CHAPTER 13
Grinning, Kim tugged Beth up next to her and together they flopped onto the couch.
“Okay fine! But only because I have a few bombshells myself… but nothing as dramatic as all of that!” Kim playfully waved her hands around Beth’s whole body.
Beth snuggled into the couch, fully content to hear whatever Kim had to say.
“Do you remember Pablo?” Kim asked.
“Of course! How is he? He was, what, sixteen when we were there?”
“Yes, he turned twenty-one during my trip. He got married eighteen months ago, and they’re expecting their first child in July,” Kim shared.
“Oh wow. Did you see him, or did the Taylors just tell you about him? Please tell me he went to college—he was such a smart boy,” Beth said eagerly.
“I saw him. And yes, he did! He studied online and got a degree in ministry. He’s now on staff at the orphanage.”
Beth’s eyes lit up. “That’s incredible! Did you meet his wife? Is she sweet?”
Kim’s expression turned playful. “Yes, I met her. You have too.”
Beth frowned. “I have? Wait… did he marry another child from the orphanage?”
“In a way. He married Miss Sarah, formerly known as Sarah Taylor.” Kim grinned, waiting for Beth’s reaction.
Beth’s jaw dropped. “Oh my goodness! I remember them telling us their youngest was getting married before the older two, but I don’t recall them mentioning she was marrying Pablo! How old is she?”
“Nineteen,” Kim said. “I can’t imagine being married with a baby on the way at that age, can you?”
Beth let out a breathy laugh. “No, which is probably why, at our ages, we’re both still single.” The words left her mouth before she could catch them. At Kim’s pointed look, she shrugged. “What? It’s still new.”
“Well… I don’t exactly fall into that category anymore either.” Kim’s grin widened, showing off all of her straight, white teeth—even the back ones.
Beth sat up. “You don’t?”
“Oh girl, I have so much to tell you! First things first—the hospital is short-staffed, and the mission board has asked me to take a long-term position down there!” Kim nearly shouted the last part, jumping off the couch and bouncing in place.
Beth gasped, then clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, Kimmy, this is wonderful! I think I might cry again. How long do I have you as my BFF before you leave?”
Kim rolled her eyes. “Oh, you goofball, you’ll still have me as your best friend long after I leave… though I suspect your husband will be filling that role soon enough,” she winked.
Beth ignored the comment. “How long do we have before you go? Where will you live? What visas do you need?” She fired off the questions so fast, Kim laughed.
“I leave in six months. Brian and Rachel invited me to live with them again since they have an empty room now. We’ll see if I stay with them or not. I applied for my visa today.”
Beth’s heart swelled with happiness for her friend. “You’ve prayed about moving there since we left. If you need help getting stuff down there and settling in, just say the word—I’ll fly out with you and stay as long as you want.”
Kim grabbed Beth’s hands. “Deal!”
But then she just smiled at Beth in a way that made her suspicious. Beth narrowed her eyes. “Umm… how does this change your relationship status?”
Kim giggled. “The church has a new pastor.”
Beth sat up straighter. “Oooohhh… what’s his name?” She smirked as Kim’s cheeks turned pink.
“Dave Lambert,” Kim said softly.
Beth waggled her eyebrows. “I take it Pastor Lambert is young and single?”
“Well… you’re half right. He is single. As for young… well, he’s not quite as young as we are.”
Beth caught the sheepish look on Kim’s face and immediately pried for more. “How much older?”
Kim hesitated, then blurted, “He just turned forty. His birthday is the same day as Pablo’s, so we celebrated their birthdays together while I was there.” She spoke quickly, like she always did when she was excited.
Beth did the math. “Forty? Wow, that’s thirteen years older than you.”
“I know, but it’s not something either of us noticed at first. Plus, he looks young for his age,” Kim said defensively. “I know you’re picturing some middle-aged guy with thinning gray hair and a dad bod, but you’re wrong.”
Beth laughed. “Okay, fine, tell me what he actually looks like so I can picture him properly.”
Kim’s expression softened. “Dave’s only been a pastor for two years, and he’s never been married.
Before that, he was a professional surfer and triathlete for fifteen years.
He’s been involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes since college.
He’s five-nine, so shorter than you but still taller than me.
He looks like… well, a surfer with longish hair.
That’s actually how he got involved with FCA—through their surfing ministry.
I think he said seven of the guys he mentored ended up going into ministry themselves. ”
Beth could tell by the dreamy look on Kim’s face that she was completely smitten. “Okay, but when you say ‘longish’ hair… are we talking ponytail long or just brushing his collar?”
“Brushing his collar,” Kim clarified. “Although, I never saw him in a shirt with a collar.”
Beth giggled. “And?”
Kim’s blush deepened. “Beth, I swear, he has one of the best bodies I’ve ever seen up close and personal. Not that we were that close and personal, and I never saw him shirtless or anything, but you know what I mean.”
Beth burst out laughing. “I do. It’s just funny hearing you backpedal.”
Kim grinned. “Most of my free time was spent at the Taylors’ or the orphanage, and every day, he somehow found a reason to be wherever I was. Then, two weeks into my trip, he finally admitted that I was the reason he kept showing up and asked if I’d be open to getting to know each other.”
Beth leaned in. “And?”
“And… I, of course, ran away screaming—just like you always said I would when a guy I liked showed interest,” Kim joked.
Beth swatted her arm. “You did not! Tell me what really happened.”
“I was shocked at first, but part of me had already suspected that’s why he was always around.
The thing that surprised me the most was how comfortable I felt with him.
No matter what I was doing or what time of day it was, I felt completely at ease.
I was attracted to him right away, but I told myself it was just because he was so good-looking. ”
Kim hesitated.
“But that wasn’t it, was it?” Beth prompted.
Kim shook her head. “No. I think, from the start, I could tell he was… wonderful. Someone I could see myself working alongside for the rest of my life. So, we decided to spend the next three months praying about it—no talking, no emailing, nothing. If, after that time, our feelings haven’t faded, we’ll start communicating and see where things go once I move there. What do you think?”
Beth reached for her friend’s hand. “I think you’re right to take your time and pray. These next three months will be hard, though, won’t they?”
“Yes, but I’m committed to giving Dave over to the Lord every time he comes to mind. I don’t want to spend the whole time daydreaming or wishing the days away. He’s about to get more prayers than he ever has before,” Kim laughed.
Beth smirked. “He’ll need them. I mean, the first time he sees you at midnight, bouncing off the walls because you had too much coffee and spent all day inside reading, he might just run for the hills.”
Kim gasped in mock offense.
Then, as if remembering something, she nibbled her bottom lip. “By the way… I’m moving into a support family’s basement. Rent-free. Our lease is up in a month, and I know it’s short notice, but now that you’re married…”
Beth finished her friend’s sentence. “… I can move in with my husband, and you can move into a rent-free basement.”
“Yeah…”
Beth sighed. “I’m going to miss living with you.”
Kim grinned. “Movie night?”
Laughing, Beth grabbed the snacks while Kim queued up the movie.
Beth returned, took one look at the screen, and launched a pillow at her friend.
“You’re dead to me.”
The title flashed: What Happens in Vegas.