How did he die?
The doctors said lymphoma. No one even suspected. He never said a word or showed signs of pain. He just started to slow down over the course of a few months. The man was eighty years old so I thought slowing down was a good thing.
One day I came to see him, see what errands he needed done and he was sitting in the recliner with his eyes closed. He said, Mara, girl. I think its time to go to see Doc Hanlin. He was admitted to the hospital that day. He died a few weeks later.
That must have been hard for you. Jacob didnt even want to think about the day when his own grandparents or parents would go to be with the Lord. His chest hurt with sympathy for Mara.
Yes. She closed her planner and picked at the edges with short, unpainted nails.
Did he have any family? Children?
She gave a negative shake of her head. No. His wife died forty years earlier and theyd never had kids. I think that was one of the reasons he took such an interest in me when my mother and later my father died.
That was good of him. Im sure he meant a great deal to you.
Her sad smile and little sigh made Jacob want to wrap her in his embrace and offer her some comfort. He resisted the urge. He didnt know her well enough to be sure she wouldnt see his gesture as some sort of advance.
Jacob refocused. Is there a worship director? A youth pastor?
Well, Grace plays the organ on Sundays. And theres a real nice couple whove started up the Sunday School classes.
He felt his stomach sink. Hed assumed there would be a team of pastors just like in his grandfathers church. Why hadnt Grandfather mentioned the lack of staff when hed sent Jacob to Hope? So Im it.
Youre it. Mara stood, her black organizer clutched to her chest. Ill see you in the morning.
Jacob rose, amazed his legs could hold him with the shock hed just been given. Tomorrow.
He walked her to the door.
She hesitated at the threshold where she tilted her face and peered at him with those amazing eyes. Youll do fine, Pastor Durand.
He wished he shared her confidence. Call me Jacob.
I dont know if being that informal is a good idea.
Arching an eyebrow, he asked, Why?
Tugging on her bottom lip with her teeth, she seemed to be searching for words. Finally, she said, It seems disrespectful to call you by your first name.
Hoping to put her at ease, he grinned. Respect comes through attitude. Whether you call me Jacob, Jake, like people did in college, Pastor Durand, or Durand wont make a difference in the respect I have for youand wont make me feel disrespectedbecause I know you have a pure heart.
The stricken expression in her eyes confused him.
Im sorry. Did I say something to offend you?
No. No, I She swallowed. Her grip on her organizer tightening. I need to leave now.
Okay. He touched her upper arm. She trembled beneath his palm. Youre sure youre all right?
With a slight stretch of her mouth that wasnt really a smile, she nodded. Bye.
He watched her hurry down the walk and out onto the road. She didnt look back, but he thought he saw her wipe at her eyes. Probably just pushing those wild curls out of her face. Odd girl, likable though. Definitely would make living in Hope interesting.
He closed the door and picked up his guitar but didnt play. Okay, Lord. I know You have some plan going on here. But You didnt prepare me for this.
No pastoral staff, no help. Just him. Whew!
He picked out the chords to Amazing Grace. Three years of seminary, tucked away in a classroom studying the Bible, had given Jacob a deeper understanding of God and His word. But the few practice sermons in front of his classmates werent going to cut it.
If Jacob were a different sort, someone likehis dad, or Karen, or Mara, with her little black organizer and her uptight need to stay scheduled, hed be hyperventilating about now.
As he played the melody over and over again, he sought peace in the tune, sought peace in God.
He couldnt forget that this was his chance to prove himself worthy of his grandfathers church that much faster. A means to an end.
He only hoped Maras prediction came true.
Chapter Three
Thursday morning Mara showed up driving an older red Jeep. Jacob opened the passenger door and immediately the smell of cleaning products assaulted his senses.
He glanced in the back and saw a huge white tote full of cleaning supplies. Why dont we take my car?
She stared at him blankly for a moment. Is something wrong?
Id be more comfortable if I drive.
With a shrug, she said, All right.
She put the Jeep in Park and climbed out, but not before grabbing her black planner. Didnt she go anywhere without it?
