Arizona Pastor

by Jennifer Collins Johnson

  “I want to do this.” He tapped the top of the steering wheel. “I need to help you somehow.”

  “Why?”

  “I care about you, Kristy.”

  She cocked her head and studied him for what seemed an eternity. He’d have loved to know what she was thinking. Finally, she whispered, “I’ve been saving money for this already, but if I go overbudget, you can help. Okay.”

  They walked into the shop and perused the dresses. She turned to him with a playful look. “What would you think a fancy dress costs these days?”

  He hadn’t thought of that. What did a mother-of-the-bride dress cost? He hoped not more than a hundred. He glanced at the nearest price tag and held back a gasp. No. Obviously, they could cost a great deal more than that.

  Seeming to read his thoughts, Kristy’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “The last time I was in a dress shop, Leah told Mel her limit was seven thousand.”

  Wade coughed, and Kristy laughed out loud. She grabbed his hand, and electricity shot up his arm when her fingers wrapped around his. “Let’s head to the back, where they have sales. If we can’t find anything, we’ll hit the mall.”

  The dresses in the back were much more reasonably priced, and Wade sighed with relief. “Does the color matter?”

  “Her wedding colors are hot pink and purple. Since the bridesmaids are wearing both colors, I thought I’d get a pastel version of either one.”

  Though he felt a little weird and completely out of his element, he pulled a light pinkish dress off the rack. “This looks pretty.”

  Kristy lifted her brows. “That dress is way too small for me.”

  “What size do you wear?”

  She blew out a breath. “As if I’m going to tell you that.” She pointed to a padded bench to the side. “You just have a seat right there. I’ll go through the dresses.”

  After what seemed like hours, Kristy turned back to him with a ridiculous amount of satin and lacy clothing draped over her arm. She tilted her head. “Are you sure you want to sit here while I try on all these dresses?”

  He smacked his hands against his thighs. “I wanna see every one of’em, too.”

  “Okay.” Kristy winked. “But you’re asking for it.”

  An hour passed. He had looked at every shape and style of dress ever created. Who’d have thought there could be so many pinks and purples in the world? Every dress was either too short or too long. Too young or too old. Too loose or too stiff. He had no idea a person could feel so many things and experience so many concerns when trying to purchase a single item of clothing.

  He understood why men didn’t shop with women. Why comedians wrote jokes about the experience. He was being tortured. Plain and simple. He’d even suggested it. Scratching his jaw, he realized he’d seen many women in the store. Young and old. But not a single man. Every other male on the planet had more sense than he did.

  She opened the door to the fitting room. Like almost every other gown she’d tried on, she looked amazing. “What do you think?”

  He clasped his hands. “You look terrific. I think we could get you a potato sack and you’d look great.”

  She narrowed her gaze, then grinned. “That sounded a tad sarcastic. Is someone getting a little tired of looking at dresses?”

  “No,” he lied, then thought of his last sermon and how he’d encouraged the church to speak the truth in love. He shook his head back and forth. “Okay, maybe I’m a little bit tired.”

  Kristy feigned a hurt expression, but the twinkle in her eyes proved her teasing. She turned back to the mirror and then flipped the piece of ruffled fabric at the top. “I don’t like the lace here.” She looked at him. “Let me try on just one more.”

  “I told you I’m fine.”

  While she changed again, he scrolled through the apps on his phone. He’d used up all his lives in every silly game he’d downloaded to the electronic device. Clicking it off, he shoved the phone in his pocket, then tapped his fingers on the top of the bench.

  “How about this one?”

  She wore a light pink dress that touched the top of her knees. The shoulder straps were probably two inches wide and the neck dropped down in a V shape. A pretty glittery silver belt-like design wrapped around her small waist. But it wasn’t a belt. It was more like a decoration. Whatever it was, she looked beautiful. “It’s perfect.”

  “I think this is the one.”

  “But it seems as if I already saw it.”

  “It’s the first one I tried on.”

