“Pastor Levi, welcome back! Hope our girl is on the mend. We’ve been praying for her.” JoAnn, the secretary he’d inherited four years ago, greeted him from her large oak desk.
He smiled and thanked her. No matter what time he arrived, she was always waiting for him with coffee and a schedule for the day.
“Here are your messages. With you being out, they got a little backed up. Mostly calls about Rachel and sending you prayers.” She handed him a neat stack of white note cards. He knew each one would be precise and detailed. “Here is a list of activities. I rescheduled the meeting with the other pastors. Raymond Hill is back in the Uvalde hospital, so you might want to visit him. You and the girls have been invited to the Campbells’ and the Lawsons’ for Sunday dinner. I told the Lawsons you were already eating at the Campbells’. I knew you would want to spend some time with Amy.”
He nodded, knowing better than to interrupt her morning drill. He played with the Jolly Rancher in his pocket and wondered what she would do if he popped it in his mouth. She had several rules for him, and life was easier when he followed them.
“We do need to talk about the Relay For Life fundraisers when you get a chance. The building committee has given you three dates for the picnic at the pecan farm. Let me know which one works for you, and I’ll work with Maggie to get that set.”
He tuned out, and his brain shifted to something more interesting—Lorrie Ann. He should treat Saturday like a date, including dinner. Oh, man, he hadn’t thought of taking her to dinner. He didn’t even know what she liked. He squinted and flexed his jaw. She liked Mexican food, so Mamasita’s would be a good choice.
JoAnn startled him from his thoughts, her glare telling him she was fully aware he had not been listening to her. Her four-eleven frame now stood firm in the doorway with hands on her hips.
“Sorry, JoAnn.” He flashed an innocent smile, or tried to, anyway. By the look on her face, she wasn’t buying the act. “What were you saying?”
She shook her head in disappointment then looked completely to the left and slowly to the right. Even though they were alone, she lowered her voice and became even smaller. John had to step in to hear her.
“Rhody and Katy Buchanan are in your office.”
He gave the closed door to his office a puzzled frown and whispered back, “I didn’t see any of their vehicles.”
“They’re needin’ some marriage advice, but they don’t want anyone to know.”
Closing his eyes, he sighed deeply. The one thing he’d tried to avoid the past four years was marriage counseling.
JoAnn moved back to her desk. “Here are the business cards you always give out.” Handing him three cards, she marched to the coffee and filled his favorite mug. “Such a shame. Young people just don’t know how lucky they are to have someone to love, and those four boys...” She shook her head.
“They came for help, JoAnn, not a divorce. That’s a good sign.”
Pointing her finger to his chest, she looked him sternly in the eyes. “Yes, and a testimony to their trust in you.”
Sometimes she acted more like a mother than an employee.
“Are you going to help them or send them away like you always do?” She thrust her sharp chin to the cards he had tucked into his shirt pocket.
With a crooked grin and soft sigh, he took the warm cup from her hands. “I am helping them, by sending them to a trained professional.” If they knew the truth, he would be the last person they’d seek out for marriage advice.
“I’ll pray for them.” She moved to her desk. “And you.”
“Thank you, JoAnn.” He turned to the door and paused with his hand on the knob. He closed his eyes for a quick prayer, asking for the right words to give the couple he considered good friends.
Rhody stood and held out his hand in greeting when he entered. “Pastor Levi.” Stiff voice, not the usual easygoing one John enjoyed.
“Sit, sit. Hi, Katy.” He smiled and noted the framed photo she held.
“Oh, sorry. I was just telling Rhody what a great family picture. We’ve never been to the beach. You should’ve had someone else take it so you could be in the photo, too.”
He nodded and watched her place the picture of Carol and the girls back on his desk, bracing for what always came next.
“It looks like Celeste is about one. This must have been right before the accident.” The deep sadness glistened in the moisture of her eyes.
He nodded again as he took his seat, hoping to put her at ease. “It happened two weeks later. I keep it on my desk to remind me how fast life can change and the blessings we take for granted. Both the girls talk about that weekend at the beach as if they remember. They’ve watched the video a million times.”
“That’s nice.” She swallowed and reached for her husband’s hand beside her.
John took a deep breath and pulled out the cards in his chest pocket. “So what brings you in this morning?”
* * *
Alone, John sat at his desk, the earmarked Bible lying open under his hands. His thoughts turned to Lorrie Ann again. He glanced at his sermon. It needed a bit more polishing, but he couldn’t focus.
Rachel seemed to be more on edge lately, or maybe it had just been brought to his attention. He needed to add a daughter-father lunch date to his schedule.
In the process of reaching for his detailed itinerary, the framed photo Katy had moved earlier caught his attention. The only framed photo he kept on his desk always created conversation.
The soft sunset surrounded Carol’s golden hair as she held a chubby Celeste on her hip. At her feet, Rachel smiled up at the camera as she tried to catch waves in her bucket. It showed the perfect family on a summer beach vacation. Katy had made the same comment many others had while smiling at the beautiful picture. “John, you should have had someone else take the picture so you could be with them instead of hiding behind the camera.” He would chuckle, letting them assume he agreed.
