by J. B. Hawker
“Would you go with me?”
“Sure. I don’t have time this week, though. How about next Friday?”
“Perfect. Thank you so much for helping me with this. I feel more settled in my mind, knowing that I, or rather, we have a plan.”
“I’m always happy to help you anyway I can, Bunny, you know that.”
“Yes, and I appreciate it. You are the kind of pastor I always wished for. As you must be aware, it can be difficult for a minister’s wife to know who to go to when she has troubles, especially if her husband is part of the problem.”
“Did you have many problems while you were married to your minister?”
“Let’s just say that there were many times when I sorely needed spiritual counsel and felt the lack. In our denomination, the area supervising minister is supposed to serve as the pastor to the local pastor and his family, but sharing family secrets with a person with denominational oversight can hurt a pastor’s career. I have longed for a church family with a pastor I can trust and rely on.”
Scott, who had been sitting with his arm draped on the sofa behind Bunny, stood up abruptly, “Well, we at the Bannoch Community Fellowship are happy to be your new church family, Bunny. Turn to us anytime.”
Bunny thanked Scott, again, and walked with him to the door.
Before leaving he paused and took Bunny’s hands in his, and murmured a quiet, “God bless and keep you.”
Bunny reset the alarm and went to her desk to make a note of the trip to the Port of Tacoma on the following week.
It was going to be a real blessing when this whole episode was behind her.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. –Exodus 23:14
On one of her daily rambles Bunny found a perfect Adirondack-style chaise lounge for her patio at the thrift store and was wheeling it home. It was cumbersome and hauling it over the curbs was awkward, but she was getting a good workout and felt utterly virtuous.
The chaise badly needed paint and had one broken slat, but it was unbelievably cheap, so she couldn’t pass it up. A new coat of paint and a brightly colored cushion and it would be perfect on her patio.
With her head down wrestling it over another curb, Bunny didn’t see Shirley approaching on the sidewalk.
“Let me help you, Bunny! You should have called. If Jack knew you wanted furniture moved he would have brought the pickup.”
“Thanks, Shirley. I wasn’t furniture shopping when I came out, but I found this beautiful bargain and couldn’t pass it up. It’s only hard work on the curbs. Where were you going? I don’t want to delay you.”
“I’m going to Naidenne’s to check on my crafts and see what needs to be replaced. We’ve actually started to make some sales. I took Jack out to dinner on my profits last night. He was gob smacked that my doodads were paying for his meal. Of course, I don’t count the money I spend on my hobby when calculating the profit, but he doesn’t need to know that, does he?”
“What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him, I guess. But, you do want to keep track of your expenses so you can deduct them from your self-employment income tax. Otherwise, you will pay too much.”
“Gosh! I hadn’t even thought about income taxes. I’m glad we are in Oregon so I don’t need to bother about sales tax, too.”
“You should ask Naidenne to help you set up your books so you will be all set at tax time. She’s an experienced entrepreneur, after all.”
“Here’s Naidenne’s street. If you are sure you can handle this alone, I will leave you here. I’ve got a lot more to talk about with Naidenne than I thought. Thanks for the heads-up, Bunny. Oh, be sure to call and give Jack the measurements on that broken slat. I’m sure he has the perfect replacement in his scrap lumber.”
Bunny took the lounger in through the gate and left it on the patio then went around and entered through her front door.
Entering her code in the security alarm reminded her of how thoughtful and caring all her new friends were being. She needed to do something to show her appreciation.
Being on the receiving end of the generosity of others is wonderful, but if you don’t find a way to reciprocate or at least pass on the blessing you can start to feel resentful of the very people who helped you.
Bunny had seen it happen over and over again in churches; a person or family would suffer a major loss or be in great need and the congregation would rally round, paying bills, providing meals, baby-sitting, whatever was needed at the time. Initially the family would be extremely grateful, but as time passed they would simply drift away and leave the church. The burden of gratitude became too much to bear.
Bunny refused to let that happen to her. Her new church family was too precious to lose.
She couldn’t repay all the kindnesses, but she could make a start by having a dinner party for the Davidsons, the Griffiths and Naidenne. After that she would remain on the lookout for ways to help in the church and community wherever and whenever she could.
She began working on a menu and making a to-do list for her party. First, she needed to find out when her guests might be available, and then she could get to work.
A round of telephone calls resulted in the dinner being scheduled for the following Tuesday evening, giving Bunny plenty of time to prepare.
In the kitchen checking her pantry supplies, she was picturing her guests sitting around her table eating a fine meal, then lingering in the living room, laughing and chatting.
In this vision each of her guests had a comfortable place to sit. A quick look around confirmed that her reality fell far short of the fantasy. The secondhand dining table had only two chairs and her living room was furnished with a loveseat and an exercise ball. Even if she refinished it in time, her new chaise lounge would do nothing to provide added seating inside.
Obviously, another expedition to the used-furniture stores was called for.
