The Pastor’s Woman
Jacquelin Thomas

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is dedicated to the loves of my life:

My husband and my children. Forever always…

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 1

The dark clouds looming ominously over Detroit, the thirty-four-degree temperature and thirty-five-mile-per-hour winds matched Pearl Lockhart’s mood perfectly as she merged her Ford Explorer onto I-75 north on her way to Lakeview Baptist Church.

She left fifteen minutes early because she wanted to have a few words with the pastor. Just who did Wade Kendrick think he was, telling her that she should wear her dresses a little longer? What nerve!

The man had only been installed a few months ago as pastor of the church she grew up in, and now he was suddenly an authority on fashion.

Her sisters had invited Pastor Wade Kendrick to attend their annual family reunion last month and he seemed nice enough—until he made a chauvinistic comment regarding the roles of women in a Christian household, igniting a heated debate between him and Pearl.

He had a lot of nerve criticizing the way she dressed. God didn’t care about the clothes people wore to church. He looked at the heart and not the garments. It wasn’t as if she were walking into church dressed like a hoochie. Her skirts normally reached just above the knee. For goodness’ sake, she was only twenty-five years old.

Pearl pulled her SUV into the church parking lot that sat on the corner of Monroe Street.

She climbed out a few minutes later, braving the November chill. Pearl pulled together the folds of her ankle-length leather coat and walked briskly toward the entrance of the church. She loved the city of her birth, but during this time of year, she developed a love-hate relationship with the Michigan weather.

Pearl moved easily but impatiently through the wooden double doors of Lakeview Baptist Church. “Good morning,” she said to one of the deacons standing outside the sanctuary. Removing her coat, she headed down the hallway to the administrative offices.

She was relieved that none of her sisters had arrived yet, especially Ruby or Opal. They would try to talk her out of her plan, but Pearl had never been one to back down from a fight.

When she neared Wade’s office, Pearl slowed her pace. The door was slightly ajar, allowing her to peek inside.

He was there, his bald head gleaming as he concentrated on the papers on his mahogany desk. Pearl had to admit that Wade was a handsome man with dark brown eyes and nice full lips. Even that secret expression she’d glimpsed from time to time made him sexy.

She’d heard through the church grapevine that he was only twenty-eight years old, despite his somber mood and old-fashioned attitude.

She knocked softly to get his attention.

Without waiting for a response, Pearl pushed the door open all the way and struck a pose. “So what do you think of this outfit, Pastor? Does it meet with your approval?”

Wade Kendrick eyed the petite woman standing in the doorway of his office wearing a black leather skirt that was cut a good two inches above the knee revealing shapely, well-toned legs.

His left eyebrow rose up a fraction. Until today Wade couldn’t ever recall seeing Pearl Lockhart wearing something so short.

She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze straight on.

Despite the rebellious spirit she was currently exhibiting, he couldn’t deny that she looked beautiful with her sandy brown hair styled in twists and her clear mocha complexion free of makeup.

What he liked about Pearl was that she always wore a smile, although the one on her face right now was born of pure defiance. She was obviously upset about the conversation they’d had last Sunday regarding her clothes.

The only reason he’d said anything to Pearl in the first place was because he’d overheard some of the teen boys discussing her legs and saying she was the finest woman at Lakeview. Wade hoped to avoid further distractions but he certainly hadn’t meant to offend Pearl, the youth-choir director.

“Pastor Kendrick,” she began, “I don’t think you should worry about what I’m wearing. God doesn’t look at the clothes a person wears. He looks at the heart.”

“Miss Lockhart, the Bible speaks about modest clothing,” Wade stated calmly. “Scripture tells us that a woman who dresses immodestly causes men to think unholy thoughts. It draws their attention to the outward body, rather than to the inner heart. Just read the third chapter of First Peter.”

Wade was not about to be drawn into another debate with her and prayed his response had put an end to the discussion. Pushing away from his desk, he stood up, saying, “It’s almost time for service to start. We can continue this conversation after church if you’d like.”

Pearl opened her mouth, then shut it.

A muscle flicked angrily at her jaw. Pearl glared at him before storming out of the office and disappearing down the hallway.

Wade released a long sigh. This was not the way he’d planned to start off the morning service. But he would speak with Pearl Lockhart when church ended and clear the air. Apologize if necessary. She and her family had been members of Lakeview Baptist a long time and Wade didn’t want a rift to develop between them. He could do without having drama in the church.

When he walked into the sanctuary, Wade found that instead of sitting in her usual seat a few rows back Pearl had made herself comfortable in the front pew, her eyes full of triumph.

She was clearly not going to let this matter drop.

His eyes traveled to her shapely legs, the sight of them stirring something in him. Wade couldn’t deny the teenage boys were right. Pearl Lockhart’s legs were exquisite.

Stop looking at her legs, he told himself.

Determined in his heart to keep his head and mind on the Lord, Wade signaled for one of the ushers to approach. “Could you please get Miss Lockhart a sheet or blanket, please?”

He stepped up into the pulpit and took his seat between his youth pastor and the assistant pastor. Wade couldn’t see her face from where he was sitting, but he could only imagine she was shooting fiery darts through the podium at him with her eyes.

He would have to risk her fury for now because Wade didn’t need any distractions, either. It wasn’t always easy with church mamas trying to push their daughters in his face and overly aggressive women practically throwing themselves at him.

Wade’s mind traveled back to Pearl. He could only assume that she was behaving this way to get his attention. She was a beautiful girl but he didn’t go for the boisterous, party-girl type.

Instead, he preferred a woman more like him, conservative, with traditional beliefs. Even with her great body and gorgeous legs, Pearl was definitely not wife material as far as he was concerned.

A tremor of disappointment slid down his spine.

Pearl clamped her jaw tight and stared straight ahead, the blanket folded up beside her on the pew. How dare Wade Kendrick try to humiliate me like this? The man belongs in the 1800s.

