ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION
Page 7
Grayson wiped the countertops. “Don’t worry, you’ll get to know them all. They’ll make sure of it. If anything can be said of the people at Palisade, they’re very friendly. Once they get to know you, you’ll get hugs instead of handshakes.”
“I’m already getting a few.”
Finished with the counters, Grayson leaned against the refrigerator.
She could feel him watching her.
“Mark did a great job on the sermon this morning.”
“Did you really think so?” Her voice quivered.
“Of course, didn’t you?”
The steady hum of the dishwasher, followed with a gurgle, and the clunk of two plates together filled the pause.
“I thought he was awesome. I just wondered if you really thought so or if you were simply being nice.”
“If I didn’t truly enjoy the sermon, I wouldn’t say anything.”
“I’m so proud of him.”
Grayson pulled out a chair and sat.
Though she’d hoped to escape his presence, Adrea followed suit and claimed the seat across from him.
“He’s got my vote and the congregation seems to like him, as well. With Mark to rely on, I can focus better on what I need to do.”
“It was only one sermon. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Adrea decided to broach the issue on her mind. “I’m thinking about trying the women’s class for a few weeks. And if Mark were to stay at Palisade, I heard the kindergarten/first grade class needs a teacher. I used to teach children at Mountain Grove and really enjoyed it, but I stepped aside to let a newer member have a chance.”
The dishwasher stopped between cycles. Drip, drip, drip. The steady beat on the stainless-steel sink punctuated the silence.
His jaw twitched. “You’ll do anything to get away from me.” His teasing tone sounded forced.
Adrea felt the blush creep across her cheeks. She hoped he was unaware of how close he was to the truth. She stood and turned the faucet handle until the drip stopped then reclaimed her seat.
“No, really, you should attend whichever class you feel you’ll get the most from. So, you’ve given me another reason to vote Mark in.” Grayson fiddled with the lace edging on a place mat. “Sara used to teach that class.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
He held up a hand. “It’s okay. We have to move on. Since Mrs. Roberts’s illness, Mrs. Jones has filled in. She’s good with the kids, but since her husband passed, she’s been distracted. The kids need some consistency.”
“I’ll pray about it.”
“It’s nice to have people willing to volunteer.” He cupped his chin between forefinger and thumb, then propped his elbow on the table. “You and Mark fit in well. That’s one of my favorite things about Palisade. Everyone pitches in to help. I’ve seen churches where the same five people do all the work while the rest of the congregation sits and warms their pews or, even worse, complains about the way things are done.”
“I like to do my part.” Adrea straightened the salt and pepper shakers in a nice line. “Though my time seems to become more and more limited. I thought owning the florist shop would allow me to set my hours, maybe work only three days a week. Instead, I work five and most weekends.” And I’ll probably spend them running into you at weddings.
“It seems your shop is doing quite well; you could hire more help. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life, time is short. Take time for the important things.” Sadness washed over Grayson’s face.
She ached to ease his pain. Her heart twisted. She covered his hand with hers.
Chapter 5
Their eyes met.
Grayson’s heart hammered.
Slowly, she moved her hand away from his and clasped both of hers in her lap, as if she feared they might betray her again. “I doubt very seriously that you ever neglected your wife.”
He cleared his throat. “No, but I could’ve made more time. Now, it’s too late to make up those precious hours.”
“I’m sorry.”
“At first, I was in shock and had to hold myself together for Dayne’s sake. Then things calmed down and everyone else went on with their lives. For a while, it seemed the more time passed, the worse I missed her. Now, it depends on the day, the memories.” He noticed tears building in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to depress you.”
“It’s just very sad.” She looked down at the table.
“It’s actually nice to talk to someone.” His fingers traced the intricate quilt line of the place mat. He struggled with the longing to reclaim the warmth of her hand. “Even after two years, people don’t know what to say or fear the subject will upset me.”
“They mean well.”
“They do. I just wish everyone wouldn’t treat me as if I might crack at the mere mention of Sara’s name.”
Grayson’s cell vibrated and he jumped. “Excuse me.” He stood to dig it from his pocket. “Hello?”
“Pastor Grayson?” Helen’s voice quivered. “I’m sorry to interrupt your afternoon.”
“Don’t be. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Wade’s trying to check himself out of the treatment center.”
“I’m glad you called. I’ll be right over.” He hung up.
“Let me get your coat.” Adrea retrieved his suit jacket from the closet by the front door.
He slung the jacket over one shoulder and hurried out, sorry for Helen’s distress, but relieved to have the excuse to get away from Adrea. Talking to her was simply too easy.
Three weddings and two funerals would keep the shop busy for the week. A wedding on Tuesday. Who would want to get married on a Tuesday?
Rachel worked tirelessly, right at Adrea’s elbow. Normally, the sisters’ affiliation worked well. While Adrea preferred immersing herself in flowers and rarely entered the glass-shelved, mirrored showroom, Rachel loved the customers and the sales end of the business. Though she often helped with arrangements, she found the solitude of the windowless work area stifling. Unless orders swamped them, she spent most of her time out front with the customers.