Bunny was getting excited about the first dinner party in her new home. She felt almost smug about her seating finds that afternoon. A pair of small pews from the foyer of a local church that had switched to theater seats would work beautifully at the dining table and could be pushed against the wall in the entryway when not needed for dinner seating. A large square Naugahyde ottoman in a surprising shade of lime green would provide extra seating in the living room, plus serve as a coffee table. Its color was likely to be a conversation starter, too.
She had discovered a pair of beige tweed wingchairs under a stack of wooden folding chairs covered by a tarp at the local animal shelter’s thrift store. They hadn’t been priced and put out for sale, yet, and were covered with cat hair, but Bunny was certain she could clean them up. She offered $50 for the pair and the manager snapped it up.
Jack was coming by tomorrow to bring a new slat for the chaise and he had offered to pick up her finds in his truck on the way.
Bunny had spotted a rattan bistro set that would be ideal for her bedroom balcony, but had resisted the urge to spend any more money. Thinking about it, now, she made up her mind that if it was still there when they picked up her purchases, she would buy it, too. Then her little nest would be complete.
With that happy thought, Bunny poured herself a glass of wine and went upstairs to bed.
The next few days were filled with shopping, painting, cleaning and planning.
Bunny forced herself to stay on her writing schedule every morning, but worked until late each night on party preparations and furniture refurbishment.
At choir practice and Sunday worship all of Bunny’s conversations with her friends revolved around her upcoming party and the redecorating she was doing in preparation for it.
Bunny’s mind had no room for bad memories or fears about the dead man’s accomplice who was still at large.
It was a much needed vacation from the day-to-day and she felt refreshed and invigorated. Even her writing improved during this time, and she turned out several projects she was confident would be acce
pted.
The day of the party arrived, at last.
There were fresh flowers on the dinner table and placed as accents of color around the room. Scented candles glowed on the breakfast bar.
A big tub of red geraniums positioned on the patio next to the refinished chaise with its green and white striped cushion made an attractive picture framed by the sliding door.
Bunny had rescued a favorite periwinkle blue cap-sleeved sundress from her trunk of memories and brought it up to date by raising the hem and removing the outdated ruffles. Checking herself out in her bedroom mirror, she was pleased with her handiwork.
The dress had seemed too young for her once, but with the changes, it was just right; youthful, but not young.
Bunny always felt a pang of pity for women trying to look like teenagers well into late middle-age. Overly youthful clothes, hair and makeup only served to emphasize the passing years, not hold them back or camouflage them.
During the days of preparation Bunny realized it had been way too long since she’d given a dinner party.
In the early days of their marriage, Eustace had encouraged her to hold open house for the church congregation frequently and took pride in her skills as a cook and hostess. Over time he had become progressively more withdrawn, both from Bunny and his congregations, until in the years just before his death he had forbidden Bunny to invite anyone from the church into their home. He claimed that every moment spent with a member of the church was “work” and he was protecting his private time.
Bunny had been very lonely in those years and was all the more eager for this night’s event to be a success and the precursor of many more festive times sharing her home with her friends and family.
After dinner, Bunny sat on her balance ball, appreciating the pleasing combination of the yellow wall behind her and her periwinkle dress.
Somehow, that silly green ottoman managed to pull all the colors in her living room into harmony. The stately beige wing chairs, now free from their cat hair shrouds, provided a dignified anchor to the otherwise garish hues.
Sitting in the midst of her chatting and laughing friends, Bunny felt awash with joy. For just this moment, all was right with her world.
“You make a pretty picture sitting on that precarious seat,” Scott commented.
“Are those wingchairs comfortable? I haven’t had a minute to take them for a test-sit since bringing them home.”
“This one is very comfortable. You have done a terrific job decorating, you know.”
“Thanks! I know it is in execrable taste to talk about the price of things, but I just have to tell someone; it all cost me less than three hundred dollars.”
“That’s amazing. I need to let you have a go at the parsonage. You saw how badly it needs a makeover. We haven’t changed a thing since we moved here to Bannoch.”
“I heard that, Scott!” Rosamund walked over from the other side of the room. “You know that redecorating costs an arm and a leg, these days. And a pastor’s salary doesn’t stretch very far.”
“That’s what I used to think, but Bunny here knows how to get a classy look on the cheap. What do you think this snazzy room cost her?”
“Scott, that was just between us,” Bunny hissed under her breath.
“Well, let’s see…two mid-century wingback chairs in nubby tweed upholstery would be about $500 apiece, then the dyed leather ottoman, at least $250. Then add that interesting dining room set with the side benches, probably $1,500 and $750 for the Adirondack chaise… I’d guess around $3,500.”
“‘Nope! She got everything for under $300. It’s all second-hand discards that she fixed up by herself. And you didn’t even count the custom slip-covered loveseat you were sitting on. Bunny made the slipcover on that. You should have seen the original upholstery. Even I could tell it was awful.”
“That really is amazing,” Rosamund admitted, grudgingly. “Could you show me how to make a slipcover like that? A few brighter colors would make a world of difference in the parsonage.”
