A Valentine's Wish by Betsy St. Amant

he turned to see Pastor Mike wearing a tense smile.
    “Mornin’, Pastor. Great sermon today.” Andy smiled back, but Mike’s expression didn’t change.
    “Thank you. It seemed to be received well.” The pastor’s eyes were directed over Andy’s shoulder, and he had yet to release Andy’s arm. “Listen, son, I’m not trying to pry, but have you considered my request any further?”
    “Of course.” Andy nodded respectfully, even though a thousand knots tied simultaneously in his stomach. A second talk already? The pressure on the church must be worse than Andy first imagined if Pastor Mike was stooping to this level of confrontation. Andy swallowed. It wasn’t his fault Lori had yet to notice his intentions. He was trying all he knew to try. If he blurted his feelings spontaneously, Lori would bolt—much like she’d just done.
    “I know this marriage business is tricky, but son, if you don’t get serious about finding a bride, I’m not sure how much longer I can hold off the board.” Pastor’s Mike’s voice lowered. “They’re on me constantly with phone calls from parents. Our recent drop in youth-group numbers is partially because of this. Families are concerned for their kids ever since that scandal across town.”
    Andy’s mind whirled. He knew he’d seen a drop in attendance lately, but he’d chalked it up to a winter slump. Summer was always a busier time of year, as there were more events offered. “Are you sure they aren’t paranoid, Pastor? We have the spring retreat coming up, and it’s always a hit. I’m sure attendance will—”
    “I’m just telling you what I know,” Pastor Mike interrupted with a firm clap on Andy’s shoulder. “Keep up that effort, all right? Even an engagement would hold them awhile.”
    Andy nearly choked at the idea of proposing to Lori this soon. She’d probably laugh in his face and assume it was yet another one of his many jokes. Andy’s throat tightened, and he sputtered a dispute.
    Pastor Mike stopped his effort with a raised hand. “I realize you’re doing all you can and that this kind of thing takes time. I know that. Others, however…” Pastor Mike’s voice trailed off, and the meaning of the unspoken words struck Andy with numbing clarity.
    He managed to pat Pastor Mike’s back in return. “Yes, sir.”
    The pastor slipped up the aisle. Andy followed slowly, nodding at parishioners crowding the front doors in their exit and hoping his inner turmoil didn’t show on his face. Which of the congregation members had complained to the senior staff about his single status? Which smiling face had gone behind his back out of fear instead of trusting his heart?
    More importantly, which one started this snowball with Lori that was rapidly turning into an avalanche?
     
    Lori tucked the afghan over her shoulders and nestled her plate in her lap. Her ignored stomach started growling as soon as she arrived home. No wonder—she’d skipped dinner last night and breakfast this morning. Emotionally beating herself up tended to distract her from food. How could she have left the freezer door open so carelessly when she’d left for the day? There was no telling yet how much money she had cost the shop in supplies. She’d have to reorder first thing in the morning and hope they could do a rush delivery. That’d be an additional fee.
    She bit into a chip, barely tasting as she crunched. The cost of her negligence was adding up.
    Andy’s pestering after church hadn’t helped matters. That’s why Lori had dodged the subject of her management failure by telling him about Monny. She couldn’t exactly tell Andy she was ruining his aunt’s store. It was bad enough he popped in every few days to check on her. He was one of her best friends—he should believe in her.
    Though after this freezer problem, she wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t.
    Her living room, normally cozy and homey, suddenly felt empty. Lori spoke into the silence. “God, I keep