Jacob led the way to his black SUV and held open the passenger door for Mara. As she climbed in he caught a faint whiff of flowers coming from her mass of curls. Apparently she hadnt cleaned a house yet today, thankfully.
She wore baggy jeans and a long-sleeved blue T-shirt that hung on her, covering any suggestion of curves. Not that he was looking. But he did find it interesting that she wore such unappealing clothes.
Which way? he asked, once he had the cars engine purring.
Left for about a fourth of a mile then right for three blocks then left again. That will drop us onto the north end of Main Street.
Only a half-mile long, the town of Hope wasnt what hed expected. Though nothing like the city of San Francisco with its towering concrete and glass buildings and ornate turn-of-the-century homes, hed expected wooden sidewalks, rustic storefronts and a slow-paced world. Instead, he found a bustling little town with a personality all its own.
Colorful flags hung suspended over the road by barely visible wire. Large picture windows flanked every door of every shop and restaurant on both sides of the street, giving the occupants a wide view of those passing by either on foot or in cars.
Park there. Mara pointed to an empty space in front of a bakery at the south end of town.
He parked and they climbed out.
Well walk up this side, make a loop by coming back on the other side.
Amused, he leaned against the side of his car. You have it all planned out, dont you?
We have to be efficient. Ive only got an hour to spend with you this morning. I have two houses to clean before coming back to clean the cottage.
Well, Im hungry. Lets get a pastry. He walked past her and into the bakery. The most delicious smells greeted him as he entered. Cinnamon and sugar. Banana bread. His stomach rumbled.
He could feel Maras tension as she stepped up beside him at the counter. A tall, blond man in his early forties wearing a white apron over jeans and an orange T-shirt greeted them. Hi, Mara. Sir. What can I get for you?
Id like a sticky roll and a latte, please. Mara?
Her lips were pressed tight. Nothing for me. But make his to go. Rob, this is our new pastor. Pastor Durand, Rob Ferguson.
Rob offered his hand with a huge smile. Its nice to meet you, Pastor Durand. Grace said youd arrived.
Jacob shook his hand over the counter. Likewise. Do you own the bakery?
Pride shone bright in Robs expression as he moved to get Jacobs order. My wife and I do. Weve been in Hope for about ten years now.
Wonderful. What brought you to Hope?
Rob handed Jacob his cup of coffee and a small bag containing his roll. We wanted a safe, small community to raise our three kids in.
It seems you found it. Where did you move from?
Mara gripped his elbow. Her eyes flashed gold. We dont have a lot of time, she whispered.
He frowned. Boy, she was a taskmaster. Right. It was good to meet you, Rob. Ill see you on Sunday?
We wouldnt miss it.
Great. Well talk more then. Jacob let Mara steer him out the front door. Whoa, slow down. Your hour isnt up yet.
She made a face at him.
Here, hold this. He handed her his coffee cup. He tore off a piece of his roll and popped it into his mouth. That is good.
He tore off another piece and held it out to her. Here.
She backed up a step. No, thank you.
Oh, come on. He waved the sugary sweet beneath her nose. You know you want to.
He could see the indecision in her expression. He waited. Finally, she shook her head and looked away. He popped the piece in his own mouth. Dont tell me youre one of those type who only eat carrots and steamed broccoli.
She handed him back his cup and started walking. Her pace brisk. I usually eat bagels, yogurt, granola. Healthy stuff that wont clog my arteries. Whats wrong with vegetables?
He fell into step with her. Nothing. I like vegetables. But not in the morning. Id much rather have something sticky and sweet.
He ducked into a sporting goods store. Through the window, he watched the expression of frustration settle on Maras face as she realized he wasnt with her. She certainly was on a mission to keep moving. She marched into the store and anxiety came off her in waves.
He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance before engaging in a conversation with the owner, a nice older gentleman with lots of information on the lake activities that drew the summer tourists.
He left that store and went into the next and the next. Each time, he engaged in a conversation with the person manning the store. And with each stop, Maras tension grew. Jacob had no intention of letting her be late for her next appointment, but he wasnt going to rush, either. He was keeping track of the time.