She found it hard to believe that a man who looked like Wade could be so backward in his beliefs. He stood about six or seven inches taller than her five-foot-four-inch frame, and was lean, muscular and extremely handsome.

Pearl had always found men with bald heads and deep, penetrating eyes incredibly sexy. But Wade Kendrick was stuffy and took himself way too seriously all the time. She pitied the woman who would eventually marry him.

He couldn’t handle a woman like me, that’s for sure.

Half of the single women attending Lakeview Baptist were already chasing Wade, but it didn’t matter to Pearl. She wanted nothing to do with him.

Even though her anger at him still lay at the surface, Pearl found Wade’s sermon on Hosea and Gomer enlightening. He might not have much personality but he was a gifted pastor.

“Why do you look like you’re ready to kill somebody?” her cousin Paige Richards asked shortly after service ended. “And why did you sit way up here?”

Before she could respond, her sister Opal walked up, asking, “What’s with the leather miniskirt?”

Pearl hugged her in greeting before saying, “Excuse me, Opal. We can talk in a few minutes. Right now I really need to have a word with our pastor.”

“Pearl—”

“I won’t be long. I promise.”

Opal grabbed her by the arm. “That’s not what I’m worried about. Pearl, are you still upset over what he said to you? I told you that he didn’t mean any harm. I’m sure of it.”

Pearl turned around, facing her sister. “He didn’t say anything to you. Your dresses are the same length as mine. Ever since the family reunion, he’s had it in for me.”

“There has to be something more to it.”

“Opal, that’s exactly what I intend to find out. Don’t worry. I just plan to have a quick word with him.” She wasn’t going to let Wade quote scripture to her and just walk away.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Pearl. The last time…”

She didn’t wait around for Opal to finish her sentence. Pearl was on a mission.

She walked with purpose into Wade Kendrick’s office. “Pastor, we need to finish our discussion.”

He looked up. “Miss Lockhart.”

Closing the door halfway, she said, “I need you to explain something to me. Why are you picking on me? Is this about our discussion of women’s roles?”

“I’m not picking on you. I never meant to offend you. If I have, I’m sorry.”

Did he really think an apology would make things right?

“I appreciate your apology, Pastor,” Pearl managed to reply through stiff lips. “However, I still want to know why you singled me out.”

“I didn’t.” Wade paused a moment before continuing. “Please have a seat.”

She sat down in one of the chairs facing him.

“The reason I suggested that you lower your hemline is because you’re quite a distraction to some of the teen boys here at church.”

Pearl was caught off guard by his words. “Excuse me?”

“I overheard some of the boys discussing you. Your legs…”

“Oh.” She snapped her mouth shut. Pearl glanced down at the skirt she had on and tried pulling it closer to her knees. She suddenly felt like a fool. “I had no idea, Pastor. I thought you were just being your old stuffy self.” She hadn’t really meant to say that last part out loud.

Her words seemed to amuse him. “You really consider me stuffy?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I’m not stuffy, Sister Pearl. I just believe that if the church went back to the old way of doing things, we wouldn’t have some of the problems we’re facing today.”

“Such as women not being allowed to wear pants in church? Our last pastor didn’t have a problem with women wearing pants to service, but it was one of the first changes you made after taking leadership.”

He boldly met her gaze. “Yes. I feel that skimpy dresses or pants show a lack of respect and reverence for the house of God. The Bible clearly states in Deuteronomy that it is a sin for women to wear men’s apparel.”

“I believe that scripture was referring more to cross-dressers,” Pearl countered. “Pastor, have you ever considered that maybe women should wear pants to church, so maybe then the boys won’t be distracted, as you put it. And you wouldn’t need to have ushers bring out the blankets.”

He broke into a rare smile.

“Pastor, I’m sorry for my childish behavior this morning. You and I definitely don’t see things in the same light, but I’m really not a troublemaker or a hoochie.”

“I never thought you were.”

Pearl wasn’t so sure she believed him but she chose to keep her thoughts at bay.

“I’ll give it some thought but I have to be honest,” Wade stated, “I don’t think my views will change. It is my goal to make sure that my leadership over this church is biblically sound. I’m going to let the Lord lead me.”

“Understood.” Pearl got up and walked to the door. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Pastor.”

“You, too, Sister Pearl.”

As their eyes met, she felt a new and unexpected warmth run through her. Her heart pounding, Pearl walked outside, where she found Opal and Paige waiting by her SUV.

“Pearl, what did you do?”

She eyed her sister. “Opal, I didn’t do anything. Pastor and I had a talk. A good talk. That’s all.”

“You mean, you two actually agreed on something?” Opal sounded surprised.

“Naaah, I wouldn’t say that. But I think we reached a compromise.” Pearl glanced around the parking lot. “Where’s Ruby and Amber? Did they leave already?”

“They didn’t want to wait around for you to have all of us kicked out of church.” When Pearl shot her a look, she added, “I’m only kidding.” Laughing, Opal reached over, giving Pearl a hug, then Paige. “I’ll see y’all later. I’m meeting D’marcus for brunch.”

Opal practically glowed every time she mentioned her boyfriend’s name. D’marcus Armstrong was a good man and Pearl considered him fortunate to have her sister in his life.

Pearl drove out of the parking lot and headed for the freeway, driving toward Grosse Pointe, a suburb of Detroit.

Ten minutes later, she drove down Lake Shore Drive and pulled into the garage. Paige parked her BMW Z4 roadster in the space beside her.

The two women walked into the luxury apartment building together.

“Are we still going to the movies later?” Paige asked as they rode the elevator up to the second floor.

Pearl nodded. “Yeah. I just need to take a nap first.”

“I could use one myself. Lyman and I didn’t get home until two-thirty this morning.”

“I was surprised to see you at church. I figured you’d just spend all weekend at his house. Isn’t he leaving town this week?”

“Yeah. They’re playing Milwaukee on Wednesday.”