Yet this morning, Adrea couldn’t shake Rachel. Each trip from the worktable to the floral refrigerator, Rachel tagged along. Initially, the subject had been Mark’s sermon. However, Rachel soon got around to the topic of her interest.
“So, you seem to have spent some time with your new pastor.” Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Haylee said something about a picnic in the park.”
Casual. Keep it casual. “Haylee enjoyed it.” She added more baby’s breath to the bridesmaid bouquet. Maybe Rachel couldn’t hear her heart beating double time.
“He’s positively dreamy.” Rachel packed the boutonnieres and corsages. “The stuff Christian romance novels are made of. I always thought the Prince Sterling nickname fit.”
“If you like that type.” From the corner of her eye, Adrea saw her sister taking in every expression and cracked under the pressure. “Okay, okay, he’s really handsome and very nice. In fact, there should be a law against preachers being so easy on the eyes.”
With a wistful expression, Rachel looked toward the ceiling. “I can just imagine him sweeping you into his arms.”
“People don’t get swept into each other’s arms. They hug.”
“Well, Curt and I never hug. He always sweeps me into his arms.”
Adrea rolled her eyes. “Besides, Grayson Sterling is still mourning his wife.”
“Maybe so. But you’re alive.” Rachel pointed an orange tiger lily at her.
“Just drop it. Please. For right now, he’s my pastor. End of story.” Adrea packed the cellophane bags containing boutonnieres and corsages into a cardboard box.
“Okay, if he’s still in love with his wife, who has been gone for twoooo loooong yeeeears, why did he invite you on a picnic? And why did you take Haylee and Dayne with you?”
“It wasn’t like that.” Adrea propped her hands on her hips. “He didn’t invite me. Haylee and I ran into him and Dayne
at the park. It was totally unexpected, just like the first time I ran into him there.”
“So, you seem to hang out in the park an awful lot lately.”
“You know very well, the park is one of my favorite places.” She scooted the full box across the tile floor with her foot with a shwoosh. “I jog three times a week, and it’s where I go to unwind and relax.”
“Maybe he’s hanging out there in hopes of running into you.”
Why is he there every time I turn around and never before? Maybe he’s always been there and I just didn’t know who he was. No, he’s not the kind of man a woman overlooks.
“He has a young child. Kids like parks.” No way is he coming to the park in hopes of running into me. “It’s just coincidence. Besides, the church is bound to entangle our social lives. And on top of that, Mark is interested in his sister, Grace.”
A big smile lit Rachel’s eyes. “Well, Grayson Sterling has grieved long enough. He needs someone to make him happy again, and you are just the lady to do it.”
“Rachel, please. He’s still hurting. Let me take care of the romance in my life. Okay?”
“That’s the problem. If left up to you, there is no romance in your life.” Adrea picked up a box. “I have to make deliveries.”
“Nice escape.”
Not really. She’d probably bump into Grayson, since the wedding was at Palisade.
Seven miles of highway passed as she dreaded running into the handsome pastor.
She turned into Palisade’s parking lot, took several deep breaths, slowly exhaled, and got out of the van.
“I can help you.”
She whirled around and almost dropped a large box.
Grayson—Pastor Grayson took the carton from her.
“Thanks.” She was grateful for the extra muscle. Just wished they weren’t his. A less attractive package would’ve been nice.
They made quick work of unloading. With everything inside the sanctuary, he hesitated.
“Need me to hold your ladder?”
“No thanks. I bought a new one.”
He nodded and left her alone.
She added more bird-of-paradise to the archway. The orange spiky flowers with blue tongues gave it a funky look, per the bride’s request. Adrea stood back to survey her handiwork. Not what she’d pick, but it held a certain charm. Satisfied, she rushed through the other decorations, willing the bride to hurry with her okay. Too late, the handsome pastor arrived.
“So, we’ll be seeing one another often.” He cleared his throat. “On a professional basis, of course.”
“I guess so. Will someone be here in the morning, so I can pick up the arch and candelabrum?”
“Only my secretary. I’m going with Helen in the morning to the treatment center. But I can help you load up before I go.”
“That’s okay. It’ll probably be later in the day before I come.”
Just as soon as the bride made her final assessment and before she could change her mind, Adrea made a hasty escape.
At least she wouldn’t run into him tomorrow.
Mark’s monthlong trial had passed in a blur, and the congregation prepared to vote as he and Adrea left the church after Sunday morning services.
Offering what little comfort she could, Adrea took Mark’s hand in hers. Pastor Grayson had promised to phone later with the results.
No matter how deeply the church would entrench Pastor Grayson in her life, Palisade would keep Mark close and in a short matter of months she’d gotten used to him being home.
Spring wildflowers carpeted the church lawn, pink primrose, scarlet Indian paintbrush, and the darkest violets, while birds chattered a welcome. Or was it good-bye?
“Guess what?” Mark clutched her hand tighter.
“What?”
