The Pastor's Woman

by Jacquelin Thomas

  This was a mistake.

  One that had to be rectified before it was too late. He called Pearl.

  She had just taken her lemon pound cake out of the oven.

  “I hope you’ll bring a huge appetite today,” Pearl said when she heard his voice. “We have tons of food.”

  “Pearl, I know this is really last minute, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to come.”

  He didn’t miss her quick intake of breath. “Why not?”

  “It’s just that I don’t think I’m ready for all that. We’ve just started dating.”

  “All what?” Pearl questioned. “Wade, this is just Thanksgiving dinner, for goodness’ sake. I won’t take it as a proposal of marriage if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “I’m sorry but I can’t make it,” Wade responded. “Thanks for the invitation.”

  Pearl wasn’t done. She was still demanding answers. “Wade, what’s really going on with you? Why are you doing this now? Why won’t you talk to me?”

  “I just need some time, Pearl,” he said with quiet emphasis. “This is moving a little too fast for me.”

  There was nothing but dead silence on the other end.

  “Take all the time you need,” Pearl replied, putting an end to the quiet. “Have a happy Thanksgiving, Wade. No, make that have a great life.”

  “Pearl—”

  It was too late. She’d already hung up.

  Pearl was hurt and probably angry with him, but there was nothing Wade could do about it. What could he really say to her?

  It was best this way, he kept telling himself.

  His heart was not convinced.

  Wade had never felt as lonely as he did right now. It was as if a large chunk of him was missing.

  I knew this relationship didn’t have a chance. So why did I allow Wade to get so close to me?

  Pearl hastily wiped away her tears when Paige walked into the kitchen.

  “I thought I’d bring—” Her voice died as she noticed Pearl’s expression. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine. Just trying to finish some things before we head over to Ruby’s.” After a brief pause, Pearl added, “Wade won’t be joining us after all. He’s decided it’s too much for him.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I wish I was, but I’m not.” Her voice broke. “He’s not coming.”

  “Pearl, I’m so sorry.”

  Shrugging in mock nonchalance, she responded, “It’s fine. Wade’s nothing but a big chicken. He’s afraid of committing to me and that’s why he really backed out. It’s his loss.”

  “I know it’s breaking your heart, though.”

  “I’m hurt,” Pearl confessed. “But I’ll get past it. I should be focusing on my music anyway.”

  “I can’t believe he’d do something like this to you.” Paige shook her head in confusion. “You guys were getting so close.”

  “Let’s change the subject,” Pearl suggested. “I don’t want to dwell on Wade Kendrick another minute. He doesn’t deserve it.”

  She pretended not to be affected by this turn of events, but Pearl found herself blinking back tears.

  Paige stepped in her path, embracing her. “He’ll come to his senses. Wade will be running back to you.”

  “I’m not so sure I want him back.” She forced a laugh. “Not that I ever really had him in the first place.”

  Pearl made the decision that it was time to move forward with her life. Wade was now a part of her past.

  “Anyway, happy Thanksgiving, Paige,” she said as cheerfully as she could muster. “We’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year. I don’t want to talk about Wade. It’s over. I intend to focus on my future. And today I’m going to enjoy the holiday with my family and friends.”

  Paige nodded in agreement. “Ruby wants us at the house early,” she announced.

  Paige gave a slight shrug. “She wants to have dinner ready no later than four. You know your sister. Everything has to be perfect. I was getting ready to put the broccoli-and-cheese casserole in the oven but I’ll just bake it over there.”

  The ringing telephone cut into their conversation.

  “You think it might be Wade?” Paige asked.

  Pearl glanced at the caller ID. “It’s your sister,” she announced, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. She’d hoped for a moment that Wade had come to his senses. Apparently not.

  It was truly over.

  Chapter 15

  “I thought Wade might be joining us today for dinner,” Opal whispered when she managed to get Pearl alone. “You didn’t ask him?”

  “I invited him, but he won’t be coming,” Pearl answered succinctly.

  “Why? Did he have other plans?”

  “He’s not coming, Opal. The end.” Her voice was shakier than she would have liked.

  “Doesn’t sound like it.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it right now,” Pearl responded, her eyes narrowing. “Just drop it, Opal.”

  “Are you okay?”

  A heaviness centered in her heart. “Having the time of my life.”

  Ruby interrupted them. “Let’s get the table ready. I bought some new tablecloths. We’ll put the floral ones on the smaller tables for the kids.”

  “I’ll do the tables,” Pearl volunteered. “You guys get started on something else.”

  “I can help you,” Opal offered.

  Eager for some time alone, she said, “I’d rather do it by myself. I’m sure there’s plenty you can help with in the kitchen.”

  Ten minutes later, Pearl had the dining-room table set. Aching with an inner pain, she went to work on the children’s table in the breakfast nook.

  Amber came running into the kitchen. “Pearl, you’ve got a visitor.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, asking, “Who is it?”

  “Come see for yourself.”

  “Why can’t you tell me?”

  Amber released a short sigh. “Pearl, would you please go out there and greet your visitor?”

