Arizona Pastor (2 page)

As quickly as Mel walked up on the stage, she walked off. A wave of emotion flowed through Kristy as an instantaneous memory of anxiety flooded her mind. When Kristy had taken those steps off the stage eighteen years before, she had been terrified. Afraid of what would happen to her. Afraid of what would happen to her baby. Ashamed of what she'd done.

Thank You, God, that everything is so different for Mel.

* * *

The principal announced the new graduates, and family and friends swarmed the auditorium floor. Wade Mason stepped out of the way of an elderly woman shuffling toward one of them. He spied the young couple who'd sought his assistance only a few days ago. The girl, Mel was her name, waved as she made her way toward him. A bright smile lit her face, and long dark curls bounced below her shoulders. The tall and thin blond kid, Joel, followed behind her.

“Thank you for coming to our graduation ceremony, Pastor Mason.”
Wade shook Mel's, then Joel's, hand. “Please, call me Wade. No need for formalities.”

Mel giggled. “My mom would keel over if I called our new minister by his first name.”

Joel shifted his weight from one foot to the other, then raked his hand through his hair. “Yeah. Gotta show respect and all.”

Wade cringed. They seemed like good kids, but obviously not ready for the adult life they'd saddled themselves with.

“There you are.” Mel's mother squeezed through the crowd, then wrapped her arms around her daughter.

He'd met Kristy Phillips at the church's welcome party a month ago and he'd noticed her at the services. How could he not? Deep blue eyes above the cutest splattering of freckles pierced through him whenever she looked at him. After that, he avoided eye contact with her every Sunday, when he scanned the crowd while he preached. She was just too distracting.

Kristy released Mel, then offered a tentative hug to Joel as a tall dark-haired man, a petite blonde woman and two preadolescent boys pushed through the crowd, headed for Mel. Joel's mother and his older and heavier look-alike father made their way to them from the side. Wade took another step back to give the families room, then shoved his hands in the front pockets of his khaki pants.

He enjoyed his new pastoral position at the church in Surprise, and yet he'd spent most of the past few evenings praying and stewing over Joel and Mel. He glanced at Kristy, thinking she might be partly to blame for his sidetracked thoughts. He knew he'd have to talk with her, and she distracted him.

She wasn't the only beautiful single woman in his congregation, but there was something about her. Maybe it
was the way she carried herself, shoulders back and chin raised. Or how she touched the base of her neck each time she stood to sing. Whatever it was, she made him lose his focus, and he didn't like the feeling one bit.

Noticing him for the first time, she grabbed his hand in hers. “Pastor Mason. How nice of you to come.”

Wade tried to ignore the jolt of electricity that shot up his arm and sent his heart pounding. He looked into her eyes and prayed she couldn't see the attraction he felt. “Call me Wade.”

He noted a glimmer of interest in her gaze, then she looked away. “I've never called a pastor by his first name.”

“You've probably never had a pastor your age.”

She gazed back at him, and he felt her scrutiny from his head to his toes. Finally, she smiled, exposing a slight dimple in her left cheek he hadn't noticed before. “I suppose Pastor James might have been a decade or two older than you.”

“Or four.” Wade dipped his chin and lifted one eyebrow. “Just how old do you think I am?”

“Fifty? Sixty, maybe?”

He raised his eyebrows at her little joke, and she laughed. He shook his head. “No.”

“All right, then. I'll call you Wade.”

“Pastor Wade—” Mel grabbed his arm “—I want you to meet my dad and stepmom.”

He nodded and shook hands with Mel's, then Joel's, families.

Leah wrapped her hand around Tim's arm. “I hope you'll come to our house for the graduation party.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Wade saw Kristy stiffen and lift her chin. Surely she didn't still have feelings for Mel's father. But then, why wouldn't she? Years had passed, but she was still single, and they'd had a child together.

“He's already said he would come,” said Mel.

“Terrific,” responded Tim. “I've got the steaks and chicken marinating.”

“And I've got everything else ready,” Leah added.

“Thank you for inviting me. I'll be there.” Wade looked at Kristy. Some of the color had drained from her cheeks, and he felt a sudden urge to wrap his arms around her and protect her from the trials she faced. And he knew something she didn't: this day was only going to get harder for her.

