The Small Town Preacher's Fake - Lucy McConnell Page 0,3

another on Seth’s application.

Seth prayed. He prayed with all his heart. He’d wanted to be a pastor ever since he was a junior in high school. And though he was young, he had a heart full of love for the Lord that he wanted to share with the whole world.

“Well, if you can get things settled in marriage department, I think we’ll be willing to give you a chance,” Mr. White conceded.

He launched to his feet, his hand outstretched. “Thank you, sir.” He pumped Mr. White’s hand first and then made his way around the semicircle. “I’m thrilled for this opportunity.”

“My, but you’re as excited as a puppy,” said Mrs. Miller.

He slowed down the handshake. “I am. I have so many wonderful ideas. And I can feel the Holy Spirit in this ministry. It’s a home where Jesus can bring peace to those who enter.”

She placed her other hand, soft and light as a bird, on top of their already joined ones. “There are great things ahead for you. I’ll pray for your strength and endurance, because there’s also a lot of work.”

“I look forward to it.” He did. His chest puffed up.

“Here are the keys to the pastoral cottage.” Mr. White held up a finger. “Don’t forget. We expect progress on the marriage front—and soon.”

“Oh, Rod—you can’t give love a deadline.” Mrs. Green scowled.

“Can too.” Mr. Green stood up for his mate. “It’s easy. You get down on a knee and pop that question.”

Mrs. Green shook her head. “You were so much more romantic when you were younger.”

“My knees worked when I was younger too,” he quipped back at her.

“Oh, John.” She playfully smacked his arm.

“So how ’bout it, young feller? You ready to put a ring on it?” Mr. Green asked in his sergeant voice.

“Progress is my middle name.” Seth pocketed the keys and pulled the door open, holding it for the ladies.

Mr. Green scowled. “I thought your middle name was Matthew.”

Mrs. White twittered behind her hand again, her eyes sparkling.

Seth barely made it out of the room before a grin broke free. He’d let Mrs. Green explain the joke to her husband on the drive home. He liked this group. They’d keep him on his toes; that was for sure.

He stepped out the double doors and down the steps into the bright sunshine. Lifting his face to the light, he paused to let the heat warm his cheeks. He’d done it. He’d secured his first official position. It felt good.

For about five seconds.

His smile melted. If he was going to keep his place as pastor, he needed a wife, and soon. Mr. White wasn’t one to trifle with small details. If he said they wanted a married pastor, then a married pastor Seth would be, or they’d look for someone new.

He pulled out his phone and checked the ad. There were several responses. One of them was crude. Two were mocking. A few were sincere but interested in being paid up front or getting a weekly paycheck. He shook his head, working to keep discouragement at bay. Like he could afford to pay a wife. He was lucky he could afford to feed her on his meager salary.

Dear God, all things happen on your time—but I’m running out of time here.

Maybe he needed to find the single scene in town. He’d never been great at navigating the dating world—his first girlfriend had played head games that left him exhausted. His second had dumped him for a lineman on the college football team. After that, he’d just sort of opted out.

And now, he was opting back in. Sort of.

Right as he glanced down, a new answer popped up. He stopped in the middle of the church walkway to read it once, then read it again, savoring the sweetness of the words on the screen. “Loves Jesus … wants to share His love with others.” Excitement rushed through him. “… open to a platonic marriage grounded in trust and friendship. Yes!” He pumped his fist, then quickly straightened and glanced around to make sure no one had seen him. The others had pulled out of the pockmarked parking lot that was in desperate need of repair.

He might not be able to give a wife everything she desired in the way of the world—but he could be loyal and was an excellent friend, if he did say so himself.

He paused for a moment to tune in to the Spirit. He waited for a warning—a reason to call the whole thing