  Puzzled, Pearl left the kitchen. She couldn’t come up with a single clue as to who her visitor was. She wasn’t expecting anyone.

  Especially Wade.

  Pearl stared at him in shock. When she found her voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “If I remember correctly, I was invited. By you.”

  “You also turned down the invitation,” Pearl pointed out, keeping her voice low. “Or are you trying to make me believe I dreamed that part? Look, Wade, I don’t know what game you’re playing but—”

  He held up a hand to silence her. “Pearl, I’m sorry about this morning. I—I was just—I can’t really explain it, but all I know is that I love you and I want to be here with you today. Unless you’d like me to leave.”

  She resisted the urge to run into his arms. “I can’t do this, Wade. I can’t go back and forth. It’s not something I do very well. I know that you keep so much of yourself private and I respect that, but if you want me to be a part of your life, you’re going to have to remove this wall you’ve erected around you.”

  “I’m trying, honey. If you’d just bear with me…” Wade paused for a moment, then said, “I know what that look meant.”

  Pearl frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “Your parents’ anniversary photo,” Wade explained. “Your father was looking at your mother like that because he wanted her to see how her love affected him. He wanted her to be able to see a reflection of the love they shared. She was his soul mate, his best friend, the love of his life. She was his first love. Pearl, your mother was his only love.”

  Pearl gasped in surprise. “How did you know that? Did my sisters tell you?”

  It was his turn to look surprised. “Tell me what? What are you talking about?”

  “My mother was the only woman Daddy ever loved. They were childhood sweethearts. But only my family and close friends knew that. How did you find out?”

  “E
verything I just said describes the way I feel about you, Pearl. You told me that only one man would know that stuff—honey, that man is me.”

  In an unexpected move, Wade pulled Pearl into his arms, kissing her.

  “Oh, my,” someone behind them exclaimed.

  Pearl stepped away from Wade to find Paige standing in the doorway grinning from ear to ear. She wasn’t alone, however. Opal and Ruby were with her.

  Clearing her throat, Ruby said, “I’m glad you could make it, Pastor. Happy Thanksgiving.”

  His arm still around Pearl, Wade smiled and responded, “Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.”

  Opal took Ruby by the arm. “We’ll be in the kitchen,” she announced. “Finishing up the cooking.”

  Paige gave Pearl a secretive smile before following her cousins. “I guess I’ll join them in the kitchen.”

  “Alone at last,” Wade murmured.

  Pearl looked up at him. “So what does this all mean, really?”

  “I want to be in your life and I want you in mine. I love you.”

  “I meant what I said, Wade. I can’t have you coming in and out of my life. You either want to have a relationship with me or you don’t. It’s that simple.”

  “Understood,” he murmured. “Pearl, I’m here because this is where I want to be. I mean it.”

  She broke into a smile. “In that case, welcome to the house where I grew up.” Pearl gestured around. “I have so many happy memories here. I’m sure you feel the same way about the house you grew up in.”

  He gave a slight nod.

  Pearl pulled him over to the mantel above the fire-place. She picked up one of the photographs. “This picture was taken the night of my singing debut.”

  “How old were you?”

  “I was about six years old. That’s when I realized I wanted to be a singer. It felt like coming home. I can’t explain it any better than that. I just knew it was my calling.”

  “I understand exactly what you mean. That’s exactly how I felt about preaching.”

  He looked at some of the other photos. “You look like both of your parents.”

  “Amber and I have more of my father’s personality. Ruby and Opal are more like our mother.” Pearl pointed to another photo. “This is the last family picture we took. Daddy died a week later.”

  Wade peered closer. “Is that you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You are a cutie,” he murmured. “I like the hair.”

  Pearl laughed. “My rabbit ears.”

  Wade looked at all of the photographs on the mantel, committing to memory the relatives who were expected to join them today for dinner.

  Luther arrived first, bringing in a spiral-sliced ham. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

  Pearl relieved him of his burden and carried it to the kitchen. Wade followed her.

  The talking died down to a soft whisper when they walked into the kitchen.

  “Why’d everybody get so quiet?” Pearl questioned.

  Luther strolled into the kitchen behind them saying, “I figured I’d come rescue the good Pastor.”

  “I’m going to stay in here and help with the food. I’ll be out shortly,” Pearl stated. She accepted the kiss Wade placed on her lips.

  When she turned around, all eyes were on her.

  “Is there something you need to tell us?” Amber questioned.

  Pearl pretended she had no idea what her sister was talking about. “I’m not following you.”

  “Are you dating Pastor?” Amber questioned. “I certainly hope you are after that kiss he just laid on you.”

  “That wasn’t anything,” Paige uttered. “You should’ve seen the one he laid on her earlier. I thought I was going to have to put out a fire in the living room.”

  Grinning, Pearl announced, “Wade and I are together.”

  Amber laid down the knife she’d been using to slice the cabbage. “When exactly did this happen? How come I’m just finding out?”

  “The day they got into that heated debate at the family reunion,” Paige responded. “We all saw it coming.”

