Jacquelin Thomas - The Pastor's Woman

Paige agreed. “Amber thinks he’s gorgeous but I don’t see it.”

“He’s not bad-looking. It’s his attitude I don’t like. He was so arrogant when Lyman introduced us at that party last month.”

“He’s been hanging with Kelvin Landy a lot lately.”

Pearl didn’t know much about the physical therapist and trainer who worked with some Detroit athletes. Shrugging in nonchalance, she said, “Kelvin’s okay. It’s Dashuan who is such a jerk.”

For the rest of the half, they yelled and cheered the Chargers each time they scored.

“You having choir rehearsal tomorrow?” Paige inquired during a commercial break.

Pearl nodded. “I hope Pastor won’t be around. He makes me uncomfortable.”

Paige finished off her second slice of pizza. “Why?”

“I don’t know. He just does,” Pearl responded. “Have you noticed that the man hardly ever smiles? He’s so serious all of the time.”

“Maybe he doesn’t have much to smile about,” Paige offered. “You shouldn’t let Pastor get to you like that. He’ll keep on if he knows that he can get to you.”

“He doesn’t get to me,” Pearl said. But there was no time to argue, as the second half started.

The Chargers were ahead, but not by much. Pearl was on pins and needles until the final buzzer.

“Yes!” She rose up and started dancing. “That’s the way to start the season off right. Give Lyman my congratulations when you talk to him,” Pearl said. “Meanwhile I’ll be in the library working on some music. I’ve been inspired by the victory.”

Thursday morning, Wade strolled into his office at the church, crossing the room to his desk. Up since four-thirty, he’d already spent an hour praying and studying his Bible and taking an early-morning stroll.

Barbara Delany, his secretary, entered the office behind him, carrying a stack of documents.

He quickly looked them over. “Thanks, Barbara. How are you this morning?”

“Blessed and highly favored, Pastor. Oh, my niece is moving back to Detroit this weekend. She’s a doctor. An unmarried doctor. I can’t wait for you to meet her. We’re all very proud of her.”

A muscle quivered at his jaw. “I’m sure you and she will have a great visit.”

“She’ll be coming to church with me on Sunday. Marnie’s not just coming for a visit. She’s going to be working at Detroit Memorial. She wanted to come back home. Our family’s very close.”

After signing the documents, he handed the papers back to her. “I look forward to meeting her,” Wade responded blandly.

Barbara whipped a photo out of her pocket. “I just happen to have a picture of her right here.”

Wade politely accepted the photo, eying the woman in it. “She looks like you.”

Barbara broke into a big grin. “That’s what everybody says.”

Wade sent up a silent prayer for any type of interruption to jolt Barbara back into secretary mode. Why didn’t members of his congregation trust him to pick his own wife?

As if heaven sent, the telephone began to ring.

“I better go get that,” Barbara uttered, rushing out of the office.

Wade sent up a quick prayer of thanks.

She put the call through to his office and he answered on the second ring, “Pastor Wade Kendrick.”

“Wade, it’s Harold. Hadn’t talked to you in a couple of days. Wanted to say hello.”

He smiled. Harold Green and his family had always been a part of his extended family, but for the past ten years they were his only family.

“I had you on my list to call today,” Wade stated. “I wanted to invite you to lunch, if you have some time today.”

“Ivy and Cassie are doing some last-minute shopping for the wedding. I have a few hours to kill. Lunch is good.”

They arranged a time and a place.

Wade met Harold at the restaurant shortly after twelve.

“Uncle Harold,” he greeted, “I’m glad you could meet me.”

They followed a hostess to a small table by the window. When they were seated, Harold asked, “How are things going at Lakeview?”

“Well, I’m adjusting,” Wade responded. “Some of the mothers in the church are trying to marry me off to their daughters. That’s a good sign, I think.”

Harold chuckled. “You can’t be surprised. You’re a minister of a medium-sized church, you have a nice car, you’re good-looking. Man, that makes you a good catch.”

Wade changed the subject by asking, “So how are the wedding plans going?”

Sighing in resignation, Harold answered, “My wife and my daughter are getting sick of each other. I’m glad the wedding is this Saturday. I don’t know how much longer I can referee.”

Wade chuckled. “Weddings are supposed to be happy occasions.”

“But the planning is a nightmare. Ivy wants to throw rice while Cassie only wants birdseed and her future mother-in-law thinks they should just release a couple of doves. Doves. Have you heard of such a thing?”

“I’ve had some similar requests but as long as it’s not done in the church, I don’t have a problem with it,” Wade stated. “I know Cassie. She’s going to have her way in this. She’s as stubborn as Aunt Ivy.”

Harold agreed. “And it’s driving my wife crazy. I keep telling Ivy that this is our daughter’s wedding, not hers.”

The waitress arrived to take their food and drink orders.

While they waited for the food, Harold announced, “I spoke to your mother last week. She sounded good.”

“That’s great news,” Wade replied. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Have you tried to call her lately?”

A pain squeezed his heart as Wade thought about his estranged mother. “No point in it. She’s never going to forgive me for Jeff’s death. She hasn’t spoken to me since he died and she’s not going to talk to me now.”

“How do you know unless you try?”

“Uncle Harold, I’ve tried. You know that. I used to call once a month, then three times a year. She won’t talk to me. All she does is slam the phone down as soon as she realizes it’s me.”

“You should never give up on family, Wade.”

“I haven’t given up,” he stated. “My mother was the one who gave up on me.”

“Your mother loves you,” Harold said. “One day she’ll remember just how much.”

Wade didn’t want to continue this conversation because it hurt too deeply. He changed the topic to sports, which dominated their thoughts until lunch was over.

Wade returned to his office to find Melinda Newberry, one of the church members, waiting for him. He released a short sigh, then pasted on a smile.

“Sister Melinda, it’s nice to see you. What brings you here?”

“I’m attending the Grosse Pointe Heart Foundation gala next weekend and I thought maybe you could escort me. Pastor, it would be the perfect chance for you to meet some very influential people here in Detroit. It would be nice for them to meet you, as well.”

Wade tried to think of a way to let her down gently. “Thank you for the invitation, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend.”

She looked offended. “I just thought it would be nice for you to network. Some of Detroit’s most prominent ministers will be in attendance. Pastor, you really should be there.” She gave him a sexy smile. “Won’t you reconsider?”

“I’m afraid I can’t,” he replied. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

Without a response, Melinda strode out of the building in a huff.

“You did the right thing, Pastor,” his secretary told him. “She’s after fame and fortune. I’m not one to gossip but the truth is the light. Melinda Newberry only wants a man with money.”

He laughed. “Then I don’t have a thing to worry about.”

Wade headed to his office.