“I know what we’re doing Wednesday night,” Pearl said with a grin. Her cousin dated Detroit Chargers forward Lyman Epse and whenever the team played away from home, Paige and Pearl ordered pizza and watched the game on television. They were both basketball fanatics.

Inside the apartment, Pearl headed straight for the couch. She needed to get out of her boots, which had been clearly designed for fashion, not for comfort.

Her cousin sat down on the chair facing Pearl. “C’mon, what did you really say to Pastor?”

Pulling off the black leather boots with four-inch heels, Pearl related the conversation.

Paige merely stared, tongue-tied. “He really told you that you were distracting the boys?” she asked after a moment.

“Yeah. I don’t think he was comfortable with telling me though. I feel like such an idiot now after the way I behaved. I thought he was giving me a hard time because of what happened at the reunion.”

“You know what I think? I think Pastor finds you a distraction for himself.”

Pearl dismissed her cousin’s comment with the wave of her hand.

“I’m serious. I bet he’s not telling any of the other women at church to wear longer dresses.”

At Pearl’s protest, her cousin continued. “Don’t you think he’s handsome?”

“Yeah, he’s nice-looking,” she admitted. “But Pastor Kendrick is much too old-fashioned for me.”

“If he’s interested in you, you better go for it. Honey, if some of the women at church have their way, he won’t be single for long. Did you see how Clara was all up in his face a couple of weeks ago? I’m surprised she wasn’t at church this morning.”

“She’s definitely not the woman for him.”

Paige broke into a grin. “So who is the woman for him?”

Shrugging, Pearl responded, “I don’t know. Sister Barbara is always up in his face—”

Paige laughed. “You wrong, Pearl. She’s his secretary.”

“She’s always trying to get him to have dinner at her house. You should see her. It’s shameful.”

“Jealous?”

“Me? No way.”

Paige rose to her feet. “I’m going to go straighten out my room and get my clothes ready for tomorrow, so I won’t have to worry about it when we come home from the movies.”

Pearl lay down on the couch. “Wake me when you’re ready to go.” She’d worked three double shifts at the restaurant in the past five days and she was dead tired.

She had just closed her eyes when the phone rang. She heard Paige answer on the third ring, then call out for her to pick up.

Pearl grabbed the extension closest to her—it was her manager. She eased up into a sitting position. “It’s no problem. I’m glad you called me. I can use the extra money. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

When Paige walked back into the living room, Pearl announced, “I’ll have to take a rain check on the movies. I need to go in to work.”

“Pearl, you need to take some time off.”

“I need the money. You know I spent most of my savings on those demo tapes.”

“Your sisters and I offered to help you, but you refused.”

“Paige, I need to do this for myself. Besides, I’d feel bad if nothing ever comes out of this and I’d taken money from y’all.”

“Can you do me a favor and bring me home an order of linguine à la pescatore?”

Pearl nodded. “In fact, I’ll pick up a couple of orders. But I’m not getting off until nine.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just eat a late lunch.”

Foregoing her nap Pearl made her way to her bathroom. The apartment she and Paige shared came with dual master bedrooms, each with its own glamour bath. She washed her face and freshened up, the hot water being exactly what she needed to bring her tired senses back to life.

Pearl dressed in a pair of black tuxedo pants, a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie. She walked out of her bedroom just as her cousin was about to knock on the door.

“Here’s the money for my food,” Paige stated, holding out a twenty.

“I’ll call you if I get off early.”

“Thanks.”

Pearl grabbed a short, red leather coat out of the hall closet and headed to the front door. “See you later.”

Thirty-five minutes later, Pearl parked on the employee side of the restored Victorian house that had been converted into an upscale Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown. Milton’s Ristorante was considered one of the finest places to dine in Detroit.

Pearl had been working there for almost four years. She enjoyed working on the waitstaff because the job allowed her the flexibility she needed for her music and the tips were good.

Still, she dreamed of the day she’d be able to focus full-time on her music. Pearl knew deep in her heart that she was destined to be a singer.

Her time would come.

Soon.

Hopefully.

Chapter 2

Wade didn’t feel like cooking. In fact, he had grown tired of the variations of Hamburger Helper. He’d eaten enough of it to last him a lifetime.

He reconsidered the invitations issued by a couple of ladies in church. Both Barbara Delany, the church secretary, and Carole Davis came up to him after morning service to invite him over for dinner.

Wade knew without a doubt that the invite from Carole came with strings attached. Shortly after his arrival at Lakeview, Sister Carole became adamant in her attempts to get him to date her daughter, Elizabeth. Wade had taken her to dinner a couple of times.

Liz was nice enough but she was very needy and had a lot of issues. Wade was barely dealing with his own demons, had been for the past ten years. He couldn’t take on any additional baggage in his personal life.

He made his way over to the refrigerator and looked inside, noting the bag of salad, a few pieces of fruit and some leftover Hamburger Helper. Wade checked the freezer. He had a steak and a couple of pieces of chicken but they were frozen solid. There was no telling how long they’d been in there and would take too long to thaw out.

The last time he tried to defrost a piece of meat in the microwave…Just the memory was enough to convince Wade not to relive that particular experience. Cooking skills were definitely not among his talents.

Maybe I should seriously consider looking for a wife.

A fleeting image of Pearl Lockhart drifted through his mind. Wade shook his head, trying to shut out all awareness of her.

She’s definitely not the woman for me.

His stomach growled loudly.

He briefly considered ordering Chinese food but didn’t really have a taste for it. Actually, he was in the mood for pasta. He recalled one of the deacons telling him about a pretty good Italian restaurant in the area.

What was it called? Wade searched his memory.

Milton’s, that was it.

He strolled into his office and looked it up on the Internet, searching for details and reviews on the restaurant.

Satisfied with what he’d read, he grabbed his coat, wallet and keys and headed to the door.