  Wade dipped his chin and glared at her. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Nope.” She chuckled. “Are you ever going shopping with me again?”

  “Probably not.”

  She pouted. “So you wish you’d never offered?”

  Wade stood and shoved his hands into his pockets. He knew she was teasing, but her expression sent his senses into overdrive. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and press his lips against her pouty ones. He nodded to the door. “You just go change back into your clothes. We’ll get the dress, then head for some ice cream.”

  She disappeared back into the dressing room.

  And if he could muster the courage, he might sneak in a good-night kiss.

  Chapter 17

  He still hadn’t kissed her. Kristy shoved her laptop in the briefcase and zipped it up. She’d been sure Wade would kiss her when he’d taken her home from their date on Saturday. For the second time, she’d even leaned in a bit when he’d walked her to the front door so that he’d know she was willing. Instead, he’d yanked his keys out of his front pocket and walked to his car.

  She’d had trouble focusing on his sermon the next morning and, when they’d talked a few moments after church, had needed to squash the never-leaving butterflies in her stomach. He hadn’t called or texted since then. Sure, it wasn’t even quite Monday afternoon, but they’d had a good time on Saturday night.

  At least, she’d had a good time. The hour in the dress shop might have been a bit much for him. Again, she chuckled, remembering his expression when he’d seen the original price tags of the dresses in the front of the store.

  He’d tried to act excited about each dress, but she’d caught him more than once playing a game on his smartphone.

  She walked out the front double doors of the community college. The hot July air actually felt nice after leaving the frigid classroom. She’d almost reached her car door when someone grabbed her arm, and she made a fist with her other hand.

  “You’re being kidnapped.”

  Kristy blew out her breath and flexed her fingers. “Wade. You just gave me a heart attack. You’re lucky I didn’t punch you.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t.” He lifted up a red tote bag she recognized as her own. “Come on. You’re going with me.”

  “And just where are we going?”

  “Fishing. Surprise Lake.”

  Kristy snorted. “I haven’t fished since I was a kid. I don’t have a fishing license, and—”

  Wade placed his finger on her lips, and she sucked in her breath. “We’re going to get your license right now. I have a picnic lunch ready for us, and Mel packed some casual clothes for you.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Aren’t you prepared for everything.”

  “I told you. I’m kidnapping you.” He gently tugged her arm. “Now go get in my car.”

  Feigning frustration, she traipsed to his vehicle. He opened her door, and she slid into the passenger’s seat. He got in behind the wheel. They drove to a local store, and he purchased her license while she changed in the public restroom. She grimaced as she shimmied and twisted in an effort not to touch the stall walls or place her bare feet on the concrete floor. Wade was the only person who’d be able to convince her to do this, as she used public facilities only when absolutely necessary. And changing clothes in a store bathroom should never be necessary.

  Dressed and ready to go, she stepped out of the bathroom, and Wade waved a paper in the air. “Y
our license is taken care of. Let’s go.”

  Kristy plastered a smile to her face. This was just the kind of date she’d always dreamed of: stabbing an innocent worm with a hook and then yanking up a slimy, smelly fish a few minutes later. But then she had to admit she kind of owed him. Their first date had been a fashion show of Kristy, so she supposed she could survive an afternoon of fishing.

  At the park, she asked Wade what she could do to help him set up their lunch, but he refused any assistance. While he placed a vinyl tablecloth on the picnic table, she picked at her fingernails. Watching him take a bucket of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and coleslaw from a large container, she decided right then that she would get a kiss from Wade today. Even if she had to do it herself.

  He pulled a small container of sweet tea as well as individually wrapped strawberry cheesecakes from a cooler. “Okay, I think we’re ready. It’s all from a fast-food restaurant, but it’s still one of my favorite meals.”

  “Looks good to me.” She pressed her palm against her stomach. “I haven’t eaten in hours.”

