Chapter 3
“Can we have the room, please?” Samuel requested.
This meeting wasn’t going the way Hannah thought it would. The only consolation was it definitely was not going the way Alvin White thought it would, either. How is it within less than ten minutes, Samuel made her feel more protected than she did her entire marriage? Brother White looked like he was eating glass when he referred to her as Pastor Wilson, but he didn’t have a choice. It was clear to everyone in the room that was a hill Samuel would die on.
As the meeting progressed, Hannah got the impression that she might not have been given accurate information. So here they were.
“I don’t see why that is necessary.” Brother White responded. Even though the rest of the occupants in the room had nodded and were already in the process of getting up from the table.
“I would like a word with Pastor Wilson. Privately. I want to make sure we are on the same page.” Samuel challenged.
Brother White straightened in his chair, piercing Samuel with a narrowed glare that could only be interpreted as confrontational. However, before he could speak. Nigel, bless him, spoke up. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. Our head pastors being in agreement is exactly what our congregation needs to move forward.”
There was a chorus of agreement. The members of the board moved to vacate the room. As if in defiance, Brother White was the last to leave. He left the door wide open. Which Samuel immediately got up and closed behind him. He even went as far as to lock it.
Hannah tracked his movement as he walked back to the table. He certainly didn’t look like any pastor that ran in their circles. The man still exuded that rock star aura. It had been so long since she had seen him in person. Time had been kind to him. He was no longer the lanky young man she used to know. Even with his jacket on, it was clear his build had picked up some mass.
He resumed his seat but swivelled his chair to the side, facing her. Without him asking, she mirrored his action. “Hannah…” the way he said her named washed over her like the warm rays of the sun, bathing you on a perfect day. “…how have you been?”
The question was asked with so much concern it jarred her. In fact, she felt so overwhelmed that she couldn’t provide her standard response. She took a moment and really reflected on her answer. He sat patiently with his cognac-coloured eyes trained on her. She remembered the first time she had seen them. She had just met him. Her first thoughts had come popping out of her mouth. “Your eyes are really pretty for a boy. I’ve never seen an Asian with such light-coloured eyes.” Her twelve-year-old self had been mortified that she had put her foot in her mouth so badly. Although he was nearly fourteen, he had been so kind and sweet. Rubbing her arm, he’d told her. “I’m guessing that’s a compliment. Thank you.”
“I’ve been better, but I feel better than I have in a while.”
“That’s good to hear. I take it you are ready to get back to work?”
“I’ve been ready. I got benched because somebody else fumbled the play.”
“Not going to lie. I didn’t understand that. I thought it was your decision.”
“Absolutely not.” Hannah shook her head vigorously. He frowned.
He rubbed his chin, and her eyes were drawn to the slight stubble. “Well, let’s come to an agreement so we can get back to doing what you love.”
“I don’t understand what agreement we need to reach. It is a done deal. You are the Co-pastor?—”
Samuel held up his hand cutting her off. “Nothing is a done deal until it is in writing.”
“You mean you haven’t signed on yet?”
Drawing a bit closer to her, he leaned forward. It could have been interpreted as being an intimidating gesture, seeing how much bigger he was than her. She was a curvy plump woman, but she was small in stature. Samuel had nearly a foot on her. Any thoughts of intimidation went out the window when she got a whiff of him. He smelled delicious, like a spice. So earthy, hints of the intoxicating aroma of freshly ground cumin and cinnamon made her senses come alive.
“Do you really think I would have signed on without speaking to you first? Especially after all we’ve shared?”
His words played havoc on her. The respect and thought he was showing her was overwhelming. The mention of what they shared rattled her. Those were cherished memories she had locked away in her memory vault.
“I’m sorry.” Was all she could say to him. She had been misled. However, she should have known better.
“It’s fine.” He dismissed. “We have to get to know each other again.” The hairs on her nape stood up. It was an innocent enough comment, yet it sounded like both a promise and a threat.
Hannah geared the conversation back on track. “I appreciate you wanting to talk to me first. There hasn’t been a lot of that around here. Since my dad stepped down from the board, their leadership has been doing more dictating than consulting.”
“To be honest, that is one of the things I wanted to discuss with you. That needs to change. If we are to be the pastors, I won’t have it be in name only.” Oh, Hannah liked the sound of that.
“Okay.” She said cautiously.
Samuel nodded. “We need to be a united front. I have your back and you have mine. The board is there to lend support to the leaders, not to lead. Is that something you can be on board with?”
