A State of Grace

by Traci DePree

  A State

  of Grace

  Mystery

  and the Minister’s Wife

  Through the Fire

  A State of Grace

  Beauty Shop Tales

  A Test of Faith

  The Best Is Yet to Be

  Angels Undercover

  Into the Wilderness

  Where There’s a Will

  Dog Days

  The Missing Ingredient

  Open Arms

  A Token of Truth

  Who’s That Girl?

  For the Least of These

  A Matter of Trust

  Funny Money

  To Have and to Hold

  How the Heart Runs

  A Thousand Generations

  Home to Briar Mountain

  Flight of the Sparrows

  A Firm Foundation

  Off the Record

  A Distant Memory

  Tea and Sympathy

  The Master’s Hand

  Strangers in Their Midst

  Mystery and the Minister’s Wife is a registered trademark of Guideposts.

  Copyright © 2007 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. Inquiries should be addressed to the Rights & Permissions Department, Guideposts, 110 William Street, New York, New York 10038.

  The characters and events in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.

  All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

  Guideposts.org

  (800) 932-2145

  Guideposts Books & Inspirational Media

  Cover design by Dugan Design Group

  Cover illustration by Rose Lowry, www.illustrations.com

  Interior design by Cris Kossow

  Typeset by Nancy Tardi

  Printed in the United States of America

  To Marjorie Lois Siedschlag Mielke.

  I love you, Ma.

  Chapter One

  The aromas of fresh paint, new-sawn lumber, and varnish filled Kate Hanlon with a sense of wonder as she made her way into the quaint Tennessee church. So much had happened in the short time she and her pastor-husband, Paul, had been in Copper Mill, and yet it was as if this were their very first Sunday here—the Sunday that should have been.

  Her mind flashed back to the scene. It had been a beautiful autumn day as they made their way into the valley, fresh from San Antonio. Leaves in shades of orange, red, and brown had obscured her vision of the town. Then she caught her first sight of Copper Mill from the road above, with its tree-lined streets and rows of houses. To the southeast she noticed a trail of dark smoke, and as they wended their way toward the town, it soon became evident that it wasn’t from any campfire. The church they’d come halfway across the country to minister in was ablaze. The town was devastated. Suspicion floated in the air with the news that the fire had been intentionally set. So much grief and anger had poured out in those first days, along with sadness that trust had been broken in the small town. And yet, here they were today, starting anew. Kate crossed the threshold into the foyer and sanctuary as the organ began its prelude. It had a sweet sound, that organ, donated through the generosity of Eli Weston. The antiques dealer had purchased the piano-sized instrument at an auction the previous month just for this day.

  Kate stopped to take in the sight. She’d been here daily, it seemed, while the workers were rebuilding, but she wanted to savor this moment. She thought of the Christmas service, held in the unfinished space, but aside from that night, the congregation had been meeting in her living room since the fire. Now construction was complete. White walls reached up toward thick wooden beams that girded the ceiling like the ribs of a giant whale. Plain windows along the sides of the sanctuary let in the bright sunlight. The Smoky Mountains were visible in the distance, as were Copper Mill Creek, shimmering with early morning mist, and the many hills surrounding the small town.

  Walking into the sanctuary, Kate silently wished there were something more to brighten up the space, for while it looked habitable, it hardly looked homey.

  She thought of the church they’d left behind in Texas. Paul had pastored Riverbend Community, a megachurch in San Antonio, for the past thirty years. Its stylish furnishings had been chosen by a decorating committee, and everything had been just so. But here in Copper Mill, Paul and Kate served the needs of a little more than 150 members; they hardly had the budget that the five-thousand-member church had had.

  Kate passed rows of oak pews and greeted the members with a smile on her face and a wave here and there as she took her place next to Paul in the front row. The pew was sturdy, well built, though not particularly beautiful. She sighed and realized she wouldn’t move back to San Antonio for all the decorating budgets in the world, for while funds might be tight at Faith Briar Church, they felt God wanted them here among these people, people who truly cared and would sacrifice no end of resources to help one another. She’d seen it firsthand in the rebuilding of the small church.

  THE ORGAN THAT continued playing gloriously was on the left of the sanctuary. Sam Gorman sat on the bench, concentrating as his eyes scanned the hymnal before him. Kate enjoyed watching him—his head bobbed up and down with the melody as if he was doing more than playing notes, as if the song reached a place deep inside him.

  Kate settled her purse on the floor and reached for her hymnal.

  When she straightened up, she felt a tap on her back. She glanced behind her. Livvy Jenner leaned across the pew and whispered, “Good morning.”

  Over the past few months, Livvy had become Kate’s closest friend. Although Livvy’s teenage boys were still at home and Kate’s were all grown and living on their own, the two seemed to understand each other. Perhaps it was their common love of books and their shared sense of curiosity, or that they naturally knew what the other was thinking. Whatever the case, Kate was glad to have made a dear friend so soon after moving to Tennessee.

