will be ready in an hour.”
Samuel strode toward the stairs. He was the new minister of Sweetwater Community Church and he wasn’t even sure how effective prayer was. His house was still in chaos. He longed for the time he’d felt confident in the power of the Lord—before He had taken his wife and thrown his family into turmoil. He shouldn’t have taken this church assignment, but he was desperate. He wanted his old life back.
Beth took a paper cup filled with red fruit punch from the table next to the coffee urn, then backed off to allow the other parishioners to get their refreshments after the late service. Standing along the wall where all the congregation’s photos hung, she watched Samuel greet each person as they came into the rec hall. Her throat parched, she drank half the juice in several swallows. Over the past few days she had thought about the man more than she should. He and Jane had even plagued her dreams last night.
Jesse Blackburn approached with a cup of coffee. “So what do you think of our new minister?”
“Interesting sermon on redemption.”
“He’s a widower.”
“Yes, I know and, Jesse, don’t you get any ideas. As they say in the movies, I’m blowing this town come summer.”
Taking a sip of her coffee, Jesse stared at her over the rim of her cup. “You are?”
“Don’t act innocent. You know I’ve been planning this ever since Daniel decided to go to college.”
Jesse leaned back against the wall, a picture in nonchalance. “It seems I recall you saying something about a vacation.”
“It’s more than a vacation. In fact, you’ll have to do the annual Fourth of July auction this year, because I won’t be here.”
Her good friend splayed her hand across her chest. “You’re leaving me in charge?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. You and Darcy will do a great job.”
“It won’t be the same without you. You’ve been doing it for the past ten or so years.”
“And I have made very good notes for you to follow.” Beth finished her punch, then crushed the paper cup into a ball. Frustration churned in her, making her feel as though she should shed her skin. “I’ll help you until May. Then you’re on your own.”
“Boswell’s a great organizer. I’ll put him on it.” Jesse straightened away from the wall. “Give the poor man something to do.”
“How’s it feel to have your own butler?”
Jesse laughed. “A bit funny, but Boswell’s more like a member of the family than anything. Now, if I could just get him and Gramps to get along. Thank goodness Gramps married Susan Reed and lives at her place.” She drained her coffee. “Are you sure you don’t want me to have a little dinner party for the new reverend?”
“I think you should have a party.”
Jesse’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“To help introduce him to the whole congregation, not just the single women.” Beth scanned the room for the man under discussion. He stood a few feet from the door, dressed in a black suit that accorded a nice contrast to his blond hair. The intent expression on his face while listening to Tanya Bolton gave Beth the impression he was a good listener, which was probably beneficial considering the needs of the people in the church. “What makes you think he’s looking for a woman?”
“The romantic in me. I just hate seeing people alone.”
“Jesse, I’m not alone. I have three siblings—who I grant you don’t live with me anymore, but are still around. And I have my friends. Reverend Morgan has three children. And I met his aunt this morning in Sunday-school class. She lives with him. That certainly isn’t alone.”
“Boy, you need a man worse than I thought if you think children and an aunt are the same thing as a spouse.”
“What are you two conspiring about?” Darcy Markham paused next to Beth, her hand at the small of her back.
Relieved at her friend’s timely interruption, Beth smiled. “When are you going to have that baby?”
“I wish any minute, but the doctor says another month. Maybe I’ll have it on my anniversary. If this child is anything like my son, he will take his sweet time. I’m not sure who is more anxious, me or Joshua.”
“I sympathize with you two, but I’m glad it’s you and not me.” Beth’s gaze caught Reverend Morgan moving away from the door and making his rounds to the various groups in the room.
“Well, I should hope so. You aren’t married,” Jesse said with a laugh.
Heat singed Beth’s cheeks. “You know what I mean. I’m too old to have children. Besides, after raising my two brothers and sister, I’m through.” After she’d turned thirty-five with no prospect of a husband, she’d given up hope of having her own children.
“Too old!” Darcy shifted her stance, rubbing her back. “You’re only thirty-eight. Beth, if that’s too old, then Jesse and I don’t have long before we’re over the hill.”
“She’s gonna be too busy traveling. She’s leaving Sweetwater this summer and has informed me that we’ll have to be in charge of the annual auction.”
“Us?” Darcy pointed to her chest, then rested her hand on her stomach.
“Yes, you two. In fact, you and your husbands are invited to a party I’m having next weekend.”
“A party? Isn’t that Jesse’s domain? You don’t give parties.”
Beth narrowed her eyes on Darcy, pressing her lips together. She had always been so predictable. That was about to change. “I am now. It’s a celebration. I’m going to choose where I’m going this summer.”
“Choose?” Jesse’s brow furrowed.
“You two will just have to wait and see how. Can I count on you all coming to the celebration?”
Both Darcy and Jesse nodded their heads, big grins on their faces.
“Celebration?”
At the sound of the deep, gruff voice behind her, Beth blinked, then swallowed to coat her suddenly dry throat while the reverend stepped into view.
“I just wanted to thank you again, Beth, for rescuing Jane and me the other day.” Samuel Morgan extended his hand toward her.
She fitted hers within his and shook it, aware of the curiosity of her two friends. “It was nothing.”
Still holding her hand, Samuel smiled, the warmth in his expression reaching deep into his chocolate-colored eyes. “So what are you celebrating?”
Chapter Two
My great escape, Beth thought, but decided not to voice that answer. “This is the celebration I told you about. I’m planning
