Читать книгу The Pastor's Christmas Courtship - Glynna Kaye - Страница 11

Chapter Three

Jodi had barely drawn back from giving a big thank-you hug to Marisela Palmer—one of her grandma’s dear friends—when Garrett approached.

Or rather, Pastor McCrae.

Unbelievable.

It was with a sense of relief, though, that the guy she’d known since the summer before first grade hadn’t let himself be shoehorned into a suit for his Sunday morning duties. Rather, he had on a pair of neatly pressed gray trousers, a white collared shirt, and a gray pullover sweater. No outer jacket despite the chilly morning.

She couldn’t resist firing the first volley. “What happened to your tie, Pastor?”

His hand flew to his neck as he looked frantically on the ground around him. “It was there a minute ago.”

“I think Jodi’s teasing you, Garrett. Just like old times.” Marisela, a petite black woman who looked at least a decade younger than Jodi knew her to be, looped her arm through his as she gazed up at him with affection. “I spied her coming out of Nadene’s cabin this morning—a delightful surprise—and we gave her a ride. She tells me she had no idea until last night that you’ve been our minister this past year.”

He patted Marisela’s hand, but his amused gaze held Jodi’s. “It looks as if she sufficiently recovered from the shock since she managed to get herself here on time this morning.”

Garrett would have to remember that Grandma practically had to dynamite her out of bed, and often she’d dragged herself to the breakfast table still in her pajamas.

Before Jodi could make a snappy response, a pretty brunette with two small children in tow paused next to Garrett. Bundled against the cold, the faux fur–trimmed hood of the woman’s burgundy coat framed a heart-shaped face and long-lashed dark eyes. She looked up at him expectantly, as if assuming introductions would be made.

Jodi’s heart jolted. His wife and kids? Right before turning off the bedside lamp last night, she’d realized Garrett hadn’t clarified a marital status. But a quick glance at both his and the woman’s ungloved—and ringless—hands put the question to rest. So Garrett was single and still playing the field, although aspects of that part of his life would certainly have made a U-turn, as well.

His gaze flickered to the newcomer. “Sofia, you know Marisela. But I’d like you to meet Jodi Thorpe. Our grandmothers were good friends. Jodi, this is Sofia Ramos and her daughter Tiana.”

He placed a hand affectionately on the head of the black-haired little girl next to him. “Her little brother is Leon.”

While early grade schooler Tiana smiled shyly, Leon, appearing to be about three, paid Jodi no attention as he tugged at his mother’s coat, eager to be on his way.

“It’s good to meet you.” Jodi shook Sofia’s offered hand.

“Are you visiting for the holidays, Jodi?”

“My folks are selling my grandparents’ cabin, so I’m here to get it ready to put on the market.” That response seemed to satisfy everyone.

“Such a shame to sell the place.” Marisela shook her head. “But while they keep the utilities turned on and things in good repair, your folks haven’t been up here at all this year.”

Garrett looked down at his watch and made a face.

“Oops. Showtime. Children’s choir has the opening number.” He held out a hand to each child. “Kiddos? Let’s get you in there for your moment in the spotlight—all set for your mama’s ever-ready camera if she can sneak off the piano bench for a few shots.”

Both giggling children willingly grasped a hand and trotted up the front steps beside him, evidently comfortable in the man’s presence. Which again made Jodi wonder about his relationship with their mother.

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer invited her to sit with them, and it was with a mix of nostalgia and a sense of time too quickly passing that she spied a few now-older yet familiar faces—including Garrett’s spunky Grandma Jo, who came over to warmly welcome her.

Much of the service was a blur as youthful memories assailed. Sunshine streaming through the stained glass windows illuminated the red velvet bows on each pew, and the familiar scent of furniture oil tickled memories. Remembrances of squirming on a hard pew at her grandmother’s side vividly filled her mind, as did later instances of covertly watching a restless, teenage Garrett sitting with his buddies.

It all blended together with Sofia’s lovely piano renditions in the background, that is until Garrett stood to deliver the morning’s message. As if he had a direct hotline to her troubled soul, his words regarding right and wrong choices—how split-second decisions could make a lasting impact—unexpectedly hit their fragile target.

