Chapter 12
What was that saying? It is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Well, Samuel was operating under that premise. While he’d given his wife a heads-up, Samuel hadn”t shared with her that Alvin White was in for a rude awakening.
Samuel did not appreciate being summoned before the board. The first time he’d met Alvin White, he had been suspicious of the man. There was something disingenuous about him. After seeing his interaction with Hannah, he knew they would butt heads. The older man had been permitted to run the board, church, and, by extension, its leadership with no resistance. Well, those days were over.
Moving forward, the board and leadership would work together. If Alvin didn’t like it well, he could vacate his position on the board.
The night before they were scheduled to have their meeting, he broached the topic with Hannah. “Are you happy with the way the board operates?”
They were having dinner, and she placed her utensils down slowly.
“For the most part? Yes. There are things which could be improved upon, but they are, what they are.”
“So you just accept it? You know you are in the position to make those improvements?”
“Not in this case. I make suggestions and the board has the final decision as to the direction we, the church body, take.”
It saddened him that Hannah felt that way. She had essentially turned her power over to the board… well, to Alvin White. The man relished being in charge.
“It doesn’t work the same way at all churches. It especially doesn’t work like that for me. I’m the first female Co-pastor in the entire organisation… I can’t go around making too many waves.”
“Well, you aren’t alone anymore. You have me. If you want to, go ahead make a tsunami.” He reassured her.
“I’m starting to think you are going to shake things up.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“No, I think I can get used to it.”
That was all the affirmation Samuel needed. The following day, when they arrived at the church, he opened the SUV’s door for her and pressed a kiss to her temple. He knew she was nervous about the meeting. She had changed her outfit four times. Then, on the ride over, Hannah finally admitted, “Brother White sometimes calls me out. He dismisses the rest of the board when they try to put a stop to it.” She’d admitted. Samuel had already had a target on Alvin White, and she had no way of knowing that what she shared would expand it.
The couple were a united front as they walked hand in hand into the church’s boardroom. Alvin White sat at the head of the table. It was the ultimate power move. Unlike the other occupants in the room, he didn’t welcome or congratulate them. He’d only offered them a frosty “good morning.” Perfect. He had set the tone for their meeting.
“This meeting will not be long. We just have some serious issues to address.” Alvin White announced as he convened their gathering. Then turned his barely disguised disapproving gaze on them. “The two of you have created a situation with your…” Alvin White’s face contorted into mirroring the ugliness inside him as he sneered, “…nuptials.”
Samuel stiffened in his seat. Under the table, Hannah placed her hand on his knee. He was sure the action was meant to soothe him, but it had the opposite effect. This man had the audacity to disparage their marriage. No, there was no way he was going to allow it to stand. White should have stayed home.
Having turned towards Alvin White, he leaned forward to address him. “Which situation have we created by getting married?” Samuel asked. The older man’s self-preservation finally kicked in. Samuel’s tone held nothing back.
“You didn’t seek our approval before making your rash decision.” Who the hell did he think he was? There was only one person he’d explain himself to, and she sat beside him, and he answered to no one but God. The head of the board didn’t know his place. Which was fine. Samuel was happy to enlighten him.
“Seek your approval? To marry? You couldn’t possibly be speaking to us,” Samuel said gesturing between Hannah and himself. In his peripheral he caught the shock on his wife’s face. However, she didn’t interject. She just lightly squeezed his knee. He was aware she was trying to communicate with him to calm down. It was too late for that.
“You represent this ministry—” Alvin White began.
Samuel would not be spoken to like he was some wayward child. “Before we address matters that are quite frankly none of your concern.”
It was the head of the board’s turn to interrupt him. “Excuse me.” He blustered. Clearly offended.
“You heard me. My wife and I did not nor will not need the board’s approval regarding our marriage.” Making sure his message was clear, he met the gaze of all six board members. All of whom, with the exception of Alvin White, nodded. He allowed the moment to soak in before he continued. “However, I would like to address the more pressing matter of why Jeremiah Bank is still on payroll.”
As expected, the pretty bomb which he detonated caused an absolute frenzy. There were several very displeased people around the table. All of whom had lots of questions.
“Pastor Bank’s departure was unexpected. I felt that the remainder of his contract should be paid out.” Alvin White’s statement was lacking the man’s regular arrogance.
“Contract? I drew that up myself.” Nigel interjected. In his day job he was a contract attorney. “His contract terminated the moment he publicly left his position. He was not entitled to any additional pay.”
“Well, it was an error on my part.” He begrudgingly offered.
When the dust settled. It was clear the only board members who were aware of this fraud were Alvin White and the treasurer. The treasurer was not willing to fall on his sword for the head of the board. “I did as I was instructed by Brother White.”
Aunty Letta, which was what Hannah’s godmother had told him to call her the night before, wasn’t having it. “Vernon, you know better.” She scolded the man. “Board approval should have been sought for such a financial decision.” The other members voiced their agreement. “I move effective immediately that Jeremiah Bank’s salary be terminated.”
The words were barely out of her mouth when the board secretary raised her hand. “I second that motion.” Within moments, the other members voiced their approval, and the motion was passed.
Nigel spoke up. “We have to schedule a meeting to go over the books and discuss how this could have gone on undetected for so long. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.” Almost everyone else echoed his thanks.
“What I want to know is how did you become aware of Jeremiah’s pay?” Ahh, there was Alvin White’s regular arrogance.
“The church books are available for leadership to review at any time. I’m glad I was able to catch your oversight.” It took everything in him not to smirk.