Inside his black Chrysler 300, Wade keyed the address into his GPS navigational system. He steered the car out of the driveway and onto the street. He was looking forward to enjoying a meal that hadn’t been prepared by his hands or come with somebody’s daughter as the dessert.

Fifteen minutes later, Wade arrived at the restaurant. The smell of freshly sautéed garlic and herbs tantalized his senses. A smiling hostess greeted him warmly and escorted him to a small table in the main dining room. The mustard-gold walls and deep burgundy drapes provided a richly colored backdrop while soft music floated throughout the restaurant.

Wade perused the menu while he waited for a member of the waitstaff to arrive. Everything he read on the list sounded delicious.

His eyes traveled around the room, taking in the dining guests and enjoying the ambiance. Wade was more of a homebody unless he was attending a dinner meeting or on a date, but he vowed to change that starting tonight. He’d been in Detroit for a few months. It was time to start enjoying the city.

Humming softly to the music, Pearl carried out a tray of drinks for a party of six. Since coming to work, she’d had a steady stream of customers, but she wasn’t complaining. She preferred staying busy. It helped to pass the time.

Pearl was on the schedule to work every day this week except Wednesday, and she’d picked up a singing gig for Saturday.

If things continued the way they were, she’d earn close to fifteen hundred dollars this week—money that would go back into her savings.

Last month she’d sang at three weddings, a function for the mayor of Detroit and a couple of private parties. The gigs had paid well enough to cover her bills for November and December.

Out the corner of her eye, Pearl noted the lone newcomer who had just been seated in her station.

She made her way over to his table.

“Good evening,” Pearl greeted. Her voice died when she recognized Wade. “Pastor…hello.”

“Sister Pearl,” he responded. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze straight on. “What you mean is that you didn’t know I was a waitress.”

Wade didn’t respond.

Pearl thought she detected a flicker in his intense eyes. “It’s okay,” she plunged on carelessly. “I’m not ashamed of it. It’s a job. I make an honest living. But anyway, welcome to Milton’s Ristorante. Have you ever eaten here before?”

“No, this is my first time.” Leaning back in his seat, Wade said, “I have a taste for seafood so what would you recommend I try?”

“Everything on the menu is delicious, though I have some personal favorites.” She described them in detail, and the pastor made a choice.

“I’ll go put your order in and I’ll be right back with your water.”

Wade nodded in response.

Pearl couldn’t believe her luck. Why did Wade Kendrick of all people have to come to Milton’s today and end up in her station?

He’d better leave me a nice big tip, she thought to herself.

She returned to Wade’s table a few minutes later with his water. Pearl sat it down in front of him, saying, “Your food should be up shortly.”

Their gazes met and held, making her uneasy.

“Thank you,” he murmured after a moment.

Pearl moved without haste but with hurried purpose. She had no idea why Wade affected her the way he did, but instead of dwelling on the thought, she pushed it to the back of her mind as she wrote down more dinner orders.

She smiled at the two men entering her station, acknowledging them. As soon as they took their seats, Pearl went over to introduce herself.

She stole a peek over her shoulder at the table where Wade was sitting.

He was watching her. Pearl thought she detected a flicker in his intense eyes, causing her pulse to skitter alarmingly.

She drew her attention back to her customers and managed to get through the specials and take their drink order without fumbling. Having Wade seated in her station made her nervous.

But why? she wondered.

Pearl had been completely caught unawares seeing him. Wade was just as surprised to see her standing at his table. She looked as stunning in her uniform as she did any other time. All of the Lockhart siblings were beautiful, but Wade thought Pearl the prettiest.

She was also the most outgoing, it seemed. And the most opinionated, for sure.

His eyes traveled to the two men sitting at the table across from his. They shared similar features, so much that they had to be related to each other. Probably brothers, Wade decided.

Pearl paused at his table to refresh his glass of water, her appearance distracting him briefly from his thoughts.

He cast another smile her way. “Thank you.”

“Would you like something else to drink with your dinner besides water?” she inquired.

Wade shook his head. “This is fine.”

“Your food should be ready.”

While Wade waited for Pearl to come back with his meal, he reflected back over his life. His journey to the pulpit had not been one without heartache. His gaze landed on the two men laughing and talking nearby, his heart breaking all over again.

I miss you so much, Jeff.

Memories of his dead brother rushed to the forefront, bringing tears to Wade’s eyes. Ten years had passed since Jeff’s death, but to him, it still felt like it had happened yesterday. Wade didn’t know if he would ever be able to escape that particular heartache or be free of the guilt.

It’s my fault that Jeff is dead.

Wade had joined the Chicago Kings, one of the city’s largest and most violent street gangs, when he was fifteen. Two years later, when his younger brother, Jeff, wanted to join, Wade didn’t do anything to dissuade him, despite the constant pleas of their mother.

He knew the dangers, but back then, it was nothing more than a way of life to Wade. It took Jeff being killed in a drive-by shooting a year later to change Wade’s way of thinking and to change his life.

Wade went through the motions of eating but not really tasting his food. Seeing families together, enjoying each other, was a constant reminder of everything that he’d lost.

Suddenly needing to get out of there, he dropped two twenty-dollar bills on the table and rose to his feet. He spotted Pearl coming his way and met her.

“I’m sorry but I need to leave,” he blurted. “I left money on the table. Keep the change.” Wade didn’t give her a chance to respond. He walked briskly to the door.

Outside, he took a deep breath and climbed into his car.

Wade pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind as he drove down I-75, en route to his house in Auburn Hills.

At home, Wade went straight to the dresser in his bedroom. From the top drawer he pulled a yellow bandana and a necklace made of gold and black beads—the items Jeff was wearing when he was killed. The faded brownish stains on it were his brother’s blood. Wade kept the bandana and necklace because it was all he had left of Jeff.

But the items couldn’t help him remember the exact details of what happened that day. Wade had tried over the years to piece together everything, but there was a huge gap in his mind from the time they were walking to a nearby store to his holding Jeff’s bullet-ridden body.

