Chapter 22
Garnet forced himself to meet Mertie's eyes. She deserved the truth.
"Why didn't you mention that you weren't going to take the pastorate unless God gave you a wife?"
That wasn't the question he expected from her. He'd expected her to grill him on the fact that his daughter had just told her that he loved her and he'd admitted it was true.
But Mertie often didn't do the expected thing. He knew her well enough to know that.
"I told the Lord I was leaving it in His hands. I’m hardly leaving things in His hands if I'm worrying about it constantly. I honestly tried not to think about it. You know, I could count down the days: Lord, you only have a week to drop that wife in my lap. And in my human thinking, I wouldn't be able to figure out how I could find a woman to agree to be my wife in three weeks, two weeks, one week, five days, three hours..." His voice trailed off. He'd had those thoughts. Mostly at night as he was falling asleep. But he always pushed them aside. They were not helpful in any way.
Her lips pulled back and she looked away.
"What?" It seemed like she wasn't happy with his answer.
She fiddled with a loose piece of her shirt, biting her lip.
"If you love me, like Dabney says, why wouldn't you ask me?" She pulled in a breath. "I mean, doesn't it seem like God has just dropped me here and that’s what He intended?"
"You have a career. You mentioned the opportunity you've been offered. A once in a lifetime deal, and you might not have said, but a husband and daughter would hardly help, and in fact, might keep you from reaching for what you really want."
"Maybe you should ask me what I really want?" She lifted her brows and looked like the woman who had arrived in Raspberry Ridge, serene and untouchable.
But he knew the Mertie he'd been friends with...had loved....for years was just under the surface. That cool exterior was just a ruse.
"Mertie? What do you want?"
"I want to be a mother to my daughter. To be a mother to as many children as the Lord gives me. To get married. To you. My best friend."
His head tilted. He wanted to point out that he hadn't asked her to marry him.
"Garnet? Will you marry me?"
He laughed. He'd never even kissed her. Not that he didn't want to. Not that it mattered. It was what he wanted since she'd brought her daughter and dropped her off with him - for them to be a family together.
"Yes." He took a step closer, putting his arms around her and drawing her close. "I will. If you're sure?" It was his dream, but he didn't want her to have to give up her dream in order for him to have what he wanted.
"I'm sure. God could not have been more clear. But, beyond that, I realized today that I love you. Maybe I have for a long time. Why else would I give you the most precious thing in the world to me? I trusted you more than I've ever trusted anyone."
"I've loved you forever. Even back when we were kids, although I didn't realize it." He put his hand on the back of her neck under her hair and felt her shiver.
She smiled up at him and he stared into her eyes before he lowered his head, kissing his best friend and the woman he loved.
He wasn't nearly done kissing her when he realized that someone was calling his name.
Pulling his head back reluctantly, he blinked a few times to orient himself and figure out what the person wanted.
"Pastor Garnet?"
It was Dominic.
"Uh," He cleared his throat. "Yeah? I mean, yes?"
"You weren't answering your phone, so I came out to look for you."
"Oh. I had my phone on silent for the service."
Mertie had pulled away just a bit, but he kept his arm around her.
"It looks like the church will be getting a pastor, his daughter and a wife. The decision was unanimous, but I'm sure this will be good news for everyone."
"For me, too." Garnet smiled.
"Do you want to come say a few words to the congregation?"
"I'd love to, but I need to call my daughter first. She deserves to be there."
"Of course. I'll let everyone know. We'll be waiting." Dominic turned and walked back toward the church.
"Why would he think we're getting married just because we're kissing?" Mertie wondered as he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
"I told him that I had made a vow that I wouldn't kiss anyone I wasn't planning on marrying. It just seems foolish and awkward in a weird way to kiss someone I have no intention of spending the rest of my life with. She might not be someone else's wife now, but she will be." He lifted a shoulder. It wasn't something that the rest of the world understood, and he knew that. It also wasn't expressly forbidden by scripture, but it seemed like a good standard to have. One Jesus would have if He were dating. He couldn't imagine Jesus just going around kissing anyone. The thought was repulsive.
"I can't tell you how many times you've inspired me to think harder, deeper and to look at my life and make changes."
He hugged her. "I think that's a good thing?"
"Most definitely a good thing." She smiled. "We're going to have to talk about a wedding."
"It's enough that we've agreed to it for me to take the pastorate." He could ask the committee to wait to officially hire him until after they were married, even if it took months. They'd figure it out.
"And I need to talk to Dabney."
"That is music to my ears. It seemed to me that she was okay, happy, even thrilled that you would be her mom."
"I just feel terrible that she's been without one for so long."
"She knows you did what you thought was best. That's all you can do. But, she has a mom for the rest of your life."
"And siblings."
He froze.
"You don't want more children?"
"I hadn't thought about it. Definitely. Siblings for Dabney, and another little girl with your eyes."
"And your smile and wisdom."
He couldn't help it. He leaned down and kissed her again. His congregation was going to have to wait.