The entire time, Hannah remained stalk still beside him. She had removed her hand from his knee when he dropped his bomb. Samuel felt the loss of her touch. In hindsight, he should have prepared her for his announcement. He’d been preaching the importance of their unity to her. His actions weren’t one of a team player. He couldn’t wait to get out of this meeting and make things right.
However, Amelia, who oversaw church communications, showed how efficient she was. “Since we are all together. I would like to present some options for the Churches’ and the Pastors’ release statement regarding our Pastors’ marriage.”
They spent the next hour reviewing and tweaking both statements. By the time the meeting was dismissed all parties were pleased with the upcoming communication release.
The moment they stepped out of the room after the meeting was dismissed Hannah told him she would like to go home. Then there was radio silence. He took her hand as they walked to the vehicle. Although she had allowed him to do so without making a scene, it was clearly just for show, as her hand lay limp in his hand. Once they were both buckled in, Samuel broke the silence. “Jagiya?” He called quietly.
“Not now. Please, not now.” She answered. Her head was turned but her hurt was palpable. He was conflicted, his heart wanted to work things out on the spot. However, his mind understood she needed a moment. He gave it to her while he drove them home. The drive did something to him. He hated how disconnected they were. The realisation of how much progress they had made hit him. They couldn’t lose that. By the time they entered their home. He was ready to fall on his knees before her.
Hannah shuffled to the sofa as if she was in a daze. She sat ramrod straight in the corner, and he breathed a sigh of relief that she didn’t move away when he sat beside her.
“Why didn’t you tell me what you had found out?” Hannah got straight to the point. He had time to think of his response. He decided to be as forthcoming as possible.
“I wasn’t sure you would approve of how I wanted to share the information.” Samuel really had to practice what he preached. He couldn’t nitpick what he was going to share with his wife. “Please know I’m sorry for not levelling with you. That was wrong of me.”
“I’m not thrilled with the way you handled it, but I am grateful that you had the presence of mind to find the information and expose it. I don’t know what Brother White was thinking.”
“He was thinking he would look out for his great grandnephew on the church’s dime, and no one would be the wiser.”
“I’ve left so much up to him. It has to stop.” She shook her head.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Samuel didn’t like her taking the blame on herself because White broke her trust. It wasn’t why he had exposed the head of the board. Samuel’s hope was that she could free herself from the weight of the man’s expectation. The rest of the board followed his lead blindly.
“You’re right. There is a lot of that going on today.” She gave him a cheeky smile. Relief washed over him. They would get past this. “Samuel, all I ask is in the future, you don’t keep things from me because you aren’t sure how I’ll handle it. I don’t want to live that kind of life again. Give us a chance to work things out together.”
“I promise.” Samuel vowed. When he wrapped his arm around her, she leaned into him. She tipped her head up and he couldn’t resist kissing her.
Over the next few days, they settled into living together. Maybe they weren’t as productive as they could be. Samuel didn’t have any complaints about it, though. They were newlyweds.
Samuel arranged another spa afternoon. It was several days before their official duties started. His wife wasn’t falling for it. The first spa day he arranged at their home hadn’t gone to plan. It was, however, very informative. He discovered exactly how flexible Hannah was. He also learned that she had a wildly talented tongue and a near nonexistent gag reflex.
“Spa Day?” His smart wife questioned.
“Physical intimacy expresses our bond.” He pulled her tighter into his embrace.
“No, Love, we both know what that entails. While the spa sounds fun and all, we can try it when I get back. I need to pop into the office and clear out my desk. It won’t be long. I’ll be back later after I finish all my errands and stop by the church.” She promised. He kissed her soundly.
Hannah declined his offer to accompany her “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” she giggled as she headed off. Giggled. His wife, being happy and carefree, filled his heart.
Samuel spent the morning with Daniel. He first had to endure ribbing from his little brother. “Oh, look, you finally came up for air? How did you manage that?”
One dinner with his family had to be rescheduled because they were otherwise occupied, and his brother wouldn’t let him forget it. The two played racquetball. Then they grabbed lunch. Of course, his thoughts were on Hannah. More than likely, she forgot to eat. So, he grabbed her some lunch.
When he arrived at the church, their office door was slightly ajar. He slowed when he heard Alvin White’s vicious taunt. “You expect me to believe you two weren’t fornicating before your quickie marriage? You are a disgrace, Hannah!”
Samuel didn’t give a second thought to where he was. He forcefully pushed the door open. The man was looming over Hannah’s desk. “Get away from my wife.”
“I’m fine, Love. Mr. White was just leaving.” She informed him as she stood.
“Good, I’ll walk him out.”
After giving Hannah a quick kiss, he placed the takeout on her desk.
“Let’s go.” He pointed to the door as he spoke to the older man. Alvin White looked between the two of them and decided it was in his best interest to leave. He did so with Samuel on his heels. He followed him to his car.
“I want to be clear about something. You will respect her as your pastor or my wife! I don’t care which. But I promise, you’re going to give her the respect she’s due.”
The man waved a dismissive hand in his direction. Samuel counted slowly to five. Then reminded himself the man was an elder. Despite not respecting White, he was brought up not to raise his hand to an elder.
“Make that the last time you address my wife directly.” Samuel didn’t raise his voice; however, he ate up the space between them.
“I’m normally an excellent judge of character. I was mistaken about you. You have a job because of me. Where is your loyalty?”
Hadn’t Samuel just reminded himself he shouldn’t do White bodily harm? “My loyalty? Is with my wife. Where it belongs. I’m done talking to you. It’s been two strikes and you’re out!”
The man had the audacity to look at Samuel like he was a mere annoyance. “It’s three strikes, young man.”
“Not when you come for my wife. Find a hobby to enjoy during your retirement.”