Holding the bandana to his chest, Wade sat down on the edge of the king-sized bed, lost in the memories of his brother and the precious little time they’d spent together.

The images Wade dreaded most were of Jeff wearing the bandana and the necklace, and the day Wade took him to get a royal crown tattooed on his shoulder. Wade had since gone through the expensive process of having the Kings’s symbol removed via laser treatment. Even now, the faint image of a crown still remained as a permanent link to his past.

“I’m so sorry, Jeff,” he whispered, his voice breaking.

Wade would never forget the look on his poor mother’s face when she was told that her sixteen-year-old son was dead. She was in denial initially until she looked into Wade’s eyes. Her expression changed from grief to pure hatred. She charged at him, beating him with her fists and calling him a murderer.

He winced at the memory.

After they’d buried Jeff, his mother had told him at the cemetery that he no longer had a home or a mother. A close family friend who’d been in town for the funeral had invited Wade to live with his family in Indiana—but only if he was ready to leave the gang.

Harold Green and Wade’s father had been in the military together. Afterward they’d both decided to go into law enforcement. Wade’s father had been killed five years later when he went to check on a domestic dispute. Uncle Harold had stayed in law enforcement until retiring a few years ago. He’d tried to counsel Wade against gangs, but his words had gone unheard.

Until Jeff’s death.

When Jeff died, life with the Chicago Kings no longer appealed to Wade. It had cost him all that had ever mattered to him—his family.

Wade had moved in with the Green family and surprised everyone when he not only accepted Christ into his life, but finished high school and announced that he felt led to ministry. When Harold accepted a position with the Detroit police department, Wade opted to stay in Indianapolis to finish school at the Christian Theological Seminary.

He received a master’s of divinity degree with the Green family in attendance. Although he didn’t really expect his mother to be in the audience, Wade kept hoping she would come to see him graduate. He missed her dearly.

Wade had not spoken to her in ten years—not since the day they buried Jeff. His death was a wound that would continue to fester and never heal.

Even after her last customer left, Pearl was still wondering what made Wade leave the restaurant in such a hurry. He’d seemed really upset about something.

She cleaned up her station, picked up her dinner and Paige’s, then left the restaurant.

She drove straight home, listening to Yolanda Adams’s new CD.

Her cousin was waiting for her in the living room. “I’m so glad you’re home. I’m starved.”

She got up and followed Pearl into the kitchen.

Pearl sat the bag of food on the Venetian gold-granite countertop. “Guess who had dinner tonight at Milton’s?”

“Who?” Paige retrieved two plates from one of the cherrywood cabinets.

“Pastor Wade Kendrick.”

Paige’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Was he alone?”

“Yeah. Why?” Pearl wanted to know. “Is he seeing someone?”

“Not that I know of. That’s why I was asking you if he was alone.”

The thought of Wade with another woman bothered Pearl more than it should’ve. There was no reason for her to be jealous. They couldn’t have a decent conversation much less get involved. Besides, she had absolutely no interest in Wade.

At least that’s what Pearl kept telling herself.

Chapter 3

When Wednesday rolled around, Pearl was ecstatic. Tonight the Chargers would play their first game of the season. This afternoon she was meeting Paige at Charlie’s Coney Dog Empire, one of Pearl’s favorite haunts.

After her errands she made her way to Charlie’s, conveniently located across from the hospital where Paige worked, so all her cousin had to do was walk across the street for lunch.

“I’ll have two with everything and a cherry Coke,” Pearl ordered with a smile. “And these,” she added, referring to the bag of potato chips she was holding.

She liked sitting at the counter in full view of the grill, where she could watch the cooks. Her standard order was always two Coney dogs with chili, mustard and raw onions, the toppings piled so high that half of it ended up on her plate.

Paige came up from behind Pearl, wearing a pair of royal blue scrubs beneath her coat. “Hey, girl,” she greeted. “How long have you been here?”

“Not very long.”

When the waitress came over, Paige ordered, then turned to Pearl. “After I eat this, I’m going to have to spend another hour on the treadmill tonight.”

Pearl laughed. “It’s so worth it. Besides you’ll work it off in the E.R. They usually have you running around like crazy.”

“How can you eat all those onions like that?” Paige asked when their food arrived. “You’re never going to meet a man walking around with onion breath.”

Pearl shrugged. “A little onion breath never killed anyone. Besides, I’m not looking for anyone. I’m content being carefree and single. It gives me a chance to focus on my career.”

She said a quick prayer of thanks before taking a bite of her Coney dog. “Mmm, this is so good.”

Paige nodded in agreement, her mouth full of food.

While Pearl ate her Coney dog, she contemplated her life. It was true, she was very content with her life but still, there was nothing wrong with some male companionship from time to time. And she wanted to get married one day.

A fleeting image of Wade entered Pearl’s mind, surprising her. Why am I thinking about him?

“You’re not saying much,” Paige stated. “Something bothering you?”

“I was just thinking about how it wouldn’t be so bad to have a man in my life. You know, it’s been a while since I’ve even been on a date.”

“A long while.”

Pearl nearly choked on her pop. “You didn’t have to say it like that. You make it sound like it’s been years.”

“Well, it has been a while.”

“Six months, four days and eight hours, but who’s counting?” Pearl responded with a chuckle.

Paige drank some of her pop. “So you’re saying that you’re ready to be involved in a relationship?”

“If the right person comes along.” Pearl picked up her second Coney dog. “I could eat two more of these.”

Shaking her head, Paige said, “You’re a heart attack waiting to happen. You should balance out all that junk food with some healthy foods.”

“I eat healthy most of the time, and you know it. It’s just that I have a thing for Coney dogs and pizza.”

“And white chocolate, and red-velvet cake and—”

“I have a sweet tooth, I admit it.”

They laughed, and finished their lunch.

“What time are you getting off tonight?” Pearl asked.

“Seven-thirty,” Paige responded. “I’ll pick up the pizza on my way home.”

