“Are you sure?” The bite he had taken was small.
“Positive.” He assured her, taking a larger bite. She finally took a bite of the casserole herself. It was one of her best. Lisabeth made a good call. Hannah was positively beaming. When he took a second helping, she melted into her chair.
Things couldn’t be better. As their first Sunday Co-pastoring approached, the couple spent time in the church office. Mostly, they were very productive. The couple sharing ministering duties on the first Sunday. It was unorthodox, and Hannah had baulked at the suggestion, but she listened with an open mind.“I know it isn’t how things are usually done, but you can’t open new doors with old keys.”She found him sexy when he was serious. Okay, she found him sexy most times.
They worked well together. Their work ethic was similar, they could spend hours doing their studies. She initially objected to those breaks consisting of snuggles and pecks. Samuel enjoyed their little breaks.
“There is nothing wrong with us taking a few moments to show each other affection throughout the day. Besides, the door is closed.”
An incident with Corinth had Hannah believing they probably should lock the door. She knocked but was already opening the door before they could respond. The couple were locked in an embrace. Hannah would have jumped away, but Samuel held her firm. No embarrassment or anything. “We are the kind of couple you should probably wait for a response from before entering.”
Goodness this man!Hannah’s eyes opened comically before she partially covered her face.
“Yes Pastor. Sorry about that.” Corinth tried to conceal her smile. She shared some correspondence for their first day. Once she left, Hannah admonished her husband. “I can’t believe you told her that.” Samuel smiled and just shrugged. He was completely unbothered.
Hannah wished more than once that she could adopt her husband’s nonchalance. Especially on the first Sunday they were taking on their new roles. Despite picking out her outfit days in advance, she changed her mind the morning of. Then she frantically tried to select a replacement.
Samuel still insisted she have breakfast. He’d thoughtfully made her an omelet and home fries. It looked delicious. She didn’t have the heart to tell him it was doubtful she could get it down. They ended up having a standoff until she ate a few bites.
While she waited for service to start, she reviewed her notes, but the words were a jumbled mess. She attempted to block everything and everyone, including Samuel, out. Especially him. He looked so unbothered.
Hannah opened one of her desk drawers, looking for a highlighter, and her eyes landed on a small gift box. Aunty Letta had dropped it off a couple of days ago. She had thanked her godmother, not wanting to tell her that Samuel would never use the gift. Although Hannah felt today of all days, he should. It’s not that he didn’t look impeccable in his navy-blue suit and yellow shirt, but his attire didn’t fit his position.
Her nerves were soon forgotten. Hannah became fixated on the idea that Samuel should wear the tie Aunty Letta gifted him. She was conflicted, because he couldn’t have made it clearer how he felt about that particular accessory. He didn’t own any neckwear. None. She just couldn’t let it go. Her fixation turned to resentment. Trinity Covenant Church had never had a male pastor without a tie behind the lectern. Sometimes we had to do things we didn’t want to for the greater good. A part of her felt it wasn’t a good idea to follow this train of thought. Especially now, so shortly before the service was set to begin. She ignored the voice of reasoning.
Hannah removed the tie from the box and walked over to her husband’s desk. He was so engrossed in what he was doing, he didn’t immediately look up. “Hey, what’s up?” He smiled at her.
“Here, take this,” Hannah insisted, thrusting the tie towards Samuel.
“What is it?” His brow wrinkled in confusion.
“It’s a tie. You shouldn’t go out on the pulpit without one.”
“I told you I don’t wear ties. The only use I can think of for that thing is to tie you up with it. Tell me, Hannah, is that what you had in mind?” He flashed her a playful smile. Pushing away from the desk, he stood and reached for her waist.
Hannah stepped back out of his reach dramatically. “Stop that!” Her tone was scolding. “Can you take nothing seriously?”
Samuel’s smile disappeared, and his eyes narrowed. “Come again?” His tone held a warning that she mentally flipped off and continued.
She waved the tie she was still holding. “Why do you insist on flaunting every single tradition?”
Her husband inclined his head, looking at her as if attempting to figure out a puzzle. A myriad of emotions flashed across his face. When his anger morphed into concern, Hannah’s emotions washed over her like a tidal wave. Tears slid from her eyes. Samuel reached for her again, this time she failed to evade his hold. He circled her waist with his hands. “Hey, what’s the matter?”
“I just want you to wear this tie.” She whined. Then stomped her foot for good measure.
“It’s not going to happen.” He took the tie and shot it over his shoulder. “But you knew that. So, I’m asking again. What’s the matter?”
“I just?—”
Knock, knock. Knock, knock. The gentle wrapping interrupted her. “Pastors, it is time.” Corinth called.
“Please tell them we are going to need some time.” Samuel answered. “We’ll let you know when we are ready.”
“Why would you do that? We have to get out there.” She attempted to walk around him, and he halted her movements.
“We aren’t going anywhere until you talk to me. Much less out there, in the state you are in. Again, what’s the matter?”
“You’re right, I shouldn’t go out there.” A lone sob escaped. Her heart felt so heavy.