  “Don’t you look nice today!” Kate said. The forty-something town librarian wore a smart-looking navy suit with a hint of floral in the blouse that peeked from underneath. Her auburn hair was up, as it often was, showing off her high cheekbones and hazel eyes.

  Livvy blushed and whispered, “I had to dress up for such a day of celebration.”

  Kate nodded her agreement. She’d been looking forward to this day for months too. Now that it was here, it seemed time had evaporated with their labor.

  As the prelude ended, Paul rose and made his way to the platform, where he took his place behind the podium. He flashed Kate a lopsided smile, which she returned with a wink. He looked so handsome in his dark suit with his salt-and-pepper hair and stunning blue eyes.

  The organ paused, then Sam began to play the first hymn. Paul motioned for everyone to stand, and she turned her attention to the hymnal. She could hear Paul’s rich tenor above the rest, lilting to the tune of “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus.”

  Kate let the words seep into her being, filling her with a sense of contentment. “Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me...” It was one of her favorite hymns, and she was glad Sam had chosen it for this special morning.

  When the song had ended and people had taken their seats, Paul paused, gazing at his congregation and taking in a deep breath. Kate could see the shimmer of moisture in his eyes and the satisfaction in his expression.

&nbs
p; “What a glorious morning,” he said. His gaze traveled around the simple sanctuary as he gestured with a broad sweep of his hand. “Look at this place, at what God has done in restoring what we all thought was lost. What was a horrible tragedy, God has turned into a blessing.” His grin broadened. “Isn’t that just like him? I look at each of you, who were once strangers to Kate and me, and today I see friends. A family forged by adversity. No welcome party could have done what this hardship has done, for it has created a bond between all of us unlike any other. I’m grateful to all of you who worked so hard to get us to this point.” He paused as his eyes met those in the congregation, then he continued. “Your perseverance has shown me what an awesome church we’re serving. Your willingness to sacrifice—” Paul’s voice broke as he said the word.

  Tenderness swept over Kate at seeing her husband so overcome. It wasn’t often that he cried, and when he did, she knew it came from a deep place within his heart. She watched in rapt attention as tears formed in her own eyes.

  Paul regained his composure and said, “This is God at work. Right here in Copper Mill, Tennessee. He can take the worst situation and make something beautiful out of it. That’s what he does.”

  A tear escaped Kate’s lashes and coursed down her cheek. She dabbed at it with a tissue she pulled from her purse.

  For Kate and Paul, driving all the way from Texas and arriving in Copper Mill to find a burned-down church and a devastated congregation had been a rough start, to be sure, but Paul was right; it had birthed a deeper connection with the people than there ever could have been without it. There had been obstacles and struggles, but together they’d worked through them, and now they were stronger, more unified.

  Kate thought of others in the congregation, especially Eli Weston, who had accidentally started the church fire. He’d been devastated by the fire and, before that, by the death of his fiancée, Diedre. The church hadn’t pressed charges, and Eli had come through the ordeal stronger in faith and character, a more integral member of their community than he’d ever been.

  Her gaze lifted upward as Paul continued his sermon. So much was right about this moment. The people had made it that way, and yet Kate sensed there was still something more to do to make it complete. To show in some tangible, outward way what had happened in the inner life of Faith Briar as a church body.

  Her thoughts turned back to the austerity of the sanctuary. While it held a certain beauty, the freshly painted walls were devoid of the touches that made a place a home. Even a simple cross at the front would do much to give it the boost it so badly needed.

  Paul’s words resounded in her ears: What was a horrible tragedy, God has turned into a blessing. It was so like God to do that—to bring life from death, to bring beauty out of ashes, to turn the dark of winter into the brightness of spring.

  As she pondered, she realized there was something she could do. She had the ability, after all. And it could be a gift for the members of Faith Briar who had done so much to make them feel welcome.

  She’d have to work and plan to make it just right. And she’d need to get the approval of the board of elders, though it might be fun to make it a surprise...even for Paul.

  She smiled. What would he say if he knew she was keeping such a secret from him? The idea grew.

  It would be a huge undertaking; she’d never done anything of this scale before. But maybe, just maybe, she could pull it off.

  THE COUNTRY DINER was abuzz with the chatter of after-church patrons. Paul and Kate waited by the front door to be seated. The smell of biscuits and gravy, cooked sausage and hash browns, and the smoky scent of barbecue permeated the air. There was a reason this place was popular—and it wasn’t the atmosphere, though with its gingham curtains and blue Formica tabletops, the diner did have a certain quaintness that grew on a person.

  The counter was filled with regulars—Sheriff Roberts and Deputy Spencer, both in uniform, sipped coffee as their plates of barbecued ribs arrived. Betty Anderson and her husband were sitting next to them. Betty’s bleached hair made the beauty-shop owner hard to miss. Her husband was a smallish man whom Kate only seemed to recognize when he was accompanied by his wife. Kate gave them a wave.