Absolutely! It was what Hannah had believed all along. She had tried to get Jeremiah on board, but it didn’t seem to be something that was important to him. He obviously had more pressing matters to attend to. While she liked the idea of them being a united front, how did she know if their interests would align? She didn’t want to be judgy. However, the two of them lived very different lives. Everything about him screamed ‘progressive’. While her beliefs aligned with a more traditional school of thought.
“I can see the wheels turning in your head. We don’t have to figure out what our differences are right now. We just have to agree to be a united front. Whatever differences we encounter, we work them out between the two of us in private.”
Hannah thought about the words. It would be nice to have a partner to work with. “It sounds like a solid plan.”
Samuel hit her with all his dazzling pearly whites. She couldn’t hold back the gasp before it escaped. “Excellent. Then I will take the position and work with you.”
For the first time in a while, hope blossomed in her heart. This could really work. In a few weeks she could return to her job, with a partner who wanted to work with her. Besides, if she said no, and Samuel walked away, Brother White’s next choice may not be so easy to work with. This was good. “I’m on board. I think this will work for everyone.”
“Then I will happily sign on the dotted line. I’m looking forward to working with you.” It was Hannah’s turn to gift him with a smile. It was a genuine one too. Not her professional one.
They spoke for a while about their vision. They were both very much aligned with community outreach. Also helping the youth. They understood the importance of fostering leadership in the next generation. After all, they had a place to foster their gifts and talents. Little Shepherd’s Summer Camp had done that for them. It had been instrumental in Hannah’s life, and Samuel’s even if he had taken a detour.
“We should probably call them back in. Brother White is most certainly out there having kittens.”
Samuel didn’t miss a beat, as he got up and headed towards the door. “He should see someone about that. Maybe invest in a litter box or something.”
Laughter bubbled up in her and escaped ringing out in the room before she could control it. By the time the door was opened, she barely had it under control. Alvin White was the first member to enter and eyed her suspiciously.
Once everyone was seated again. Samuel inclined his head to Hannah. Effectively giving her the floor. Her gaze landed on Brother White, and he didn’t look happy at all. Too bad. A change was in the air. Deal with it. The man had told her that on many occasions.
“Pastor Cho and I look forward to leading and serving this flock together. We are both confident we can do a lot of good not only for them but for the community.”
The members of the board expressed their delight at the announcement. It didn’t go without notice that one member didn’t seem to be as enthusiastic as the rest. He lacklusterly dismissed the meeting.
Samuel immediately leaned over and invited her to lunch. “Let’s continue our discussion and come up with a game plan.” She agreed.
“I have to go to the office. Well, our office and grab my purse. Would you like to see it? Or has it already been shown to you?”
“No, lead the way.”
“Anna.” Her sister called as they stepped out of the conference room.
“Hey Lisabeth.” She greeted her sister, giving her a hug. “What are you doing here?
“I came to take Nigel to lunch.” Her sister announced, looping her hands with his. “Want to come?”
“No, it’s okay.”
“I don’t want you having lunch alone. We don’t mind.” Lisabeth was sweet and always looking after her. Especially in the last few months. Her sister and Nigel deserved their time alone as a couple.
“She’s not having lunch alone…” Samuel stepped forward, so he stood beside her, “…we’ll be having lunch together.”
Lisabeth finally seemed to realise he was there. She squealed. “Samuel!” Letting go of Nigel’s arm she launched herself at Samuel.
“Hey PB.” He greeted, hugging her back. Her sister and Samuel had always gotten along like a house on fire. He gave her the nickname because, as a kid, her sister had been obsessed with peanut butter. She was always sneaking peanut butter and crackers. Why Lisabeth thought it was a secret she would never know. The girl always smelled like peanut butter. Hence the nickname. Samuel once remarked he thought of her like a little sister.
“So, I hear you will be Co-pastoring.” Lisabeth stated.
“Yes, I will be.” Samuel nodded.
“Now that’s fantastic news. You’ll have to come over to dinner soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Let go of that man so we can go eat,” Nigel laughingly instructed his wife. The whole time they spoke, Samuel and Lisabeth had been holding onto each other.
“I’m coming.” She answered. Lisabeth and Nigel said their goodbyes, but after taking one step, her sister stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“Samuel?” She called.
“Yes, PB?” He answered.
Her expression and tone were serious as she directed. “Take care of my sister.”
He inclined his head and matched her tone. “You know I will.”
A look passed between them. Lisabeth smiled then waved like a little child off to get ice cream.
“So, you said something about showing me our office?” Samuel said, drawing her attention.