“Well, sure. It’s not difficult. We can take some measurements of the pieces you want to cover then go to Tillamook and find some nice fabric on sale.”
When her guests began to leave, Scott came up to Bunny and said, “I’ll just take Rosie home then I’ll be back to help you clean up.”
“You don’t need to do that!”
“No, I want to. I can tell you have been working hard getting everything ready for us this evening. The least I can do is help with the clearing away. Now, don’t lift a finger until I get back. I’ll only be a few minutes, I promise. Come on, Rosie, let’s hit the road.”
“Bunny, that grilled salmon with maple syrup glaze you served was delicious! You must give me your recipe,” Shirley gave Bunny a hug and turned to her husband, “Wasn’t that just the best dinner you ever ate, Jack?”
“It was pretty good alright. Downright larrupin’ as my old daddy used to say. But the best, ever? Nah, it was a close second, but your cooking is always number one with me, Shirl. Thanks for the great evening, Bunny.”
Naidenne was the last to leave.
“Shall I stay and help clean up, Bunny? You look fairly beat.”
“Thanks, but this evening was my gift to you all, so I can’t ask you to help clear up. It’s all part of my thank you.”
“Are you sure? I think the scrumptious food and all the decorating you did were more than enough. Besides, I haven’t done anything special for you.”
“Oh yes, you have, too! You were my first non-church friend in Bannoch and you solved the mystery of the flash drive, too.”
“What did you decide to do about that shipping list?”
“That’s right, I’ve been so wrapped up in my social whirl that I didn’t tell you…Scott and I are going to take that list to the Port people on Friday and let them deal with it.”
“You and Scott, huh?” she smirked and waggled her eyebrows at Bunny.
“Now cut that out, you! Just go home and let me clean up this mess you all made,” Bunny teased.
When Scott pulled up as Naidenne was leaving, she turned and gave Bunny a very meaningful look before waving good-bye to them both and driving away.
“Thank you for coming back to help, Scott. It’s hardly a pastoral requirement to clean up after your flock quite so literally.”
Scott just smiled and began rinsing dishes and stacking them in the dishwasher. There wasn’t much mess, actually, and they were soon finished.
Bunny plopped down onto the loveseat and Scott sat beside her. He leaned forward with his hands clasped between his knees for a moment, trying to compose what he wanted to say in just the right words.
With a “to heck with it” shrug, he turned and took Bunny into his arms and kissed her.
“So, not just a pastoral visit, then?” Bunny sighed.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – Song of Songs 1
Bunny was caught completely unaware by Scott’s kiss and declaration of affection the night before. Both the kiss and his words had been a delightful surprise.
Bunny had fallen for Max while they were still preteens and had remained so focused on him that she frequently missed the signs when some other boy or man was interested in her.
She had occasionally seen, only in retrospect, that in being so emotionally oblivious she had hurt a potential suitor by unwittingly leading him on only to abandon the friendship when Max beckoned.
It appeared that the same thing might be happening, now.
Bunny had been so focused on all the recent turmoil in her life, with the sea chest complications, and getting moved, along with trying to resolve her relationship with Max, that she had not taken the prospect of romantic involvement with Scott seriously. Any signals he may have been sending might as well have been encrypted like that flash drive, since Bunny had failed to get the message.
After his unexpected kiss, Bunny had been too rattled to converse coherentl
y. Sensing her discomposure, Scott left quickly, promising to call the next day.
What was she going to say to him?
Bunny’s timing had always been a little off, but who could have predicted that at her age she would be torn between two lovers, as the song goes.
It was laughable, but at least this time Bunny was aware of the dilemma and could make an intelligent decision…or so she hoped.
What would Snow White or Sleeping Beauty do?
Her agitated emotions kept her thoughts tumbling until Scott called her, just after lunch.
“Oh, hi, Scott… How are you?”
“Fine. How are you today? No ill-effects from last night?”
“uh...last night?”
“I meant all your hard work being the hostess with the mostest for your dinner party. Not too tired today?”
“Oh. No…er, what time did you want to leave for Tacoma on Friday?”
They firmed up their plans for the rest of the week and Scott rang off, frustrated by Bunny’s obvious reluctance to talk about what he’d said and done the previous evening.
There had been many opportunities for Scott to reenter the dating pool since the accident that took his family, but he hadn’t been seriously tempted until now.
He felt like a gawky kid around Bunny these days and feared that he had ruined everything with his impetuous actions.
Determining to salvage the situation, he prayed for clarity and guidance. If this was God’s will, it would come to pass, in spite of his own ineptness. Remembering that, Scott began to feel more composed. He would take each day as it came and see what the Lord had in store, trusting that it would be for the best.
Bunny was annoyed with herself for being evasive with Scott on the phone. He must think she was an idiot. And perhaps she was.
Scott was everything she ever wanted in a husband. He was a man of integrity, faith and courage. He had a delightfully dry sense of humor and treated Bunny with respect. And he was great-looking to boot.