  “Be right back, y’all,” LuAnne Matthews called over her shoulder as she flew past. The heavyset redhead delivered water to a nearby table, then stood pencil and pad in hand as she took the diners’ orders.

  Paul reached for Kate’s hand. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Kate smiled up at him. “I was so proud of you today.”

  Paul arched a teasing brow. “Really?”

  She shrugged. “You’ve accomplished so much with this church in such a short amount of time.”

  Paul reached an arm around her waist. “I don’t know that I did all that much.”

  “You’re too modest,” Kate said.

  “All I know is I’ll be glad to get back to the business of regular life and being a pastor instead of a construction supervisor.”

  “Is there such a thing?” Kate asked, wrinkling her nose. “Regular life, I mean?”

  “Maybe not, but a little less stress would be nice. I’m picturing that quiet, simple pastoral life we came here for.” The lines around his eyes crinkled as he smiled.

  Kate smiled too. “Are you sure you’re not living in a fantasy world?”

  “Never.”

  While her husband yearned for a quiet life, Kate wasn’t sure how she would fare in such a state. All the busyness of the past months—remodeling the run-down parsonage and raising funds to rebuild the church, not to mention finding out about Eli’s unwitting role in setting the fire—had been energizing for her. She loved the hubbub and activity. It vitalized her.

  Kate sighed as LuAnne returned to seat them. “Hey, Pastor...Kate. How are y’all? It’s hoppin’ today!” she said, wiping her brow with the hem of her apron and setting her horn-rimmed glasses firmly back on the end of her nose. “Where were you wantin’ to sit?”

  “A booth?” Paul nodded toward the front of the Country Diner that looked out onto Hamilton Road, one of Copper Mill’s main streets. Cars and pickups ambled up and down the road. To the east, Copper Mill Creek was visible beyond the Town Green that was now frosted in white. Rolling, sugar-coated hills rose in the distance.

  “Alrighty,” LuAnne said and led them to the only open booth.

  Kate and Paul took their seats as LuAnne slid the menus onto the table in front of them.

  “The special today is barbecued ribs for $3.99.” She gave Paul a look that said she knew he’d like that. “Loretta made the best stack cakes this morning...lots of apples.” Then she was off to greet another group at the front door.

  Kate leaned toward her husband. “I can make ribs for you at home,” she offered.

  Paul’s clear-blue eyes sparkled. “You’d add wheat germ or bran flakes to the sauce! No thank you. I’ll get them here where they’re untouched by your health-conscious hands.”

  Kate smirked and looked down at her menu. They’d been here so often already that she had practically memorized the sheet.

  “So...?” Paul said.

  “So, what?” she asked, still reading, trying to choose between a blackened chicken salad and a roast-beef sandwich.

  “You sighed before. You never sigh unless something’s bothering you. So out with it.”

  LuAnne arrived with their water and then dashed off to the next table before Kate could ask what kind of dressing came with the salad.

  “It’s nothing,” Kate said, shaking her head.

  “We’ve been married thirty years, Kate Hanlon. I know when it’s nothing and when it’s something.”

  She shrugged, then relented. “I guess I’d gotten used to all the activity after we first got here. Unpacking, fixing up our new home, getting acquainted with the ladies at Faith Briar, discovering who started the fire...I don’t know. I’m wondering what I’ll do to keep busy now that I don’t have a hatful of to-dos on my list. It’s silly.”
>
  “Figuring out how to use that new cell phone of yours is sure to keep you busy,” Paul teased. He had insisted she get a cell phone after her investigation into the church fire had nearly gotten her killed. At his request, she carried it with her so she could call for help.

  Kate laughed.

  Then Paul’s tone grew serious. “But it’s totally understandable that you’d wonder, although I assumed you’d help me at the church. At least counseling couples, and the women...” He reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze.

  Kate paused for a moment in thought. “I want to be available for whatever the church needs. You know that. But it’s not the same as working full-time like I did in San Antonio...having a reason to get up every morning.”

  “You could look for a job.” Paul raised his eyes from the menu that was spread before him and took a sip of his water.

  Kate met his gaze. “You’ve never complained but I know it’s hard on you when I’m working so much, and it doesn’t exactly leave me available to help when things come up.”

  Paul smiled, then paused in thought. “You could set up a stained-glass studio, really do something with that hobby of yours.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I’m completely serious,” Paul said, his eyes reflecting his sincerity. “You’re a gifted artist. Why not take this time to explore that gift? The kids are grown. We have an extra bedroom...” He sat back while Kate considered the idea.

  Kate couldn’t believe that Paul suggested exactly what she’d been thinking. It had long been her dream to have her own glass studio, where she could create beautiful works of art, but in San Antonio, the time had never been right. There were always kids to raise or church activities to plan, not to mention the demands of her job as an executive assistant in an accounting firm. Yet there was nothing as exhilarating as seeing an idea fully crafted into a stained-glass masterpiece that caught the light in a kaleidoscope of color. Her excitement began to bubble as the possibilities dawned.