“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 thatsurprised 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.