He never corrected anyone, but he hadn’t been the lucky one to take the picture.
When they’d been invited to go with some friends to the coast, he’d once again declined. He needed to finish a song and had meetings to attend. With his music career about to launch, he couldn’t afford to take off. Upset, Carol insisted on taking the girls without him.
He traced a finger along the edge of her face. She’d begged him to go, but he’d believed at the time his music career needed him more.
After Carol’s death, Julie, the photographer and friend, brought him the pictures and video. A reminder of the beautiful gift he’d taken for granted.
Lunch with Rachel sounded like a great idea right now. He went to call JoAnn, but before he picked up the phone, it rang.
“Mornin’, John.” The familiar voice came boldly over the line.
“Hey, Chuck,” John greeted his mentor from the past fifteen years. “Good to hear from you. What’s up?”
“Not much. Just going over my prayer list and realized we haven’t spoken in a few weeks.”
John chuckled. “So you’re checking up on me?”
“Figured someone has to. No telling what goes on in that small town of yours.”
“You’d be surprised. How’re Jill and the girls?”
“Everyone’s good. We found out that Karen and Eric are making us grandparents. One minute you’re holding a baby girl in your arms, then you wake up one morning and she’s having her own.” Chuck sighed. “Speaking of daughters, how are your little ones?”
“Actually, right now we’re dealing with a broken leg.” John went on to tell him about the accident. He even admitted to the concerns he had in getting everything done, along with the fundraiser for the youth building.
“I didn’t realize how much I needed to talk, Chuck. God’s timing is as faithful as always.”
<
br /> “Call me anytime. In a small town, you have a bigger threat of feeling isolated. Tell me, how’s the music coming along?”
John spun his chair until he faced the window behind him. “I haven’t found the time between my ministry, the girls, remodeling the house and all the community events.”
“It’s a talent you’ve been given. I remember you always sitting at the piano or with a guitar in your hand. You were never without music. I know it helped through your parents’ deaths.”
John couldn’t help but snort. “Yeah, look where it got me with my family. A wife I didn’t get to spend enough time with and two little girls who didn’t know me.”
“John, stop punishing yourself. It’s all about balance and sharing that gift with your girls. Do either of the girls show any musical talent?”
John smiled. “Rachel loves singing. She has a very mature voice for her age. Celeste will try any instrument she can get her hands on.” He grinned. “Not that she can actually play any of them.” He frowned and pulled in his lips. In his vow to keep music from his life, had he also deprived the girls? He rubbed his hand over his jaw and looked up to the clear sky outside.
“John? You there?”
He thought about the guitars and violins he had boxed up and locked away. “Yeah. I get a bit overwhelmed at times.”
“Hey, that’s why you need someone to talk to.” His friend chuckled. “Even Jesus gathered twelve friends around Him. No one expects you to go it alone. We all need help.”
John picked up a pencil and started tapping it off his knee. Leaning his head back, he smiled at the ceiling. “Now you sound like some of the women around here. They all seem to think I need a wife. My girls, on the other hand, have gotten it into their heads they need to save me from the women.”
“Do the girls have someone safe to talk to?”
John froze in his chair. “What do you mean? They have me.”
“Yes, but they also want to protect you.”
“Now you sound like Lorrie Ann.”
John closed his eyes, not able to take back the words. He could see the graying eyebrows arch in question. Like all the times he sat across from him.
“Lorrie Ann? Not to make this a big deal, John, but this is the first time I’ve heard a woman’s name other than JoAnn’s or Maggie’s.”
“Then don’t make it a big deal. She’s Maggie’s niece from California and is visiting for a couple weeks. With Amy’s injuries, Lorrie Ann is helping out since she’s right next door.”
“How old is she?”
“Really, Chuck? You’re going to go there?”
“Hey, just because you’re a father and pastor doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life. When was the last time you went out for fun with adults?”
“I don’t need to have fun.” John heard Chuck grunt. “Well, that didn’t sound right.”
“You didn’t answer my question. When was the last time you went on a date?”
Silence.
“John, don’t tell me in over five years you have not gone out once.”
“I live in a small town, and when I say small I’m talking population four hundred and six, and that includes the horses. I don’t know. It’d be more complicated than it’s worth, and until now I’ve had no desire to go out. I didn’t set out not to date. I just haven’t met anyone worth the risk.”
“Until now, huh? So, is she worth the risk?”
He spun the chair back around to face the sweet faces of his wife and girls. “Maybe.”
“So, have you asked Lorrie Ann out?”
Silence, longer and heavier this time.
“Oh, boy, you have, and you don’t know what to do next!” Chuck went into full laughter.
“I’m glad you’re finding this amusing, mentor of mine.”
Chuck coughed. “Sorry. Listen, I know it’s hard to balance a personal life between church and family. Being a single dad makes it even harder, but really, you need to relax. Do I need to remind you God’s in charge of all the days of your life? You have always been a bit of a control freak. Besides, the only way you’ll find out if she’s worth it is by spending some time with her.”