When hed pulled her into the ice-cream parlor, for a second he thought she was going to keel over.
Its not even lunchtime yet! she exclaimed when he offered to buy her a sundae.
He shrugged and ate his hot-fudge-and-caramel sundae with gusto.
At the drugstore he shot the breeze with the pharmacist for a few minutes while Mara sat impatiently in a chair.
As they left the drugstore, Mara glanced at her watch.
Relax. Its okay if we dont make it all the way down the street. Ill come back later.
She stopped and glared at him. Why am I here with you? Youre perfectly capable of doing this on your own.
With that she headed back the way theyd come toward his car. For someone with short legs, she could sure move. With a grin he followed along. Hey, wait up.
She stopped, her tennis shoe tapping on the sidewalk.
He caught up. Dont be mad.
Im not mad. She rolled her eyes. Its just that youre like this big unpredictable kid, and I dont have time for it.
He grinned. I promise Ill be good.
She eyed him warily. And he gave her a coaxing look that his sister and mother could never resist.
Her mouth scrunched up. Dont think you can manipulate me with your good looks and those puppy-dog eyes.
He didnt think shed meant to compliment him, but his ego puffed up a bit anyway. I like you. You dont let anything get past you. How about while I drive you back to the cottage, you tell me about Hope?
Why? Youre only here temporarily, she shot back.
True. Hed give her points for boldness. But while Im here, I should give my all, right?
She blinked, clearly flustered. Right. Fine.
She started moving again. Only this time she adjusted her stride and went at a more reasonable pace. Hope started out as a single fruit stand. Two local farmers decided to cash in on the new road leading to the lake by selling some of their goods. The stand became so popular, they added a restaurant.
She pointed down the street to a lone log-cabin-style building set back a ways from the road just past the town proper. A big sign in the shape of a pie read Katies. Best eating place around.
How long has it been there? he asked.
Since the late eighteen hundreds. The Wenatchee Valley is the undisputed heart of apple country in the state of Washington. Over Labor Day weekend the whole valley holds a big harvest bash, called Family Farm Fest. The local apple, peach and pear growers set up stands at the fairgrounds.
There are pie-baking competitions, pie-eating competitions, pie-throwing competitions. One year Lars Henderson ate so many pies he had to be rolled out on a stretcher. The whole valley turns out for the event, as well as some tourists who drive over from Seattle or Spokane.
Ooh. I love pie. All kinds. But he wouldnt be here to taste any.
Were big on festivals. In fact, the Apple Blossom Festival is in a few weeks.
Will there be pie?
She laughed. Of course.
Good. My mouth is watering already.
Lets see. What else would you be interested in? We have one school that used to go all the way to twelfth grade but about nine years ago the town council decided to build a regular high school. That created some more jobs, which we needed.
They reached his SUV and he opened the door for her. Mara slid in, liking his gentlemanly manners. She hadnt had much opportunity to be around men. Her father had barely talked to her most of the time after her mothers death and Pastor Anderswell, she opened doors for him, not the other way around. Her housekeeping clients were courteous. She couldnt fault anyones treatment of her.
But somehow Pastor Durand made her feelshe didnt know how to define how he made her feel. Younger, freer.
And it wasnt just her that he treated well. Hed been warm and friendly with everyone. People opened up to him in ways shed never seen anyone do with Pastor Anders. Maybe it was the age difference.
Or maybe that Pastor Durand exuded such a fun and carefree presence that made him likable and easy to talk to. He asked questions and listened with attention to the answers. Just as he was listening to her ramble on about the town of Hope.
Here we are, he said, as he pulled his car next her old Jeep. He got out and came around to open her door. Thank you, Mara. I do appreciate you taking time to help me get acquainted with the town.
She clutched her organizer and climbed out. She didnt feel shed helped at all. Youre welcome, Pastor Durand.
Jacob, he reminded her gently.
Her throat tightened. Hed said she had a pure heart. He wouldnt say that if he knew the truth. Not comfortable using his given name, she ducked her head.
So, we still on for Friday? he asked, relieving the tension.
I have you penciled in, she answered, and climbed inside her Jeep.