The Small Town Preacher's Fake - Lucy McConnell Page 0,63
he couldn’t quite believe the way this was turning out. “Jesus said that if you bring one soul into heaven, your joy shall be great. I want to be that one soul for you, and you for me. We can work together all our lives and then find our rest in God.”
She blinked back tears. “Like soul mates?”
“Exactly like soul mates.”
She could have burst with the feelings of flying that overcame her. If Seth hadn’t been holding on to her, she would have floated away.
“I love you, and I want to be husband and wife in every sense. I want you in my arms. I don’t want separate rooms anymore. And I think you should come to the board meetings.”
“Wait? You’re not fired?” She really wanted to talk about the bedroom situation, but she was too shocked at the good news. From what she’d overheard outside the room, Seth had been as good as gone.
“You thought I was fired? And you still—” He crushed her against him. “You still wanted me?”
She nodded against his shirt. “I know I married you to become a preacher’s wife, but Seth, I really want you. If we had to go corporate, I’d be happy just being your wife.”
“I told the board about the ad, about everything. They voted, though I don’t think Mr. White is happy about it—they want me to stay. Us to stay.”
She took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his. Pouring all her love and acceptance and feelings of joy into that kiss had her gasping for breath. Seth answered kiss for kiss, giving just as much as she gave, maybe more. His hands roamed her back, and she let out a soft moan, practically begging him to deepen the kiss. He did, and her knees gave out. She buckled against him, appreciating the hours of yard work and maintenance that built such a nice body.
“Is that a yes?” he teased before kissing her neck. His breath was hot and delicious on her skin.
“Yes.” She kissed him. “A hundred yesses and more.”
Seth’s mouth consumed hers, and she was lost to him, heart and soul. She might not have set out to find love, but she’d found the love of her life.
They say the Lord works in mysterious ways. Who knew He had a hand in brides wanted ads? Evie was glad He’d intervened in her life and set her on a crazy path that led right to the man of her dreams and the life she’d longed to live.
Epilogue
1 year later
“I’ve never done this with an audience before.”
Seth laughed and clapped the contractor on the back. “We’re all very excited to have you here. Be sure to grab a plate of food when you’re done.”
He turned to the large group gathered on the church lawn. They’d spread out blankets, set up lawn chairs, and laid out a spread to celebrate the new parking lot.
“The first truck will be here in two minutes!” he shouted. The group cheered so loud they could probably hear it on Main Street.
Evie motioned for him to come over to the group of teenagers who were setting up a volleyball net. They had seventeen kids in the youth program, their families all regulars on Sundays. Terri had taken over running and organizing it. She had a way with the kids, especially the ones with surly attitudes. When kind words and offers to help with homework didn’t warm hearts, her cookies always made a difference.
Word of Seth’s songs had spread, and people came, curious to hear the “singing preacher.” The nickname wasn’t his doing, and he still wasn’t used to it. He was humbled by the Lord’s continual help and inspiration as he wrote songs to share the deeper feelings that he had a hard time expressing otherwise.
He jogged over, ready to help. Evie had been under the weather lately, and he didn’t want her overexerting herself.
“Can you believe this turnout?” She shaded her eyes against the sunlight. “I daresay even Mr. White is pleased.”
Seth turned in time to see Mr. White load his plate with pulled pork, a grin on his face. “He’s just happy we finally got the parking lot done.”
She laughed lightly. “Maybe. It’s been a group effort.”
It truly had. They’d held bake sales and car washes, received donations and scrimped. But the dream was finally a reality.
A large dump truck full of asphalt turned the corner, and the crowd clapped. The driver honked his horn in response. Seth laughed, grateful that the company and the people that worked there were good sports.
Life was beautiful. He had a wife—the best one in the whole world—a ministry full of good people and giving hearts, and the chance to make a difference in the world. His heart couldn’t get any fuller. Who would have thought that a boy who’d come from two emotionally distant drunks would ever find so much love in one lifetime?
Dear God, thank You for everything. Thank You for this moment.
Evie wrinkled her nose as the smell of the asphalt hit them. “I think I should go inside.”
He cupped her elbow. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. But I don’t think the fumes are good for the baby.” She patted her flat stomach and slipped out of his hand.
He watched the truck back up to where it would drop its load. Her words came back at him, replayed as if on a voicemail. “The what now?” he called after her, not sure he’d heard her correctly.
She giggled and threw her arms out to the side.
At her signal, the teens set off poppers that threw pink and blue confetti into the air. It rained down on top of them as the people they’d grown to love gathered round, shouting congratulations.
Evie ran to him, and he caught her. “You’re going to be a daddy,” she whispered in his ear.
He couldn’t stop the smile that filled his face. He’d thought his life couldn’t get any better, and then God showed him that his heart could grow—first with Evie, and then, in a blink, with his future child. “I love you, Evie Powell, for all that I am and all I’ll ever be, and for all eternity.” He kissed her nice and slow, taking his time. Because every moment with her was precious, and he wanted to savor this one. And the next. And the next.
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About the Author
Lucy McConnell has always been a reader and a writer.
She loves Christmas, romance and Elvis.
She writes YA romance, clean romance and Christian romance.
When she’s not writing, you can find her shuttling kids to softball and rodeo practices and events. Depending on the time of year, she could be skiing with her family, wake boarding, cycling, or curled up with a good book.
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