“That’s why you’re my mentor, Chuck.” He let out a heavy sigh and noticed the time ticking away by the minute on his clock. “I’ve got to be going, but this call could not have come at a better time. Thanks, Chuck.”
“God is good, John. How about we close in prayer?”
John closed his eyes and focused on the words in Chuck’s prayer, and he asked for his own heart to be open to God’s will.
* * *
Lorrie Ann watched the SUVs line up behind her in the school driveway as she leaned against the BMW’s silver hood, her brown leather boots crossed at the ankles. A few people waved at her, some stared, trying to figure out who she was, and others just glared. She smiled at them all, enjoying the irony of her, Wild Child L.A., in the soccer-mom line.
Worried about being late, she had been the first to arrive. She now stood where Aunt Maggie used to wait for her and Yolanda. Not much had changed. Everyone from preschool to high school attended the same campus, with the gym in the center of the buildings.
A few minutes after the bell rang, doors burst open and kids ran everywhere. Lorrie Ann thought about Rachel moving with this rambunctious crowd. Maybe she should have signed her out earlier.
“Miss Lorrie Ann! Miss Lorrie Ann!” Celeste ran across the playground with her backpack dragging behind her, stirring up the dirt. A small group of little people followed, and much to her horror, they all stopped in front of the BMW.
“See, I told you she had pirate boots! And she plays in a rock band, and she’s going to let us be in the Christmas pageant.” Celeste aimed her big smile straight at Lorrie Ann.
“I manage a rock band—I don’t play in one—and—”
“Are you a real pirate?”
“She can’t be a pirate, stupid—she’s a girl.”
“Girls can be pirates.”
“Hold on, guys. Girls can be pirates if—”
“The car’s top goes down into the trunk.”
A chorus of aahs followed Celeste’s announcement.
“Did you steal this car?”
“No!” How did one control a conversation with six-year-olds? They managed to make musicians look docile. She gave them her best stern look. “Celeste, would you please introduce me to your friends?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is Bethany, Daviana, Carlos, Colt, Jenny and Rey.”
She sat on her heels to greet the short creatures eye to eye. “Nice to meet you. To answer your questions, I am not a pirate—I just like tall boots. Even though girls can be pirates, it’s wrong to steal. I manage a band. I don’t play in it.”
“But you’re going to direct the play and let us be in it, right?” Celeste wrapped her arms around Lorrie Ann’s shoulders.
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.” Another decision she had avoided since coming to town. The list kept getting longer.
“Please, please!” The chorus of high-pitched voices surrounded her.
“You look like you could use some help.” Katy approached from behind her car. “Colt, are you causing problems?”
“No, Momma. We’re helpin’ Celeste to get Miss Lorrie Ann to run the Christmas play so we can be in it.”
“Yeah, we want a rock star to help the play so it’ll rock!” The kids laughed at Carlos’s air-guitar jam and started jumping and cheering.
Katy laughed. “I think you have your own fan club. So, you’re helping Pastor John with the girls?”
“Just for a week or so.”
“You might as well agree to help with the play, too. I personally think it’s a God thing. I know your aunt would be over the moo
n with glee.” Katy winked at Lorrie Ann. “The people in this town could use a shot of something new. Pastor John, well, that poor man just needs a social life. You would be good for him.”
Lorrie Ann stood and frowned at Katy. Why did everyone think they knew what that man needed?
“Come on, Colt. We need to find your brothers.” Katy grabbed her son’s arm. “Bye, L.A. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
The short people still stared at her. “Um...don’t you have people waiting for you?” As the little ones started running off, she turned to Celeste. “Where would Rachel be? Do you think she needs help?” She searched the buildings and playground. No Rachel. Great—first day on the job and she’d already lost one of the girls.
“She’s probably just talking with her boyfriend and doesn’t want our help. Are you going to date Daddy?” She took Lorrie Ann by the hand and started leading her to the small courtyard outside the fourth-and fifth-grade buildings. Lorrie Ann didn’t really hear any of the girl’s words after “boyfriend.” Oh, that didn’t sound good.
“Why do some people call you L.A.?” Celeste asked as she led her to the tennis courts.
“It’s my initials for Lorrie Ann, and all I talked about in high school was going to California and becoming a big star. So people started calling me L.A. I liked it at the time.”
“Do you like it now?”
“Not as much. It just doesn’t feel like me anymore.”
Celeste broke free and started running to her sister. “Rachel! We’ve been looking for you.”
“I’m right where Amy always picks me up.” Her glare darted from Celeste to Lorrie Ann. She was going to make a textbook teenager at this rate.
She motioned to the boy next to her. “This is Seth Miller.”
“So you’re the new babysitter,” the boy snarled, flipping the long hair out of his eyes. He slumped next to Rachel, holding her hand, his hoodie and jeans looking two sizes too big for his slender frame.
Rachel hit him in the arm. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m not a baby either! And you’re not supposed to be holding a boy’s hand.” Celeste crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Seth.
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