsay

  David

  Warm Comforts

  Missed Signals