“They’re playing Boston at home on Friday, right?”

Paige nodded. “D’marcus gave Opal our tickets already.”

“Great! I’m working the lunch shift but I should be home by five.” There was nothing she liked more than watching the game in person.

They talked a few minutes more before Paige went back across the street to Harper University Hospital.

Pearl headed home and spent the rest of the afternoon working on her music. She was composing the arrangements for a new song she’d written for the youth choir to sing. When she first took over as choir director, there was only a handful of teens coming to rehearsal. It wasn’t until she began incorporating some of her own original compositions to the playlist that other youth joined the choir. They were now thirty-eight strong, with others wanting to join almost weekly.

Pearl enjoyed working with the teens. They seemed to respect her and they listened to her. She even tutored a couple of them in history.

Detroit had its share of gang activity and Pearl knew that there was a lot of pressure for kids to join a gang. She hoped that by keeping them involved in church activities and stepping up as a role model and mentor she could save them from making a choice that would potentially ruin lives.

Although her father died when she was very young, Pearl had a happy and secure childhood. She grew up feeling safe and loved. But kids today were in crisis and Pearl was committed to doing whatever she could to help them make the right choices.

She was still working on the song when Paige walked into the apartment carrying the pizza.

“Hurry up,” Pearl said. “I’ll out it on pause until you get out.”

She set the pizza down on the counter and rushed off to take a shower.

Meanwhile, Pearl gathered paper plates, napkins and glasses, setting them on the coffee table.

She was seated cross-legged on the floor with the remote in her hand by the time Paige came running out of her bedroom.

“Did I miss anything?”

Pearl shook her head. “It’s just starting.”

On the first play of the game, the Chargers came down court and Lyman Epse hit a three-pointer.

“Did you just see that?” Paige screamed. “My man just scored three points. Yes!”

Pearl stood up and did a minicheer. “Go, Lyman. That’s the way you do it.”

She bent down to put a slice of pizza on a plate. Grabbing a napkin, she sat back down on the floor. “Now, that’s the way you start a game.”

She groaned in agony when the ball was stolen by the other team.

“It’s okay,” Paige told her. “We’re gonna get it back.”

“Ooh, I can’t stand him,” Pearl uttered when the camera panned to Dashuan Kennedy, Lyman’s teammate who was currently on suspension. “It’s just something about him.”

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.

Barbara followed him. “Now, my niece…she’s a real nice girl. But I have to tell you that she’s not looking for a boyfriend. Marnie wants a husband. She’s ready to settle down and have a lot of pretty babies.”

“I’ll keep her in my prayers,” Wade stated.

“I appreciate you remembering her in your prayers, Pastor, but I’d like for you to meet her. I’ll make sure I introduce you to Marnie. I’m telling you, she’s a nice girl. Just needs to be married.”

Wade didn’t miss the not-so-subtle hint but chose not to comment on it. When the time was right, God would bring into his life the woman he was meant to marry.

Until then, Wade had to run in the other direction whenever Barbara and the other women threw their daughters in his direction.

Pearl was so exhausted, she could barely think straight. Not even a shower woke her up.

Paige was in the living room watching television when she walked out. “Hey, girl,” she greeted. “You look like you need to go back to bed.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she moaned. “My manager just called. I’m going in early today, picking up another shift.”

“You can’t work all those hours at Milton’s and then do your singing gigs. Just thinking about it makes me tired, too.”

“Hopefully, I won’t have to do this much longer. I pray I’ll get a record deal from the demo tapes I sent out.”

“You will,” Paige assured her. “I believe it.”

Pearl stretched out on the sofa. “Lord, give me strength.”

“Why don’t you just stay home today?”

“I need the money, Paige.”

“But if you’d let us—”

Pearl cut her off. “I’ve told you a thousand times that I appreciate you and my sisters for wanting to help, but this is something I need to do for myself.”

As if on cue, her sister Ruby called.

Glancing over at the clock, Pearl answered saying, “Why are you calling here so early? It’s not even eight-thirty.”

She laughed when her oldest sister responded, “I know you aren’t still in bed.”

“I should still be, though. I stayed up late working on a song.”

Ruby was the pragmatist of all the Lockhart sisters. Since their mother’s death five years ago, she’d been thrown into the role of the matriarch and constantly harped on the importance of family.

Even now, she was calling just to check on Pearl. If Ruby didn’t hear from her siblings every couple of days, she began calling around.

“Did you watch the game last night?” Pearl asked, although she already knew the answer. Ruby wasn’t into sports the way she was. Neither was Amber; she just liked going to the games in hopes of meeting someone. Since D’marcus was a co-owner of the Chargers franchise, Opal would go with them from time to time.

“No. I didn’t get a chance to see it. I had some work to do.”

Before ending the call, Pearl made plans to have lunch with her sister soon. She loved Ruby, but was growing tired of her pushing Pearl to go back to college like Opal and finish up her degree.

It had been her mother’s deepest wish that they all get college degrees, but that wasn’t where Pearl’s heart lay. She wanted to sing.

Singing had always been her dream and Pearl was not about to give up on the true desire of her heart.

Chapter 4

Trinity Church on Mackinac Island provided the perfect setting for a fall wedding. The rows of seating were garnished with riots of red and orange roses arranged with gold ribbons and baby’s breath.

Bridesmaids adorned in beige gowns and carrying bouquets of flowers bursting in orange, yellow and gold floated down the aisle escorted by handsome groomsmen dressed in black tuxedos.

The bride made her grand entrance wearing a designer wedding dress in cream and holding an eye-catching bouquet in beauteous, brilliant, warm tones of red and orange.

Pearl glanced down at her own gown, a burnished red. She loved vivid color, avoiding neutral tones like the ones she saw among the guests at the Hamilton-Green wedding when she stood up to sing.

Her eyes lit on one guest in particular. Wade Kendrick. She was entranced by the silent sadness of his face. He’d worn that same look that day at the restaurant.