K
risty inhaled a deep breath as she balanced the fruit tray on one hand, then pushed the doorbell with the other.
I can do this.
She brushed her tongue against her teeth once again, praying no lipstick was plastered on them. The door opened and Kristy forced a smile that she hoped portrayed genuineness. “Hello, Leah. Thanks so much for having Mel's party here. Our place is so small, and Mel just insisted…”

“No problem.” Leah opened the door wide, allowing a tantalizing French-vanilla aroma to escape the house.

As she motioned Kristy inside, a niggling envy crept up Kristy's spine as she took in the spacious foyer and living area. The kitchen opened up on the left, making the area exceptionally grand and ostentatious. Perfect for a large crowd. Kristy slightly lifted the tray and nodded toward a table piled with mountains of finger foods. “Where would you like me to set this?”

“Mel didn't tell me you were bringing anything. Thank
you so much.” Leah took the offering from Kristy's hands, setting it beside a watermelon that had been cut to look like a basket, which was filled with luscious-looking fruits of all colors. A much more beautiful display than Kristy could even dream up, let alone create. “Can I get you a drink?”

Kristy's gaze moved to the smaller table, which held soft drinks of all kinds and bottles of water. “I'll just take a water.” She scooped one into her hand, unscrewed the top and took a quick drink. “Is Mel here yet?”

“Yes. She and Joel are on the deck with several others. Grab yourself some food and go on out there.”

“I might grab a bite to eat in a little bit. But thanks.”

Kristy made her way to the back door. She had to hold back a gasp when she walked out onto an oversize deck connected to one of the largest aboveground pools she'd ever seen. The yard was perfectly manicured, with clusters of blackfoot and angelita daisies in various spots along the privacy fence. Finding an open chair, Kristy sat and watched her daughter talk with one of the guests.

Once upon a time, Kristy had dreamed of a home like this, with a husband, a few kids… But there was no point in stewing over things that hadn't happened. People made choices. As a teenager, Kristy had chosen to walk outside God's plan. She'd faced the consequences, but God had still blessed her with Mel. She glanced at her grown child. Mel had the opportunity to do the things God had planned for her. Her whole life was an open slate, ready for God to fill it with His will. Thrill wrapped itself around Kristy as she thought of the potential her girl's life encompassed.

Mel spotted her and waved. “Mom, you're here.” Her daughter made her way up the steps of the deck. “Hey, don't leave early. I need to talk with you.”

Before Kristy could respond, Mel nodded and waved at another guest who'd just arrived. Though Kristy hadn't seen the woman in years, she appeared to be Tim's mom. Kristy wanted to hide beneath the chair. His mother had never been fond of Kristy after she and Tim had discovered the pregnancy. If only her own parents could have come…or one of her sisters. But that was impossible. Her parents were missionaries in Brazil. Her middle sister was in the military, stationed in Japan, and her youngest sister had just given birth to her first child only three days before and couldn't attend. Even though she missed having most of her family nearby, life had definitely been busy, which was nice. And it kept Kristy from thinking about her daughter's new freedom.

Taking a deep breath, Kristy settled deeper into her chair. She'd just patiently wait out this day. Mel wanted to talk with her. She probably wanted to be sure all her information had been sent to the college.

Kristy watched as Joel walked up beside Mel. He placed his arm around her back.
Ugh.
Kristy hated how serious the two of them had become. Joel was a great kid, but he and Mel had such different goals. He would one day take over the family plumbing business, and she would one day possibly take over a courtroom. Once Mel went to college, she'd find a nice young man with similar likes and dislikes to hers, not someone so clearly opposite. She just needed to keep her good sense intact and not fall too hard for Joel.

It seemed like forever, but at last the crowd started to dwindle, and soon only Tim, Leah, their children and Kristy remained. Then Kristy spied the new pastor and Joel still talking in the far corner of the yard. She shifted in her chair, antsy to head home, but Mel reminded her not to leave.

“I think everyone's gone.” Mel walked out onto the deck. Joel and Wade made their way to them. “It's time to talk.”