It was all she could do to maintain her composure as a montage of uncomfortable images flashed through her mind. Her life was such a muddled mess right now, mostly due to choices made. God had forgiven her. She believed that, not because she felt forgiven, but because that’s what He promised. But hadn’t she also paid for her mistakes in the worst possible way?

Now she’d very likely lose her job, too, through no fault of her own. Was it any wonder her faith was tottering? She took a steadying breath as a too-familiar suffocating sensation pressed in.

“Jodi? Would you like to join us?”

Jerked back to the present, she realized the service had concluded. She’d zoned out through the closing hymn, people were milling in the aisles, and Marisela was standing beside her, smiling uncertainly.

She gave an apologetic laugh as she stood to slip back into her jacket. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Join you where?”

“Al and Dolly Lovell have invited us to lunch. You remember Dolly, don’t you? Another of your grandmother’s friends? You’re invited, too—or we’d be happy to drop you off at the cabin if you’d prefer.”

“Oh, do come.” Another older woman, her fair hair cut in a chin-length bob, placed a hand on her arm. “You remember me, don’t you? Georgia Gates. I was your vacation Bible school teacher in third and fourth grades. Your grandma was such a dear friend. We miss her so much.”

“Of course, I remember you.” But for a fleeting moment, surrounded by those who knew and loved Nadene Thorpe, she couldn’t help but wonder why Grandma couldn’t still be there among them, too.

While she’d prefer to return to the seclusion of the cabin, she didn’t want to be rude to her grandma’s friends. If she got through the expected socializing today, she could then oversee the Christmas project as quickly and efficiently as possible. After that, she’d be free to withdraw from human contact for the remainder of her time in Hunter Ridge. “I’d be delighted to come as long as I won’t be intruding.”

“Of course you won’t be,” Georgia said, giving her arm a squeeze. “We’d love to catch up on your life and that of your folks and sisters.”

Thankfully, they could all reminisce about Grandma, too, and there was plenty she could fill them in on regarding family members—marriages, kids, travels. She should be able to keep the attention off herself for the most part.

She’d started down the main aisle when she caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking young man in a wheelchair making his way toward a nearby side door she knew led to an outside ramp. She paused as her grandmother’s friends continued toward the back of the church.

Drew Everton?

He’d been one of her friends from church and a longtime buddy of Garrett’s. Top-notch student. Athlete extraordinaire. But she didn’t see any sign of a cast or elevated leg, so what had...? He glanced up and caught her eye, an ear-to-ear grin illuminating his face. Then he expertly spun the wheelchair in her direction.

“Well, look who’s here.” His eyes smiled as he rolled up to her. “My mom said she thought she saw you, but I didn’t believe her.”

“Moms are always to be believed. It’s me.”

“You look great, Jodi.” His dark-eyed gaze warmed as he looked her over. “Better than great.”

“Thanks. You do, too.” A lock of sand-colored hair dipping over his forehead, he was even better-looking than she remembered from the last time she’d seen him when he was a senior in high school. He’d sometimes joined her and Garrett in their youthful escapades, but he didn’t have that wild streak Garrett had been known for. He’d been more cautious, a look-before-you-leap sort, a steadying influence that probably kept Garrett out of more serious trouble. “How are you, Drew?”

He gave a self-deprecating laugh and motioned to his legs. “I do all right, considering I can no longer chase after cute little gals like you and can’t outrun their boyfriends should I attempt to steal a kiss.”

She smiled uncertainly. “What happened?”

He shrugged. “A little accident. You think you’re in control of your life and the next thing you know, you get your legs knocked out from under you. In my case, literally.”

“This is...permanent?”

“It’s been my reality for several years, but who’s to say? Strides are being made in medical science, and God can always choose to step in. So I’m not giving up hope.”

“I admire your attitude, but I’m sorry, Drew. This can’t be easy.”

A shadow flickered through his eyes. “Far from that.”

His attention was caught by something behind her and his expression brightened. “Hey, you! Get on over here before I make off with your pretty little buddy.”

She turned as Garrett approached. He nodded to her, and the two men shook hands.

“Did you know Jodi was in town?” Drew studied his friend intently. “You kept that to yourself.”

Garrett raised his hands in a gesture of innocence. “I only found out last night. Ran into her by accident.”