Once again, she wondered at the cause.

The groom had requested that Pearl perform a special love song, one she’d written just for them. A romantic at heart, Pearl found the task easy.

When she finished singing, the applause was thunderous. Humbled, Pearl smiled, and then took her seat. She was in her element whenever she was singing. She loved being in front of an audience, though initially she had felt a little nervous with Wade sitting in the congregation.

Pearl had no idea why she’d been so nervous. Wade had heard her sing plenty of times at church. But somehow, this time felt different. Maybe it was because she was singing in such a romantic setting.

When the ceremony ended, she found Wade standing beneath a huge elm tree outside of the church. Guests stood scattered around the picturesque grounds of the Mission Hills Resort while the bridal party returned to the church inside to take wedding pictures.

“Hello, Pastor.”

“Sister Pearl, it’s nice to see you. That song you sang was beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.”

She smiled at the compliment and felt an unwelcome surge of excitement within her. “Thank you. I wrote it. It’s my gift to the bride and groom.”

What am I doing? Pearl wondered to herself. She glanced up at him to find Wade watching her.

She searched for something to say. “The ceremony was nice, don’t you think?”

He agreed. “Are you staying for the reception?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I thought this would be a good time to get to know each other. I want you to see that I’m really not a bad person.”

A delicious shudder heated her body. “Pastor, I never thought you were a bad person. Just old-fashioned and judgmental.”

He laughed, surprising her. “Are you always this blunt?”

“It’s the only way I know how to be. What you see is what you get when it comes to me.”

“I’m not so sure I agree with that,” he replied cryptically.

Folding her arms across her chest, Pearl uttered, “Excuse me?”

“It’s not a bad thing, by any means. I just meant, there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye.”

She cleared her throat, pretending not to be affected by his words. “Everyone is going into the reception,” Pearl stated. “We should find our tables.”

She chewed on her bottom lip as Wade escorted her into the Cypress Ballroom where they discovered that they were assigned to the same table. “Looks like we’re going to be sitting together,” Pearl said. She was filled with a strange inner excitement.

He smiled in response. “This confirms that we should get to know each other.”

“If you say so, Pastor.”

Wade guided her over to their table and pulled out a chair for her.

“Thank you,” Pearl murmured as she sat down, her heart hammering foolishly.

I’ve got to stop this, she told herself. She watched him as he dropped down into the chair beside her, noting how handsome Wade looked in the black suit he was wearing. It fit him as if it had been designed just for him.

Pearl was totally entranced by his compelling personage. Too bad he’s not my type.

“I have to admit that I’m very surprised to see you here,” she confessed. “Are you a friend of the bride or the groom?”

“The bride,” Wade responded. “Cassie Green’s family and I go way back. Her father is actually the reason I applied to Lakeview Baptist in the first place. He told me the church needed a pastor.”

“I didn’t know that.” Switching topics, she asked, “Have you ever been here before? To Mackinac Island?”

Shaking his head, Wade responded, “This is my first time.”

“So did you enjoy taking the ferry over?” No cars were allowed on the island, so guests were delivered to the church via horse-drawn carriages.

He nodded. “I couldn’t imagine an island without cars, but it’s nice and scenic over here.”

After the bride and groom danced the first time as husband and wife, it was time for the other guests to join them on the dance floor. Pearl and Wade found themselves alone at their table.

“This is probably a silly question,” she asked, “but do you dance?”

“I love dancing. I just haven’t done it in a long time.”

She eyed him in amazement.

“What?”

“I guess I expected you to say that you didn’t know how,” she confessed, pushing back a strand of hair. “I’m shocked, but then again, I haven’t seen you dance. I’m not sure you have any rhythm.”

Wade laughed. “Why? Because you think I’m such a stuffed shirt?”

Grinning, Pearl responded, “Something like that.”

“Sister Pearl, I’ve never claimed to be a saint. I’m far from it.”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “So do you want to give it a try? Would you like to dance with me?”

“Sure.”

Pearl stood up, waiting for Wade to escort her to the dance floor. She walked slowly, her body swaying to the music. “I love this song.”

Wade took her to the middle of the dance floor and began moving to the music.

She was impressed. He was a really good dancer.

The song ended and another began while they were still on the dance floor. Wade didn’t guide Pearl back to their table until a slow song came on.

“I have to confess I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Stroking his chin, Wade responded, “Miss Lockhart, believe it or not, I actually know how to have a good time.”

“What constitutes a good time to you?” she questioned. “What is it that you do for fun?”

“I read.”

“Something other than the Bible?”

Wade chuckled. “I happen to enjoy mystery thrillers and I read a lot of science fiction, too.”

The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “Interesting. Who’s your favorite author?”

“James Patterson. I’m reading his latest novel at the moment. Tell me, what do you do for fun?”

“I love the water so I spend a lot of time at the beach during the summer,” she responded. “I’m a history buff so I’m always taking tours and doing research. And, of course, I love music.”

“I love history myself. In fact, I’ve been reading some books on the history of Detroit.”

“Have you ever been to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History?”

“I plan on going. I’ve heard the exhibits are fantastic.”

Pearl agreed. “My favorite is the one where you travel through time. You start your journey in prehistoric Africa. Then you watch the evolution of ancient civilizations. I got really emotional crossing the Atlantic Ocean—”

“The middle passage,” Wade interjected.

She nodded. “That part of our history is painful but it’s also an inspiration to me when I think of our ancestors fighting to end the horrors of bondage and striving to build a legacy of freedom for future generations. You definitely have to see it, Pastor.”

“I’d like to experience that journey.” Wade held her gaze. “Is there anything else I should see?”

“I’m sure you’ve been to the Motown Museum, right?” Pearl glanced over at his well-defined profile. Wade was a good-looking man, she couldn’t deny that.

“I have,” he confirmed. “I’ve also been to the original Dunbar Memorial Hospital.”

