“Of course, are you okay?” Pastor Steve asked.
“Physically?” she asked, thrown off by the same question Bryce had asked the night before. She blushed at the memory.
“Well, sure, that’s a start,” Pastor Steve replied gently, surprised by her response but willing to meet her where she was.
“Physically I’m fine,” she clarified, offering nothing more.
When it became clear she wasn’t planning to elaborate, Pastor Steve tried another route.
“I can certainlymake time to meet with you this morning. Can you tell me a little more about what happened during your trip?”
“I got drunk on my trip and married one of the doctors—someone I work with,” she blurted out rapidly.
Silence.
“Oh, Beth. You are such a jokester. You really had me going there for a second. So, what’s the real reason? Another Sunday school expense report?”
More silence.
“I wish. But no. I’m serious.”
She could practically hear his gray eyebrows shoot toward his hairline.
“Oh dear. I’m sorry for laughing. Come as soon as you can—I’m free until ten-thirty. Shall I call Tami?”
“You don’t have to wake her…”
“She’s already awake. Even if she wasn’t, she adores you. She’ll want to be there.” He paused, then added in a grandfatherly tone, “I could also call and talk to your parents, if you’d like?”
“They already know. I told them last night.”
“Good, good. Eight o’clock?”
“That works. Thank you.”
Beth hung up and left quick messages for her parents and Bryce. Her hand shook as she set the phone down.
Pastor Steve tapped his pen while his wife’s phone rang at home.
“Muffin, can you come to the church right away?” he asked when she picked up.
“Of course. Is everything okay? It’s not even seven,” Tami replied, her voice laced with concern.
“I just got off the phone with Beth Stoner, and boy has she gotten herself into a pickle,” Pastor Steve said, already thumbing through his Bible. “She’ll be here at eight, and I’d like to spend some time on our knees seeking the Lord’s wisdom before Beth arrives—with her new husband.”
“Her new what?” Tami exclaimed.
“MWI,” Pastor Steve replied, flatly.
“Married? While intoxicated?” Her voice rose an octave. “You said Elizabeth? Surely you meant CaroLynn. That would be far more understandable.”
Pastor Steve shook his head, though she couldn’t see it. “Nope. Elizabeth.”
Tami blinked. “Oh my word. The sweet sister, not the wild one?”
“Apparently, the Sweet & Wild Sisters have traded roles for the week,” Pastor Steve said, using their private nickname for the Stoner girls.
“I’m on my way.” Tami hung up muttering, “Beth Stoner… married? What on earth…”