“Grace agreed to have dinner with me. Alone.”
“So, I don’t have to go?”
“Not unless you want to double with Grayson.”
She rolled her eyes.
After what seemed like an eternity, they made it to the car. Mark’s hands shook as he started the engine.
“How about Dexter’s?”
“It’s a nice thought, but I couldn’t eat a thing. Not even pizza.”
“Me neither.” She pressed a hand against the butterflies churning in her stomach.
“Let’s go home. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” Mark sighed.
“Just pray about it. God will work it out. Look at the bright side; even if they don’t vote you in, you still got Grace out of the deal.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. Maybe that’s why Grayson didn’t want to make the decision himself. Maybe he knew from the beginning that Grace and I were clicking, and he didn’t want the congregation to worry that I might get the position due to his or his sister’s bias.”
“Clicking, huh?”
Mark blushed, something Adrea had never seen him do before. For the first time, she realized that her brother didn’t just have a crush. He was falling in love with Grace.
Back at the apartment, Mark and Adrea took turns pacing. She would have loved to go for a jog; however, she wanted to be at his side when Pastor Grayson called.
They both jumped when the phone rang.
“Get the cordless. I want you to hear the decision, too.”
“Why?”
“So I won’t have to repeat the conversation for you.”
She retrieved the handset from a pile of magazines on the coffee table.
Mark practically pounced on the other phone.
Holding his free hand, she stood by his side.
He took a deep breath and pressed the receiver to his ear. “Hello?”
“The vote was unanimous, Mark. I hope and pray that you’ll accept the position of associate pastor here at Palisade,” Grayson said. “I’d like to meet with you tomorrow.”
Adrea expelled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“Okay, just give me a time.” Mark wrote the details down and hung up.
Brother and sister hugged. Adrea’s stomach growled and they both burst into giggles.
“I’m suddenly famished.” She clutched her abdomen.
“Me, too.”
“How about Dexter’s?” they asked in unison.
After much prayer, Mark accepted the position a few days later. Adrea embraced the decision as God’s will, even though Mark’s tenure cemented Grayson Sterling’s place in their lives. She was proud of her brother, just out of seminary and now associate pastor at a church consisting of 150 people.
On Easter morning, Pastor Grayson announced, “I’m proud to add Brother Mark to our staff here at Palisade and pray that he’ll stick around for years to come. He and his sister, Adrea, will be presented for membership after today’s service.”
The two men shook hands as the congregation clapped. The only member who seemed prouder than Mark and Adrea was Grace.
As they headed to Sunday school class, Grace stopped Adrea. “Grayson said you wanted to teach the children.”
“Well, I…” She didn’t want to tromp on Sara’s memory. “I haven’t been officially voted into membership yet.”
Grayson stopped beside them. “You will be and Mrs. Jones is all set to help you with the transition.” He seemed at peace. His tone even, no jaw twitching.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’ll show you the way,” Grace offered.
Adrea soon learned the kindergarten class included Dayne Sterling, since he would begin school in a few months. She adored the child. Though the little boy had his mother’s fair coloring, except for those emerald eyes, his features and mannerisms reminded her of his father. A reminder she didn’t need.
The children responded to her well and before she knew it, class ended.
“I don’t think you need me hanging around. You’re a natural.” Mrs. Jones patted her arm.
“I’ve always loved kids.” Her heart clenched. Will I ever have any of my own?
The silk flowers, Easter and calla lilies with fern fronds, and baby’s breath looked old, frayed at the edge of each petal, as if someone had washed them too many times.
“I don’t mean to overstep or take anyone’s position, but if no one does the flowers, I’d love to.”
Grace gasped, looking past Adrea.
She turned to see Grayson standing behind her.
“Sara always did the flowers.” His voice was strained.
Adrea clasped a hand over her mouth, wishing she could melt through the floor. “I’m sorry. I—”
“No, it’s okay.” He frowned. “They’re just flowers. We can’t keep them forever.”
“But—”
“They’re getting undustable.” He touched one of the white lilies.
Grace nodded. “I’ll speak with Patty Deavers, the treasurer. She’ll give you a check and go over what’s in the flower budget.”
The music began and the church started filling up. How many times could she trounce across Sara’s grave in one day?
After services, Patty Deavers held a check toward Adrea. “Grace told me to give you this for flowers.”
“Oh yes, of course.” Adrea stuffed it into her wallet.
Patty scribbled a note and stashed it in her purse. “I’ll get you a copy of the budget. In the meantime, I think Sara spent about a hundred per arrangement, so you’ll be fine with that figure.”
“Thanks, I’ll put something together in the next few weeks.”
“Adrea, how are you?”
She turned to see Helen. Wade’s mother looked better. Fewer worry lines.
“Good. And you?”
“Wade’s back in that horrible apartment in Searcy. I wanted him to go back to Missouri, away from that…He’s working. So far, so good.”
“We’ve been missing you at the shop.” Adrea kissed a perfectly made-up cheek, trying not to think about Wade’s blond floozy.