“When the hospitals denied care to African-Americans, several doctors formed the Allied Medical Society, who then acquired the Charles W. Warren House and converted it into a hospital in 1917. Dunbar Hospital didn’t just provide care, they also sponsored nurses’ training classes and internships for graduate students. Did you know that?”

“You really are into your history, aren’t you?”

She broke into a grin. “I told you. I love history.”

Their conversation drew to a halt when Harold and Ivy Green walked over to where they were dancing. Wade hugged Ivy and shook hands with Harold.

He then introduced Pearl.

Aunt Ivy complimented her. “You were absolutely wonderful. Your singing moved me to tears.”

“Thank you,” Pearl murmured in response. “The ceremony was very inspiring. Your daughter is a beautiful bride.” As she spoke to Ivy, she was ever conscious of Wade beside her, his good looks, his virile appeal. And it bothered Pearl. An attraction to Wade would be perilous.

“Wade,” Uncle Harold began, “I want to introduce you to a good friend of mine who’s here. Bob Whitfield used to work with me and your father. He left six months before your dad passed.”

Turning to Pearl, Wade said, “I’ll be right back.”

She was thankful to have some time alone to gather herself.

Girl, you need to get a hold of yourself, she silently chided. Stop acting like you’re in heat.

Wade returned to the table ten minutes later. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t come across many people who knew my father much.”

“I understand totally.”

The band began playing a familiar song, which Pearl sang along to. Her eyes traveled over to Wade. Giving him a sheepish grin, she said, “I love that one, too.”

Wade gave her a smile that sent her pulse racing.

It was time then for the bride to throw the bouquet.

“Shouldn’t you be up there with the rest of the single women?”

Pearl wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I’m not about to make a fool of myself over some flowers, no matter how beautiful they are.”

“You’re not superstitious, are you?”

“Naaah.” Pearl pushed away from the table. “What I need is to get some air. It’s stuffy in here.” As an afterthought, she added, “Care to join me?”

Wade rose to his feet. “Sure.”

He followed her as she navigated through the sea of people in the ballroom. She was just a few yards from the door when a flash of vivid color floated across the room.

Pearl gasped in surprise as the bouquet fell into her hands. Wade threw back his head, cracking up with laughter.

Before she could utter a word, cameras were flashing all around her. She glanced over at Wade, who was still laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“I wish you could see the expression on your face.”

Grinning, Pearl responded, “With all these cameras I’m sure I will.” Loving the attention, she posed for a series of pictures before escaping through the nearest door with Wade.

She was still clutching the bridal bouquet when she stepped outside in her coat. “It’s cold but it feels better out here than inside.” Truth be told, she didn’t know whether she was having hot flashes or if just being around Wade was making her overheated.

“It’s nice out here.”

She gave Wade a sidelong glance. “I heard Mr. Green say that your father passed away. How long ago did it happen?”

“When I was fourteen. My dad was a policeman. He was killed on the job.”

“We have something in common, then. My father died when I was eight years old. He was a policeman, too, and killed in the line of duty.” She glanced up at him. “Were you and your father close?”

“He was my best friend. What about you?”

“I loved my daddy like crazy. I keep a picture of him by my bed. Losing him was hard but when my mother died five years ago, I thought I’d lose my mind.”

“How did she die?”

“She had pancreatic cancer. Mama died three months after the diagnosis. We didn’t even have a chance to get used to the fact that she had cancer.” After a brief pause, Pearl said, “Okay, enough of this kind of talk. We’re at a wedding reception.”

“The celebration is winding down.” Wade checked his watch. “I guess I’ll head back to the ferry in a few minutes.”

“Hey, do you want to go on a tour?” Pearl blurted, surprising herself. “If you’d like, I can rent a carriage and drive you around.”

His eyebrows rose in astonishment. “You can handle a horse and buggy?”

“Yeah. I love horses and I’ve been riding since I was ten.”

“But have you ever driven a carriage?”

“Not really,” Pearl confessed with a grin. “But it can’t be that hard.”

“Why don’t we just hire a driver to take us around?” Wade suggested.

Folding her arms across her chest, Pearl inquired, “You don’t trust my skills, Pastor?”

“It’s not that. I just thought we could enjoy the tour together.”

Pearl broke into a short laugh. “Careful, Pastor. You’re dangerously close to fibbing.”

Wade chuckled. “I think we’ve been around each other long enough for you to call me by my given name.”

“Only if you call me by mine.”

“Agreed.”

Pearl ventured off to make the arrangements for their tour of the island. She returned a few minutes later saying, “It’s all set. We’re taking a carriage ride.”

They made small talk as they waited for the horse and buggy to arrive.

Wade assisted Pearl into the carriage. He followed, sitting beside her.

She reached for the blanket and covered up. “It’s beautiful out here but cold. You’re going to have to come back in the summer for one of the lighthouse cruises.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

As the carriage took them around the island, Pearl pointed out the sights, adding interesting details and amusing anecdotes.

When the carriage came to a stop, Wade turned to her. “I’m enjoying the ride and the company. Thank you for doing this, Pearl.”

Their eyes locked, sending her heart hammering against her ribs. She struggled to rein in her emotions.

A man sits beside me and I’m about to fall apart. I know it’s been six months since my last date but this is crazy.

“Pearl,” Wade prompted.

“Huh?” She came out of her reverie.

“I think you were going to tell me something about the lighthouse. You told the driver to stop here.”

“Oh, yeah,” she mumbled, her heart hammering foolishly. “The lighthouse.”

“Thanks for the tour,” Wade said when they were seated on the ferry back to the mainland. “You know a lot about this place.”

“You’re quite welcome, Wade.” She flashed him another of those million-dollar smiles that had mesmerized him on the carriage ride. His gaze slid downward, moving over her body slowly, enjoying the view. He gave himself a mental shake.

“I’m sure you’re as knowledgeable about Chicago,” Pearl said.

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