  Wade motioned for her to have a seat on one side of the picnic table, then he sat down across from her. He took her hands in his and said a blessing over their meal. When he looked up, he sucked in a big breath and then exhaled. Standing, he walked back over to her and took her hand, lifting it until she stood.

  “I’ve gotta do this before I lose my nerve.”

  Before she could figure out his meaning, Wade leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. He started to lift his head after a quick peck, but Kristy wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Eagerly, he claimed her lips again and then deepened the kiss.

  Fireworks seemed to explode in her chest, in her mind, all over her. She hadn’t kissed a man in decades, and Wade’s soft yet urgent lips made her head spin.

  He pulled away from her. His blue eyes smoldered with a fire she hoped one day to ignite into a full flame. “Wow,” he whispered.

  She touched his cheek with her palm, loving the feel of his coarse stubbles. “It’s about time.”

  * * *

  The week had been one of the best Wade could recall. Every time he opened God’s word, some truth or encouragement jumped off the page and into his heart. He was on fire to preach and teach the Bible.

  And he’d found reasons to see and kiss Kristy every day. One night, they’d watched a movie together at her house. Another, they’d taken Bo to the dog park. After Wednesday-night church service, they’d gotten ice cream. On Thursday, they’d shared coffee. Another evening, they’d had an official date, another nice restaurant. They’d even exercised in the gym together one afternoon.

  He made his way into the music minister’s office before the Sunday-morning service. Chad was tuning his guitar, his expression one of concern.

  “Worried about the songs this morning?” asked Wade.

  Chad huffed. “That’s an understatement.”

  “I picked them out. You can blame me.”

  Chad grinned as he scratched his beard. “Oh, I will. Don’t you worry.”

  Wade laughed, and Chad pointed to the bulletin. “Seriously, this is a good worship lineup for now. Start with a contemporary version of an older hymn, segue to a faster contemporary praise song and then sing a hymn before you preach.”

  “I’m hoping it will be a good compromise.” Wade studied his new friend. “You’re worried about the guitar, aren’t you?”

  Chad placed his palm against the guitar’s belly. “I mean, I know it’s not like we’re adding drums, but they’re so used to only having the piano.”

  “Becca’s playing the piano as well, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “The best thing to ease our fears is to pray about it. We’ll pray the Holy Spirit will lead the music and that the church will be receptive to Him. Worship is about Him, not us.”

  After a quick prayer, Chad seemed more confident, and Wade felt a covering of peace. They made their way to the sanctuary and started the service. God’s presence filled the church. The faces of both young and old members shone with praise. Wade preached the scriptures God had shown him earlier in the week. As he shook hands with the congregation at the end of the service, many expressed pleasure with the music.

  Feeling good about their committee meeting later that afternoon but exhausted from a busy week, he went home and took a short nap before heading back to church. He walked into their meeting room and was surprised to see Greg and Freddy sitting beside each other, talking about Freddy’s teenage grandson. Becca and Kristy sat together. He wasn’t sure what they were discussing, but Kristy’s face flushed when she smiled at him. He sat down in an open chair. “Has anyone seen Eustace?”

  “I’m sure she’ll be here. She and Dortha were yakking on the phone just a little bit ago,” boomed Freddy.

  Wade clasped his hands and rested them on the table. “I received a lot of positive feedback from the congregation about the music. What did you all think?”

  “I loved it,” said Becca.

  “Definitely,” added Greg. “I, personally, enjoy more contemporary, but I thought it was a terrific balance for our church.”

  Freddy patted Greg’s back. “I’d have to agree with Greg. My grandson even said he’d come back tonight for youth.”

  Wade looked at Kristy, and she shifted in her seat. “You know I liked it.”

  “Well, I hated it.”

  All heads turned at the sound of Eustace’s voice. She glowered as she entered the room and plopped down in the chair beside Kristy. “I hated it,” she said again.

  “Okay. What did you hate?” asked Wade.