  “What are you talking about? Wade and I didn’t even like each other then. At least, I didn’t like him.”

  Amber laughed. “The sparks were flying. You just didn’t see them.”

  “He’s a good man,” Pearl murmured. “I never would’ve thought I’d be saying this in a million years, but I really believe he’s the one.”

  Opal hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.” Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, “I’m really glad you followed your heart.”

  “Me, too,” Pearl whispered back. “He makes me very happy.”

  “Did you get your sisters’ approval?” Wade asked when she joined him in the living room.

  Pearl looked up at him. “I don’t need their approval. But, yes, they’re happy about us.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “You weren’t worried, were you?”

  “Not really, but it’s nice to know you have the support of family.”

  Pearl nodded in agreement. “You’re right. One thing is for, sure we Lockhart sisters stick together.”

  “Noted.”

  She laughed. “I’m really happy you changed your mind about coming today. After our conversation last night, I didn’t think we’d see each other again. I was even thinking about going to a different church.”

  “I overreacted. That’s all.”

  Taking his hand in hers, Pearl said, “This is our first holiday together, you know.”

  “The first of many,” Wade responded.

  She placed a finger to his lips. “Let’s just take it one holiday at a time.”

  “I love you, Pearl. I’m asking you to trust me. Honey, I won’t do anything to hurt you. I want to be with you and I don’t intend on going anywhere. You’ll have to be the one to leave.”

  “Wade, I love you, too.”

  “Did I shock your family earlier when I kissed you?”

  “You shocked all of us. I never expected you to show your emotions so publicly. This is a very different side of you I’m seeing.”

  “I did it because I wanted to prove to you how much you mean to me. I hurt you this morning and I wasn’t sure you’d give me a chance to make it up to you.”

  “So you figured kissing me passionately in front of my family and friends would do it?”

  “It worked, didn’t it?”

  “Naaah. Your showing up did it. The kiss was just the icing on the cake.”

  More of her relatives began arriving.

  Pearl left Wade in the den with D’marcus and Luther while she helped her sisters with the final touches to dinner.

  “Everything’s ready,” Pearl announced a few minutes later. “I don’t know about you all but I’m starving.”

  Rising to his feet, Wade smiled in response. “I think you’re always hungry.”

  Her hands on her hips, Pearl said, “You didn’t just call me out like that?”

  “Girl, everybody knows how much you like to eat,” Amber teased.

  Her other sisters got in on the light bantering. Laughing, Pearl glanced over at Wade, noting the suddenly somber expression on his face.

  She eyed him. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

  For the past ten years, Thanksgiving depressed Wade. The holiday only caused him to mourn for all he’d lost. He’d felt this way during the years he lived with Uncle Harold and Aunt Ivy, but they had always been an extension of his family. They had always gone out of their way to make the day special for him, serving all of his favorite foods and watching his favorite movies.

  It was still hard for him. Wade missed his family.

  Jeff and his father were dead, but his mother was still very much alive. The fact that she still refused to have anything to do with him hurt him more than he’d admitted.

  Wade had no idea his pain was evident on his face until Pearl checked to see if he was okay. She was still watching him and waiting for his answer.

  “
I’m fine.”

  He could tell by Pearl’s look that she wasn’t convinced.

  “Where can I wash my hands?” he asked. He needed a moment alone.

  “Right down this hall and it’s the first room on the left.”

  He followed her directions to the bathroom.

  When he returned, Pearl was waiting on him. “I hope you have an appetite. We have enough food to feed a small army.”

  Together they navigated into the dining room where the others had gathered. Wade pulled out a chair for Pearl, then sat beside her.

  “Pastor Wayne, what’s going on between you and my niece?”

  “Aunt Becca, his name is Wade,” Pearl stated.

  “That’s what I said, child. Now mind your business. I was talking to Pastor Wayne. I want to know what his intentions are toward you.”

  Pearl opened her mouth to respond, but Wade reached over, taking her hand in his. “Honey, it’s okay. I’ll answer to whatever she calls me.”

  “Pastor, would you give the blessing please?” Ruby asked.

  “Sure,” Wade responded. “Let’s bow our heads.”

  He prayed a short prayer of thanks.

  “Amen,” they all said in unison.

  Pearl handed Wade a plate of hot yeast rolls. “Aunt Becca made these from scratch. I have to warn you—you can’t eat just one.”

  “I’ll try and restrain myself,” he responded with a chuckle. “I intend to leave some room for dessert.”

  She watched him for a moment. Wade seemed fine on the surface, but Pearl couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still bothering him.

  What’s really going on with you, Wade? she wondered in silence.

  Wade’s thoughts landed on his mother. He couldn’t help but wonder how she was faring on this day. Holidays were hard for him, so Wade supposed they were the same for her.

  He’d looked forward to spending Thanksgiving with Pearl, but seeing her with her family did exactly what he feared it would. It made missing his own family worse.

  He could feel the heat of Pearl’s penetrating gaze on him and glanced over at her. Wade gave her a tiny smile before returning his attention to his half-empty plate.

  “I know you’re going to eat more than that, aren’t you?”