“Seth Powell is not who he says he is.” Mr. White announced.
“Excuse me?” Seth was most definitely Seth. He had the driver’s license and birth certificate to prove it.
“He came to us professing to be an honest man, a man who would preach the word and work with the board to watch over this parish. But he’s argued during meetings, and I found out this week that he has already started the youth program he’s determined we need without considering the larger needs of our regular worshipers and against our direct orders. I submit he be dismissed and a search for a new pastor commence at once.”
There was a tiny gasp from behind him, one that sounded so much like Evie that Seth’s heart lurched in that direction. He must have imagined it, because when he turned, there was no sign of her.
“Those are some pretty big accusations.” Mrs. Green sniffed. “I’d like to hear the pastor’s side of things.”
Seth drew himself up. “I never professed to be a perfect man. And yes, I did present a counter plan for the money received from Mr. Wellsprings’s donation. However, I have not gone behind anyone’s back to start a youth program. Evie was helping a couple of girls with their homework.”
“On church property.”
Seth bit back his argument. He and Mr. White had gone the rounds on that before. He would not stand by and let Mr. White dictate what he could and couldn’t do on the property that had been entrusted to his care. Especially not when it pertained to helping another human being.
“Besides, it doesn’t matter if it was your wife—she should have known better,” Mr. White added.
A scuffle sounded behind, and they all turned to the door. No one appeared, and Seth picked up before Mr. White could condemn him further. “My wife is the best thing that happened to this parish—even more so than me. She’s done more good here in the last six weeks than the rest of you put together. No offense.” He smiled at the ladies and was met with frowns. “She visits the sick, she talks to the lonely, she brings in lost sheep, and she helps girls pass English, among a thousand other little things I can’t keep track of—thank goodness for recording angels in heaven. I’ll not stand here and let you disparage her for doing what was right.” His voice was deep and strong and sounded much like a charging bull he’d once seen at a rodeo. “If you want to punish someone, then it should be me. I didn’t tell her about the money. I didn’t tell her about the meeting and your directive to hold off on the youth meeting.”
Mrs. Green wrinkled her nose in confusion. “Whyever not?”
A sense that this was his one chance to come clean, to unburden his soul, overcame him. He closed his eyes for a moment, sick at what he knew needed to be said but knowing it had to come out anyway. “Because we aren’t married.”
Mrs. Green grabbed at her chest, gasping.
“I mean, we’re married,” Seth rushed to explain. “We have the certificate and everything. It’s all legal. But we aren’t married in the fact that we didn’t marry for love.”
“What on earth did you marry for?” barked Mr. Green.
“For the job.” Seth lifted his shoulders. “I wanted this position so much that I put an ad in the paper for a wife.”
“That was you?” Mrs. Miller was aghast.
“It was. And the result was better than I’d ever hoped for. Evie is everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman times a thousand, and she’s been the center of this congregation, handing out love and acceptance like they were candy canes at Christmas.”
“But you lied to us.” Mrs. Green spoke like she was trying to reason things out in her own head.
“I didn’t lie. I told you I was working on getting a wife.”
“Awifeis so much more than a, a means to an end,” sputtered Mr. White.
Seth pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m learning that.” The hard way. Why did he always have to learn things the hard way? He stood up. “I’d like to apologize for the way I handled things.”
“It’s about time,” muttered Mr. White.
“But I won’t.”
Five pairs of eyes blinked. Mr. White choked, his face turning dark red.
“Because if I do, that means I’m sorry that I came here, that I’m sorry I’ve been your pastor, and mostly that I’m sorry I married Evie. And none of that is true. In fact, if I had to do it all over again, I would, because the last six weeks have been the best weeks of my life. So if you’re going to fire me, then fire me.”
He walked out of the room, his steps lighter for having unburdened his conscience. His only regret was that he hadn’t told Evie all of that first. Well, it was time to tell her now. If she didn’t love him back, if she didn’t want to be with him like a true husband and wife, then so be it. But at least he’d be true to the feelings of his heart.
He jogged to the door and then ran across the lawn, bursting into the house. “Evie!” he yelled.
There was no answer.
“Evie!” he called again as he made his way to the kitchen. A single piece of paper lay on the table. For some reason, he instantly didn’t like it. Evie had never left him a note before, and the fact that she did so now felt off.