Drew squinted one eye. “That true, Jodi?”

“One hundred percent.” It seemed surreal to be standing here talking to these two grown men she’d known when they were boys, and again she felt that faint sensation of suffocation. Disorientation. “I’ll be in town long enough to take care of family business related to Grandma and Grandpa’s cabin and then right back out again.”

“Maybe we can—”

“Wish I could let you two catch up on old times.” Garrett gave them a regretful look. “But Marisela Palmer sent me in here to retrieve Jodi, and I don’t want her to come looking for the both of us.”

“Scaredy-cat,” Drew taunted.

“Guilty as charged.” He tilted his head toward Jodi. “Marisela’s in the car and waiting.”

She and Drew said their goodbyes, then she impulsively leaned over to give him a quick hug.

“Talk about a shock,” she whispered to Garrett as they stepped into the noontime sun and still-crisp air. “I feel so bad for Drew.”

Garrett’s jaw hardened as he nodded, but he didn’t meet her gaze. “Me, too.”

* * *

“How did you con this poor girl into taking on the Christmas project, Garrett? Shame on you for burdening a visitor with church responsibilities.” Georgia Gates clucked her tongue as she gazed at him from across the Lovells’ dining table. “When we heard Melody headed off to Texas, we thought for sure you’d recruit Sofia.”

Here we go again.

Garrett reluctantly looked up from his half-eaten apple pie to focus his attention on the older woman. Aware that all eyes at the Sunday lunch table were on him—including Jodi’s—he placed his fork on his plate and carefully schooled his features to what he hoped was a pastor-like demeanor.

The ink had barely dried on his church contract when it seemed a not-too-subtle campaign commenced to set him up with Sofia Ramos. Is that why all the church ladies he’d talked to yesterday turned down his plea for assistance? They thought if none of them stepped up he’d be forced to call on the attractive single mom?

But they didn’t know Sofia’s whole story, and it wasn’t his to tell.

“I think Sofia’s hands are plenty full right now, don’t you, Georgia? She’s working full-time, and there are Leon’s health issues to consider.”

“I’ve always heard,” Georgia persisted, with an emphatic nod to the others, “that if you need something done, give it to the person who is already successfully juggling a million things and they’ll get it done, too. That’s our Sofia.”

“It’s the holidays, though.” Garrett again picked up his fork. “Let’s show her a little mercy, shall we?”

Jodi gave him a pointed look as if to convey he hadn’t let her off the hook for the holidays. But Sofia was the widow of a volunteer fireman who’d been killed on an icy winter road two years ago. She had enough on her shoulders as it was.

“The issue’s been settled, Georgia,” Dolly chimed in, coming to his rescue. “Thanks to Jodi, who has a big heart like her dear grandma.”

Marisela smiled at Jodi fondly. “You probably wouldn’t remember—you were only here a few days at Christmas some years—but your grandmother had so much fun helping Melody make deliveries. She loved holding the babies.”

“So, then, young lady—” Good-natured Bert Palmer, Marisela’s balding, rotund husband, leaned a forearm on the table. “Christmas is two weeks away. What’s the plan?”

Startled—and looking prettier in that emerald-green turtleneck sweater than a woman had a right to look—Jodi’s gaze flew to Garrett. “I assumed that at some point that’s what someone would tell me.”

“She accepted the role last night, Bert.” Garrett set his fork down again with an inward sigh. Forget the pie. “I picked up Melody’s notes and checklist from the office this morning, so we need time to sort it out.”

“You’ll need volunteers. I can help.” Georgia smiled encouragingly at Jodi. Then, apparently realizing she’d been asked to volunteer yesterday and turned him down flat, she cut a sheepish look in Garrett’s direction. “I can help, Pastor. But I can’t take on the whole thing right now. Getting ready for grandkids coming next week, you know.”

“I can assist, too.” Marisela nodded in Jodi’s direction. “I’ve helped in past years but, like Georgia, I couldn’t assume responsibility for it all.”

Dolly cut another slice of pie and slid it onto her husband’s offered plate. “You can count on me, too, sweetheart. Let me know what I need to do. The young unwed mothers are so appreciative of any assistance they get, and we always come through for them. Baby food. Diapers. Maternity and infant wear. All topped off by a generous helping of things intended to pamper them a bit. I love seeing their faces when they open the packages.”