Kristy furrowed her brows. Why were Tim and Leah
and their boys taking seats around the deck? Mel wanted to talk to Kristy. Why would that include everyone? And why were Joel and Wade still here?

Something gripped Kristy's stomach. She hadn't eaten a bite since she'd arrived. Her nerves were in overdrive after spending an entire day at Tim's house. But this feeling seemed to top the hunger and nerves.
Oh, dear God, what is going on?

Mel nestled closer to Joel, wrapping her arms around one of his. “Mom, Joel and I are getting married.” Mel looked at Kristy, then down at her feet. “I'm pregnant.”

Kristy jumped out of the chair, causing it to fall backward. “You're what?”

Mel lowered her chin toward her chest, like a scolded puppy, and whispered, “Pregnant.”

Shock and disbelief swirled through Kristy's mind. This couldn't be happening. Kristy gripped the deck's post. No. There must be some mistake. Mel was second in her graduating class. She was the best debater on the academic team. She was a brilliant, beautiful young lady who would go to college and experience everything life had to offer. She could not be…

Kristy dug her nails into the wood of the deck as her breathing grew labored. She closed her eyes, begging God to wake her up from this nightmare.

Determined to regain control, Kristy released the death grip on the railing and turned to face her daughter and her boyfriend. “I think I misunderstood. How could it be possible…?”

Mel's courage seemed to return, and she straightened her shoulders and rolled her eyes. “Please, Mom. I think you know about the birds and the bees.”

“I know it's a shock, Kristy.” Leah's voice sounded from the other end of the deck.

Kristy glared at her daughter's stepmother. Though Kristy strived to be Christian-like, prayed for blessings on the woman—sometimes, at least—she still couldn't stand Leah. Short, choppy perfect-shade-of-blond hair. Complexion so clear and wrinkle-free, she made babes envious. A shape that even women who'd never carried children would die for. And Mel had always idolized her.

Ha! What a joke. Adult life had played out far easier for Leah than anything Kristy had ever known. The woman had a husband who was crazy about her, who wanted her to spend time and money on haircuts and clothes. Leah's only job was to care for her family, a monumental, honorable task, but Kristy had always been forced to hold a job, go to school
and
take care of her family.

Why wouldn't Leah's house be perfect? Why wouldn't she look great?

Why wouldn't Mel want the same thing?

Bile rose in Kristy's throat. She covered her mouth with her hand, willing her insides to stop churning. A sudden thought swept through her mind. She furrowed her brows.
Why doesn't Leah seem shocked by the news?
She glanced at Tim, who stood ramrod straight and still, but whose only expression was to take in Kristy's response. Why didn't Tim seem shocked, either?

She scanned the deck, searching the faces of Tim, Leah, Mel, Joel, the two boys. Even Wade. All of them stared at Kristy. All of them awaited her reaction.

All of them already knew.

Kristy scooped her purse off the floor. “I've got to go.”

Before anyone could respond, she raced down the deck's steps, through the gate and to her car. After finding her keys, Kristy unlocked the door and slipped inside. As she started the car, fury overtook the shock. Mel had told them
before she'd told Kristy. She'd even told their brand-new pastor before she'd told her mother.

Kristy shook her head. Bewilderment washed through her. When could this have happened? And where? A sick feeling swished through Kristy's stomach. She'd taught a night class on Tuesdays last semester. Surely Mel and Joel weren't… Mel knew she wasn't allowed to have him over if Kristy wasn't there. Kristy pounded the top of the steering wheel.
Just like Tim and I weren't supposed to go to his house when his mom and dad were at work.

“Dear Lord, my sins have come back to haunt me.” Kristy bit the inside of her lip. Afraid of the emotions that were beginning to overwhelm her, she turned the car. She wasn't ready to go home. Pain and disappointment began to settle into her heart. As if of its own volition, the vehicle headed toward her youngest sister Carrie's house. Maybe the full force of it all wouldn't hurt so much if Kristy talked with her sister.

Kristy pulled into the drive and slipped out of the car. Halfway up the sidewalk, she could hear the wails of a newborn. After hurrying the rest of the way, she knocked on the door. Carrie opened it with tears streaming down her face. The front of her shirt was soaked from her chest to her belly.