  “The only good part was the hymn.” She pointed her finger at Becca. “Her husband shouldn’t be bringing a guitar into the Sunday-morning worship service. It ain’t right.”

  Becca sat up straighter and lifted her chin. “And who decided ‘it ain’t right’? You? Where in the Bible did God say not to have a guitar in worship?”

  “It’s a slippery slope,” Eustace spat out.

  Wade touched each woman’s forearm to keep his two congregants from waging a full-blown war. He studied the older woman. She seemed especially tired and worn. He recognized the look, because though he was decades younger than her, he’d seen the same signs on his own face. She was battling something. Not a cold or a physical ailment. She had a spiritual war raging inside her. “Eustace, you have a right to your opinion. Tell us what else you didn’t like.”

  “We shouldn’t have fast music in worship. It ain’t right.” She waved her hand. “These young people come in and just want to change everything, when we’ve worshipped God just fine for years with the old songs.” She motioned to Freddy. “Even Dortha said she didn’t like the music.”

  Freddy puffed out his chest. “Now, wait a minute, Eustace. I know that’s not true. The woman even made me listen to some contemporary-Christian music station on the way home.” He looked around the table. “I suppose it wasn’t all bad.”

  Eustace huffed. The committee continued to talk, and Wade made a list of things they liked and didn’t like about the program. Eustace seemed determined to challenge every positive remark. Even with her objection, the members agreed to try the same format again the next week. When Wade closed in prayer, he followed Eustace out of the room.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “What?” she snapped. “Just because I disagree with you that means something is wrong?”

  “You just seem upset.”

  She waved her hand. “Of course I’m upset. I’m being forced to listen to awful music during my worship service.”

  Before he could comment, she hustled away from him. More than just music was bothering Eustace. He’d make it a point to pray for her, pray that God would give her peace and joy that could come from only Him.

  Chapter 18

  Kristy glanced at the two hundred mini succulent plants in small white pots that stretched across most of the deck in her backyard. She wri
nkled her nose and turned to Carrie. “How did I get stuck with this job?”

  “You’re the mom.”

  Kristy huffed. “I’ve had a say in very few things for this wedding.” She pointed to her chest. “I said party favors for the guests was a bit extravagant.”

  Carrie rocked Noah side to side and patted his bottom as he fought taking a nap. “But Leah felt they were necessary.”

  Kristy nodded in exaggerated motions. “Exactly. And as such, don’t you think she should fix these things?”

  “I don’t think it works that way.” Carrie pointed to the only completed plant. “This is what it’s supposed to look like?”

  “Yep. She made sure I had an example, since I’m not overly crafty.”

  Carrie snorted. “You have the worst crafting abilities I’ve ever seen.”

  “Hey!”

  “Let’s face it. You can barely get the tape off the dispenser.”

  Kristy held up a pile of cellophane pieces. “That might be why she went ahead and cut these out.”

  “The paper is already cut?”

  “Ribbon, too.”

  “What are you complaining about? Just wrap up the plants and be done with it.”

  “Fine.”

  Kristy picked up a plant and set it in the center of one of the cellophane pieces.

  “I think she used two,” said Carrie.

  Kristy glared at her. “You just rock my nephew and leave the decorating to me.”

  Realizing her sister was right, Kristy picked up a second piece and put it on top of the first. She lifted each side around the pot, but when she tried to wrap the ribbon around it, a corner of the cellophane popped out. Pursing her lips, she tried placing the paper in her hand, then putting the pot in the center of her palm. She tried to shimmy the ribbon from the bottom, but she needed both hands to make the cellophane even on both sides of the plant.

  “Oh, for crying out loud, take the baby.” Carrie sighed. She rolled her eyes as she shoved Noah into Kristy’s arms.

  Kristy cuddled her nephew to her chest, then wrapped his light receiving blanket around his body. She jostled him gently and rubbed his back until he’d fallen asleep in her arms. She kissed the top of his downy head and whispered, “I’d rather be good at cuddling babies than crafting anyway.”