Jodi’s gaze, unexpectedly bleak, met Garrett’s.

Guilt stabbed. Had he, in trying to get the project off his own overloaded plate, asked her to take on too much?

* * *

Unwed mothers.

She still couldn’t believe she’d signed on to immerse herself in the world of young women with babies and no husbands. That was a situation she could all too vividly relate to. But she’d given Garrett her word, and Grandma’s friends were looking at her as if she were Grandma come back to life.

But Garrett now appeared rather uncertain. Was he having second thoughts about her ability to take it on, thinking she’d let him and the church down?

Despite the initial shock last night, she could handle this. There was no reason she had to spend time with unwed mothers and their infants, was there? She’d sit in the overseer’s chair and delegate. Her grandmother’s friends promised support, as, she assumed, would others. They could be the ones making any required personal contacts.

Holding the babies.

Feeling the phone vibrating in the purse nestled by her feet, she excused herself from the table. In the hallway outside the dining room, she checked the caller ID. Her sister, Star.

“Aunt Jodi?” The giggling voice of her sister’s five-year-old, Bethany, came through the earpiece.

“Hi, sweetie.”

“Is it true you’re a Grinch?” A peal of childish laughter ensued, and Jodi could hear Star whispering something to her daughter as she took possession of the phone.

“Funny, Star.”

“I didn’t coach her to say that, Jodi. Honest.”

“Maybe not. But she overheard that somewhere, and I doubt the source is your ever-lovin’ husband.”

“Well, if the shoe fits...”

“It doesn’t.”

“The kids are disappointed that you aren’t coming here for Christmas. They were looking forward to you taking them to see the holiday lights at the Phoenix Zoo again this year.”

She’d miss that, too. The zoo put on a display of almost four million lights, special shows and rides to delight kids of all ages. Even grown-up ones.

“The thing is, things are really up in the air right now with my job and other stuff, and I told Mom and Dad I’d get the cabin in shape to put on the market while they’re in Mexico.”

“Which brings me to the reason I called. We’re not going to let you spend Christmas all by yourself. Ronda and I and the kids are coming up a couple of days before Christmas.”

Her heart sank.

“Isn’t that a great idea?” Her sister’s voice rose in excited anticipation. “Our hubbies will join us Christmas Eve.”

This could not be happening. Not now. Not when she needed time alone. Time to ask God some hard questions and, hopefully, get her life back on track.

“Star, this isn’t a good idea. I’m here a limited amount of time to get the cabin in shape. I can’t do that with a houseful of kids underfoot.” While Star’s Bethany could be counted on to behave herself, little sister Savannah was only three and would be at that better-watch-her-every-minute stage. Then there was sister Ronda’s four-year-old, Henry, who, from what she’d been told, was still a rambunctious handful.

“We can help,” Star continued. “The kids will play outside most of the time, especially if it snows. You do have snow already, don’t you? I think I saw that on the news.”

“Yes, there’s snow, but—”

“Perfect. They can go sledding and build snowmen like we used to do. And what was that game we played with the paths made in the snow? Fox and geese or something like that?”

“Yes, but—”

“Ronda and I were reminiscing last night about all the wonderful times we had at our grandparents’ place up there. Amazing summers and fun-filled Christmases. Stringing popcorn for the big tree. Opening grab-bag presents. Finding baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. Remember?” She sighed happily. “We were so fortunate to experience that—something our kids have never gotten to enjoy. Something that they’ll never have the opportunity to experience when the cabin sells.”

“Star—”

“This is it, Jodi, our last chance.” Her sister’s voice now openly pleaded. “I know you can pull something amazing together for the kids’ sake. Our last big Christmas together at the cabin. One like Grandma and Grandpa used to give us.”

Would kids that young actually make any lasting memories from a family get-together at the cabin—or was this a front for her sisters’ own nostalgic journey?

Still trying to take in all her sister was saying, Jodi stared blankly down the hallway, then caught movement out of the corner of her eye—Garrett, who’d stepped to the dining room door, his eyes filled with concern.

“Everything okay?” he mouthed.

Oh, sure. Everything was fine. Just fine.